Anna

“I’m nervous.” I stood in Adam’s bathroom, eyeing my red silk dress.

Adam came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist, resting his chin on my shoulder. His blue eyes captured mine. “You don’t need to be nervous.”

“No?”

“No.” He pinched his brows together. “They love you. And if they didn’t, I’d knock them out.”

“Sure, of course you’d beat up your parents and siblings.” I faked a laugh. “But you know that’s not what I’m worried about. I’m worried they’ll reject our idea.” I pouted, my eyes going back to my reflection.

“They won’t.” He cupped my chin. “You’re so beautiful, Anna.”

I released a breath, trying to calm my nerves. “Stop trying to distract me.”

He shook his head. “They’ll agree to the plan. Besides, how could they say no in front of all the kids?” He grinned at me. “Manipulation at its finest.”

I opened my mouth wide. “You invited the kids?” I tried to turn around to face him, but he held me tighter, pressing up against my back. I braced the counter, my pulse elevating.

His fingers glided over my collarbone before slipping down the V of my dress and then tickled beneath my lace bra.

“Of course I invited them. I wanted them to be the first to hear the good news,” he said, pinching my nipple.

Cheater.

I tilted my head back and reached behind me, hooking my arm around his neck as I closed my eyes. He palmed my breast as his other hand bunched up the material of my dress and gained access to my leg. He held me firm, hardening against me, and I clenched my legs as his finger deftly moved under my panties.

“Jesus,” he said into my ear, his breath giving me goose bumps. “You’re so wet.”

“Stop. We’ll be late.” My voice was weak from his touch.

His fingers slid into me, and my hips jerked forward, pressing against the marble bathroom counter. I opened my eyes as he released my breast and swept the hair off my neck. He blazed a trail of kisses down the side of my throat, and my entire body trembled with need.

I’d never grow tired of being near him. I loved looking at him in a suit or in his workout clothes. I loved to see him interacting with the kids. He was at his sexiest when he didn’t think anyone was paying attention to him. Little did he know that, from the moment I’d laid eyes on him, I couldn’t do anything BUT pay attention to him.

“Adam.” His name was a moan from my mouth.

“Yes, love?” He looked up at me, and our eyes met in the mirror. I squirmed as his hand continued to torture me beneath my dress.

“We really should go. Your mother will be the—there . . .” My hands curled into fists on the counter as Adam continued to drive me wild.

“Uh huh. You were saying?” His smile spread to his eyes.

“You’re in so much trouble.” I shut my eyes, and my knees snapped together as I dropped my head forward, my body trembling as I orgasmed.

“Are you relaxed now, love? No longer nervous?”

Oh, sure. My legs were rubber, and now I smelled like sex.

He allowed the fabric of my dress to fall back in place before his hands slid down to my hips.

“I’m so gonna get you back for that,” I teased.

He arched a brow and winked at me. “I’m counting on it.”

I laughed a little, realizing I did feel a little more at ease.

But when we arrived at the center, and I laid eyes on Adam’s parents, my heart lodged back up in my throat, and my palms grew sweaty all over again.

Adam leaned in and whispered in my ear, “Need me to loosen you up again?”

I elbowed him in the ribs and shot him a scathing look. “Your mother is right over there.” My cheeks warmed, embarrassed. “Ugh. Let’s make the pitch.”

I’d met Adam’s parent’s last weekend at their family estate—which was large enough to rival the White House—and he’d introduced me as his girlfriend. I had been expecting it to be an incredibly awkward meeting, but his parents had been rather nice. Maybe it was because Adam had told them he’d learned the truth about Owen only the day before, and they had no choice but to be sweeter than pie to make amends.

I went to the center of the room and approached the podium, taking note of the guests. Almost all of the kids were there, and some of their parents. Adam’s parents, his sister Holly, and his brothers Sean and Ethan were milling about the room, talking with the kids and their families. I’d also invited Kate, Rick, Narisa, and Craig. I’d officially stopped working at the company two weeks ago, so Adam had let me in on the secret of which two interns would win company positions. I was so thrilled for Rick and Narisa—I couldn’t wait until they knew, and then we’d all celebrate together.

