Read Online Dare to Touch by Carly Phillips - Free Book Online Page B

she was eager to get under way.
    She pulled out her phone and texted her sister, telling her she’d talk to her from Arizona, sent another text to Ian because he liked to worry, and one to her mom.
    “Check in with everyone?” Dylan asked, an amused smile on his handsome face.
    “Some of them.”
    He leaned close on one arm. “What’s it like? Growing up in such a large family?”
    She thought about it before answering. “Well, the good thing is, you’re never alone. The bad thing? You’re never alone,” she said, laughing.
    “Must be cool though.”
    “It had its moments.”
    “And your mom was great, right?”
    She nodded. “She’s a strong lady.”
    “Lucky,” he said, his tone darkening. He was obviously thinking about his own mother and her shortcomings.
    What did she say to a man who’d never really had either parent? At least Olivia and her siblings had had their mother, Emma.
    “You had your sister,” she said, searching for something positive to say.
    He inclined his head. “And she’s great. But the holidays were small. And hard without a lot of money to buy her gifts.”
    She sighed. The grass was never really greener. Nobody had everything, which was something she’d come to understand.
    “On the other hand, we got everything money could buy. And that was the problem. My father was trying to buy us. I think he believed if we weren’t lacking in material things, we wouldn’t care as much that he wasn’t around.”
    “And did you? Care?”
    “A lot,” she whispered, her voice catching. “I mean, do you know how many Christmas mornings we had present openings with Mom because we thought Dad was working, only to find out later he was with his mistress and her family?” She blinked back tears she didn’t often let fall. She’d accepted the situation a long time ago. “Did you happen to notice who was missing from my party?”
    Dylan frowned. “Did he say why?”
    “Sent a message with Alex. Called afterwards. But it’s always the same story.”
    “And yet you don’t resent Alex or the rest of your half siblings?”
    She swallowed hard. “It’s hard to explain why I don’t. Ian more than resented our father for a long time. He probably still does. But Avery and I… We were presented with the situation when our half sister Sienna was seriously ill. She would have died without bone marrow. I couldn’t help but feel for sorry for all the kids. And when Avery tested positive, I refused to leave her side at the hospital. I got to know them too. So the resentment got pushed back in favor of the reality of new siblings and a really sick girl.” She shrugged, having explained her crazy past as best she could.
    Had it scarred her? Without a doubt, but he didn’t need to know just how much her father’s betrayal had wrecked her ability to trust men. Even she hadn’t realized it until Jeff’s unfaithfulness at the worst possible time had driven the point home.
    She glanced down, startled to realize Dylan had begun to stroke the top of her hand with his calloused fingers, offering comfort and understanding.
    He cleared his throat. “Parents can do a real number on their kids.” He shook his head, obviously referring to both of their parents. “I’m going to throw out my cup. Can I take yours?”
    “Thanks.” She handed him her empty cup, grateful he’d decided to let the subject drop. It had been an unexpectedly heavy conversation, revealing parts of her psyche that were still wounded. Even if he wasn’t aware of the fact, she’d reminded herself, and she hated that those old feelings were intruding on what should be a fun time with Dylan.
    She stood, ready to stretch her legs, shake off the past, and take advantage of the coming week of sun, fun, work, and yes, one extremely sexy man who seemed intent on showering her with attention. That was something she intended to enjoy.
    “Flight 882 Miami to Phoenix is ready for boarding. We will begin with our first-class