Tempting Adam Read online

  “Pacing,” he murmured as he opened a cabinet door. He pulled out a pot for the spaghetti, then began filling it with water.

  Laughter bubbled from Lauren, but this was laughter of delight. All nervousness had left her. Adam was her lover. Her best friend and her lover. All was right with the world.

  “Worried about keeping up with me?” She slid her arms around his waist and pressed herself to his back.

  “I’m game. And I’m keeping track. Two for me. Four for you. It’s my turn.”

  “No argument there. I’m happy to oblige.” She ran her hand down past his stomach.

  He twisted away, toward the refrigerator. “I’m pacing myself, remember?”

  “But I didn’t get a good look at your tattoo.”

  “All in good time.”

  “Spoilsport. Okay, where’s the ground sirloin? Guess I’ll start cooking.”

  “No question about it.” His gaze rolled over her. “You’re cooking all right.”

  She took the meat from him and smiled. Yes, this would be one night to remember.

  LAUREN WOKE the next morning with the first rays of dawn. For a startled second, she couldn’t figure out where she was, then the slow breathing and the warmth of a body beside her brought the previous night flooding back.

  Rolling to her side, she let her gaze travel over Adam’s restful face. She’d seen a whole new side of him yesterday and discovered an alternate personality in herself, as well. A smile played across her lips as she recalled her brazen behavior. He did bring out her wild side.

  He smiled and reached for her without opening his eyes. “What are you doing way over there?”

  With his strong arm, he scooped her against his body. The crinkly hair on his chest brushed her nipples, his belly pressed into hers and his leg wrapped around her thighs. “You weren’t thinking of escaping?”

  “Who could escape?” She breathed in his clean, soapy scent. After indulging in all their culinary delights last night, they’d scrubbed up together in a lengthy bath. It had been every bit as stimulating as their feast.

  His eyes peeked open. “I have captured you. You are now my sex slave.”

  She ran her hand down his chest, past his belly to that part of him that was beginning to stir between them. Her palm skimmed over his flesh to the soft sacs nestled at the root of his sex. She took him in hand and squeezed.

  “Yes, master. You are in total control. I am here to obey,” she said.

  His eyes opened wider as she intensified the pressure. “Maybe King Beast was mistaken and he is sex slave to the Wild Goddess.”

  Grinning, she gentled her hold. The heat of his sex warmed her hand as she slowly stroked him. “I like touching you this way.”

  “I like touching you this way, too.” His fingers found her soft folds, already moist again with new desire.

  He parted her, then began circling her clitoris. “I like watching you when you come. You’re so beautiful, Lauren. I’m so happy you want to be with me like this.”

  Her throat tightened at the sincerity in his eyes. “How could I resist, when you followed my advice?”

  “What advice?”

  “My advice about wooing the woman of your choice.”

  He frowned and she kissed his forehead. Sweet Adam. Did it disturb him that she knew? Did he still want to play the part of her secret admirer? Well, she could play along.

  Before he could say another word, she pressed her mouth to his. For once she didn’t worry about morning breath or bed head. This was Adam. Her Adam.

  Her tongue met his with long, languorous strokes. She shifted closer, then rubbed his engorged head along her cleft, savoring the feel of bare skin on bare skin, with nothing between them.

  “Aw, sunshine,” he murmured in her ear. “That feels just a little too good.”

  Delight shivered through her. She ground against him. “It can never be too good.”

  She slid her clit along his length, bringing the head of his penis within a fraction of her opening. He sucked in a breath. “I might come.”

  “Oh.” She stilled, her heart racing. Never had she wanted a man the way she wanted him. “Sorry. I guess I got a little caught up in the moment.”

  “No apology needed.” He shifted his lower body away from her, stroking his fingers once more over her sex.

  He let her indulge in a long, wet kiss, before pulling back. Ducking his head, he took the tip of her breast in his mouth. He teased her nipple to attention, then suckled her. “Mmm…the peanut butter, marinara and chocolate sauce were all very tasty, but I like the taste of just you even more.”

