Chapter Sixteen
AS PARKER DRIVES us in a black limo toward Coral Gables, Adam and I sit in silence. I wish I knew what he was thinking. He wanted me in the bathroom and yet he pulled away. Why would he do that?
“What do your parents do, Adam?” I say, in the hopes that an unassuming conversation can break the tense atmosphere.
“My father owns a medical practice and my mother owns an architecture firm,” Adam says with disinterest. He gives me a quick side-glance and then turns away, his attention focused out the window.
I hate it when he’s so indifferent.
“Oh, that’s interesting.” I fidget in my seat and let the quiet envelope us. A few more minutes pass and I realize that this is a make it or break it moment. If I let the distance between us widen, if I ignore the situation, I’m signing the death warrant on our brief affair.
I take a deep breath and stare at him, in possession of a bravery foreign to me. “I want you to answer a question for me, Adam.”
He cocks his head to the side, his body stiff. “Whether or not you get an answer depends on the question.”
Is nothing easy with this man?
“You’ve often said that honesty is important to you. I hope that if you expect honesty from me, you are willing to offer it.”
“What diplomatic reasoning,” he utters dryly while pressing a button on the doorframe. A dark divider rises, separating the front of the car from the back. Parker can no longer hear us; we’re alone. “What’s piqued your curiosity now?”
Staring into his intense gaze almost undoes my resolve. “What was the name of the woman, the one you cared for?”
“Why would you want to know that?” He scoffs. “I would think the details of my dealings with past women would be an unpleasant subject for you.”
A nervous laugh shakes out of me. “Normally I would agree, but the more I get to know you, the more I realize your past is an important factor in our future.” I try to sound rational, though I can’t prevent the tremor in my voice. “I want to get to know you better, and to do that I need to know about her.”
He sighs heavily and his intimidating gaze takes on a calculating gleam. “I’ll answer your question if you answer one of mine.”
Oh no, not this game again. I purse my lips, noting the challenge in his tone. “What type of question?”
He grabs my hand and I gasp at the unexpected action. With ease, he pulls and I am in his lap. Adam’s lips rub against my neck and his breath is warm on my skin. It’s hard to think when he’s so close.
He pulls on my hair, forcing me to tilt my neck up, and then places his lips on my pulse in a soft kiss. “What would possess you to harm yourself?”
The beating of my heart has increased, and though I want to avoid his gaze, his firm hold makes the action impossible.
“Evelyn…” he says tenderly. “Help me understand. Because if I’m perfectly honest, I have to admit your history confuses the hell out of me. How could a talented, beautiful, clever girl who quite literally had the world at her fingertips try to kill herself?”
Adam grabs my chin and his nose rubs against mine as he stares into my eyes. “A private investigator can tell me what happened, but what I want to know is why it happened.”
“Why do you need an explanation?” I say as the sting of my watering eyes burn.
“I want one because even though you have yet to realize it, I care about you. The thought of you harming yourself fucking burns.” He shakes his head. “I need to understand why you would do something so incredibly…”
“Stupid… Selfish.” I finish his statement in a broken sob. My fingers graze his cheek and the grainy rasp of his stubble helps me focus. “Sometimes truths are too hard to talk about.”
One of Adam’s hands moves along my back, massaging the muscles of my spine. “Sometimes confronting those truths is the only way to overcome them.”
“Have you done that? Confronted all your demons? Because from the little that I know, it seems like you’re holding on to something heavy. A secret you keep locked away and hidden under this tight—” I clamp my fists together, “—suffocating control.”
“I own everything that’s happened in my life because I know every struggle has made me the man that I am—a man who is successful and determined. A man who knows that living under the shadow of mistakes and regret is stifling. My past relationships have molded me, but they sure as hell don’t dictate my future. Don’t fault me because I refused to make the same mistake, twice.”
“What mistake? Would trusting me, be a mistake?”
“That’s not what I meant, and it’s not pertinent to what we are discussing.”
“I hate when you do that,” I say petulantly. “You speak as if you know everything, as if no one in the world could possibly disagree with you, all the while ignoring my questions.” I close my eyes because I’m frustrated by his eloquence and my persistent inability to articulate what I’m feeling.
“And you avoid topics by pointing an angry finger at me.” He sounds offended but still holds me close, the beating of his heart ticking steadily against my chest.
I need to tell him. He needs to know I can be honest, and I need to tell him because I need to know he can be kind, loving, and considerate. Maybe that’s what love is, one person taking a leap and praying the other follows.
