Dare to Touch (17 page)

She wrinkled her nose in confusion. “Okay what?”

“Okay, I understand. You don’t think you want kids. So let me ask you something. When did I ever say I was in this relationship for any reason other than you?”

Eyes glassy, she narrowed her gaze. “You don’t mean that.”

“Are you calling me a liar?” he asked, his voice dropping in warning.

Her lips parted, but he didn’t want to hear another word out of her mouth unless she was screaming his name while he was pounding hard inside her.

So he rose and pulled her with him, heading straight for the bedroom, where he could begin to show her he wasn’t going anywhere. He’d just have to dig in, be patient, and wrap her in all the love and security she’d never had, hoping that eventually she’d trust in him and in them enough to change her mind. And want the family he intended to have. With her.

It was the biggest gamble of his life.

Chapter Ten

O
livia’s office had been a revolving door with people coming in and out all day. She was busier than ever, and for that, she was grateful. Because whenever she had down time, her thoughts turned to Dylan. So now, she sat at her desk, fingers playing with the sun pendant around her neck, a constant memory of the great guy she had in her life. She’d told Dylan the truth about her past and her fears about the future, and he hadn’t left.

No, he was still here with her, and she didn’t know what to make of that. How could he not care that she wasn’t certain she wanted children? How could he think
she
was enough? Sure, he might believe that now, but wouldn’t he come to resent her later?

A full workweek had passed, and nothing between them had changed except he’d stepped up his pursuit, as if trying to prove a point. He’d sent flowers to work, taken her out for dinner or cooked for her at his apartment, and she’d ended up sleeping there every night. If his goal was to convince her that he wasn’t going anywhere, he was doing a damned good job.

In fact, they’d fallen into a routine that she could easily get used to. If only she could relax and let herself believe everything would be okay, but instead, she tossed and turned each night. She was exhausted in the mornings, and not even a double dose of caffeine helped.

She wasn’t surprised when a knock sounded on her office door. It had been that kind of day.

“Come in!” she called out, looking up. To Olivia’s surprise, Meg entered, shutting the door behind her.

She was wearing a pair of black slacks with dust and paint stains that told her she’d probably come straight from teaching her kindergarten class.

Olivia rose, but Meg gestured for her to sit. “I’m sorry to just show up like this.”

“That’s okay. Are you here to see Dylan?” Because Olivia couldn’t imagine why Meg would be here to visit with her.

Meg shook her head. “I used his name as a way to get past the gate though. He has me on his approved list. But I really wanted to talk to you. I was hoping you’d still be here.”

“I wish I wasn’t,” Olivia said, then realizing how that sounded, she shook her head. “I meant, it’s been a long week, and I’d rather be home than at work.”

Meg stepped into the room. “I get that, believe me.”

Olivia gestured to one of the chairs on the other side of her desk, and Meg settled herself in with a groan. “I am exhausted. This first trimester is rough.”

“I—” Olivia had been about to say,
I remember
, but caught herself in time. Dylan might know, but she wasn’t about to confide in a stranger. “I understand. So what can I do for you?” she asked.

“You mean why am I here?” Meg smiled ruefully. “I felt really bad about what happened at Dylan’s sister’s house. When I looked at things from your perspective, I realized that I wasn’t being fair.” She drew a deep breath. “I guess I got used to having Dylan at my beck and call. As a friend,” she was quick to follow up, her cheeks turning a healthy pink in embarrassment.

Olivia was uncomfortable as well, but she respected the fact that Meg had come here to face her.

“But that’s all Dylan and I are. And as his friend, I want him to be happy, and you obviously do that for him so … I’m sorry.” Meg seemed to run out of words at the same time she ran out of breath. She might’ve rushed her confession, but she really seemed to have a good heart.

“I appreciate you coming by,” Olivia said, certain it couldn’t have been easy.

“I just want you to know that I won’t call Dylan all the time. I’ll make that break. But I would like us to try and be friends?”

Olivia smiled. “I’d like that. Because I know Dylan doesn’t want to lose you.” And Olivia understood that, or was trying to. She had so many brothers and sisters. Dylan had one. Meg made two, if she believed them both, and she wanted to—in a healthy way. Not in a dysfunctional, not-seeing-the-obvious kind of way.

“Thanks for saying that.” Meg rose to her feet. “Well, I’m sure you want to get home, and I have a long weekend ahead of me. If the baby’s father calls me back, I still need to tell him that I’m pregnant.”

Olivia winced. “Oh, wow. Good luck with that. Do you think he’ll take it well?”

“Doubtful,” Meg said with a shake of her head. “He’s an immature child. I really have to learn to pick better men,” she muttered. “Of course, now I’d have to find a man willing to take on crazy me and my child. In other words, it’s just going to be me and the peanut.” She patted her still-flat stomach.

Olivia blinked, realizing just how much she understood Meg’s predicament. She’d found herself in a similar position a long time ago. Way too similar. But nothing that had happened to Olivia, from the cheating ex to losing her baby, would help Meg to learn now. So Olivia remained silent, despite her crazy impulse to confide in the other woman … a woman who was open and friendly and easy to talk to.

“Good luck,” Olivia said.

“Thank you. And thanks for seeing me. And being so understanding. Maybe we can grab lunch on one of my rare days off? Or on a weekend,” Meg said in one of her rushed statements.

“I’d like that,” Olivia said, meaning it. She reached into her desk and pulled out a business card and scribbled her cell number on the back. “Call me.”

Meg treated her to a genuinely warm smile. “Thank you.”

Olivia rose and walked Meg to the door, opening it only to find her sister-in-law, Madison, on the other side.

Meg walked out and Madison walked in. “God, this day is crazy. It’s been one meeting after another.”

“Want me to come back another time?” Madison asked.