  He moved to her other breast while he stroked her clitoris. She squirmed against him and moaned, heat flaring through her. “Make love to me, Beast.”

  She turned to feel around for a condom on the nightstand.

  Adam drew a deep breath. His heart thumped. Never had he dreamed they could spend a night like last night together. How foolish he’d been to think he had to go looking for a serious relationship, when Lauren had been there all the time. Exactly what had she meant about him taking her advice, though?

  She moved against him, condom in hand, and the thought swept from his mind. “I can’t get enough of you,” he said.

  “I never thought we’d use all these.”

  “I had hoped.” He grinned as he readied himself in all haste. “I think we’re setting some kind of record here.”

  She guided his hardness to her entrance and he pressed into her. With his gaze locked on hers, he began to move, savoring the curve of her face, her hip, her breast. She was an incredible lover, holding nothing back and letting him enjoy her in almost whatever way he wanted, though she’d seemed uncomfortable when she alone was the focus of pleasure. They’d have to work on that.

  “Oh, Adam, it’s never felt so good.”

  He withdrew, then slid back into her. Her tight passage gloved him. “Not even last night?”

  “It was wonderful last night. I never knew…eating could be such fun.”

  Her muscles tightened around him as he glided in, then out. Pleasure built within him, but he drew a deep breath and continued the leisurely pace.

  “Oh, that’s…that’s nice.” She braced one foot against the mattress, and with the tilt of her hips and the pressure of her hand on his thigh, urged him to a faster pace. That delicious tension wound through him as each thrust heightened his pleasure. Her eyes widened and her breath came in sexy little pants.

  Heat spread from his very center, radiating out through every inch of his body. He was on fire. His own breath came in halting gasps. “Come for me again, sunshine.”

  Pink blossomed along her chest and cheeks. Her mouth rounded in a wordless moan. She surged against him, gloving him, squeezing him with the muscles of her sweet passage. His chest swelled as he tried to suppress the yell of triumph rising in him, the pleasure almost too intense to bear.

  The orgasm tore through him, hitting him with such force that he threw back his head and yelled. Lauren convulsed beneath him, her own climax following his. He collapsed on top of her, afraid he might be squashing her, but too drained to move.

  Her fingers lightly traced his back, while he drew deep breaths and tried to calm his pounding heart. The woman would be the death of him. But what a way to go.

  The faint summons of her cell phone drifted in through the open door. Adam rolled off her as she said, “That’s Elliot. I promised I’d meet with him this morning.”

  “I know, I heard, but it’s Sunday,” he complained to her retreating back. She’d gathered the sheet around her and was already scurrying down the hall.

  He lay back and blew out a breath. So much for whipping up Sunday brunch. He’d been hoping they’d cook up another batch of eggs Benedict. Instead, Lauren meant to spend her day with Elliot. Was there no justice in the world?

  A few moments later, she whisked back into the room, her wadded-up clothes in one hand and a pleading look on her face. “I just have to go mee
t with him for a little while. He’s having a crisis over the script for the commercial we’re shooting next week. I know exactly how to pacify him. It’ll be all right. I’ll call when I’m done.”

  He folded his arms and frowned as she struggled into her clothes. “So, we’ll have tonight together?”

  She straightened, one shoe dangling from her fingertips. “Well, I…um, have a couple of contracts to review before tomorrow…”

  What had he expected? He had to admire her determination, even though he wanted her to himself. He shouldn’t have hoped that one night of ecstasy with him would rid her of her workaholic tendencies. He hated the frustration building inside him.

  “I hope this isn’t an omen for all our morning-afters,” he complained halfheartedly.

  “It’s not so bad. We spent the entire evening and the whole night together, and we even had a little time this morning.”

  She sat beside him on the bed. “Think of all the decadent memories we have from just that time together.”

  He was no match for the seductive tone of her voice, or the soft brush of her lips across his. He reached for her, but she slipped away.

