Chapter Twenty
Mia’s mini-meltdown had put them behind schedule. They’d be making an entrance, which is exactly what Adam wanted to do when he heard about Pilar and Greg dropping in for Thanksgiving.
When he talked to his grandmother, he found out that while his mother happily invited Greg, no one had any idea Pilar would be part of the deal until it was too late. He knew Greg was angling at the opportunity to recruit Kelvin, but he wondered why he’d be bringing Pilar. Mia’s observation, as sick as it was, was the only explanation. Did he really think he could offer up a woman for a favor?
More than likely, he did, which pissed off Adam. This is what some people still thought of him. Looking to his right, he thanked God Mia didn’t. He couldn’t believe how upset she’d gotten earlier, all because she didn’t think she was anything special, because she didn’t think she was good enough to meet his family.
She was so pretty, but he’d finally figured out that while her outer beauty was extraordinary, it was her inner beauty that made his heart trip. There was this light inside her, this goodness that spread outward to everyone she loved. Adam wanted to be one of those people.
He knew his family would love her. Gram already did, and his siblings were dying to know more about her. One of the things Mia always said she missed out on was having was a big noisy family; now Adam worried that his big, noisy family would scare her off.
The realization had been slow in coming, but it all hit this morning, when he had to tell her about Pilar flying in. He knew she’d feel threatened, that she’d feel inadequate somehow. There was no way to explain to her how he felt, so he’d have to show her.
He couldn’t lose her, because she was his best part. His very best part.
They pulled into the road that was the driveway to his grandmother’s house. He could see how nervous she was, her knuckles were pure white. She looked terrified, and if he thought it would help, he would turn the car around and head back to Compass Cove. But as they approached the front of the house, Mia perked up. The kids were outside playing soccer, and it seemed to Adam as soon as kids were involved, she felt better. It only took one look from her, one smile. When their eyes met, Adam had to fight the urge to tell her he’d give her as many children as she wanted.
Relatives clamored around the car before they even got out, and that included a horde of kids. He looked back at Ben and saw he was a little nervous, too. But Ben was a survivor. He was tough, and Adam guessed he’d have friends in ten minutes.
He opened the car door and got out, and Mia did the same. As expected, every male over the age of sixteen stopped and stared at her, and Adam hoped Mia noticed. Not just because he wanted her to see how proud he was to be with her, but also because her ego most definitely needed the boost. Ben, who’d been taken off crutches only yesterday, eased out of the back seat, letting his booted foot lead while Adam rounded the car to them. Her hand was warm as he took it in his, and led her to the crowd that had gathered.
“Hey, everybody. I’d like you to meet Mia and Ben.” She was trembling, unfortunately, and he hated that there was nothing he could do to ease her nerves. She’d have to handle the situation on her own. “Mia, Ben—this is, well, everybody. You’ll have to figure it out as you go along.”
Adam could see she was still apprehensive, and he guessed it had more to do with meeting Pilar than meeting his extended family. Ben’s boot became an immediate topic of discussion and the kids whisked him away without much thought. He quickly became part of the group.
The small tug on his jacket was most welcome. Looking down, he saw his four-year-old niece, Rosie. She had magnificent dark hair and eyes, and the attitude of a pissed-off pixie. She glared at him and gave Mia and assessing glance. When she reached out her arms to be picked up, Adam obliged.
Rosie didn’t miss a beat. Grabbing Adam’s cheeks, she planted a noisy kiss on his lips and he could see Mia was enchanted. “Happy Thanksgiving, Rosie.”
“You’re late, Uncle Adam.”
“I know, I’m sorry about that. The crazy frog people had me trapped.”
His niece closed her eyes, shook her head, and slapped a tiny hand against her forehead. “Frog people? Do I look like I was born yesterday?”
In a way, she did. Rosie was a tiny little thing, only her attitude was big.
“Is this your girlfriend?” Rosie gave Mia a good onceover, and Adam saw how quickly Mia tried to prepare herself for his clarification of their relationship.
“Actually, Rosie, it is.” Adam turned his niece toward a very shocked Mia. “Rosie, this is Mia, my girlfriend. Mia, my niece, Rosie.”
Rosie nodded and wiggled her way down before Mia could say a word. “Well, then you two better get inside. I think your old girlfriend is driving Granny crazy.”
Without a second thought, Rosie took off to annoy the big kids, and left Adam to worry about what he’d find inside. Mia should have been a nervous wreck, but she’d stepped away and gazed up at the house.
