Chapter Sixteen
Adam dialed Dec’s number and cursed when it went to voicemail. Not a surprise, really, since he’d probably closed the bar last night. They definitely kept different hours.
“Dec, it’s me. Sorry I was a dick the other night. Swing by my office around noon and I’ll buy you lunch.”
He pressed disconnect on his steering wheel and accelerated as the light turned green. He needed to talk to someone—Dec was the only one he could think of. Or Megan. But he couldn’t exactly talk to Megan about her. Jesus Christ, last night had been out-of-this-world freaking amazing. Adam wasn’t prone to daydreaming, but regardless, fantasizing about her in any detail, it would have paled in comparison to the real thing.
Seeking a distraction from thoughts of her, definitely from thinking about the feel and scent of her skin or her lips, he turned on the news. There was no traffic on the road. He usually left early enough to avoid it, but this morning he’d beaten his own record. Not because he needed to get away from Megan and the colossal shift in their relationship, but because he’d wanted nothing more than to climb back into bed with her and spend the day there.
“Not exactly productive,” he muttered, stopping at a light.
But good God, it would be damn enjoyable.
“So now what?”
He didn’t know. Not entirely. Clearly, he needed to rethink his plan and his goal of finding a wife at least for the moment. Pretending he didn’t plan on taking her back to bed would be a lie. He might not be a romantic guy, but he was a good one, and there was no way he’d search for a wife while he was sleeping with his nanny. Fuck. You slept with the nanny.
And he didn’t even regret it. He couldn’t remember the last time something had felt so… “Good” wasn’t the word, and neither was “right.” He didn’t know how to describe what had happened between them, but he knew it was powerful enough to warrant taking a closer look at his plans for the immediate future.
…
“Mr. Klein, can I run through a couple of things with you?” Renee, one of his newer staff, asked from his doorway.
Adam looked up and waved her in. “Sure.”
He stood, rolled his shoulders, and then gestured to the small round table in the corner of his office. She smiled and brought the papers she was holding there. Young, probably not even thirty, she was a hard worker and a great asset. He enjoyed this aspect of his position—working with and guiding staff.
She spread the papers out in front of her, and Adam took a seat beside her.
“I’ve been going through the financials for the Vier Paper account,” she said.
Adam looked at the highlighted lines and picked up one of the papers, reminding himself of the client. Small office supply store who’d come to the firm after being bought out by a man hoping to expand the business.
“The numbers look good,” he commented, scrolling through the things she’d drawn attention to.
He spent a few more minutes going over the file with her and offering a few suggestions before he checked his watch. Dec hadn’t phoned him back yet. They were rarely at odds, but Adam knew things would be fine. Thinking of Dec made him think about Megan. Actually, for most of the morning, breathing had made him think of Megan. He sat back down at his desk and opened his laptop. He had files to review, emails to reply to, and he needed to check his calendar for the rest of the month and make sure he’d transferred all of his obligations—workwise—into his phone.
Instead, he texted Meg.
Adam: How’s your day?
He stared at the screen, waiting for the three dots to immediately pop up. They didn’t. Was she regretting things already? Their talk last night about romance movies popped into his head. Her belief that there were shreds of truth in those ridiculous plot lines was exactly the reason he should have kept his distance. But now, there was no way, even knowing her sugar-sweet, candy-coated ideals, that he could stop himself from being with her again. They’d just have to sort something out that worked for both of them. As soon as she answered her damn text.
Adam: Meg? Everything okay?
His fingers tightened on the device.
Megan: Everything is great ;) Was flipping a sandwich. Unfortunately, I do this with my right hand and am really lousy at texting with only my left. My day is fine, and so is the grilled cheese sandwich.
He didn’t always know if she was being completely sarcastic or just cute, but it made him smile.
Adam: You’ll join us for dinner tonight?
Charlie would think nothing of it—in fact, he’d rather it. Maybe he should tell Charlie about the school before he left for Reece’s.
Megan: No can do. Plans.
