Tempting Adam Read online

  He’d seen her in various states of undress before, but he’d never reacted like this, not even when they’d gone swimming at their hideout by the lake and she’d worn that skimpy bikini of hers. What was different now?

  She moved toward him, a smile playing across her lips. Her gaze drifted over him, sending his hormones tripping. She was different. He hadn’t been imagining it the other night. One thing he’d become very adept at over the years was reading the signals. As she closed in on him this morning, she was throwing out all kinds of signals.

  Open-armed, she stood before him. “I need a hug. You’re right. I stayed up too late.”

  She slid into his embrace, as she had done throughout the years, but her arms slipped tighter around his neck and she lingered long enough to imprint her body on his. A bolt of lust pierced him. Then she breezed away as though nothing unusual had passed between them.

  He exhaled as she moved to the refrigerator. Maybe he was imagining it all. Without taking his gaze from her, he settled at the table. He’d follow her lead. What he’d do if she took him down the same path as his wayward mind he wasn’t sure, but the temptation of her forbidden fruit might prove more than he could resist.

  “How about eggs Benedict?” She glanced back at him as she bent low over the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. The T-shirt rode up the back of her legs. Satiny, cream-colored panties teased him, hinting at the treasure guarded by her thighs.

  A small groan escaped him.

  Her eyebrows furrowed. She rubbed one hand over her hip, further exposing the sight of her covered mons for his view. “No? Maybe French toast, then?”

  Somehow, he managed to move his gaze to her face. “Whatever you want, Lauren.”

  The glow in her eyes intensified. “Eggs Benedict, then. I have a taste for something familiar but new.”

  His throat constricted, so he nodded his agreement, then closed his eyes as she finished rummaging through the fridge. He drew deep breaths and tried to relax the tightening in his groin. This was Lauren, familiar, yes, but definitely new and exciting this morning.

  Once he had his libido under control, he stirred himself to make coffee. Perhaps the task would busy his mind. She stood at the counter, whisking sauce in a bowl, and he leaned around her to reach the filters she kept in an overhead cabinet. He took advantage of the moment, fumbling with the filters, while he inhaled her warm scent. She smelled clean and earthy, without the trace of perfumes or soap.

  “Excuse me,” he said as he pulled a filter from the stack and bumped against her.

  “No problem.” Her gaze traveled over him again, and that same intriguing smile played at her lips.

  Once he got the coffee brewing he took his seat, trying to relax as she prepared their meal, her gaze drifting to him on occasion. She hummed softly to herself, and he savored the sight of her hips’ gentle sway. Mouthwatering scents filled the air as the coffee gurgled and Canadian bacon sizzled on the stove.

  “Taste.” She scooped sauce from a ladle with her finger, then held it to his lips.

  He met her gaze, his throat tightening. By the glint in her eyes, they were definitely charting new territory here. His rational side reeled from surprise, but his adventurous side refused to quell its curiosity.

  He drew her finger into his mouth, laving the sauce from her skin. She withdrew her finger, then dipped it again into the ladle.

  This time, she took it into her own mouth, closing her eyes as she slowly withdrew it. “Mmm, it’s hollandaise, with a twist. I put a secret something in it, something I got from my new recipe book.”

  “It’s decadent.”

  Her eyes sparkled. “According to the recipe, the real secret is in how you eat the meal.”

  With deft movements, she spooned the sauce over one plate, covering the layers of English muffin, Canadian bacon and eggs. Her teeth worried her bottom lip as she returned with the dish to his side, but her eyes remained bright. “You see, in this particular cookbook, they recommend sharing.”

  “I like to share.”

  Blood rushed through his ears. Was this really happening? She stood so close that he couldn’t resist the urge to slide his hand along the back of her thigh.

  Her eyes widened slightly, and her breath stirred her lovely bosom, but she made no attempt to pull away. “Well, then, it says we should start like this.”

  Lauren drew a deep breath. Excitement flowed through her. Balancing the plate, she straddled his lap. She’d dreamed of this last night. The dream still clung to her as she faced this flesh-and-blood Adam, his eyes brimming with interest.

