Sin City Lights (Sin City #1)

Chapter 19

Eve

Eve stepped off the elevator at LarsAir and headed down the corridor, her hand tightening around the handle of an insulated bag.

Today, they were going house hunting. Adam was scheduled to leave work early and pick her up from the penthouse, but she had decided to surprise him with lunch.

She spotted his office at the end of the hallway, unmistakable because of the large, shiny brass oval plaque depicting the LarsAir 2024. She could tell that’s what it was, even though the door was half open.

She hadn’t let the receptionist downstairs announce her arrival. She nodded to Adam’s assistant as she passed his office. His brows shot up, and he gave her a little wave.

The closer she came to facing Adam, the more Eve’s stomach churned. That often happened lately because he had seemed off since they’d returned from Orlando.

At night, she initiated every time. His kisses were sweet, his pace languid, his touch gentle. But something wasn’t right, and it was beginning to worry her.

She almost regretted telling him everything because, although she appreciated the tenderness and gentlemanly behavior, she wanted her passionate Adam back.

Today, she had plans for the recapture, starting with her new white dress and the killer lingerie set she had on underneath.

But first, lunch.

Shouldering the door open, she stepped inside his office.

Adam sat at a massive natural cherry desk, hand shoved in his bright hair, intently poring over papers, a Montblanc fountain pen poised in his hand. On his desk were a laptop, a crystal inkwell, and a blue and gold LarsAir mug with pens and pencils. A sword-shaped letter opener lay beside a stack of open envelopes.

The door closed behind her with a metallic click.

He raised his head.

The tip of the pen hit the paper.

His eyes lit up, taking her in, lips curving into a smile. “Hello.”

“Hi.”

His tie was azure blue with diagonal gold stripes. He wore one of those fine white cotton shirts that she knew felt silky. And he was wearing gold knot cuff links today. He looked, she thought, mouthwatering, and she had visions of him taking her right there, bent over his desk.

Her heels clicked on the hardwood as she went to stand beside his chair.

He swiveled to face her.

“You use a fountain pen.”

She eyed the ink-dotted gold nib.

He glanced at it with a little smile. “It was my grandfather’s.”

Her heart swelled. The razor, now the pen. Who knew Adam was so sentimental?

“I missed you this morning.”

She placed the bag on the corner of his desk and walked her fingers up his chest. Leaning down, she brushed her lips against his, ran the tip of her tongue over his lower lip, and kissed him, just a soft sip.

She heard his sharp inhale. Today was all about teasing, and this was definitely a good start.

“I had to leave early so I could finish here by two,”

he murmured against her mouth.

“Next time, wake me up. You know I like to watch you shaving.”

She cupped the back of his head, her fingers threading into his silky hair. His arms encircled her waist. She brought his face into her chest, and he inhaled deeply, nuzzling between her breasts. He pressed a quick kiss there. “I also know you like to make me late for work.”

With that, he let her go and rolled back in his chair.

She swallowed back her disappointment, turning to grab the insulated bag. “Brought you some lunch.”

“Oh, did you?”

She nodded, watching his face closely for any innuendo.

None.

She sighed. “I thought you might not have time to eat, so…”

Eve extracted the two carryout containers.

She opened one to reveal sliced steak on a bed of raw spinach, with rice noodles, grilled vegetables, and avocado. Unfolding a dinner napkin, she laid it on his desk, placing the food on top.

“There’s dressing if you want it.”

She held out a cellophane packet.

He took the set of plastic utensils. “This looks great.”

He eyed the smaller container. “What’s in the other one?”

She grinned. “Carbs.”

He tore the packet, extracting the fork to spear some steak and vegetables. “You’re not having anything?”

She gave him a suggestive smile. “I am.”

I’m having you.

She fished inside the bag and found a spoon. Then, scooping up the small container, she eased herself into one of the two blue Aeron chairs that faced his desk, crossing her legs. Her skirt was riding up—she knew it—revealing more of her bare thighs.

She felt his gaze on her but didn’t look up. Instead, she swung her bottom leg just a little, showing off her brand-new nude peep-toe Louboutins.