Three stories tall, the white clapboard house had dark green shutters, stone and a tile roof. While the overall design was simple, a large front portico, sun porches, and massive windows created an elegant look. But, elegant or not, the house would never be mistaken for anything but a home. Set on over six acres, there was a guest house and a six-car garage, gardens, and a waterfront the size of a small public beach. The stable had been converted to a caretaker’s cottage, and the couple who took care of the house and grounds lived there with their two children. It was one of the most impressive properties in the hamlet, just smaller than Harborside, the massive estate owned by the Hardt family.
“What a beautiful home,” she said. “I can see your grandmother here.”
Adam smiled. She was right, and his grandfather had said the same thing—that the house reflected Grandma, through and through. “My great-grandfather commissioned the house in the thirties.”
“What a place to grow up.”
“We lived in the guest house. We moved in right after my father died; I was going on ten. My mother still lives there.”
“Four kids in a guest house?”
He laughed and understood why she’d say something like that. “The guest house is about 2500 square feet.”
“Seriously?”
He nodded. “I’ll give you a tour later. You can see where Jack and I used to sleep, but right now we should go inside. Are you ready?”
“I guess.” With her hand firmly in his, they started toward the front door.
“Hold onto me, okay?” He kissed her for good luck, and then again because he couldn’t help himself. He planned on kissing her again later with the hopes she’d forgive him for putting her through all this shit.
*
The Miller homestead was stunning. She could only absorb so much on a first glance, but the entry foyer and grand staircase had more hand carved woodwork than she’d ever seen in her life.
People lived like this, in homes with servants’ quarters and guest cottages, with big Kennedy-like families. Mia grew up comfortably middle class, and while her mother acted like a pompous snob, this was a different world altogether.
Adam kept hold of her hand as they made their way through the house. They passed two parlors, one that held a large evergreen tree ready for decorating. At the far end of that room sat a baby grand piano. The house, while elegant, was also comfortable, and that was something not lost on Mia. This was a family home, and she hoped the people Adam cared about accepted her. Maybe if they did, he would find a way to take the last step and love her.
It seemed like an endless walk to the kitchen, but she could hear the noise, the mix of voices, and with each step, Mia’s nerves ratcheted up. Adam squeezed her hand a little harder as the voices got louder. The distinctive cadence of one voice set itself apart. The English was flawless, refined, but it was not a member of Adam’s family.
Had she ever been this scared? Maybe when she left home for college, or when she realized she would be raising a child on her own. Those were her life changing moments and this one, with Adam’s family, was right up there. Get through this for him, she told herself. That’s all you have to do.
The kitchen was an enormous room filled with dark wood cabinets, granite and stainless steel. Savory smells from the food being prepared surrounded her; there must have been twenty people packed in the space, and all of them stopped when she and Adam crossed the threshold.
Before any of his family could greet them, there was a screech from across the room. Charging at Adam was Pilar Manheim.
Her black hair was pin straight, her clothes were expensive, and she was thin; God was she skinny. She wore a lot of make-up and her perfume was tinged with the smell of cigarettes. She might have been a million-dollar model, but everything about her felt phony. Mia couldn’t imagine what Adam had ever seen in her, and suddenly Mia wasn’t so worried.
Pilar’s arms wrapped around Adam’s neck and she planted a kiss on him that was worthy of an R rating. It was wet, noisy, and caused the others to turn away in embarrassment. If the woman wasn’t such a caricature, Mia would have been really upset, but she just couldn’t get angry over someone like this.
Adam grabbed Pilar’s arms and peeled her away. In the same move, the model’s hands came up and stroked Adam’s face. “Oh, my God. I’ve missed you so. Let’s go somewhere so I can say hello to you properly.”
Mia had not moved. She was still next to Adam and her arms were folded, yet Pilar didn’t seem to see her. Apparently, she was invisible.
“Ah, Pilar. Wow. This is a surprise.”
“No, it’s not.” She slapped at his arm and looked over at Linda Miller. “Your mama told you I’d be here.” She linked arms with him and led him away from the doorway while Mia watched. She leaned her shoulder into the doorframe and wondered how Adam was going to gracefully extricate himself from this woman’s clutches. It was funny until she slid her hand over Adam’s rear end. Pilar meant business and Mia didn’t know how she was going to handle this.
“Mia?” She looked to her left and there stood a beautiful blonde with bright, hazel eyes. “Hi, I’m Emily, Adam’s sister-in-law.”
Mia was relieved she could focus on someone else and smiled. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“You too, finally.” Glancing toward Pilar and Adam, Emily shook her head. “I’m sorry about this.”
“There’s no way anyone could have anticipated. Gotta love the unexpected.”
Emily laughed. “That’s one way to look at it, because Linda and Grandma are mortified.”
