Tempting Adam Read online

  Mark swigged back a shot of lemonade from one of the glasses. “Guess I’d better get going. Let you ladies get on with your day.”

  Kamira rose and gave his hand a squeeze. “Thank you for driving me home. I really appreciate it.”

  “No problem.” After a quick smile at Lauren, he hurried down the steps.

  “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare him away.”

  Kamira waved her hand in dismissal. “He’s a sweet guy, but I’ve got to get ready for Greg.”

  She lifted the lemonade tray, then followed Lauren into the house. “So?”

  “So, what?”

  “You know, you and Adam. And how you spent the night over there.”

  “I probably should have called. You weren’t worried, were you?”

  “Ha. I was ecstatic. So, how was it?”

  “I won’t kiss and tell.”

  “It was really great, wasn’t it?”

  Lauren wiggled her eyebrows in answer, a smile curving her lips.

  Kamira squealed in excitement. “I knew it. You two were made for each other. I could tell from the start. So, go get busy so you can see the man again. Adam’s one hunk I wouldn’t keep waiting.”

  Excitement thrummed through Lauren. “You’re right. I’d better get going.”

  Smiling, she raced up the stairs.

  LATER THAT EVENING, Lauren hit the print command on her computer, then rose from her desk, stretching to relieve the ache in her back. She ached in other, more private, areas, too. Her night with Adam had worked muscles she’d left to atrophy. And some she’d never used before.

  She smiled. They must have set some marathon record.

  With a light step, she headed toward the kitchen for a quick drink of water and maybe a snack. Her contracts should be ready for her review by the time she returned.

  The doorbell rang as she ran down the stairs. She bit her lip. Had Adam arrived early?

  To her surprise, Rusty stood on the doorstep, holding a basketful of laundry. He grinned sheepishly. “Hi.”

  “Adam told me you were here.” She ushered him in, happy to see him, but feeling slightly annoyed. “I can’t believe you stopped by to see him first. I bet I just get to see you because you have laundry to do.”

  “Well, kill two birds. I did want to say hello.” He set down the basket, then swept her up in a big hug.

  “Don’t guess it occurred to you to take your laundry to Mom’s?” she teased. She’d never been able to stay upset with him.

  “No way. She’s always so stressed. I just hate burdening her.”

  “Ah, but it doesn’t bother you to dump your laundry on me.”

  “I’ll do my own wash. I just want to use your machine. And your detergent. You always did have the freshest-smelling laundry.”

  She shook her head, but grinned. “You’re just piling on the charm again, huh? Okay, this way.”

  He followed her to the small stack unit off the kitchen. “So, when are you going to get a full-size unit?”

  “When I need one. With just me, it doesn’t make sense to buy anything bigger.”

  With a shrug, he lifted the lid of the washing machine. “Adam seems to be doing all right. Bet he has a nice big washer and dryer.”

  “He does. Why didn’t you ask if you could do your laundry there?”

  “Didn’t want to push my luck. He gave me a job. I wasn’t about to ask for any more favors.”

  “So, you get tired of the oil rigs? Or did you just miss us?”

  He didn’t answer right away as he loaded his clothes into the machine. Then he turned to her. “Who wants to be around a bunch of guys all the time? I don’t care how much they pay me. It just isn’t enough.”

  His eyes held that hint of guilt she’d seen too many times in the past. “Rusty, don’t tell me you got into some kind of trouble.”

  He busied himself adding detergent. “No. Of course not. Okay, I admit it. I missed it around here. I didn’t like being so far from home. Satisfied?”

  She pursed her lips and regarded him a moment. “Sure. Welcome back. Hungry?”

  “Always.”

  With a nod, she moved to the refrigerator, where she pulled out sandwich ingredients. How many meals had she fixed for him over the years? She knew his preferences as well as she knew her own. Taking care of her brother came as second nature. She’d been doing so ever since their father had died and their mother had gone to pieces on them.

