Dare to Touch (23 page)

Olivia laughed. “Who knows? Meg is pregnant with a problem ex. She’s probably not looking for anything with any man.”

“Not to mention, Meg is drawn to bad boys. Not sure Scott fits the bill.”

Olivia curled into her seat. “Meg needs a decent guy, and that’s Scott. Assuming he’s even into her.”

“Why are we talking about a relationship between two people who don’t even know each other?” Dylan muttered. Besides the obvious reason, that it was easier than discussing the unexpected turn their night had taken and the memories it must have dredged up for Olivia.

He pulled into the parking lot by his building and came around to her side of the car. “Want to walk on the beach?”

She glanced at him, surprised. “Sure.”

They headed across the lot and around the back of the building, strolling down the long sidewalk before reaching the private entrance to the beach. Warm, humid air blew around them, something Dylan was more than used to from living in Florida for his entire life.

Olivia seemed entirely too calm and peaceful, which, in turn, amped up his nerves.

“Want to leave our shoes here?” she asked just as they were about to step on the sand.

“Works for me.”

She pulled off the sandals she’d worn to the concert and rolled up her jeans to mid-calf, and he followed her lead. They walked down the empty beach, the sand soft on his feet. He wanted to be relaxed, but he wasn’t. First there was Meg, a woman he considered family, lying in a hospital bed, hoping to hold on to a baby she wanted, with an ex-boyfriend out there somewhere who’d hurt her.

Just like the night with Wendell, Meg’s situation had reinforced for Dylan what was important in life. Family and having someone you could count on beside you. Those were the things that mattered. Meanwhile, Dylan walked alongside Olivia, a woman he wanted for his future … but she wasn’t willing. And though he’d been telling himself he could hold out until she came around, he was growing more frustrated and tired by the day.

Olivia slipped her hand inside his, and instead of the contentment he usually found, his annoyance and anger grew. What more did he have to do to show her how he felt? What else did she need him to give her?

“Are you okay?” she asked at last.

“Fine. Why?”

“You’re so stiff and quiet. It’s just not like you.”

He pulled to a halt.

Beside him, the water churned, and he stared out at the ocean. “I’m tired,” he told her, no longer willing to couch his feelings in deference to hers. “I didn’t realize it before tonight but … I’m tired of feeling like I’m the only one fighting for us.”

She turned to face him, her skin pale in the moonlight, her expression grave. “If I were you, I’d be tired of me too.” She slid her hands into her front pants pockets and rocked back and forth on her feet. “I never said I was easy, and you put up with my issues way longer than I had a right to expect you to.”

She touched his cheek, and when he didn’t react, she let her hand drop away.

He clenched his jaw, knowing whatever emotions were grinding away inside him needed to be let out. Let the chips fall where they might; he’d deal with the fallout later. “I don’t want to give up on us but—”

She held his gaze, not breaking eye contact. “I went to see a therapist,” she said, blindsiding him.

“You did? When?”

“Remember the night I told you I was going to the movies? I went to an appointment with a doctor Madison recommended.”

He didn’t know whether to be happy or hurt. “Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked, well aware hurt had won out.

She swallowed hard, her slender neck moving up and down. “I wasn’t sure if I’d chicken out at the door,” she admitted. “I tried to talk to someone after I lost the baby. It was too painful, and I didn’t go back. I didn’t want to disappoint you.”

He ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “Hell, Liv, just knowing you were willing to make the effort would have gone a long way toward easing my mind.”

“I should have been honest, but I also didn’t say anything because I thought I might need time afterwards. I didn’t want to hurt you by saying I wanted to just go home alone.”

“I’d like to think I would have understood. I also would have liked to know you were trying to work through things.” He gritted his teeth, causing his jaw to ache. “So all this time I’ve been trying to hold us together, you were attempting to go it alone.”

She blinked, those indigo eyes wide. “What? No! The whole reason I went to the doctor was because I wanted to make things work between
us
! I went for us. But when I left the office, I realized I needed to get help for myself most of all.
I
have to be able to move on from what happened.”

He couldn’t argue the point, but that didn’t mean he liked how she’d handled things. “Sounds like you’re starting to cope.”

Without his help and without at least including him in her plans.

“It was only one appointment. I have a lot more to go, more work to do, but at least I told the doctor everything. I made a start.”

She sounded proud of herself, and he ought to feel the same way. Hell, he probably would if his heart wasn’t lodged somewhere in his throat.

What was she thinking? It was one of the first times between them that he really didn’t have a clue. It had never dawned on him that when she was finally ready to move on, she might want to do it without him. He hadn’t had that sense at the concert, but things with Meg had shifted his thinking. Maybe tonight had altered Olivia’s perceptions too.

Was that what she was thinking of doing now? His chest ached at the notion.

“Tonight, when Meg said nearly losing this baby made her realize that she wanted to be a mother, that even if something happened with this pregnancy, she knew what she wanted … a light bulb went on for me. Everything you tried to tell me became clear.” Her eyes lit up with hope.

He didn’t know if he could continue to listen to her explain her feelings while trying to form his own conclusions, none of them good. “Dammit, Olivia, what are you trying to say?”

“That you were right. I was looking at everything from the lens of my nineteen-year-old self. And she was a hurt, scared young girl. When I saw Meg, so brave and unafraid to cope with whatever came … it hit me. I still want all those same things I used to dream about.” She grasped his hand, holding him tight against her chest. “I want a house, white picket fence, dog, kids, all of it. With you,” she said, repeating his words back to him.

She looked up at him with all the love and hope he’d ever wanted to see reflected in her eyes and in her expression, and relief rushed at him as fast as the ocean waves. “Jesus, Liv.”