“I forgot to tell you one thing,” Adam said as he patted me on the back right before I was to address the audience.

“Yeah?” My heart was going to explode in my chest.

“I already presented your idea to the board, and they approved it. This is actually just an announcement for the kids.”

“What?” I gasped.

Adam was beaming at me, and I wasn’t sure what to do or say. “Go ahead. Tell them.”

It took me a minute to gather my thoughts. Adam took a few steps back and shoved his hands into his black slacks pockets, looking as casually sexy as ever.

“Can I have everyone’s attention?” I tried to maintain confidence. I was twenty-four, but for the first time, I felt like an adult. I was in the real world, embarking on a new journey with a man at my side—not in front of me, but next to me. It was an entirely new feeling.

Chloe, Conor, Jenna, and the others came up close. Holly bent her head and winked at me—like brother, like sister. I spotted Abby there, as well. Adam had received permission from the rehab facility to escort her for the evening.

“Thank you all for coming to the party tonight. It’s been my honor and privilege to get to know everyone at the center. From the kids and the volunteers to the members of the McGregor Foundation that help make this place possible . . . I was a guest here, but I was never happy about that.” My fingers tapped against my outer thighs as my nerves tangled into knots. “You see,” I said, looking at Chloe, “a guest is temporary.” I smiled. “And I want to be permanent.”

Chloe’s eyes widened, and she took an anxious step forward.

“I’d like to continue working at the McGregor Foundation from here on out. I’ll be taking an active role in community outreach, particularly with this center.” I cleared my throat. “If you’ll have me.”

“So you’re staying in Dublin? Forever?” Chloe shouted.

“Is that okay with you?” I asked.

She nodded and closed the gap between us, flinging her arms around me.

“And we’ll be adding horseback riding to our list of regular activities now, right?” she asked as we pulled away from each other. A smile beamed over her face.

“Of course. I’ve already spoken with Marie at the farm. She’s expecting us all to show up when they open again.”

“Yes!” Chloe shot her arm up in the air.

Adam came up next to me and patted her on the shoulder.

Chloe looked up at Adam. “Thanks for keeping Anna,” she said.

He laughed. “You’re very welcome. There’s no way I’d ever let her go.” His gaze shifted to my face.

“Congrats, love. You were amazing, and you looked stunning up there.” He slid his hand to the small of my back, and my skin pebbled beneath his touch. “There are a few other members of the board you should meet.”

I smiled and allowed him to take my hand and guide me around the room.

An hour later, we’d made small talk with so many people that their names and faces were all blurs in my mind.

“Thank you,” I said wearily.

“Why are you thanking me?” We had stepped out of the party to get some fresh air.

I looked up into the dark sky as clouds pooled above our heads, threatening rain. “For giving me this opportunity. For letting me do something I love.” A raindrop met my lips, and I instinctively touched my tongue to it. “But I’m worried you aren’t doing what makes you happy.”

“You mean fighting?” He touched my cheek with the back of his hand, warming me against the cool night air.

I nodded as another drop of rain smacked against my cheek.

“Who says I need to fight to be happy?” His eyes narrowed at me as his hand went to the back of my neck. “You make me happy, Anna. I choose you. I choose family. Remember?”

Was I family? We’d known each other for less than three months. “Will you truly be satisfied with being a man in a suit? Not a boxer in the ring?”

“A man in a suit?” He laughed. “At least I’m not the beast, I guess.”

“Oh Adam, you never were.”

He smiled. “Come to Rome with me this weekend?”

We still hadn’t managed to go. “Dublin, Rome . . . you’re making my dreams come true, Mr. McGregor.”

“I’ve only just begun.” He pulled me into his arms and kissed me as the rain started to hammer the streets, splattering against the black cement.