She flicked open the container. The scent of vanilla wafted to her nostrils. Using her pinkie, she swiped a tiny bit of cream and brought it to her lips.

Finally, she looked up.

Ah, there you are. The blue flame in his eyes flared brighter than ever. Then, just as quickly, it extinguished.

Returning to his lunch, he speared some steak and checked his watch. “We have to meet the Realtor at the first house in thirty minutes.”

Her throat went tight with disappointment. “You’d better hurry up and eat, then.”

?

“Well, that was disappointing.”

Eve watched Adam touch the key card to the penthouse door.

“Yeah.”

The lock ground open, and they stepped inside.

“Home, sweet hotel.”

He sounded glum.

“For now. But Barbara said the one you really wanted to see will be available for viewing by this weekend.”

“That’s the one closest to LarsAir. And it seemed to check all the boxes.”

He tossed the key card into the bowl on the side table. “I don’t know about you, but I could use a drink.”

“Sounds perfect.”

“How about we fire up the hot tub?”

“Sure.”

“Great. I’ll go get changed.”

She moved in close and smoothed her hands over his lapels and tie. “I like you in this,”

she murmured.

She felt his chest move with a silent laugh. “I can always put it back on for you. But I am not hot-tubbing in this suit.”

She sighed. He was distancing himself once more. God, how she hated this. Then again, the hot tub sounded like a perfect venue for seduction.

Ten minutes later, Eve assessed herself in the mirror, wearing an emerald-green one-piece adorned with a crystal and gold circle at the navel. The circle looked like a giant brooch that joined the top and bottom together, revealing two triangles of skin at her waist. At the bottom of her white Rimowa, she’d found clear wedges that seemed waterproof.

She squared her shoulders, raised her chin, and stepped out of the bedroom.

Adam stood at the wall of windows in the back, two towels over his shoulder, gazing at the city lights below. Sensing her presence, he turned and gave her a warm smile and, as usual, looked her up and down appreciatively.

But the heat in his eyes was carefully tempered. He wore the same blue shorts she had seen on him in the Caymans and Orlando, this time paired with a white swim shirt. She wondered what had happened with the airplane trunks.

They walked together out into the moonlit night. On the patio, the hot tub was already bubbling, shimmering amber.

On a side table a few feet away, an old fashioned and a porn star martini sat beside a spread of cheese, crackers, and grapes.

There were several bottles of Voss as well. He got one for himself and held one out to her. She took it, immediately uncapped it, and drank deeply of the cold water. She hadn’t realized she was so very thirsty. Adam always seemed to know what she needed, even before she did.

Why, then, couldn’t he see how much she needed all of him?

She set the Voss down in one of the tub’s cupholders, then tested the bubbling water. It felt lukewarm. The sound of it was soothing, however. She breathed in the faint smell of chlorine.

Adam kept his distance, she noted, busying himself with placing cheese squares on the crackers.

Closing the space between them, she slipped her hands around his waist, pressing herself to his back. She felt his muscles tense a little, but then he turned around, immediately taking her in his arms.

Standing on tiptoe, she pulled him down, meeting his lips in an urgent kiss. He gentled it. She slipped her fingers upward, threading them through his hair. His breath came faster, but he still contained himself.

She grew so frustrated that she wanted to pummel his chest and scream.

Instead, she broke the kiss and reached for her drink. “Service here is flawless,”

she said, taking a sip. “Wouldn’t you miss it?”

He picked up his own drink and shrugged. “We can always hire help.”

“I’m thinking we could steal Trevor.”

“Don’t tell the hotel owner you want to poach his employees.”

Extracting the cocktail pick, he offered her the cherry. She took it delicately off the tip, savoring the sweet and sour spreading across her tongue.

“Taste this,”

she whispered, lifting her face to his.

Gently, he cupped her chin, tongue sliding between her lips, rolling languidly. Too soon, his lips left hers. “Cherry tastes good with the passionfruit.”

He glanced back at the tub. “Water’s ready. You go get in. I’ll bring the snacks.”