“Little girls adore their fathers. They mean the world to us.” I can hear the bitterness in my voice, the sound overflowing with a sorrow I know too well. “But as time passes we grow up and we want our freedom.” My legs flex in a fidgeting motion as I speak. “So one day, I told my father that I was leaving, that I loved him but I was moving out.” I pause for a long moment. “My dad was a troubled soul. He suffered from a long list of issues and had been taking pills to regulate his moods since he was twenty… He didn’t know how to be alone and having his little girl abandon him broke his heart.”
The tears I have been holding onto fall. Adam gently brushes them away as he listens.
“He couldn’t live without me. I think deep down I knew that. People do stupid things when life puts up road blocks, when you can’t see the solution to a problem, and my dad did a really stupid thing.” My breath is ragged. “And after I…I felt so guilty for leaving him alone and I…”
“And you did something stupid.” He finishes my statement as the back of his hand caresses my cheek.
The action is too tender, and I twist away.
Adam sternly pulls me close, his body overpowering mine. My head is alongside his, and the smell of his skin is comforting. Being in his arms is all I want and my struggles lose momentum. Enjoy it, Evie, because as soon as he can, this man will run. He’s rich, gorgeous, and can easily find a woman who is not fucked up. His words break me from my dark thoughts.
“Do you still want to go to this party?”
“Do you still want me to come?” I ask.
“Of course I do.” He pulls back and retrieves a handkerchief from his pocket. With care he wipes away my tears.
I laugh with embarrassment. “I must look horrible.” I pat my puffy eyes and give him a bashful smile.
“Even tear-streaked, you’re beautiful.”
He smiles at me and all I see is the face of the man who’s clawed away at my defenses. What we have may be fleeting, but at the moment we’re both here in this car and the world is a blur. Staring at Adam, warmth pervades my core and I want him, I need him.
I brush my lips against his, and for an instant I let them linger, my eyes meeting his deep-blue gaze. Our kiss is wet and hungry. I moan as his tongue runs along the outline of my lips, and when we both pull away the only noise echoing through the back seat is our panting.
“You’re upset, I don’t want to…”
I place my fingers against his lips. “What’s upsetting me right now is that you’re not inside me.” I shift my legs over his hips, lift my dress so it’s high on my waist and straddle him. As my pelvis presses against his, I can feel the bulge of his growing erection.
His hands slide up my thighs, underneath my dress and slip inside the confines of my delicate panties. He grips my ass and pulls me forward, the action making me inhale sharply.
“Mr. Black, we’re here.”
Oh shit! I’m startled as Parker’s voice blares from a speaker. I forgot he was driving us somewhere.
Adam closes his eyes in frustration. He presses a button located on the door. “Avoid the valet and park toward the back.” He kisses me, his soft lips rubbing against mine. “Do you really want to go to this party?”
I trail my fingers down his cheek until my hands rest on his chest. “I would never dream of making you miss your sister’s birthday party. Besides, after everything that’s happened today, I like the idea of mingling and having fun… Trust me, I’m okay.”
He gives me one of those knee-shaking, heart-thumping smiles. “In that case, are you ready for a party, Miss Snowe?”
I give him an impish grin. “I thought we were already in the middle of a party, Mr. Black.”
His chest rises as gives a throaty laugh. He whispers against my lips, “Don’t worry, I promise that we’ll get back to this party soon.”
I grin as I crawl off him, and to my surprise he playful slaps my ass. It startles me because Adam is rarely so frisky.
“You cheeky bastard!”
“Bastard, yes, though you’re obviously the cheeky one between us.” He winks as he finishes the statement.
I shake my head with a grin and grab my purse. I comb the I’ve just been fondled look out of my hair, apply some lip balm, and straighten my dress. Adam smirks as he fixes his attire and as I watch him, I remember my original question.
“So, what was the name of the woman?”
His face hardens at the reminder and he rotates his shoulders, as if the action can eliminate his stress. “Serena Welsh.” He speaks the name plainly as he opens the car door and extends his hand to me.
I take it with a smile and whisper, “Thank you.”
He tries to conceal a smile as he pulls me from the car. I hook my arm around his and get my first real look at the house, my jaw dropping in the process.
His parents’ home is extravagant; it reminds me of an Italian villa. Stunning trellises adorned by blooming bougainvillea outline the entrance, and vines crawling against the outward façade form a wall of immaculately manicured vegetation.
Dating this man is such a culture shock. He lives an extravagant life. It’s no wonder he is evasive and demands obedience. Evidently, getting what you want from the world is a family trait.