What plans? Staring at the phone, he took a deep breath. She still had a life. Sleeping with him wouldn’t have changed that. Though it’s sure as fuck changed something for you. He set the phone on his desk. No. It hasn’t changed anything long-term.
Once he felt like he’d respond in a reasonable manner, he picked up the phone again.
Adam: With Sebastian?
Shit. Shit. Shit. Way to be reasonable. He was not a jealous person. He’d been married to a woman whose job included kissing other men. He hadn’t liked it—not at all—but he hadn’t questioned her loyalty. But for some reason, he needed Megan to say her plans were not with her Tinder date tonight. Which reminded him, as soon as he made up with Dec, he was going to knock him on his ass for telling Megan to use Tinder at all.
Megan: No.
No, not tonight? No because he’s a loser with a stupid name? No because he’s with me right now? No because I’m the only man you can think about? Jesus.
Adam dialed her number.
“Adam,” she said in a voice thick with amusement. He didn’t see what was funny.
“No what?”
“No, I don’t have a date with Sebastian. If you must know, I’m going to my brother’s for dinner.”
The knots in his stomach relaxed. He leaned back in his chair. “Oh. Well, that’s very nice. Is Charlie home from his sleepover?”
“Yes, we’ve been packing for his trip.”
The knots moved toward each other again. “Right. I can help with that.”
“Not necessary. My job, remember?”
Jaw tight, Adam nodded, even though she couldn’t see him. Of course he remembered. But she wouldn’t be the nanny for much longer, so really, there were no unethical lines crossed here. Besides that, they were both adults.
“I need to get back to work,” he said.
“You called me.”
He had. Why? He didn’t like to take time for personal calls during the day. “I did. I…” What? Wanted to hear her voice? Have her confirm that she wasn’t Tinder-hopping this evening?
Sitting up, feeling oddly out of sorts, he tapped a hand on his desk. “Dinner tomorrow night would be nice. Charlie would like that.”
The silence made his fingers curl into a fist.
“Uh, you have a date tomorrow. Oh, don’t put any more in that bag, Charlie. It won’t close, honey. Just wait for me. Adam? I’m sorry. I have to go. Have a good night.”
Have a good night? He’d see her when he got home. She’d hung up without letting him say another thing. Mouth hanging open, he stared at the screen. She thought he was going on his date with Emily after last night? Shit! Emily. He needed to contact her. She’d been lovely. Funny, charming to talk to, and very physically attractive. Had he not lost himself in Megan last night, he’d probably look forward to meeting up with her again. But until he figured this thing out between him and Megan, he didn’t believe it was fair to lead someone else on.
Sending a quick text to her to cancel, he opened his email and read through a few. Instead of replying to the most important one, he sent a quick one to Megan.
To:
From:
Subject: Dinner
His fingers hovered over the keyboard. He had no right to ask anything of her. But something inside him craved an unfamiliar need for reassurance. For something to tell him last night hadn’t only blown his mind, but hers as well. Showing vulnerability had never worked out well for him in the past. But he had a limited time frame to be with Megan, and he didn’t want to waste it. He…needed her.
Megan,
I might not need to be saved back, but I need other things…mostly to know you want to see me again. I need to touch you. And kiss you. Soft. Hard. Slow. Fast. The only plans I have tomorrow night include you.
Adam
There. That ought to make it clear where his thoughts were. He pressed send and immediately felt like his heart could implode. It was beating out of control. Could someone induce their own heart attack through stupidity? What the hell had he done? Could he undo an email? What was he thinking?
His email pinged, and a small bead of sweat formed at his temple.
To:
From:
Re: Subject: Dinner
Adam,
I will clear my schedule tomorrow to ensure all of your needs are met. I may have a few of my own.
Megan
p.s. Unexpected sexy emails count for bonus points. Well played, Klein.
Holy. Shit. Adam glanced up from the screen, unable to hold back his grin. Anticipation made him shaky. Had he ever needed—wanted—Reece like this? He’d wanted to make it work, mostly because of Charlie. But even in the beginning, he’d never felt this bone-searing heat, the marrow-deep desire he did for Megan. Because it’s fleeting. It’s temporary. Thinking it could be more scared the hell out of him. Stop daydreaming and get to work.
