Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 113142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 566(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 377(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 566(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 377(@300wpm)
“Adam, please. Don’t do this.”
I yanked her back into my arms, brushing my lips over her head. “I’m sorry. I’m tired, jealous, and I shouldn’t have come here. I wanted to see you so much I couldn’t wait.” I inhaled her sweet scent. “I didn’t think how seeing you with him would affect me.” I dropped another kiss to her skin. “Go inside before you get cold. I’ll go in a few minutes.”
“You’re leaving?”
“It’s for the best. I’m sorry.”
She huffed. “You’re wrong about how he feels. We’re only friends helping each other.”
I leaned my forehead to hers. I knew I was being a possessive dick when it came to her, but I couldn’t help myself. “I hate seeing him touch you.”
“It means nothing to me.”
“I still don’t like it.”
She clutched my arm. “Do you still want me to come to your place?”
I cradled her face, claiming her mouth, hard and demanding.
“Yes, of course I do,” I insisted. “I’m an ass, but I still want you to come to me.”
“I will. I’ll get there as soon as I can.”
“Will you stay the night? Just let me hold you.”
“Yes.”
“Okay. I’ll be waiting.”
CHAPTER
SEVEN
I paced the floor, unable to relax or sit. It had been two hours since I’d left Ally at the benefit, and I hadn’t heard a word from her.
I ran my hands through my hair in vexation. I had sent her back inside, then slipped in through another set of doors, in case anyone was watching. I saw her easily in the crowd, the dress she was wearing catching my eye. She was talking to Bradley, gesturing toward the door, and I had assumed she was asking him to take her home.
Then she could come here—to me.
But I was still waiting.
Had he convinced her to stay? Had she thought about it and decided I was out of line with my jealous behavior and she wasn’t coming? Never one to overreact, I seemed to lose control when it came to her. I couldn’t think straight.
I glanced at my silent phone. Would she at least let me know?
My gaze fell to the new bed that had been assembled in the corner—my thick, comfortable mattress now set into the rich leather form. I had been meeting with the designer when I’d gotten the call to leave town, and he’d not only set up the massive bed, he’d left the sketches of the chair I asked him to create.
The sheets and towels were still in bags on the floor, not yet unpacked to put on the bed. Ally had lectured me thoroughly about the chemicals in new sheets and towels and how they had to be washed before being used. She told me horror stories about allergic reactions of people who had ignored the labels and warnings. By the time she finished, I swore I wouldn’t sleep on them until they’d been laundered. I didn’t tell her I’d never bothered before now. For tonight, the old sheets would have to do.
I wanted to see her in my bed, her hair spread across the pillows as she slept. I wanted to be able to smell her on those sheets.
A quiet knock had me racing to the door and flinging it open, startling Ally with the quickness. She stepped back, her hand flying to her throat. I lunged forward, dragged her inside, and slammed the door behind her. I lifted her into my arms, burying my face in her neck, holding her close. Her arms wrapped around my neck, and she ran her fingers through my hair.
“I was afraid you weren’t coming.”
“I was delayed. My cell phone died after your texts,” she said. “I forgot to plug it in, and I didn’t think I should use Bradley’s to send you a text,” she added lightly.
I walked over to the kitchen, still holding her in my arms, and set her on the counter. “Afraid of what I’d do if I got his number?”
She shook her head, all teasing gone. “No, I didn’t want him to have yours. I–I don’t want any of them to bother you.”
Her words eased some of my tension. She was trying to take care of me.
“I’m a big boy, I can look after myself.”
“I know.”
I fingered the silk of her dress. “Have you not been home?”
“No. I went to Bradley’s to talk, then I came here.”
I swallowed the instant flame of jealousy I felt at the thought of her being in his place with him, alone. My voice was tight when I spoke. “He drove you here?”
“No, I took a cab. I was hoping you’d still be up.”
“I said I’d wait for you.” I stroked my thumbs under her eyes, not liking the faint shadows that seemed to be there all the time. “Did you get any rest today?”
“A couple hours.”
“You’re sleeping in tomorrow.” If she wasn’t going to look after herself, I fucking would.