We walk on cobblestone paths leading to the backyard, and I’m stunned by the sight. It’s a mixture of Cirque du Soleil and Cinderella. Performers on the far left flutter across the air on a trapeze while impeccably dressed guests observe. To the right, other guests talk while sipping on beverages provided by the bar station near the large polished dance floor.
Sarah makes her way through the crowd upon seeing us. Her dress is short, and I catch Adam noticing, his forehead wrinkling in a disapproving frown.
“Evie, you came!”
I step back at the sheer force of Sarah’s hug. She smiles at Adam and steps on her tippy-toes to kiss his cheek.
“I think your dress is a bit too short,” he says with brotherly angst.
Sarah rolls her eyes and ignores him. “You guys are going to have a wonderful time. The band has been playing the best songs.” She leans against me and whispers, “Also, the guy at the bar knows what he’s doing; have him mix you an apple martini and you’ll be on cloud nine in ten minutes.”
Adam narrows his eyes at Sarah. Her giggle makes me respond in turn.
Suddenly, a handsome older gentleman is beside us. He has salt-and-pepper hair but his chiseled jaw is reminiscent of Adam.
“Well, son, what are you drinking?” He slaps Adam on the back firmly and has a wide grin on his face.
Abruptly, he sees me. “Well, hello there. I’m John Black.” He extends his hand and I offer him my own. I think we’re going to shake, but instead he lifts my hand to his mouth and plants a soft kiss above my knuckles. Well, that’s where Adam gets it from.
“I leave you alone for one minute and you’re already kissing other women?”
I turn toward the woman’s voice. Her hair is a soft honey color and her eyes are a deep emerald green. I can tell by the smirk on her lips she’s merely teasing John Black.
Adam rolls his eyes, annoyed by the playful banter. He pulls me against him protectively. “Evelyn, these are my parents.”
“Oh, so this is Evelyn.” The older woman looks at me with a grin. “I’ve heard so much about you. I’m Lillian.” She leans forward and gives me a quick hug.
My eyes widen at the comment. Has Adam talked about me with his parents? My silent question is soon answered.
“I may have mentioned a few things.” Sarah smirks mischievously at Adam, who is glowering at her.
Sarah grabs my hand. “Evie, let’s get a drink.”
Before I can reply, I’m being dragged across the dance floor. I catch a glimpse of Adam shaking his head in annoyance.
“I can’t believe he brought you,” Sarah says with a smile.
I frown at the random comment. “Why is that?”
Sarah motions for the bartender. “Two apple martinis, please.” She turns to me. “Adam acts unusual around you. He’s oddly protective; I’m sure you’ve noticed.”
I nod slowly, surprised by the candid nature of this conversation.
“He’s totally smitten. I’ve seen my brother act like this only once before.”
The opportunity to get information on Adam doesn’t come often. So a bit too eagerly I interject, “With Serena Welsh?”
“No way!” Sarah grabs my forearm as if to settle her shock. “He told you about her?”
“He only told me her name.”
“It was a long time ago. She’s the daughter of a family friend. Mathew, Adam, and I grew up with her.”
“Mathew?” My eyes narrow curiously at the name.
“Yes, our brother.”
“Adam has a brother?” I utter in surprise. And he had the audacity to blow up because I didn’t tell him about my past?
Sarah laughs at my outburst. “Yes, he’s two years older than Adam. He lives in New York.” She shrugs. “I want to give you a warning. I’m sure you’ve realized Adam gets around. There may be a few women here who know him pretty well.” She takes a large gulp of the apple martini.
Are you fucking kidding me? Wearily I scan the patio, letting her statement register.
“I’ve left you speechless.” She takes another large sip of her apple martini, emptying the glass. “Being with my brother means accepting his past.” Her voice adopts that calm tone Adam has mastered.
“Thank you for the information, Sarah.” I say sincerely, though I’m still reeling with shock.
“I like you, which surprises me. I always despise his girlfriends.” She utters the word girlfriend with a sarcastic inflection.
I open my mouth to respond when Markus suddenly slips his arms around Sarah. She leans against him with a small smile, and I instantly feel out of place.
After a moment, Markus realizes I’m standing in front of them, and he coughs lightly. “Evelyn, you look lovely tonight.”
Revulsion flows through my body as he eyes my body. Why do I find this guy so creepy?
“Markus, how nice it is to see you.” Before I can continue, I feel Adam’s hands around my waist.
“I was wondering where you’d run off to,” Adam says strangely. When I tilt my head to regard him I realize why. His glare is fixed on Markus, who’s brazenly holding Sarah against him.