  She frowned as she spread mayonnaise on Rusty’s bread. He wasn’t telling her everything, she could feel it in her bones. But she’d let it rest for the time being. He’d changed a lot physically. Maybe he’d matured some, too.

  Her stomach knotted as she layered turkey and cheese on the bread. She drew a deep breath, the too-familiar tiredness claiming her. Her life was complicated enough already. She didn’t know what she’d do if she had to worry about getting him out of more trouble. The way she felt right now, she just didn’t have the energy to deal with one more thing.

  “DID YOU SEE that brother of yours?”

  Lauren looked up from the contract she’d been poring over as Adam entered her bedroom. Night had long fallen as she’d buried herself in her work. She drank in the sight of his broad shoulders and beautiful face. Her pulse quickened.

  How indeed had she spent all these years with him and missed the blatant sexuality oozing from him?

  She offered him a smile. “He stopped by for a quick visit. He looks great, doesn’t he? He’s really bulked up. It was such a great surprise to see him.”

  Adam strode to where she sat in an old armchair by her desk. He dropped to his knees beside her, resting his arms along her thighs. “Yeah, I couldn’t believe it when I opened my door. I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed him.”

  “I understand why he’s back, though.”

  “You do?”

  “You know…the girls.”

  Adam straightened. “The girls?”

  “They’re in short supply on those oil rigs.”

  “Oh, right.”

  “Atlanta has its fair share. Plus we’re here. I never thought he’d be gone as long as he was. But I’m jealous that he went to see you first.”

  “Ah, well, we’ve done that guy-bonding thing, you know. We’re bro’s.”

  “Thanks for taking him on one of your crews.”

  “He helped out that summer before he left. He’ll do a great job. I’m happy to have him.”

  She brushed his hair back off his forehead. “I’m glad you’re there for him.”

  “He deserves a break. It’ll be good having him around again.”

  “I didn’t…tell him about us.”

  “Neither did I. You think he’ll mind?”

  She hesitated a moment. “Oh, I’m sure he’ll be fine with it.”

  The papers in her lap slid and she caught them with one hand.

  “I thought you said you’d have all your work done before I got here.”

  “Just a few more pages.”

  “It’s after ten. It can wait until tomorrow.” He leaned forward and started nuzzling her neck.

  “I’m scheduled to meet with the client first thing to finalize the deal. We really need this account.”

  “What is it?”

  “It’s that carpet cleaner you sent to us.”

  “Morris Cleaners?”

  “Yes, and thanks for the referral. Looks like we’ll be doing business.”

  “Great. They’ll be a good account. Clyde Morris is very reputable.”

  She nodded, then concentrated again on the contract. She had just found her place when Adam took her foot into his hand and pulled off her sock.

  “What are you doing?” she asked.

  “Don’t mind me. Finish up. I’ll just occupy myself until you’re done.”

  With his strong hands, he kneaded first the ball of her foot, then each toe in turn, before moving along her instep to her heel.

  “We’re going to get you good and relaxed,” he
murmured as he finished up that foot, then moved to the other.

  The words on the page seemed to run together and she reread the same paragraph five times before she gave up and tossed the papers onto the pile on her desk. By then he’d worked his way up her calf to her thigh, stroking her leg through her jeans.

  “I’ll just have to trust I got it right the first time. It’s all pretty standard, anyway,” she said.

  “Nothing standard here.” He smoothed his hand over her leg.

  She wore her favorite jeans and a light sweater in deference to the chillier fall temperatures. Though she had taken a few moments to brush her hair and freshen her lipstick, it was nice knowing she didn’t have to get all dressed up to please him. The light in his eyes showed he didn’t mind the old jeans and sweater at all.

  He ran his hands over her hips, then under her to cup her bottom. “These jeans are almost as soft as your skin. They fit nice, too. Hug you in all the right places.”

  He squeezed her buttocks for emphasis.

  “So, you like my backside?”