“No! I always have time for you.” Olivia gave her a hug. “You look fantastic.” She stepped back and took in Madison’s long blonde hair and glowing cheeks. “I take it my brother’s still treating you right?”

Over time, it had become easy to refer to her half siblings the same way she did her full-blood ones. They weren’t to blame for her father’s actions, and she really did like Alex and the rest.

Madison nodded. “Yes, he is. Marriage has been good for him. For us.”

“I just wish you hadn’t eloped. We all wanted to be there for you.”

Madison met Olivia’s gaze. “I know. But without any family to speak of, I just wanted it to be Alex and me. I didn’t want to feel like I was walking down the aisle alone, you know?”

Olivia understood. Madison had grown up in foster care and had deep abandonment issues that Alex had had a tough time overcoming. Then again, considering he’d dumped her once, he’d deserved to have to work hard for his second chance.

“Our family is your family. You know that, right? And there’s a lot of us,” she reminded her brother’s wife.

Madison nodded, her blue eyes filled with grateful tears. “I’m good now. It was just the idea of the wedding and all those traditions I didn’t want to deal with. But going forward? I’m all in with you Dares.”

Olivia laughed and hugged her sister-in-law again. She released her and gestured to the chairs.

“Want to sit?”

Madison nodded, and they both settled into the seats in front of Olivia’s desk. “I’m really here to fill you in on Marcus.” Madison ran the new educational seminars and program Ian had instituted for players to learn how to function post-football career. She had been a social worker first, treating Riley after a bad run-in with her abusive father, which was how Alex had met her.

“How is he doing?” Olivia asked. “I haven’t seen or heard from him since the Pro Bowl.”

Madison raised her shoulders and lowered them again. “On the one hand, he’s willing to do whatever we ask of him. He’s started working with the financial counselor, and he’s agreed to let us sign him up to talk at colleges about the difficulties of turning pro.”

“That sounds really positive, right?”

Madison nodded. “But I’ve been meeting with him about breaking ties with bad influences in his life, and he’s really torn up about sending his cousin home. His family is giving him a hard time.”

Olivia blew out a frustrated breath. “I can’t imagine his parents wanting him around someone who’s a problem.”

“I don’t know. I just know he’s still susceptible to the man, and that could be an issue. I hope he stays away.”

“Got it,” she said glumly, wanting Big to be a success in more areas of his life than just on the field.

“All we can do is give him the tools to fix his life. The rest is up to him. You’re doing all you can for him. We all are.”

She nodded. “I know. Thanks for letting me know.”

“So how are things with you and Dylan?” Madison asked.

Although Olivia shouldn’t have been surprised by the question, she wasn’t prepared to dig into her own feelings. “We’re good,” she said as she rose and headed back behind her desk.

“Oh really? Then why did you just beat a hasty retreat behind your desk?” the one-time social worker asked.

Olivia rolled her eyes. “It’s really annoying that you’re analyzing me.”

Madison shook her head and laughed. “I’m doing no such thing. I walked in here, took one look at you, knew you looked exhausted and that something’s bothering you. I call it friendship, not analysis.” She folded her arms across her chest and eyed Olivia with a knowing but determined gaze.

Olivia let out a sigh. “I appreciate that you care. I just have some things I need to work out in my head.”

“Fine, but don’t let those things keep you from a good man. I nearly did that, and it was a serious mistake.” Madison rose to her feet. “And if you need anything, make sure you pick up the phone.”

“I will.” Olivia knew how fortunate she was to have family and friends who cared, unlike Meg, who seemed like she was alone. And if anyone knew what that was like, it was Olivia.

*     *     *

Dylan met Olivia downstairs by the exit to the parking lot at five o’clock as planned. Sexy as ever in a black skirt that hit above her knee and loose silk shirt with a subtle V-neck that provided a hint of cleavage, he could look at her all day without getting bored. It was enough to make his mouth water and his body perk up despite the long day he’d had.

“So what do you want to do tonight?” he asked as they walked to their separate cars.

She liked having her car, and as long as he had her, he didn’t mind. “I could make reservations at Emilio’s,” he said of a small, intimate restaurant near Alex’s apartment.

“Would you mind if we didn’t go out tonight?” She hid a yawn behind her hand. “I’m so tired I would kill to go home, change into comfortable clothes, and order in pizza.”

“As long as home is my place,” he said, sliding his hand into hers.

She glanced at him for a long moment, and he thought she might change her mind, but she nodded. “Sounds good. I just need to stop home for a few things.”

“I’ll order, and it’ll be there by the time you arrive.”

“You rock.” She leaned in and kissed him on the lips.

He grasped her waist and pulled her close, sliding his tongue into her mouth and making up for the full day’s absence. He swirled his tongue against hers, teasing her with his teeth and lips until her knees went weak and he was satisfied she’d think about nothing but him until she got home. And it was home.

He slowly released her mouth and rubbed his nose against hers. “That ought to hold me over until later,” he murmured.

A little while later, they ate pizza while discussing the situation with Marcus. Dylan filled her in on his day, and she did the same. He appreciated the daily intimacies they’d begun sharing and hoped she felt the same way.

They’d finished their pizza and had settled in each other’s arms on the sofa. He inhaled the floral scent of her shampoo that he’d become familiar with and slid his hand beneath her shirt, settling his palm against the smooth skin of her belly.

“I had a visitor today,” she said. “Meg came by the office.”

His hand stilled. “You’re kidding. What did she want?” Because if she’d upset the delicate balance he was walking with Olivia…

“She was sweet. She said she was sorry about how things looked on Sunday and that she was used to having you at her beck and call. But she wouldn’t put you in that position again.”

“How did you feel about it?” he asked, holding his breath, hoping this didn’t lead to a problem.