Sarah straightens her shoulders, in the process moving Markus away as the menacing expression of Adam dawns on her.
“Baby, let’s dance,” Sarah suggests quickly.
Markus leads her away and I turn to face Adam. His body is rigid with fury. I place my hand on his cheek. I want to ask him why he never told me he has an older brother, but our location makes it impractical.
“Hey, don’t let him ruin our evening.” I take a cue from his book and wink at him.
Adam smiles and grabs my hand, leading me through the crowd, pausing every so often to introduce me to some of the guests. Most of the people in attendance are mutual friends of his family, yet another thing I find daunting.
“Adam.” A voluptuous redhead captures my attention. Her heels are three inches too high and her skirt is three inches too short. Though she has the body to pull off the look, she seems like walking trouble.
“Diane, I didn’t expect to see you here.” He gives her a tight smile and leans forward to kiss her cheek.
“Do you honestly think I would miss Sarah’s birthday party? I mean, she did do her internship with me. Besides, she only has one more semester until she graduates, and I intend to recruit her.”
“I’m certain she’ll go on to do her master’s immediately after. She’ll be unable to take on any full-time positions,” Adam says definitively.
Diane places a hand on her overexposed breasts and the other on Adam’s forearm while she artfully laughs. “You never change; you’re still so overprotective.”
Hey, who said you could touch him? The hair on my arms prickle and a cold chill sweeps over me as I watch them. Is this jealousy?
Adam smiles at me as he listens to Diane, though I can tell he’s not pleased. “Evelyn, this is Diane Glen. She manages the art gallery Stir Crazy in the Design District.”
I nod at the woman and she barely pays attention.
“Oh, it’s a pleasure.” She sets her gaze on Adam again. “I’m so sorry I didn’t return your call earlier. I was busy with a client, but I’m searching for the right piece. I considered showing you something from Mary Forester; she’s a local artist, but after thinking about it I doubt you’ll appreciate her work. Maybe we can do lunch sometime next week and discuss some other potential art investments?”
He called her? They’re going to lunch together? Okay, I am without a doubt jealous, not to mention insulted on Mary Forester’s behalf. She’s a fabulous artist.
“I’m afraid I have to disagree with you. I think a piece from Forester is something Adam would love.”
Diane looks at me with a frown, while Adam attempts to hide the grin curling at the edges of his mouth.
“She’s known for her abstract landscapes and her capacity to texturize her work. Her paintings literally jump out of the canvas.” I lean against Adam, like a cat marking her territory, and continue. “One piece in particular might suit your tastes. I believe it’s called You’re Beautiful. The painting is a contrast of both dark and light colors, reminiscent of what you admire in my work.” I shrug casually and once again smile at Diane. “That is, of course, only my humble opinion.”
Diane looks flabbergasted. She wasn’t expecting me to have an opinion on the subject.
Adam places a hand at the small of my back, his expression radiating pride. “Evelyn is an extremely talented artist. She recently painted a mural in my house.”
“I see.” Diane’s body tenses and she stands straight so she’s noticeably taller than me. “What medium do you utilize?”
“I try not to limit my options, though I do prefer oil paints.”
“Well, I’ll have to see your work one of these days.” She turns to Adam. “I’ll send you photographs of Forester’s paintings. It was lovely to see you again, excuse me.” She turns and strolls off, her walk strikingly less self-assured.
“What was that?” Adam asks with amusement.
I shrug and give him a sheepish smile. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Mr. Black.”
He does the most adorable eye roll and I’m sorry we’re in the middle of a party because all I want to do is tackle him to the ground and have my way with him.
We mingle with a few more guests, and when Adam is discussing the recent developments in the South Florida real-estate market I take the opportunity to visit the restroom. Adam’s parents’ house is a maze, an elegant jumble of intricate rooms. It takes me five minutes to find a restroom. I put on some lip gloss and fix my hair; the humidity is wreaking havoc on my appearance. After a few minutes I shrug and exit the room.
“Well, if it isn’t the flavor of the month.” A stylishly dressed woman stands in front of the door.
“Excuse me?” Surely this woman is talking to someone else.
“I’m pretty sure you heard me.” Her eyes flit across my form in a measuring fashion. “Where exactly did he meet you?”
“Lady, I have no clue what you’re talking about.” I begin to walk past her.
“Adam is quite a handsome man.”
Her words stop me mid-step. I turn and face her. “He is quite handsome, though I doubt you stopped me to talk about his attractive qualities.”
