Page 9 of Love, Second Chances and Other Nonsense
“I’m just not sure I believe that, Adam. Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’d rather be with her than with me.”
Adam stares at me for a long moment, his dark eyes unreadable. “I can’t believe you’re making this about you right now.”
The accusation stings. “I’m not—”
“Yeah whatever,” He grabs his keys from the dish. “I’m taking off. I can’t be around you right now.”
The door slams behind him, and I’m left standing in our apartment, the echo of our argument hanging in the air. I slink back to the kitchen, angry tears pricking at my eyes. I didn’t mean to pick a fight the day after a funeral, but the image of Millie’s hand on Adam’s chest, her eyes looking up at him with such naked need — it’s all been eating me alive.
Appetite gone, I pack the pasta up and put it in the fridge. Wash the pan and put it away.
When the kitchen is clean, I wander from room to room, straightening things that don’t really need it. Is he right? Am I being selfish? Insecure? Maybe. But something about the way Millie looks at Adam makes my skin crawl. It’s not sisterly. Not even close.
By the time the sun sets, my anger has cooled into a dull ache. I’ve curled up on the couch with a book I can’t focus on when I hear his key in the door again.
Adam walks in carrying a white plastic bag, and a savory fried food smell fills the room.
He holds it up like a peace offering. “I brought your favorite. Mongolian beef and lo mein.”
My stomach growls, betraying me. I’ve eaten exactly half of a sandwich today.
“There are also egg rolls.” Adam’s smile has just a hint of cajoling, and I finally smile back.
“I’m sorry,” he says, setting the bag on the coffee table and sitting beside me. “I shouldn’t have walked out like that.”
I mark my place in the book and set it aside. “I’m sorry too. I know Eric’s death hit you hard. And I know you care about Millie and her mom.”
He takes my hand, his thumb tracing circles on my palm. “Millie is family, Caitlin. Like a little sister, I’ve always looked out for. That’s it.”
“I know that’s how you see her,” I say carefully. “I’m not sure that’s how she sees you.”
Adam sighs. “She’s grieving. She’s reaching out to people who make her feel safe.”
“And that’s you.”
“One of many,” he says, but we both know that’s not true. I’ve seen how Millie orbits Adam, how her eyes track him across a room.
“I just…” I pause, trying to find the right words. “I need to know that we’re solid. That you and I come first.”
He leans in and gives me a lingering kiss. “We’re solid. You and me. I promise.”
I want to believe him. I do believe him. It’s just—
“Let’s eat before this gets cold,” he says, breaking into my thoughts. “And then maybe we can find some way to make up properly.” His dimples flash as he smiles, and I feel myself softening.
We eat Chinese takeout on the couch. The fight feels behind us, even if my concerns aren’t entirely put to rest.
The air between us crackles like electricity as we step into the bedroom. I go to start my nighttime routine, but Adam yanks me to him, and the hard length of his erection presses against me.
His eyes burn into mine, and I can feel his heart pounding between us. Or maybe that’s mine, pounding out of control. Then his lips are on mine and his hands all over me, one tangled in my hair, holding me still for the relentless assault of his mouth, the other cupping my ass, grinding me hard against him.
My hands aren’t idle either. I claw at his shirt, desperate to feel his hot skin. He stops kissing me just long enough to help me pull the shirt over his head, and then his mouth is on mine again. I sigh in relief as my hands skim his broad shoulders and toned chest. I want to drop to my knees and trace the little trail of hair leading down to the waist of his pants with my tongue, but his hands hold me in place.
I moan as he nips at my earlobe before running his tongue over the fluttering pulse in my throat. “God, you taste so good, babe,” he whispers before taking my mouth with his again.
Clothing gets flung haphazardly in every direction. Smiling wickedly, Adam pushes me onto the bed, drops to his knees, and yanks me to the edge.
At the first touch of his mouth, I gasp, my back arching off the bed. He licks and sucks me until I’m begging, body twisting and writhing on the sheets, desperate for relief.