  “But I want more,” he said stubbornly. “I want you for an entire weekend.”

  “I wish I could stay, truly. I’ll make it up to you, though. I’ll really try for this evening. I’ll cook you something special.”

  “Will you schedule me for next weekend, then? The entire weekend. We can make it extra special.”

  He tried to avoid sounding needy by resisting the urge to remind her that his birthday fell on the following Saturday. She hadn’t mentioned it. Could it be she had forgotten?

  She hesitated for a long moment. “I’ll try.”

  A twinge of disappointment flashed through him. “Okay, I’ll drive you home. We’ll shoot for this evening.”

  She granted him a loving smile that melted his reservations. He dressed quickly, then drove her home. Before she slid out of the car, she gave him one last, long, drugging kiss that left him with no doubts.

  “Don’t worry,” she said before closing the car door, “you haven’t seen the last of me. I really want a closer look at your tattoo. You kept me so distracted I didn’t get to explore it properly.”

  “I might let you check it out.”

  “Oh, I will.” With one last smoldering gaze, she turned, then headed up her front walk.

  He blew out a breath. He was in trouble for sure. By now she’d guessed how completely she could control him with just the promise of one of her home-cooked meals.

  Especially now that they’d spiced up the menu.

  6

  ADAM HUMMED SOFTLY as he rinsed a lipstick-stained glass. In spite of the fact that Lauren had left him for Elliot, his mood had never been better. She’d been right. His mind was filled with decadent memories of their night together. They’d certainly made the most of that brief time.

  The doorbell rang as he loaded the last dish in the dishwasher. He smiled. Had she changed her mind and come back to him?

  A moment later he yanked open his front door to find her brother standing on the porch. “Rusty!” Adam greeted him with surprise and genuine pleasure.

  “We didn’t know you were coming. How are you, bro? You just missed…breakfast.” Adam stopped himself before saying he’d missed Lauren. How would Rusty feel about her having spent the night?

  After a quick back-slapping embrace, Adam ushered him into the den. “Look at you. I let you out of my sight for a year and you grow your hair and sprout a little muscle.”

  Twelve months ago Rusty had been a clean-cut college grad. Now his sand-colored hair hung in a ponytail down his back and dark stubble covered his jaw. The sleeves of his T-shirt stretched to accommodate his rounded biceps.

  His green eyes, so like his sister’s, took in the spacious room. “Nice digs. You must be doing all right.”

  “I’m getting by. Business is good. What are you doing here? Get tired of those oil rigs?”

  “The money was great. Just can’t say I want to work like that for the rest of my life.”

  He kept his tone light, but something in the shift of his eyes sent suspicion creeping through Adam. He’d seen that look too often in the past. “I’ve never known you to back down from a little hard work.”

  “Ah…well. Truth is, I didn’t have much choice. I quit.”

  “You quit?”

  “Yeah. It was that or get fired. Guess the foreman didn’t appreciate me dating his daughter.”

  Adam shook his head. Rusty had a knack for getting into trouble. More times than not, some female was inevitably involved.

  “Well, he trumped up some phony excuse. Blamed me for some equipment failure. Honestly, Adam, I didn’t do anything wrong. It happened on my day off.”

  “Yeah, I know trouble just seems to follow you. Like that time when that sassy brunette fingered you as the father of her child and wanted all that child support—”

  “But you got the truth out of her. And without the DNA testing—”

  “Or when her sister took you on that wild gambling binge and you lost half your college fund—”

  “Those two were no good. I should have known to stay away from them. It was brilliant how you got their old man to go in on that investment so he made such a killing he paid me back half the money I lost.”

  “What is this one costing you?”

  “That fat paycheck. Plus my references.”

  “So you need a job.”

  “And a place to stay now that Lauren has a housemate.” Rusty glanced around, a hopeful gleam in his eyes.

  Adam pursed his lips. The kid was like a brother to him, but the last thing Adam wanted was Rusty hanging out around here, infringing on his time with Lauren.