  “Mmm-hmm, among other things.”

  Lifting her slightly, he pulled her close and kissed her. She looped her arms around his neck and gave in to the hungry stroke of his tongue. If she’d known kissing Adam would be so thrilling, she’d have tried it long ago.

  “So, we missed dinner and you promised to make up for abandoning me on the morning after the most significant night of our lives to date.”

  “I’m so sorry.”

  She kissed him again, then drew back to look at him. Excitement vibrated through her as he ducked his head to nuzzle her breast. Even with them both fully dressed, he made her feel…decadent.

  “How can I make it up to you?” she asked.

  “Well, there is one way.”

  “What?”

  His mouth curved into a slow, seductive smile. “Come walk with me.”

  Surprise and a small measure of disappointment shimmered through her. “I thought you had something else in mind.”

  “Oh, we’ll get to that later, not to worry. It’s just, well, I love exploring this new sexual angle to our relationship, but I don’t want it to overshadow what we already have.”

  Her heart warmed at his thoughtfulness. “It won’t. It will just make that part so much more special.”

  “Right. But I want us to still do the things we used to do as just friends.”

  “We haven’t been walking in forever.”

  “I know. Don’t you miss it? Remember how we used to go for long hikes up by the lake?”

  “But that was before we became responsible citizens.”

  “Having a successful business doesn’t have to come at the sacrifice of your personal life.”

  “A little sacrifice is necessary, at least when you’re getting started.”

  “Lauren, you are the most determined woman I know. I love that about you, but you don’t always have to work so hard. You can work smart. It’s all about networking and planning. I can show you.”

  “I can’t afford membership in a fancy country club, or to take time away from work to kiss up at parties or other social gatherings.”

  “It doesn’t have to be like that.”

  She placed her finger over his lips. “I don’t want to argue. Thanks for the advice. Let me get my cell phone and shoes and we’ll go for that walk.”

  Adam nodded. No, he didn’t want to argue either, so he kept quiet as she pocketed her cell phone. Why was it so hard for her to leave it behind? He hated seeing her bust her butt just to make a living. He hoped to show her that life had so much more to offer.

  A few moments later they headed down the driveway to the sidewalk. The moon shone brightly overhead, lighting their path along the tree-lined street. He twined his fingers with hers and they walked a ways in silence.

  He wouldn’t trade the last couple of days for anything. The new direction of their relationship pleased him more than he could say. It was like a missing piece of a puzzle had slipped into place. Why he hadn’t seen it before escaped him. He and Lauren had always been together, now they’d be together in a way he’d never dreamed.

  She smiled at him and warmth expanded his chest. He’d made his desire for a committed relationship very clear and she’d chosen this time to open their friendship to this new level. Did she mean for them to share a lifetime of loving, and eventually, marriage and a family?

  The cool air swirled gently around them, lifting a flock of birds from a nearby tree as they passed. The houses tapered into a landscaped slope that ended at a small footbridge leading to one of the many nature trails scattered throughout the neighborhood.

  “This is nice.” She drew a deep breath as they reached the center of the bridge. “The air smells so fresh. I love this time of year.”

  “Remember when we camped by the lake that one summer?”

  Her eyes took on a faraway look. “That seems like a lifetime ago. It was right before Dad passed.”

  He swept his arm around her. “I just know that wherever he is, he’s really proud of you.”

  She nodded and moonlight glinted off the moisture in her eyes. “He always thought of you as a son, you know.”

  “He was more of a father to me than my own old man.”

  “Adam, I’m sorry.”

  “For what?”

  “Well, for never realizing how much it really bothered you that your parents weren’t ever around. I always thought you were…happy. It never occurred to me that you wouldn’t be. I guess I should have paid more attention.”

  The scent of rose petals drifted from her hair as he hugged her closer. “I was always happy when we were together.”

  She tilted her face up to him. “Me, too. I still am. Even more so now.”