The two of them were talking to a man in the corner who looked oddly familiar. She knew she’d never met him before, but Mia felt like she should know him.
Pilar’s hand was now making slow circles around Adam’s butt and coming dangerously close to forbidden territory. “I swear if she touches him like that one more time, I’m going to take off her hand.” Mia had no idea she could be so possessive.
Apparently, Adam’s sister-in-law approved. “I’ll hold her down.”
“You ladies look like you’re plotting murder.” The deep voice belonged to a tall, dark haired man with just enough grey at the temples to make him distinguished, and even though it hardly seemed possible, he was better looking than Adam.
“Mia, this is my husband, Doug. The oldest of the Miller sibs.”
He smiled a thousand watt smile and Mia wondered how any woman could stay standing in his presence. The man was criminally good looking. Doug was the Marine, and he looked every inch of it. “A pleasure, Mia. My brother said you were beautiful, but I think that was an understatement.”
Her face flushed at the compliment and then it burned when she looked back at Pilar grabbing Adam. “That’s it.” Mia straightened and focused on the target. “Time to crash the party. Will you excuse me?”
Crossing the kitchen, she laid her hand on Adam’s arm.
He looked at her and breathed out. Relieved. “Hey. I’m sorry. I’ve been rude.” Wrapping his arm around her waist, he pulled her close. “Greg, Pilar, this is Mia DeAngelis. Mia, Pilar Manheim and Greg Rhodes.”
Greg shook her hand and looked at her the same way Mia figured she was looking at him—something was familiar. Pilar, on the other hand, folded her arms and stuck her nose in the air. “And you are?”
Mia looked at Adam and could only imagine what her eyes were saying. She was pissed off, truly pissed off at Pilar and at him. He had ten seconds to give the right answer.
“Mia and I are together, Pilar.” Ding! Ding! Ding! Mia smiled and Adam got a gold star.
“Together?” Pilar sneered. “What does that mean? You’re doing her, Adam?”
The entire room went silent, and Mia wanted to crawl into one of the kitchen cabinets, but before she had the chance, before anyone moved, Adam took Pilar by the elbow and led her from the room. He didn’t say anything, but the way his jaw was set and the vein in his neck bulged—he was angry.
“Should I follow them?” she asked.
Both Jack and Doug shook their heads, but they also looked concerned. “We’ll give him a minute,” Doug said.
“Then we’ll make sure he hasn’t killed her,” Jack added. “You’ll stay here.”
Emily stepped next to her and another woman had joined them. She put a hand on Mia’s shoulder, almost impressed by Adam’s reaction. “I’ve never seen him like that.”
A petite woman hopped up onto a stool, her long hair in a messy bun and a smudge of flour on her nose. Based on the description from Adam, it was his youngest sister, Natalie. “She’s a bitch. I hope he scares the crap out of her. Hi, I’m Nat.”
Mia nodded, still embarrassed by the scene.
“Don’t let it bother you,” Natalie said. “No one here has ever liked her.”
“You’ve met her?” Mia asked.
“Once,” Emily replied. “Adam brought her to an anniversary party about four years ago.”
“She was snotty and skinny to the point of being scary, not thin, like a runner might be thin, but emaciated. And all she did was tell anyone who would listen how fabulous she was.” Natalie popped a small piece of cheese into her mouth. “Adam wasn’t at his best, he was living fast and loose. That was about six months before the accident, wasn’t it?” She looked to her sister-in-law for a response.
Emily nodded as she spread some Brie on a piece of French bread and handed it to Mia. “It got to the point that we didn’t know who he was. The accident was tragic, but it brought him back to us.” She glanced at Greg Rhodes, who’d stepped away from the conversation. “In some ways, it saved him.”
Mia thought about the man Adam used to be and who he was now. Other than the fierce competitiveness, there was nothing left of the self-destructive celebrity. In all likelihood, even if he gave Pilar the chance, she’d be bored with who he’d become. It kind of stunned Mia that she wasn’t jealous or worried about a supermodel stealing her boyfriend. What she hated was that Adam was being confronted with such an unpleasant part of his past.
*
Adam guided Pilar through the house and gave her a nudge into the solarium, which was as far away from the kitchen, and Mia, as he could get. The pounding in his head was a sign that he was so angry he could do real harm, so once he had the door closed he put as much distance between them as possible.
Flipping her hair, she started. “You have some nerve, you know? You drop out of my life and then you humiliate me with that woman.”
“Have you lost your mind? Who are you to say those things around Mia? Around my family! You have no right, and if you have any hope of staying here another minute, you will treat her with respect.”