It wasn’t easy, but he managed to do just that for most of the day. When he left work that evening, Declan still hadn’t called. He swung by the pub on his way home.
When he walked through the door, he was surprised by how busy it was, considering it was Monday. Dec was behind the bar, arms folded over his chest, head back, laughing at something a customer was saying.
Adam approached, slid onto a stool. Dec’s smile was easy, which calmed Adam’s worries that his friend was still supremely pissed.
Dec put a cocktail napkin down in front of Adam. “Hey. What are you doing in here? Want a soda?”
“Sure. I’ll have one. I called you this morning,” Adam said.
“Yeah, I saw that,” Dec said as he scooped up some ice and filled a glass. He winked at Adam. “Was otherwise occupied until noon and then I had to cover a shift. Hope I didn’t hurt your feelings not calling you back.”
Laughing, Adam loosened his tie. Clearly they were fine.
“How many times have you used that line?” Adam took a sip of the soda Dec slid in front of him.
“I try to make sure they leave clear on the score. You know that.”
“About the other night. I wanted to say sorry.”
Dec nodded and poured himself a soda. “And you did. Don’t worry about it.”
Coming over to stand by Adam, he took a long swallow of his drink. Music pumped through the speakers, a little too pop for Adam’s liking, but the patrons were happy. Declan had made great strides in his business venture.
“I slept with her,” Adam mumbled, looking down at the ice in his glass.
Dec spit pop out of his mouth, some of it landing on the bar but most hitting the floor. Then he started to cough.
“You okay, sugar?” one of the waitresses called from where she was chatting with a customer.
Dec held up a hand. “I’m good.”
He leaned into Adam, forearms on the bar. “You what? Are you fucking nuts?”
Adam didn’t look up. Dec wouldn’t sugar coat anything. “Nope. Well, maybe a little.”
His friends straightened and folded his arms back over his chest. “What about your twenty-seven step plan to a perfect life and unfeeling wife?”
Adam’s head snapped up. He glared at his friend. “Don’t be an ass.”
“I could say the same. What are you doin’, bro? You don’t do things like this without thinking them through. You care about her.”
Of course he cared about her. She was a huge part of his son’s life and the reason he could devote so much time toward his goals, knowing Charlie was in her hands. “I couldn’t stop to think. It started happening, and I didn’t want to pause for all the reasons it shouldn’t.”
A smile spread on Dec’s lips, making dimples appear in both cheeks. “You don’t say. You’ve met a woman who can turn off that goddamn brain of yours. I say marry her.”
Adam nearly choked the way his friend had. Marry Megan? No. He was no one’s white knight, and that was exactly what Megan longed for. But maybe there was an in-between. A “for now.” He hadn’t wanted one, but he certainly wasn’t ready to say, “Thanks, that was fun.” No, he couldn’t wait to get her back in his bed. Just the thought of it had him shifting uncomfortably on the stool.
“I have to go. Thanks for the pop and the stupid conversation,” Adam said, getting off the stool.
Declan laughed from deep in his belly. “No problem, pal. You know you can count on me. Say hi to Megan for me.”
Adam resisted the urge to flip him the middle finger on his way out the door.
Marry Megan. What an absolutely ridiculous idea. Even if she wanted to be with a man like him—someone who preferred practical over playful—she wanted to start a life and a family of her own. He had not one doubt about the depth of her love for Charlie, but caring for Adam’s son and wanting to be his stepmother were two vastly different things. Adam tried to think of a movie where the woman fell for a too-serious single dad. Pretty sure Hollywood didn’t see a profit in that story line.
“Now you’re trying to come up with chick flicks to strengthen your argument?” He was losing it and thinking of things all wrong. Megan didn’t want to marry him. She’d laugh in his face. Wouldn’t she? She’d feel tied down and trapped when she was supposed to be starting her life. No. They weren’t meant for forever.
