Read Online Dare to Desire by Carly Phillips - Free Book Online

Okay with you?”
    More money she’d owe Alex if she agreed. “Umm…”
    “Whatever you have to do,” Alex said.
    Jon looked to her for confirmation, and she nodded, both resigned and grateful at the same time.
    He rose from his seat, and both she and Alex did the same. “I’ll take things from here,” Jon said. “I need you to send me a list of people who saw your interaction with your foster parents when you lived there, possible witnesses for us and for them.”
    “I’ll do that. Thank you.”
    Jon smiled at her. “Do your best not to worry, okay?”
    She nodded. “Thank you. Franny was really good to me. I just want to do right by her.”
    A few minutes later, they were out in the hall by the elevators. Madison decided not to call Alex on showing up today. How could she be angry when he was behaving so thoughtfully? She appreciated having someone by her side even if she had to constantly remind herself not to get used to it.
    “Ready to go back to work?” she asked as the elevator door opened and they stepped inside.
    The large doors slid shut.
    “Actually, I think we should call in sick.”
    “What?”
    “Play hooky. Take the day off and do something fun.”
    She raised an eyebrow, considering his words. “Like what?” She couldn’t believe she’d asked him that. Why wasn’t she just saying no to doing anything or going anywhere with him?
    “Somewhere you can forget about your problems and relax.”
    “But we have work to do.” And she couldn’t imagine taking time off … with him. She’d be too tempted to act on her desires. Her willpower if he even touched her was nonexistent.
    “Look, we’re going on a business trip in a few weeks. We’ll be working then. A day off isn’t too much to ask. Besides, I’m related to the boss.” He tapped her nose playfully.
    “If I recall, your relationship with him isn’t the most stable. Are you sure you want to test his temper?”
    Alex shrugged. “I also have an in with his wife.”
    Madison rolled her eyes. “Way to go, using your friendship with Riley to get what you want.”
    “Whatever works, Angel. Whatever works. Are you with me?”
    She hesitated but had to admit it was tempting. Not just the time with him but the day of freedom. She never played hooky, always took her job seriously. Earning money had always come before anything else.
    “You, me, the sun, the pool,” he continued with his litany of temptations. “I’ll even get you one of those fruity drinks with an umbrella in them. Come on, what do you say?” He bumped her hip with his own.
    His playful touch sent a shock of electricity shooting straight through her body. She couldn’t deny she liked this mischievous side of him, and after a morning in a lawyer’s office, she was tempted to allow herself time to let loose.
    The elevator doors slid open to the lobby, and the bright sunshine from the glass doors beckoned to her as they stepped out.
    She felt his questioning gaze on her. All he’d asked for was a day off to have fun.
    She didn’t need to overthink this. “Okay. We can go.”
    “Really?” He grasped her shoulders and turned her to face him.
    His eyes lit with pleasure at her agreement, and she wanted to keep the sparkle there.
    She nodded. “Now let’s go before I change my mind.”
    *     *     *
    Ian had lived well before he’d married Riley and moved out of downtown Miami. His apartment was an offshoot of The Ritz, a condominium with all the amenities of a hotel. The perfect place for Alex to bring Madison for a day off, one they could spend together. He thought it was a brilliant idea when he thought of it.
    Now, as he watched Madison peel off a silky top to reveal the bikini beneath, he wondered if he’d thought this through enough. Lavender-colored ruffles covered her breasts, and a matching bottom barely concealed everything else. His mouth grew dry at the sight, the idea of tugging on the strings and revealing that luscious body to his