  She hadn’t been mistaken. He wanted her. Adam was her secret admirer.

  “This is all rather sudden, but so far I heartily approve of this new cookbook.”

  “Of course you do.” She gave him a pointed look.

  “Silverware seems to be an option,” she murmured, pinching off a bite of the eggs. After setting the plate aside, she faced him again. Cupping her other hand to catch the dripping sauce, she held the morsel to his lips.

  His gaze never left hers as he took the bite, then chewed slowly. “Eggs Benedict has never tasted this good.”

  Lifting her hand to her own mouth, he urged, “Taste.”

  She drew her fingers into her mouth, savoring the creamy taste and the shiver of awareness passing between them. Spatters of the sauce dotted her other hand, as well. “I forgot napkins.”

  Before she could move away he took her hand, bringing it to his lips. “Allow me.” With deft strokes, he licked the drips of hollandaise from her palm.

  Her heart quickened with each stroke of his tongue, filling her with confidence. “And you have a bit of sauce…”

  Every nerve in her body stood alert as she leaned forward to skim her lips along the corner of his mouth. She flicked her tongue over the dab of hollandaise.

  He angled his head. For one heart-rending moment, their breaths mingled, expectation hovering over them. Then he pressed his mouth to hers. Time stood still as he opened to her. The tang of the sauce melted from his tongue to hers.

  Her breasts pressed against his chest. She shifted on his lap, stirring that part of him that had filled her dream with pleasure. Heat spiraled through her. He skimmed his hands up her sides as his tongue stroked hers with an intensity that sparked a hunger she had never known.

  She broke the kiss, pulling back to gaze at him as she drew deep breaths. His pupils had dilated and his eyes glowed with sexual hunger. His lips beckoned, lush and inviting.

  With a small groan, she leaned back into him, mating her mouth once more to his. She shifted again, giving him better access as his hands slid up over her rib cage. Desire burned in her as his thumbs traced the lower swells of her breasts, then found their taut buds. He teased them until she squirmed against him, pressing her cleft to his hardness.

  She drew back, her breasts heaving. Then her gaze fell on the clock mounted on the wall behind him. Alarm raced up her spine. “Oh my God.”

  He cupped her bottom and pressed her closer. “I know. Why haven’t we done this before? It’s incredible.”

  All that work on those flyers, and she was already behind schedule. “Yes, no, I mean…it’s eleven-thirty. I have to go.”

  “Go?”

  Her gaze swerved back to him. “The post office closes in half an hour. I should have mailed those flyers yesterday.”

  “Flyers?”

  “I’ve got to get dressed. I’m so sorry.”

  She pressed a quick peck to his cheek, scrambled off of him, then dashed toward the stairs. If she skipped her shower, she might make it in time.

  “Wait!” His chair scraped the floor as he bolted after her.

  A wave of guilt stopped her on the bottom stair. She pivoted to face him. “Adam—”

  “Do I have an overactive imagination, or did we just get hot and heavy in there?” He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.

  Her traitorous body melted against him. “Um, yes, we got hot
and heavy in there.”

  His eyes rounded in disbelief. “And…you’re leaving?”

  Frustration billowed inside her. “I have to.”

  “No, you don’t.”

  “I do. We’ve planned this whole campaign to tie in with the TV ads. Timing is everything. They should have gone out yesterday.”

  “Okay. I’ll drive you. We’ll pop those in the mail, then come back here and…pick up where we left off.”

  She cupped his cheek. “I wish we could, but I promised Kamira I’d help at the clinic today. She’s probably leaving Greg’s now to come get me.”

  His eyebrows drew together. “You’re not running away because you regret that we—”

  “No.” She traced her finger along his lower lip. “No. I had hoped we would…you know.”

  He tipped up her chin. “Are you sure?”

  She nodded and he ran his lips lightly across hers. “Then we will. Tonight.”

  “Yes.” Her heart thudded. “Tonight.”

  “I’ll see what I can rustle up at the grocery store, then I’ll pick you up from the clinic.”

