Dare to Rock Read Online Free Page B

taking her off guard as his large hand wrapped around hers. Sparks of awareness prickled her skin at his touch, arousing conflicting feelings—the sweet pleasure at being with him again and a sexual charge she couldn’t deny.
    “I can’t believe you picked Tino’s,” she murmured.
    His deep green gaze bored into hers. “Do you think I’d forget our first date?”
    He’d remembered. Warmth slid through her veins like liquid honey, softening her toward him.
    He brushed his knuckles down her cheek, and she shivered, her nipples puckering beneath her dress. “I want you to remember the good things about us. Not just the shit that comes with being part of Tangled Royal.”
    And with him, but she opted not to mention it now. As they stepped into the restaurant, the scent of garlic brought back really good memories. She’d always loved Tino’s and hadn’t been back in years. It seemed fitting she returned with Grey.
    “Welcome!” Tino walked toward them, a short man with bushy dark hair now flecked with strands of grey and the same mustache he’d always sported covering his face. “So good to have you back home.” He pulled Grey into a man-hug, then turned his gaze on Avery. “And you! Bellisima ,” he said, kissing both her cheeks.
    “Remember, a private table in the back,” Grey said to him.
    “Not a problem. I didn’t tell anyone you were coming in. Of course someone’s bound to notice, but hopefully not till you finish your meal. Come.” Tino pulled out two menus and gestured for them to follow, turning and walking to the back.
    Grey watched Avery, who had an amused smile on her lush pink lips. Lips he couldn’t stop staring at. Or wanting to taste.
    She followed Tino, and Grey placed a hand on her lower back for a moment before joining her, a step behind. Her flowing dress ended mid-thigh, her long, tanned legs accentuated by the flow of the material as she walked. She was even more beautiful than he’d remembered.
    She’d opened her door, and he’d been struck speechless. His Avery had long dark hair that usually hung straight down her back. This Avery had chunky blonde highlights, a slight fringe of bangs, and her hair fell in soft waves around her beautiful face, her violet-blue eyes large and sparkling. Even when they were teens, her long limbs would tan, but she’d always protect her face with sunscreen. Some things hadn’t changed. Too many had.
    “Here you go. Privacy,” Tino said. “I’ll keep the booth behind you free, so that should help.”
    “You’re a good guy,” Grey said.
    “This from the man who sent my son an acoustic guitar for Christmas? You gained a fan for life,” the older man said.
    “I didn’t do it for that reason. You mentioned he wanted to learn.” Grey didn’t want to make a big deal out of the gift.
    Tino winked at Avery and said, “I’ll send a waitress over for drinks.”
    “You and Tino kept in touch?” Grey heard the surprise and maybe a hint of hurt in her tone, because they hadn’t.
    His stomach cramped at the thought of hurting her, but at the time, he’d had no choice but to get out. Leaving her hadn’t been easy, but making something of himself had been necessary. For so many reasons.
    “I came back a couple of years after we formed the band. Saw my mom and stepdad and stopped by here. I met Tino’s family.” He shrugged, trying to make it like it was no big deal. “We kept in touch after.”
    “That’s sweet. How is your family?” she asked.
    “Good. I had to fight with Mom and Ricardo in order to get them to let me buy them a house in a better neighborhood.”
    “They’re proud people,” Avery said, seeming to comprehend.
    Grey didn’t. He never had understood his parents. Any of them.
    His real father had been a true asshole, an academic who’d judged his son, found him lacking, and never let him forget he didn’t measure up. When he’d died, Grey’d been twelve. He’d left Susie Kingston with nothing. No insurance, no