“I’ve waited five years to do that again. I can’t believe I almost lost you to someone else before I had a chance to get you back,” he heaves through ragged breath.
He wants me back. He’s always wanted me back. The speech he gave me on the beach two weeks ago about him loving me when we were together wasn’t a lie. This is real. I press forward once more, attaching my swollen lips to his. I step back with intention, and he follows me to the couch without pulling away from my mouth.
As we sit, I’m suddenly unsure how to proceed. Adrian and I have slept together. A lot. But, it’s been five years. We’ve had partners in the meantime...multiple partners. I’m fresh out of what could turn out to be the most heartbreaking experience of my life, and yet I can’t seem to shake the feeling that my panties are searching for the emergency exit in my jeans. It’s my turn to pull away. He doesn’t fight it.
“Why didn’t you tell me how you felt when we got together at Finnegan’s, Adrian?” I know the answer.
“You were distant that night. I could tell you were keeping something from me, or at the very least, you were just on guard.”
Yep, that’s the answer.
We sit in silence for a few moments as our breathing finds even footing. Adrian grabs my hand. “Now what?” he asks.
I squeeze his in muted response. “This. This is a good start.” I nuzzle my head between his neck and collarbone. Adrian releases my hand and runs his through my hair as I continue. “You weren’t planning on driving back home tonight, were you?” I look into his eyes and watch them scan my face.
“I was going to.”
“Don’t. Stay here tonight.”
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea ...” he trails off.
“I’m not asking you tosleep with me. I just want you to sleep next to me. I feel good with you, Adrian. There’s no pretense, no nonsense.”
He kisses the top of my head. “It is easy, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, it’s easy.”
I’m not in the mood to set ground rules with Adrian, and he doesn’t seem to need the discussion either. See? Easy. After a few minutes, we head to bed. He sleeps under the covers this time, with his bare chest against my back, and a tight arm hooked around my waist.
Chapter Seven
My phone wakes me too early for a Saturday morning. Adrian groans something unintelligible as he releases his grip on my waist so I can blindly answer the phone.
“Hello?”
A husky voice startles me fully awake. “I’m sorry, did I wake you up?”
Bo. Facepalm.
“Yeah, you did. It’s Saturday morning. What’s going on?” I swing my legs over the side of the bed and make my way to the kitchen, where I fumble with the coffee—spilling half the bag on the floor. “Shit.”
“What?”
“Spilled coffee all over my kitchen. What’s going on, Bo? Do you need something?” I ask with irritation.
“Are you free tonight?”
What the hell?
“What the hell do you mean? Is something going on with DROP?”
“No, nothing like that. I wanted to know if you want to get together tonight.”
“Wait, what? I’m sorry, did you not understand our conversation in the diner?” My volume has caused Adrian to walk into the hallway. I motion for him to be quiet.
“I did, and I also told you I wasn’t going to stop trying to make this right, November.” His voice has taken on a sharp edge.
“Look, we’re working together, and I’m choosing to play by the rules. If that’s going to be difficult for you then I can work with my boss to take me off the project.” Adrian’s eyebrows shoot up as I speak.
“Please don’t do that. Damn it. I’m sorry, November. What can I do to show you that I’m sorry?”
“You can respect me enough to leave this alone. I’ll see you next Wednesday.” I end the call and toss my phone carelessly on the counter.
I’m angry. I’m frustrated. There are coffee grounds all over the place. I bend down to start sweeping them up, and Adrian squats into my eye line. I take a deep breath and sit cross-legged on the kitchen floor.
“Cavanaugh?” He joins me on the floor with bent knees.
“Yeah. He insists on making this right, whatever the hell that means.”
“What do you want?”
“Are you kidding me? I want to do my job. I want to pretend that the last two weeks happened years ago, or not at all. I want to spend the day with you, and sing tonight ...” I trail off as I shake my head.
Hearing Bo’s voice doesn’t screw me up emotionally like it did a few days ago. It angers me. I haven’t a clue as to why he’s still pursuing something with me when we’re working together. It doesn’t make sense. It pisses me off that he’s willing to put my career in jeopardy. Once again.
“Want me to have a talk with him?” Adrian extends his hand to me as he stands, I accept.
“Get over yourself,” I joke. As I stand, my phone rings again. “Seriously?” I huff as I head toward the counter. “Hello?”
“Sweetie, it’s Raven.” Good sweet lord.
“Hey Mom, what’s up?”