  Crickets played their night melody and tree frogs joined them in chorus as he brushed his lips over hers, then kissed her with all the joy in his heart. She was his. Life was as simple as that. She was his to kiss and to pleasure. She was his to love and plan a future together.

  With a soft sigh, she looped her arms around his neck and opened her mouth in welcome. Her tongue parried his with a sweet gentleness that left him breathless.

  They walked and talked farther along the path, taking time to enjoy the busy sounds of the night insects, the swooping glide of a lone bat and the crunch of leaves under their feet as the trees shed their golden coats.

  Much later, moonlight stole in through her window as Adam snuggled her close. It felt so right to be there with her.

  She smiled, well satisfied and half-asleep after a thorough loving. “Thank you.”

  “Always here to please.” He brushed a lock of her golden hair from her cheek.

  “Yes that, too. I meant earlier. The walk.”

  “We’ve a lifetime to enjoy the simple pleasures.”

  She shifted to face him more fully and her eyes lost their sleepy haze to focus more clearly on him. “You’re so sure we’ll be together a lifetime?”

  “Why not? We’ve made it this far, haven’t we? And tonight, you put your work aside to spend time with me. That’s important. When we have kids your life will change. Work won’t be your priority then.”

  “Wait.” She scooted up in the bed, her eyes wide. “I never agreed to kids. I’m glad you feel so sure about things, but I can’t say where we’ll be next week, let alone next year. We can’t be talking kids already.

  “Besides, haven’t we seen how life can be pretty satisfying with just the two of us?”

  He shifted upward to face her, unease tightening his stomach. “I like what we have, but will it always be enough? You were going to help find me a wife so we could have this wonderful life and kids. I was hoping you would decide to try the part.”

  She squeezed her eyes shut. When she opened them, a storm of confusion swirled in their green depths. “Yes, but I said from the start, marriage and kids don’t work for me.”

  His chest tightened, the earlier warmth dissipating. “I guess
I misunderstood.”

  She stared at him a long moment. “I’m sorry. Someday, I might want those things, but I can’t say for sure. I…I don’t know.”

  “It’s okay.” Drawing her into his arms, he stroked her back. “I can wait. As long as I have you, that’s all that matters for now. There’s no hurry.”

  In time she’d find she wanted the same things. Surely she would.

  “Maybe we shouldn’t have started this.”

  He stilled. “You mean us?”

  “I don’t want to hurt you, Adam. I know you want more from life. You did make that clear. It’s just that suddenly there you were…well, wooing me—you were suddenly interested and mysteriously interesting. I just couldn’t help myself.”

  “Wooing you?” A feeling of foreboding stole over him.

  “You don’t have to pretend. It wasn’t hard to figure out after you made such a big deal over the blatant gift-giving issue. I was a little surprised by the cookbook at first, but as you know, I’ve grown rather fond of it.”

  He opened his mouth to respond, then shut it again. Good God, she thought he was her secret admirer. Was that why she’d seduced him? He’d completely forgotten about the guy.

  “Lauren—”

  “Shh, let’s not say another word about it. I don’t want to spoil the mystery. If you want to keep pretending, I’m happy to play along. I never dreamed you had such a poetic nature. I love those romantic quotes.”

  “Right.”

  He should set her straight. He should tell her he’d been so caught up in being with her he hadn’t even thought to send her any gifts.

  But now their new relationship was founded on a misunderstanding. Lauren had mistaken him for her secret admirer. Was that why she’d started them on this path? Would she regret their new status if she knew the truth?

  And who was this secret admirer? Adam would have to find out and find out quickly. He couldn’t risk having some nut stalking her.

  “What are you thinking?” Lauren asked.

  “Just thinking about you. I guess I’ve been having these secret fantasies from time to time over the years. It’s nice not to have to stifle those impulses anymore. I’m glad we’re together. We’ll work it out. You’ll see.”

  With that he kissed her again, before she could utter another uncertainty about their future.