  Anticipation thrummed in her veins. “Yes.”

  “Now, go take care of all your distractions. Tonight you’re all mine.”

  “Yes.” She gasped. “Ohmygosh, I have to hurry.” She turned, then fled up the stairs.

  “Oh, and Lauren,” Adam called. “Don’t forget that cookbook.”

  4

  THE TRAFFIC LIGHT turned yellow and Kamira gunned the car through the intersection. She turned to Lauren. “You’re so quiet. Sure you’re up to this?”

  Lauren nodded absently. “I’m just tired. I didn’t sleep well.”

  Truth was, she was feeling a little stunned. Once she’d dropped the flyers at the post office and her mind had slowed long enough to comprehend exactly what had happened earlier in her kitchen, a sense of disbelief had taken over her.

  Last night, seducing Adam had seemed like the right thing to do. Now, just the memory of his heated kiss aroused her to distraction. What had she done? He wanted a wife and kids. If she gave in to this budding attraction, how would she encourage him to walk a different path with her?

  Yet, now that they’d crossed that line, could they go back? The memory of his tongue stroking hers, the heat of his body warming her and his fingers taunting her nipples to hardness, rolled over her. Would his friendship ever be enough now that they’d experienced this new passion between them?

  She just couldn’t think about it right now. She had to keep busy, and helping at the clinic wouldn’t involve any brain work. She’d figure out what to do about Adam later. Shifting, she adjusted the weight of her book bag in her lap, all too aware of the cookbook resting inside.

  Don’t forget that cookbook.

  Kamira cast her a sideways glance. “So, heard anything more from this secret admirer of yours?”

  “Um, I did get another gift.”

  “You did?” Her housemate’s eyes rounded. “What was it this time?”

  Lauren hesitated a moment, then withdrew the cookbook and held it up. “It came in yesterday’s mail.”

  Kamira’s jaw dropped as she scanned the title. “It came to the house?”

  “The office.”

  “So whoever sent it knows both addresses.”

  “It wouldn’t be hard to figure out. I leave my business card everywhere I can.”

  “So?” Kamira’s eyes took on an expectant gleam.

  “So what?”

  “So what does Adam say about it?”

  “Well, first he said that whoever sent the flowers was ultimately after an intimate relationship.”

  Kamira shrugged as she slowed for a light. “That’s a reasonable assumption. Kind of like what he said he was looking for the other night.”

  And you think I’ve never thought of you in that way? His surprising words drifted back over Lauren.

  “Yes, it sort of seems that way, doesn’t it?”

  “You think I’m right? He’s your secret admirer?”

  Lauren’s cheeks warmed. After that kiss, how could she doubt it? Adam wanted her. She couldn’t hold back the smile that curved her lips.

  “Well, he does seem a likely suspect,” she said.

  “What? Did something happen between you two?”

  Lauren’s smile widened. As uncertain as she was about the direction she and Adam were headed, she couldn’t hold back the wave of joy that filled her at that moment. “He dropped by this morning and we…kind of started something.”

  “Oh my God!” Kamira’s wide grin matched hers. “I’m so excited. So, you guys kissed?”

  “Oh boy, did we.”

  Kamira gave a delighted shout. “I knew it! You’ve got to give me that.”

  She held up her hand and Lauren laughed as she slapped her five.

  “So, now what?” Kamira asked. The light changed. Sidewalks and various businesses swept by.

  Lauren’s joy waned. “Hell if I know.”

  “Aw, hon, are you worried about his whole settling-down thing?”

  Groaning, Lauren covered her face with her hands. “I can’t even think about it without my stomach tying up in knots. I have no idea what I’m doing.”

  “You’ve got to play this out. This is Adam. If you walk away now, you’ll always wonder what might have happened.”

  “But a wife and kids?”

  Kamira waved her hand. “You know how he is. He was probably just talking off the top of his head again. You haven’t had much time for him lately. He’s just restless, needing attention. He wants something new, and if the two of you getting together isn’t new and exciting, I don’t know what is. Even I’m excited!”

