Dare to Touch (Dare to Love 3)

He waited until she was within arm’s reach and snagged her around the waist, pulling her close. “Last time I saw you was yesterday, and I want a few minutes alone with you. Is that such a bad thing?”

She shook her head. “No, I just—”

“If I asked nicely, we’d still be arguing over what I wanted and why.”

The man had a point. She was on the defensive.

He braced his hands on her shoulders and lowered her until she sat on his desk. “How are you?”

She shrugged. “Okay.”

“No, you’re not. But you will be,” he said with more confidence than she felt. “Just be yourself with me. Everything else will fall into place.”

She blew out a long breath. “I hope you’re right.” She hesitated, then blurted out, “I’m trying to work on things. On me. I just don’t want to have to worry about long, brutal discussions each time we’re alone,” she said, opting for honesty.

“Me neither.” He kissed one side of her mouth, then the other. “Is that what the concert is about? A way to keep from having to talk?”

She blushed at being called out. “That’s a side benefit,” she admitted. “But the truth is, the lead guitarist is an old boyfriend of Avery’s, and this is the first time she’ll be seeing him since he left her. She doesn’t want to go alone.” She shrugged. “And I don’t want to go without you.”

He lifted her up and placed her on his desk, ignoring the papers he set her on. “That’s music to my ears. Get it? Concert? Music?”

She rolled her eyes. “Someone is in a good, if silly, mood.”

“You’re here. Of course I’m in a good mood.”

She sighed. How could she resist this irresistible, persistent man? “Okay, well, the concert starts at eight, and Avery has backstage passes for all of us afterwards.”

He slid his hands around her waist and pressed a warm kiss to her lips. “Trust me,” he whispered before lifting her off the desk, turning her around, and sending her back to work with a pat

on the ass.

She grinned for the rest of the morning, knowing that had probably been his intent.

* * *

Avery was a bouncing, hyper mess throughout the concert, Dylan thought. Whoever this guy was, the normally unflappable sister looked like she was about to jump out of her skin. But the concert itself was spectacular, as were their seats. Clearly these weren’t bought on the Internet. Avery must have been sent these tickets, but according to Olivia, she didn’t want to discuss it. She just wanted physical, moral support, which Olivia was all too happy to provide, and Dylan was happy to be along for the ride.

The closer they got to the end of the concert, the paler and the more obviously nervous Avery became. More than once, Olivia pulled away from him and leaned into her sister, whispering in her ear. Placing an arm around her shoulder and squeezing her tight with reassurance and love.

He liked the relationship between Olivia and her siblings, because from the teasing to the protectiveness, it reminded Dylan of himself and Callie. And he understood from watching Olivia with her sister just how much love and caring she had to give.

The band walked off the stage, and the crowd went crazy, chanting for an encore. They were treated to two more rounds of music before it became obvious that the band wasn’t returning. The lights flickered on, and people began to gather their things, getting ready to file out.

Dylan’s cell vibrated, and he pulled it out of his pocket and looked. Meg’s number flashed. He shot Olivia a look, but she was busy talking to Avery.

“Hello?” Dylan asked.

Whatever Meg wanted to say, the noise in the arena and the bad reception prevented him from hearing. He frowned and shoved his phone back into his back pocket.

“Who was it?” Olivia asked.

“Meg.” He watched her with a wary gaze.

“Everything okay?” she asked.

He shrugged. “I couldn’t hear. I’ll call her back outside the arena later on.” He glanced at his watch. It was after eleven p.m., and by the time they finished backstage, it might be too late for him to call.

“Do you want to go find a place with service?” Olivia asked.