“We just wanted to say hello.” The voice of Victoria Chase echoes across the hallway.
I laugh, because I find the entire situation ridiculous. These two women have confronted me because I came with Adam? Is my presence really such a threat? I suppose I should feel flattered.
“Victoria, I wish I could say it’s wonderful to see you again.” I give her a condescending smile.
“I see that he’s not bored with you yet.” She walks to me with a model strut.
“No, actually I think he’s enjoying the flavor I can offer,” I say pointedly.
“For now. Though he does seem very interested in the conversation he’s currently having.”
The smug statement makes me frown. I walk out the sliding glass doors to the patio and search for Adam. He’s surrounded by a group of women who are laughing and leaning toward him. Adam looks as if he is enjoying himself. As I stand there, flustered, Victoria and her friend position themselves beside me.
“You’ll only keep his interest for a while. Even as we speak your appeal is waning.” A cynical chuckle escapes Victoria’s her parted lips.
The sight of Adam surrounded by beautiful women makes me dizzy, though I refuse to let these vile women demoralize me—I do a good enough job of that on my own. I turn to them, take a deep breath, and speak my mind.
“What I have with Adam may be fleeting, but I do know one thing for certain. I will never be as pathetic as you two, who have nothing better to do than walk around a party and insult someone you don’t know.”
“You may think we’re insulting you, but honestly we’re trying to warn you.” Victoria sighs. “Men in our circles, may slum it and find a girl like you appealing, but they’ll marry someone like us—Adam will marry someone like us.”
Unwilling to listen to another word, I turn and walk away. I have no desire to interrupt Adam, so I make my way to the trapeze performers. For a few minutes I stare at them, though I’m not even remotely interested in the show.
Adam’s a wealthy, handsome man who can bed any woman he wants. How do I keep someone like that interested?
Listlessly, I make my way to the dance floor. I’m not paying attention to my surroundings, because I’m dragging my broken heart across the floor, so I don’t see the man in my path. I crash into him and his hands instantly are around my waist, holding me up as I regain my footing.
When my eyes fix on his I’m startled by his deep emerald gaze. I place my fingertips against his broad shoulders and straighten. The thought of being caught in the arms of an incredibly sexy man by Adam does come to mind, but I’m too pissed to care.
“Are you okay?” His voice is deep and he has a five o’clock shadow on his face.
The lights finally turn on in my befuddled mind and I manage to speak. “Yes, I’m sorry for bumping into you.”
“How can I be offended by being run over by a beautiful woman?” he says with a cocky smirk.
A nervous laugh escapes my lips. I take a step back to distance myself and I notice the hint of regret in his eyes as I move.
“I’m not normally this clumsy. I was just…” I sigh. “Lost in thought,” I say shyly.
The mystery man takes his time assessing me, admiring my curves. “There should be a rule against thinking too much at a party.” He gives me a perfectly straight smile. “Dance with me,” he says authoritatively.
“Is that a question or a command?” I’m sick of being on the receiving end of demanding men and my frustration is showing.
“A sincere question. In fact, a longing hope.”
“I came with someone.” I give him the patented Adam Black tone.
“Yet, you’re walking around alone.” His voice is laced with arrogance.
He’s right. I am alone. Adam is no doubt still surrounded by beautiful woman, not even remotely concerned as to my whereabouts. The thought makes my stomach churn. Recklessness takes control of my body, my actions.
“You know what? I think a dance is a wonderful idea. Lead the way.”
His strong hand grasps mine, and in less than a minute we’re swaying to Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud”.
“So, is the beautiful woman in my arms apposed to telling me her name? Let me guess—you’re the type that will make me work for every syllable.” A carefree chuckle escapes his lips.
“Why ruin the moment with introductions?” Shit, I’m actually flirting with this man.
He twirls me and then pulls me close. “Playing coy?”
I open my mouth to respond when I am interrupted by Adam’s curt voice. “May I cut in?”
The mystery man tightens his hold on me. “Adam, I was on my way to find you when I was stopped by this beautiful woman.”
I stifle a groan. I didn’t stop him, I tripped.
Adam looks at me with mildly controlled fury. I feel like he might combust before my eyes.
“Mathew, get your fucking hands off my girlfriend.” Adams voice no longer holds even the tiniest measure of control.
I’m struck by two important facts. The mystery man is Mathew Black, Adam’s brother, and the man of my dreams has claimed me as his girlfriend.
Adam’s glare does not allow me the time to revel in the delight of my newly acquired title. Oh shit…I’m in so much trouble.