Dare to Touch Read Online Free PDF

circumstances, I couldn’t. But you want me. You wouldn’t respond to me so beautifully otherwise. True?”
    She opened her mouth, then shut it again.
    He nodded, seeming pleased with her non-answer. “See? One of us has to be brave in this situation, and it’s obviously not going to be you. Someone has to push. And that someone is me. I’ll see you tonight.”
    And then he was gone.

Chapter Three
    O livia rushed home from work and hurried to shower and get ready before Dylan arrived. She loosely braided her hair, letting it fall over one shoulder, added minimal but necessary makeup, and changed into the fifth outfit she’d tried on.
    She hadn’t planned on putting so much angst into getting ready for Dylan, but she couldn’t decide on what was appropriate. The jeans showed she didn’t care, which just wasn’t true. Same for her cute, favorite pair of sweats. A skirt was too much like what she wore in the office, and she couldn’t feel flirty and sexy in one. She finally chose an easy sundress with thin straps and a floaty feel to the body and where it hit her mid-calf. Casual but pretty. She liked it.
    Finally ready with a few minutes to spare, Olivia walked into the kitchen to find her sister standing at the sink, finishing up rinsing off a glass.
    Avery turned, looked Olivia over, and grinned. “You look hot.”
    “Thanks. And you look comfortable,” Olivia said of her sister’s baggy gray sweats and a light blue tee shirt. She’d pulled her dark hair into a messy ponytail.
    “Well, I think you chose well.” Avery, who loved picking out clothes and makeup, looked Olivia over again, approval in her gaze.
    “I just picked out something casual.”
    “You mean if I went into your closet, there wouldn’t be a pile of tried-on clothing on the floor?” she asked knowingly.
    Olivia ignored her and opened the refrigerator, looking to see what kind of white wine they had chilling. She pulled out a chardonnay.
    When she turned around, she found her sister hadn’t disappeared. She still stood there grinning like a fool.
    “Okay, out with it. What’s put that goofy smile on your face?”
    Avery laughed. “I was just thinking about how you told me Dylan insisted he was coming over for dinner and ran roughshod over you when you said no. Almost makes me want to applaud him for not putting up with your shit.”
    “What shit would that be?” Olivia asked. “I mean, really. Name one woman who thinks her man smelling like another female is okay.”
    “Aha! You called Dylan your man .”
    She rolled her eyes. “That was just a figure of speech. And you didn’t answer the question.”
    Avery grew more serious, her smile gone now. “No sane woman would put up with it.”
    They both knew their mother’s experience clouded their judgment in all things.
    “That’s true,” Avery said. “ If the other woman were a threat. He assured you she’s not.”
    “Famous last words,” Olivia muttered.
    “Maybe not. So what’s he bringing for dinner?” her sister asked.
    “Why do you care? You won’t be here, remember?”
    Because when she’d come home and explained her evening plans, she’d asked Avery if she’d disappear for a little while. Being a good sister, she’d agreed.
    “I know. I just want to be here when he arrives. You know, shake his hand, give him the evil eye, and make sure he brings you home on time. Or in this case, leaves at a decent hour.” She wiggled her eyebrows at her own joke.
    “You’re insane.”
    She had always been the more lighthearted, easier-going sister. Even after being tapped as a bone marrow transplant for the half sister they’d just learned they had, Avery had never lost her sense of humor. Olivia admired that in her sister. She didn’t let life get to her as much as Olivia did. No, that wasn’t right. Avery didn’t show it as much as Olivia. She hadn’t built her walls as high, even though they both had good reason.
    “I want the best for you, and I happen to like