She shrugged. “What can I say? I know I’m not easy. Okay, I admit I’m pretty high maintenance.” Her luscious lips curved upward in a smile. “But I hope you still think I’m worth it.”

“You’re not only worth it, sunshine. You’re everything. You always were and you always will be.”

He swung her into his arms, and she locked her legs around his waist, settling her exactly where she belonged. His heart lifted at the change in her, at the possibilities the future offered. He didn’t kid himself that the tough times were over or that she had gotten past all her issues just like that. But she was open and willing and getting help. That was all he’d ever wanted.

“One thing I know for sure, life with you will never be boring.”

“Well, I should hope not.”

He nuzzled his cheek against hers. “Whatever happens from now on, we handle it together, do you understand?”

She nodded, hugging him back with a desperation he appreciated, given that he’d been convinced he was about to lose her for good.

“And if you’re pregnant, we’re in this the same way. Together. Right?” he asked.

Once more, she nodded, but she didn’t peel them apart to look at him or speak.

“What do you say we go home?”

“Home?” she squeaked, this time easing back so she could see his face.

“Home. That big apartment upstairs, for now. Until I can get started on the house, the white picket fence, and the dog.” Because he wasn’t letting her out of his sight for a good long while. Okay, not ever.

“Is that your inelegant way of asking me to move in with you?” She raised one eyebrow.

“No way, baby. I’m not asking. I’m insisting. When I buy the ring, which will be first chance I get, then I’ll
ask
you to marry me.”

“Maybe you should just insist on that too. You know I like it when you’re bossy.”

She shifted her hips, her sex brushing against his awakening erection, and he groaned.

He thought about it and shrugged. Why wait? “Olivia Dare, you’re not only moving in, you’re marrying me. Any objections?”

“Not one.” She grinned, clearly happy and as invested in their future as he was.

Finally.

Epilogue

“T
ell me why I said I wanted to do this again?” Olivia asked, moaning as she climbed back into bed from another trip to the bathroom. Another round of morning sickness. Another time she’d brushed her teeth and promised herself it would be the last time for a good long while.

Dylan pushed her hair off her face and kissed her forehead. “Are you sure you don’t want to call Ian and Riley and tell them we can’t make it?”

She shook her head. “You’ve never met my New York cousins, and I really want you to get to know them.”

“Only if you’re up to it.”

She managed a smile. “I am. I feel better already.”

“Liar.”

“Is that any way to talk to the soon-to-be mother of your child?” Sure enough, the second time in her life she’d been stupid about protection, she’d ended up pregnant.

“You’re also my wife.”

She grinned, holding up her left hand with the diamond ring and the matching wedding band beneath. “I sure am.”

Once given the green light, Dylan had moved fast. Within a week of her turnaround, they’d been engaged. And no sooner had she discovered she was pregnant than they’d eloped to Las Vegas, taking a page from Madison and Alex’s playbook. Unlike Alex, she’d invited her mother and any siblings available at the last minute, so there were no upset relatives to deal with afterwards.

He rolled onto his side and gazed at her. “I love you.”

“I know.” He’d proved it over and over, sticking by her when a lesser man would have given up. “I love you too.”

“Do you have any idea how sexy you are?” he asked.

“Oh yes, I do. Nauseous and pale, I’m lovely.” Blech. At least she was nearing the end of her first trimester. The end of the nausea was in sight. She hoped.

A scowl formed on his handsome face. “Your breasts are bigger, your face is as gorgeous as ever, and my baby is growing in here.” He slid his hand over her belly, a habit he’d discovered pretty quickly. “Sexy,” he confirmed.

“I’m glad you think so. It’s pretty unfair how easily men get off during this whole thing.”

“Baby, I went to the nearest mini-mart at eleven p.m. last night looking for mint chocolate chip ice cream. It’s not that easy.”

“But I thanked you in the best possible way, didn’t I?” she asked, her voice thick with the memory of eating that ice cream off his erection. Thank goodness her morning sickness stuck to the morning hours.

He let out a low growl at the reminder, reaching for her, but she scooted backwards fast. “I have to shower if we’re going to get to Ian’s on time.”

He laid his arm over his eyes. “Go,” he said with a groan.

She laughed and headed for the shower, feeling better already.

A little while later, they walked into Ian’s house, where her entire family had already gathered. “Are you okay?” she asked Dylan, knowing he wasn’t used to the huge family chaos all the Dares tended to bring.

“More than okay.” He squeezed her hand.

Without warning, a loud screech sounded, followed by a toddler barreling toward Olivia. “Auntie Liv!”

Olivia held out her arms, and the little girl tripped, falling into her. Olivia scooped up her niece and planted a smacking kiss on her cheek. “How’s my favorite girl?” she asked.

Rainey Noelle, Ian and Riley’s daughter, clasped Olivia’s cheeks in her chubby hands and gave her a smacking kiss right back. That was their routine, one they’d developed when Olivia had started visiting her niece weekly. It hadn’t been easy at first, getting past her fear of losing what meant the most to her. With the help of her therapist and Dylan, Olivia was becoming more secure, both with herself and the people she loved.

Dylan’s hand on her back steadied her now, as he always did.

“There you are!” Riley strode out of the kitchen, heading toward them. “Hi, Dylan, Liv.” She kissed them each. “You were in the middle of eating,” she reminded the little girl. “Come back to Mommy. You can play with Auntie Liv later.” Riley held out her hands, and Rainey fell into her mother’s arms.

The child was fearless in everything she did and drove Ian to distraction. Olivia loved seeing her formerly stoic big brother wrapped around a child’s little fingers.

“Everyone’s in the kitchen except the boys. Tyler, Scott, and Jason are shooting baskets out back,” Riley said, turning and carrying her daughter back the way she’d come.