“Oh, this is about your little girlfriend? What? Doesn’t she know about you?”
“She knows.”
“Really? Does she know about the things you did, the women you did? Does she know all about your past, Adam?”
“I’m not the same person anymore, and she’s part of the reason why.”
Pilar sat in a large wicker chair and laughed. She laughed right from her belly, sending all her derision in Adam’s direction.
“You’re still the same. Men like you don’t change. You just found someone new to fuck.”
Lucky for him, just as he started toward Pilar, ready to unload ever profane thing he could think of, his brothers stepped into the room. Jack grabbed one arm, Doug, the other.
“Whoa!” Doug said. “Adam, she’s not worth it.”
Jack agreed. “Seriously, bro. Don’t let her get to you. Keep your focus on Mia.”
Pilar hissed. “Mia. Pssht. I’m surprised she’s not in here, wondering if you’re going to leave her. By the way, since when do you go for fat women?”
Adam tensed, barely restrained. He was a good ten feet away, and he would never touch her, but Pilar pulled back into her chair and looked scared. He’d never in his life hit a woman, and there was no way Pilar would change that, but the bitch needed to know she’d crossed the line. Once again, his brothers held on. Just in case.
“For the record,” Jack said quietly, “Mia’s not worried.”
Adam felt like he could breathe when he heard that. Knowing how insecure Mia had been, he couldn’t stop wondering what she was thinking about this mess. “She’s okay?”
“More than okay,” Doug said. “This one, however, is not worth your time.”
Adam turned to Pilar, who looked like a piece of tangled wire. Her long legs were crossed and she’d assumed her best indifferent pose, staring out the solarium window toward the harbor.
“Don’t cross me, Pilar, and stay the hell away from Mia. You’re a guest in this house, and if you insult my family by behaving badly, I will be the one to show you out.”
He and his brothers moved toward the door, but her voice stopped them.
“Are you in love with her, Adam?”
He turned and thought about the question. He knew Mia was more important than anyone had ever been to him; he knew he couldn’t even think of going on without her; he knew she made him a better person.
He could barely get the words out, but there was no doubt in his mind. “You let me worry about Mia. But if you hurt her, I will make your life a living hell.”
Stunned, Pilar sat back in the chair, saying nothing, and Adam turned and exited the room with his brothers.
Doug patted him on the back and Jack couldn’t stop smiling.
“Have you told Mia?” Jack asked.
“What?”
Jack chuckled lightly. “That you’re in love with her.”
“Not yet,” Adam said. “I guess I should.”
“Yeah,” Doug said. “You might want to let her know.”
*
After the dishes were cleaned up, and dessert had been served, Mia found herself a quiet spot on the patio with a cup of coffee and her thoughts. This was such a beautiful place. The moon was shining over the cove and someone had lit a fire in the outdoor fireplace, chasing the November chill from the air. Everything here was geared toward comfort, beauty, and being with other people.
This was a crazy family. They were loud, funny, and totally devoted to one another. Mia was a little envious. It was what she’d always wanted. Adam said they could be a little scary, but Mia thought they were wonderful. Every person was warm and open, treating Mia like they’d known her for years, including her in gossip and family arguments, and accepting her with Adam without question.
She’d only known Adam since late September, not even three months. He’d become such a part of her and Ben’s lives so quickly that she wondered if any of what she felt was real. How was it that she’d gone thirty years without feeling anything like this for anyone and then BAM! He was the antithesis of what she thought she needed or wanted, and that made Mia wonder… had being closed-minded and judgmental, like her mother, kept her from being happy?
The footsteps coming from inside the house broke her from her reflection. Adam was coming out to the terrace and in one move he covered her in a plush knitted throw. Then, he straddled the end of the chaise she’d settled in and faced her with the sweetest smile ever.
“It’s getting cold,” he said as he leaned in to kiss her.
“A little.” Mia melted into the kiss, which was more than a peck, and definitely hinted at what was to come.
“Did I tell you,” he began, “how incredible you were tonight? Not just with my family, but with Greg and Pilar. You’ve been very…understanding.”
Mia didn’t respond, but instead focused her eyes on her coffee cup. Adam tilted her face toward his, and kissed her again. Just as he did, Pilar came onto the terrace and lit a cigarette.
“Aren’t you two just the cutest.” Her tone dripped with arrogance and superiority, causing Adam to hold Mia’s hands tighter. Pilar roamed around the terrace, looking at the plants and taking long drags from her cigarette before parking herself on a stone bench. “So, Adam, are you actually going to marry this woman?”