  “I think we can handle that. I have a friend who has a duplex. He lives in one side and rents out the other. I think it’s vacant. I’m sure you can get the place for a reasonable price. I’ll give him a call.”

  “Thanks.”

  Adam rose, then walked over to the large oak desk that dominated the far corner of the room. He pulled his company checkbook from a drawer, and began filling out a check.

  “You’ve done it before, so you know I run a tight crew. I expect you to be where you’re supposed to be when you’re supposed to be there, doing what you’ve been told to do. Expect long days and hard work. Your hands are good and calloused, so that won’t be a problem.”

  Rusty had moved beside the desk. Adam tore out the check, then handed it to him. “Here’s an advance on your pay. It should be enough to set you up in that duplex.”

  “Thanks, Adam. I knew I could count on you.”

  He shifted and his eyebrows arrowed down. “Um, you’re not going to say anything to Lauren about the trouble with the foreman, are you? She seemed a little at her wit’s end the last time anything like this happened, and I don’t think I could take another lecture from her on how I need to grow up.”

  Adam crossed his arms across his chest. He’d always managed to help Rusty out of his scrapes without worrying Lauren or her mother too much. Lauren had plenty on her mind with the agency and Delores always seemed at her limit.

  “I suppose we could keep the details to ourselves,” Adam said.

  The smallest measure of guilt crept over him. He’d never liked keeping anything from Lauren in the past. Now, suddenly it seemed somehow wrong not to tell her about Rusty’s trouble. No doubt she’d be upset if she found out.

  He clapped Rusty on the back. “Come on, let’s call Sid.” At Rusty’s questioning look, he added, “The guy with the duplex.”

  Adam blew out a breath and mentally shook himself as he lifted the receiver from its phone. Everything would be all right. After all, he was only helping the kid. What harm was there in that?

  IT HAD TAKEN most of the day, but somehow Lauren had smoothed Elliot’s ruffled feathers and helped him work out the problems with the script.

  She stopped on her front porch on her way
in after their meeting. Kamira and Mark Patterson had been lounging in a swing hung at one end of the structure. “So, what have you two been up to?” Lauren asked.

  Mark sprang to his feet, sending the swing, along with Kamira, swaying precariously. His face reddened. “Lauren, hello. We were…talking. Just…talking.”

  Stopping the swing with her toe, Kamira said, “Mark was sweet enough to spend the afternoon helping me at the center. We’ve got most of the painting and wallpaper done, by the way.” She heaved a sigh. “My dratted car wouldn’t start, though, when we were ready to leave, so I had it towed to my mechanic’s shop.”

  His hands shoved deep into his pockets, Mark scuffed one sneaker-clad foot across the old planks. “I offered to drive her home and she gave me some lemonade.”

  He gestured to the side table with the pitcher, half-filled glasses and a plateful of muffins.

  “I was going to offer him a beer, but figured we’d stick with a healthy snack.” Kamira lifted the plate, offering Lauren a muffin.

  Lauren choked back a laugh. “No thanks, I’ve had my healthy snack.”

  “A beer would have been okay.” A frown crinkled Mark’s forehead. “I am of legal age.”

  “I don’t want to be responsible for corrupting you,” Kamira said.

  “You’re too late. I’m wise to the ways of the world.” His glance skimmed over Lauren.

  He seemed nervous. Did he have a crush on Kamira? Lauren’s heart gave a little squeeze. Though Kamira was a couple of years shy of Lauren’s own twenty-eight years, she was still a good four or five years older than Mark. Cute as he was, he was in for heartbreak.

  Surely Kamira would let him down easy.

  “Why don’t you join us?” he asked.

  Kamira patted the empty spot beside her on the swing. “Yes, Lauren, take a load off.”

  “I really can’t.” She hefted her briefcase. “Got work to do.”

  With a shake of her head, Kamira made a tsking sound. “Well, at least you didn’t work last night.”

  Heat warmed Lauren’s cheeks. “That’s right. And I have to get these contracts done so I can take some time off this evening.”