He winced. Of all the questions or comments he thought she’d have about tonight, that hadn’t been it. Hell, he’d been trying to put those kinds of things out of his mind for years.
“I’m not proud of it, but it came with the territory. Avery—”
“Do you realize how long it’s been since she showered if she still had your name on her chest?” she asked, her voice rising.
Once again, his mind hadn’t gone there either, and he cringed. “I’d rather not think about it,” he muttered.
“Me neither. I could have lived the rest of my life without knowing or seeing that.” She wrinkled her nose in adorable disgust.
“Avery,” he tried again. “I could live the rest of my life without all of it. I just can’t live it without you.”
He revealed his heart and finally captured her full attention, her eyes huge on his.
“Oh, Grey.”
He grasped her hands tighter. She was his lifeline, and he wasn’t letting go. “I couldn’t stand it if you walked away from me now, after we’ve gone through so much and come out the other side.”
Before she could reply, he slid his hand into his pocket and pulled out the ring he’d bought way before he’d ever had a realistic chance with her but long after he’d gotten to know her again.
“I realize I left you once, but I promise never again. And I know I’m not a bargain, and I bring with me more hassle than you need or want in your life, but I love you. I want to take care of you, to have fun with you, and to be by your side for the rest of my life.”
She blinked back what he prayed were happy tears.
He held out the ring and went on, putting it all on the line. Because that’s what he’d done when he’d left her behind years ago, seeking that shot at fame and fortune in L.A. He’d been lucky once, and he prayed the stars aligned for him again.
“The box wouldn’t fit in my pocket.” He held the delicate ring between his thumb and forefinger. “It’s a mix of traditional and modern … it’s Tiffany,” he said, letting out a nervous laugh. “And it’s you.”
Avery stared at the gorgeous engagement ring, looking so delicate in Grey’s big tanned hands. He was right, the halo style, cushion cut encircled by double rows of bead-set diamonds with a diamond band was the perfect mix of traditional and modern. And it was perfect for her.
“So? Will you marry me, sugar?”
Her legs began to shake, and somehow she managed to nod and not pass out, this time for the very best reasons. “Yes, yes, I’ll marry you.”
“Thank fuck,” he muttered and slid the ring onto her finger.
Laughing, she flung her arms around his neck and breathed in everything that was Grey. With a happy groan, he raised her into his arms and hugged her tight.
“No more signing boobs,” she whispered in his ear.
“Not even yours?” he asked.
A sudden swell of applause cut off any snappy retort she might have had, and she realized they had an audience. A very young, very excited audience who’d just witnessed their rock star idol proposing.
She shook her head at him and laughed. “You’re a dirty thinker, Grey Kingston. And I love you.”
“Love you more,” he said right back, and in front of their young crowd, he bent her backward and kissed her for all she was worth.
Thank you so much for reading Dare to Rock. I would appreciate it if you would help others enjoy this book too. Please recommend to others and leave a review. More Dare to Love series stories coming in 2015 and beyond!
Next up – DARE TO SEDUCE, Lucy Dare and Max Savage (NY Dares, erotic).
Did you enjoy reading about Lola Corbin in Dare to Rock? For Lola and Rep’s story check out Robin Covington’s Daring the Player in my Kindle Worlds.
Keep up with Carly and her upcoming books:
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Dare to Love Series Reading Order
Book 1: Dare to Love (Ian & Riley)
Book 2: Dare to Desire (Alex & Madison)
Book 3: Dare to Surrender (Gabe & Isabelle)
Book 4: Dare to Submit (Decklan & Amanda)
Book 5: Dare to Touch (Olivia & Dylan)
Book 6: Dare to Hold (Scott & Meg)
Book 7: Dare to Rock (Avery & Grey)
Book 8: Dare to Seduce (Lucy & Max)
**The Dare to Love series is ongoing. Each Dare sibling will get a story!
**Each book stands alone but also reads best if order for maximum reading enjoyment.
*Dare to Surrender, Dare to Submit and Dare to Seduce are about the NY Dare cousins: These exceptionally hotter type books while at heart still being a Carly Phillips story.
About the Author
N.Y. Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips has written over 40 sexy contemporary romance novels. After a successful 15 year career with various New York publishing houses, Carly made the leap to Indie author, with the goal of giving her readers more books at a faster pace at a better price. Carly lives in Purchase, NY with her family, two nearly adult daughters and two crazy dogs who star on her Facebook Fan Page and website. She’s a writer, a knitter of sorts, a wife, and a mom. In addition, she’s a Twitter and Internet junkie and is always around to interact with her readers.
Please turn the page for Carly’s Booklist.
CARLY’S BOOKLIST
by Series
Below are links to my series on my website where you will find buy links for each novel!
Click here for a complete list of Carly’s books on Amazon
Dare to Love Series Reading Order
Book 1: Dare to Love (Ian & Riley)
Book 2: Dare to Desire (Alex & Madison)
Book 3: Dare to Surrender (Gabe & Isabelle)
Book 4: Dare to Submit (Decklan & Amanda)
Book 5: Dare to Touch (Olivia & Dylan)
Book 6: Dare to Hold (Scott & Meg)
Book 7: Dare to Rock (Avery & Grey)
Book 8: Dare to Seduce (Lucy & Max)
More Dare series books coming soon!
Carly Classics
The Right Choice
Perfect Partners
Unexpected Chances (formerly titled Midnight Angel)
Worthy of Love (formerly titled Solitary Man)
Carly’s Earlier Traditionally Published Books
Serendipity Series
Serendipity
Destiny
Karma
Serendipity’s Finest Series
Perfect Fit
Perfect Fling
Perfect Together
Serendipity Novellas
Fated
Hot Summer Nights (Perfect Stranger)
Bachelor Blog Series
Kiss Me If You Can
Love Me If You Dare
Lucky Series
Lucky Charm
Lucky Streak
Lucky Break
Ty and Hunter Series
Cross My Heart
Sealed with a Kiss
Hot Zone Series
Hot Stuff
Hot Number
Hot Item
Hot Property
Costas Sisters Series
Summer Lovin’
Under the Boardwalk
Chandler Brothers Series
The Bachelor
The Playboy
The Heartbreaker
Stand Alone Titles
Brazen
Seduce Me
Secret Fantasy
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Thank You
Keep Up with Carly
Carly’s Monthly Contest
About the Author
Carly’s Booklist