Nothing like humiliation in front of a stranger, especially a stranger like Pilar. There was a long pause and Adam spoke. “Honestly, I don’t think with my baggage, Mia would have me.”
Holding back her own response was the hardest thing Mia had ever done. She stifled the impulse to leap up and propose to him herself. It could be there was nothing remotely sincere about what he said, other than Adam’s intention to spare her the embarrassment. But even if that was his intention, she appreciated it.
Pilar glared at her and raised an eyebrow. “Not interested, Miss Librarian?”
There was something enormously satisfying watching this horrible woman grasp at anything to save face. Taking advantage of the situation, Mia stood and Adam followed. She addressed him directly, not even acknowledging Pilar’s question, knowing that the slight would annoy her to no end. “I’d like to say goodnight to everyone. It’s getting late.”
Adam nodded and without giving Pilar a second look, walked Mia into the house. It was hard to say, but it seemed that Greg and Pilar… more Pilar… took Adam to a place he didn’t want to be. Mia was safe. He put his arm around her shoulder and kissed the top of her head. “You’re the best, kid.”
“I’m trying.”
Stopping in his tracks, Adam turned her toward him. Words were unnecessary. His hands came to her face and he kissed her. He seemed to sense what was going on in her head and in her heart. With his hands still cupping her cheeks, he squared up and looked at her. “Stop it,” he whispered, kissing her again. “Just stop it.”
“I’m sorry. She’s been getting to me all day.”
“Don’t let her.” Adam’s hand took hers and pulled her along. “She’s acting this way because it’s all she has. There’s no way she can keep up with you.”
“You think she’s jealous? Of me?”
Adam smiled and kissed her again. “Oh, honey, I know she is.”
*
Adam brushed a lock of hair off Mia’s face.
She was tucked into his bed, sleeping like an angel. Staring at her, Adam wondered what he could do to make her understand she had nothing to worry about.
Mia had put on a good face today, but she was as wired as a nervous cat, and he suspected Pilar’s presence had done a number on her confidence. Adam knew he hadn’t helped it either that he had spent a lot of time with Greg, and that meant Pilar too. But Mia didn’t know that, all that time, all he could think about was her. The woman had stolen his heart.
Greg found Mia attractive—really attractive. From the minute he met her, he kept making comments to Adam about taking her off his hands. Finally, Adam had told him to lay off. It was all to piss Adam off, of course. His friend was doing it to get a rise out of him—God knew he could still push every button.
But now Adam had to figure out what to do about the woman curled against him. He was in love with her. He was so over the top in love with her it hurt physically. Dropping his hand to her soft shoulder, he ran it down her arm and wrapped her tiny hand in his.
Mia’s eyes fluttered open and she looked at him, a sweet smile touching her lips.
She brought her hand, the one he was holding, to the side of her face and together they touched her earlobe where a diamond earring glistened. “Thank you for my present,” she said quietly.
He’d wanted to get her something special for her upcoming birthday, her thirtieth, and he’d settled on the flawless diamond studs, since he wanted something as pure and perfect as she was. “I’m glad you like the earrings.”
“I love them.” Pushing herself up on one elbow, the covers dropped away from her breasts and Adam breathed in hard when she leaned in and kissed him. “I love you, Adam.” She kissed him again. “I love you.”
He closed his eyes tight, because once again she’d been the braver of the two of them. She’d told him she loved him, not expecting anything in return. Simply giving him something of herself, something beautiful.
Adam was going to have to spend his entire life figuring out ways to deserve her.
Mia didn’t stop. She wiggled her way on top of him, straddling him while he lay on his back. Her hair had been pulled back in a ponytail, but she pulled out the elastic and let it fall. It tumbled down her back and over her breasts in soft waves and curls, creating a toffee colored cloud all around her.
Leaning down, she kissed him, first on his lips, then at the hollow of his throat and then in the center of his chest. Adam heard the moan come from deep within. “Mia,” he said. “My beautiful Mia.”
Brushing her lips over his neck, and around to his ear, she whispered, “I love you.”
And then with a move as smooth as water, she took him inside her. He almost passed out from the warm moist sensation enveloping him, almost lost his composure when she laced her fingers with his and started to rock. He couldn’t do anything but gaze at her. This amazing woman who was everything to him, moved with purpose and grace, taking them higher and higher until finally his body convulsed and emptied inside her.
There were stars and lights behind his eyes, then he watched as she arched, closed her eyes, and cried out. He felt her tighten around him, intensifying what he’d already experienced. Mia collapsed against him, their slick bodies sticking together, and Adam wrapped her in his arms. His. She was his, and once again Mia gave without thought of what she would receive.
“I love you,” she said.