He managed a half laugh, half cough. He wasn’t used to having such rational, reasonable women surrounding him, he thought wryly. Not that he hadn’t understood where Olivia was coming from, because he had. But this détente was much simpler.

“Well, now that that’s settled…” he said.

“I’m going to get a glass of orange juice,” Meg muttered. Obviously embarrassed, she started to walk away.

“Meg?”

The other woman turned.

“I look forward to getting to know you better,” Olivia said, surprising the hell out of Dylan.

And if Meg’s expression was anything to go by, she was shocked too. “I’d like that.”

Meg turned and walked away, and Dylan breathed out a relieved stream of air.

He turned to Olivia. “You’re incredible,” he said, slipping his arms around her waist.

“Thank you. But I’m reserving judgment on everything.”

“What does that mean?” he asked.

“I hated what I saw.” She wrinkled her nose. “I mean, I hated seeing you two alone in a corner, Meg’s arms wrapped around you like you were hers.”

He knew better than to crack a jealousy joke or even mention how relieved he was to know she cared enough to be jealous.

“If you hadn’t read her the riot act, I’m not sure I’d have been able to be civil to either one of you, no matter what I promised myself I’d do or say.”

He slipped his hand around her ass, making sure her back faced away from the party and toward the woods behind the house. Then he pulled her into him, letting her feel how much he wanted her. “This is for you. Got that? And only you.”

Her stiffness melted out of her, her body softening against his. “I know that. And hearing you stand up for us? That meant the world.” Her voice cracked, and right then she stole another piece of his heart.

“You do realize Meg is going to need you even more now, right?” Olivia asked.

He shook his head. “She’s an adult, and she will have to learn to stand on her own two feet and make the right decisions. Especially now. I’m her friend, but I’m not her husband, boyfriend, or anything like it. I’m yours.”

“Okay then.” Olivia smiled.

He nodded. “Okay then.” He hoped Olivia meant what she said and everything between them was fine.

* * *

The party wound down, Ava opened her overly expensive American Girl doll that she loved, and soon Olivia and Dylan said good-bye to everyone and left his sister’s house. Meg had gone home awhile before, claiming she wasn’t feeling well. Olivia didn’t want her sick, but she also didn’t want her embarrassed or upset. She just wanted peace, and she hoped she would eventually get along with Dylan’s ex. He didn’t mention Meg, and Olivia was smart enough to let the situation go.

Instead, she wanted to go home with her man. Her man. That was what Dylan was, at least for now. She didn’t know what the future held, but she did know she’d have to tell him everything about her past. She couldn’t tell herself she loved him and hold the most vulnerable parts of herself back. Even if the words had never been said between them, even if she wasn’t sure just how deep he was really in … after all, he’d said a lot of words, none of them the word, but she owed him the truth.

They arrived back at his place, a luxury apartment a block away from the ocean. “I’ve never been here before,” she said, glancing around.

“I know. And as soon as I’m finished with you, I’ll give you a tour. Not that there’s much to see.” He grinned and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close. “Except in the bedroom. There’s plenty to see in there.” He picked her up and swung her into his arms.

“Dylan!” She laughed at his impulsive move. She ran her hand up and down his cheek. “I need to talk to you,” she said.

He groaned. “Before or after?” He did her favorite move, nuzzling her neck, making it perfectly clear what he would prefer to do now.

“Now,” she said, despite the fact that her entire body was humming with sexual need.

He tipped his head against hers and groaned. “Okay. But not in the bedroom. I won’t be able to concentrate if I have you on my bed.” He turned and walked back to the den and deposited her on the sofa, coming down beside her.

He clasped his hand around hers, as if sensing she needed strength for whatever it was she had to tell him.

Tags: Carly Phillips Dare to Love Erotic
Source: readsnovelonline.net