But there was nothing stopping them from having an interlude. In fact, the more he thought of it, the more he liked the idea of taking some time for himself and Megan. Charlie would be away. They obviously connected, on several levels, so where was the harm in a little enjoyment? For both of them. Before they parted ways.
Thinking of how to approach Megan with this, he pulled into the driveway before realizing someone was parked in his spot. He scowled, not recognizing the vehicle. Putting his car in reverse, he adjusted and parked beside the bright red Honda.
With his briefcase in hand, he entered his home to the sound of laughter. Normally, that would please him, but since he didn’t know who the unexpected guest was, he slipped off his shoes and went to investigate.
Charlie was on the floor in the kitchen letting a mini car fly down a long narrow strip of orange track that had been set up beside the table. Megan was loading the dishwasher. A man he didn’t recognize sat at the table, a glass of water in hand. A headache thumped at the base of Adam’s neck.
“Hope I’m not interrupting,” he said, hating the stiffness in his own voice.
“Dad! You’re home early. Check out this track Parker brought me. Isn’t it cool? It was his when he was a kid.”
Relief made Adam feel momentary spineless. This large, dark-haired man with a scowl now on his face was Megan’s brother.
“That is very cool.” He extended his hand to Megan’s brother. “Adam Klein. Nice to finally meet you, Parker.”
He shook Adam’s hand, but his gaze was cool, making Adam feel as though he was picking up his prom date. It’s my house. Even if I did sleep with your sister in it. Dropping his hand, he leaned down to press a kiss to Charlie’s head.
“How was your sleepover?”
“Fun. We stayed up until midnight.”
Adam looked at Megan and felt an explosion of lust unfurl in his stomach. The intensity stunned him. “Bet that made for a happy day,” he said, hoping his tone didn’t betray how shaky he suddenly felt.
“He may have fallen asleep for an hour on the couch,” she said, a familiar smile on her lips. She did not look as though lust had invaded every cell of her body and held her captive. She just looked…like Megan. Closing the dishwasher, she glanced at Parker.
“I’m ready. Dinner is in the oven. I’ll see you boys tomorrow, okay?”
Parker stood up, and Adam struggled to get his tongue to work. “You’re leaving already?”
She met his gaze. “Unless you need something?”
The hair on the back of his neck stood up under Parker’s “big brother” stare.
Was she that oblivious to the feelings rioting around inside him? How could she just leave without even asking for a word in private? What? So she can kiss you goodbye like you’re going steady?
She grabbed her purse from the counter and met his gaze, turning so her back was to her brother. “If you need me later or something comes up, you could always text me. Or email me.”
Adam sucked in a breath and nearly choked on it. He smiled, wishing she wasn’t increasing the physical distance between them. “I’ll be sure to do that.” Shit. Did his voice sound husky? When he looked at Parker, the guy was still mean-mugging him. Charlie was playing with his cars, unaware of the adult tension filling the room.
“I’ll make sure my phone is on. My parents just got into town. They’ve been traveling, and we’re having dinner. I’m really excited to see them, so we need to go.”
Her voice softened, even with her excitement, when she spoke of her family. He’d never once felt that toward his own. He did with Charlie, but that was it.
“Okay. Have fun. Parker, nice to meet you.”
“Same. See you soon, Charlie. Have fun in Disneyland.”
Charlie stood and gave Parker a big hug, surprising Adam. Megan took care of his son every day. It made sense that Charlie would have established bonds with other people. He wasn’t sure why it surprised him so much. Or more, why it bothered him.
“I’ll bring you back something. And Garrett, too.”
Right. The boyfriend. Someone else Charlie was attached to. Family doesn’t have to mean related. It doesn’t make you less of a father for your son to bond with other men.
“Good night,” Megan said quietly.
“Good night,” Adam replied.
As she walked away, an emptiness settled into the pit of his stomach. He did want to kiss her goodbye, he realized. More than he should.
“Want to play, Dad?”
Charlie looked up, eyes wide and sweet. The emptiness disappeared. “Sure do, bud.”