Free Dare to Desire by Carly Phillips Page B

said.
    Aah. Now the inquisition made more sense. “I’m not going to hurt her again.”
    “Good because apparently she had a rough childhood. I think that’s why she and Riley bonded so quickly.”
    Alex muttered a noncommittal response, not wanting to admit to Ian that he knew less about the woman he cared about than he’d like. He’d been such a self-centered asshole before. Alex shook his head in disgust.
    “What?” Ian asked.
    Alex didn’t plan on elaborating on that. “You’re probably right. Both their childhoods sucked. Riley’s father was an abusive asshole, and Madison grew up in foster care.”
    The bartender set Ian’s drink on the counter and discreetly walked away.
    Ian raised his glass. “Sucks to be left by a parent in any manner, but who the fuck takes a kid to the mall and leaves her there for good?” Ian shook his head and took a healthy swig of his drink.
    Alex choked on his beer.
    Ian’s eyes opened wide. “Oh shit. You didn’t know?”
    Alex pulled in a deep breath. “No. Can’t say I left many openings for her to confide in me the last time we were together.” Admitting his failings out loud sucked, but somehow, at the moment, it felt right.
    Alex loved his younger siblings, but they were closer with each other than with him. Mostly because football had occupied all his time. He knew that explained why he’d sought a bond with Ian when he’d discovered he had a sibling with whom he had something in common. He needed to change the situation with his brother and sister. Just like things were changing with Ian.
    Ian slapped him on the back. “Give it time. It isn’t easy to change. Ask Riley. Hell, ask me. We were both closed off before we found each other.”
    Alex rolled his stiff shoulders. “Madison doesn’t want get-to-know-you time. She just wants sex,” he muttered, staring at his beer bottle.
    Ian burst out laughing.
    “What’s so funny?”
    “If you could only hear yourself, complaining that Madison only wanting sex is a bad thing,” Ian said, still chuckling.
    Alex scowled. “This time around, I want more.”
    “And she’s making you work for it?”
    He shook his head. “She doesn’t play those games.” And that was the problem. Madison meant what she’d said. He’d hurt her, and she’d withdrawn into herself, unwilling to give him a chance to do it again.
    At least now he knew more about what made her tick. “Her old man really abandoned her in a shopping mall?” he asked, his stomach churning at the notion.
    A little blonde girl, crying, searching for her father in a monstrous, huge place filled with strangers. He shuddered.
    “Ian Dare?” A waiter strode up to Ian with his packaged order.
    “Thanks,” Ian said, accepting the bag.
    “You can pay up front.”
    Ian nodded and turned back to Alex. “I’ve said enough already. I guess I should just leave you with what Riley told me. If you’re really invested in Madison, you’re going to have to be patient and dig in for the long haul.”
    Alex tipped his head in acknowledgment. “Hey, man. Thanks.”
    Ian gave him a grim smile.
    An awkward silence ensued. “Guess I better get my wife her food.”
    “Congratulations. Sorry I didn’t mention it earlier. Guess I’m still working on the self-absorbed thing.”
    Ian grinned. “I hear it’s part of your charm.”
    “Asshole,” Alex muttered.
    With a laugh, Ian walked away, leaving Alex alone with his newfound unsettling knowledge about Madison.
    *     *     *
    Madison arrived at her foster mother’s house early Sunday morning, intending to help her move to the nursing home a few short miles away. In her possession, she had the documents permitting her to take Franny with her in case Eric arrived to cause an argument. She hoped he wouldn’t, as upheaval and loud noises only upset his mother. But it would be good for Franny to have her son by her side when she entered someplace brand new.
    She decided to spend some time with Franny and