  Lauren heaved a sigh. Maybe Kamira was right. Maybe Adam would be distracted enough by their new adventures that he’d forget his resolve to marry and start a family.

  She forced a smile. Like Scarlett O’Hara, she wouldn’t think about that right now. She’d go crazy if she did. “I can’t wait to see what kind of progress you’ve made at the clinic. It’s hard to believe you’re ready to paint and wallpaper.”

  “You paint. I’ll do the wallpaper. You’ll be forever matching every flower.”

  “Don’t worry. I’m perfectly happy on paint duty. There’s something numbing about manual labor.”

  Kamira pulled into the clinic parking lot, then turned to her. “Now, no fretting. It’s all going to work out. You’ll see.”

  Lauren sighed. “I just hope you’re right and he forgets this whole wife-and-baby scheme.”

  “Babies. As I recall, he wants a passel of them.” Kamira’s eyes gleamed.

  “Thank you. That’s helpful.”

  “Anytime.”

  “Let’s just go paint. I’m not talking about this anymore.”

  A beat-up truck pulled in beside them. Mark Patterson, the landlord’s son, emerged from the vehicle as they exited theirs.

  “Good morning, ladies.” He offered them a sweeping bow, along with his dazzling smile.

  Lauren couldn’t help but grin. Seeing him induced memories of Rusty. Her brother exuded the same youthful charm. It had certainly saved him from numerous scrapes that had aged her more than she cared to admit. She did miss him, though.

  She shook her head and focused on Mark. His dark skin and hair contrasted with the bright blue of his eyes. Kamira was right. If he was a few years older, he’d be very appealing. As it was, he surely drove all the college girls to distraction.

  “Marco, my love, you came to aid a couple of helpless damsels.” Kamira clapped her hand on his shoulder.

  His gaze swept over them as they headed up the clinic’s front walk. “Neither of you is the helpless type. I’m here to install the new light in the hall, but I can swing a paintbrush, too, if needed.”

  “We might take you up on that.” Kamira pulled out her keys to unlock the door.

  Half an hour later, Lauren stared at a spatter of blue on the drop cloth below her. Seemed she was getting mor
e paint on the floor than on the wall. Getting Adam off her mind had proven impossible.

  “Need some help?” Mark peered through the door.

  She twisted around on her ladder. “Oh, I think I can manage. Thanks.”

  He moved into the room. “You looked like you were a hundred miles away.”

  “I’ve had a lot on my mind lately.”

  “Guy trouble?”

  She smiled at him. He was really a nice kid. “What are you doing slaving here on a Saturday? I’m sure you’ve better things to do.”

  “Can’t think of anyplace I’d rather be.”

  “You are a charmer,” she said, shaking her roller toward him.

  “A babe like you should be used to it. You must have tons of guys after you.”

  She snorted her amusement. “That’s a good one.”

  “Come on, bet you have them lined up.”

  She pursed her lips.

  “Fess up. How many?”

  “That’s confidential, and I hardly think you’d find it interesting.”

  “At least one, then. One in serious pursuit.”

  With an exaggerated sigh, she ran her roller through the paint tray. “Could be.”

  “I see, and you aren’t certain if you return his affections?”

  “Let’s just say I’m not sure I need this kind of complication right now.”

  “Want some advice?”

  She smiled indulgently. Who knew? Maybe this young man could offer some insight. “Okay. What’s your advice?”

  “Believe in the secrets of the heart.”

  For a moment, she stared at him, then she laughed. “You’re one of those hopeless romantics, right?”

  “Guilty.”

  “And is there a lucky young lady in your life?”

  His gaze warmed. “There’s someone.”

  “Well, she’s very fortunate. Guys like you are way too rare.”

  Kamira stopped in the doorway. “Mark, could I borrow you for a minute? I need an extra pair of hands.”

  “Sure.” He turned to Lauren. “Don’t forget what I said. Give love a chance.”

  She smiled as he left. The memory of kissing Adam that morning flowed over her again. Love or not, something was happening between them.