Indeed, steam was now rising, curling and hovering over the surface.

Eve sighed, her gaze lingering on his mouth. “OK.”

She took her time to get there, hips swaying, in hopes that he was watching.

The water was hot now. She sank in slowly to her waist. Sipping her martini, she drank him in as he approached, plate in one hand, old fashioned in the other. The moonlight gilded his hair, illuminating the white shirt that clung to every muscle.

She’d never wanted him more.

His gaze flicked to her, blue eyes guarded. Carefully, he balanced the plate and his drink on the tray clamped to the tub’s edge.

“Take off your shirt,” she said.

He hesitated for a moment, making her think he might refuse. Then, reaching back, he lifted the swim shirt, muscles flexing as he pulled it over his head and tossed it to the deck chair beside him. He raked a hand through his bright hair.

There, in the moonlight, he stood, motionless and bare-chested, studying her face as her eyes roamed over his sculpted pecs and abs.

She held her arms out. “Get over here, already.”

He smiled then. Throwing a leg over the edge, he eased in, scooting close and draping an arm around her.

She leaned into him and rested her head on his shoulder, heaving a deep sigh. It was so good to have him close.

He reached for his old fashioned and took a sizable swallow.

For a while, she said nothing, content to sink chest-deep into the water and relax against him, feeling the tension slowly leave his body. They munched on cheese and crackers. He fed her grapes.

But the connection still seemed broken.

He finished his old fashioned and stared at the remnant of the ice cube in the glass. “I should have asked him to make two.”

She knew by now that one was his limit unless something was wrong.

“Trevor could bring another.”

He seemed to consider. “Never mind.”

He put the glass back on the tray.

She kissed his shoulder. “Ready to get out?”

“Yeah.”

With a huge rush of water, he stood. She watched the rivulets stream down over his rippled torso and ached to trace each one. Her body thrummed with need. So did her heart. Whatever she had to do to get back to that place with him, she’d do it. She only wished she knew exactly what that was.

By bedtime, she was a mess of nerves. She’d thought to put on the lingerie she’d worn to the office but changed her mind, opting instead for nothing but a sheer cream nightgown.

Sliding between the sheets, she listened to him brush his teeth, her heart pounding. She took slow breaths to calm herself.

Switching off the lights, he slipped in beside her, bringing with him the scent of mint and soap. As always, he reached and pulled her close. She waited a few more beats, then, when he only held her, she could no longer hold back.

“Did I make a mistake by telling you?”

She hated that her voice was shaky.

He went utterly still. Releasing her, he reached up and flicked the reading light switch.

She blinked with the sudden brightness on her face, looking up to find Adam propped on his elbow, blue eyes full of dismay.

“What?”

She held his gaze. “Ever since Orlando, you’ve been different.”

“Have I?”

“Yes!”

His lashes lowered. He stared down at the sheets, jaw taut.

She licked her lips. “The only reason I can think of, the last thing that happened, is that I told you about the…”

She couldn’t make her mouth spit out the heinous word. “…about what happened to me.”

Her throat closed, making her voice raspy. “Did it put you off?”

“Eve.”

His voice was pained.

She gripped his forearm, wishing he would look at her. “You’ve been different. In bed and out of it. Why?”

He sucked in a deep breath and blew it out slowly. “I’ve been thinking about things.”

“What things?”

“The way I…”

He paused, eyes searching as if trying to find the proper words.

He dragged a hand over his face. “Do you remember the first time?”

Did he think she could ever forget?

She nodded.

“I immobilized you and didn’t even let you touch me.”

“And?”

“And then I did some things that, in retrospect, don’t seem…right.”

She swallowed back a bubble of hysterical laughter. Was he serious?

“I grabbed and kissed you in the hallway at the Mile High. I cornered you in your apartment, backing you into that countertop. Twice.”

She tipped her head and gave him a little smile. “I remember something else that happened on that countertop.”

He didn’t seem to catch her stab at humor. “I ripped your—”

He shook his head, jaw tensing with a hard swallow.

The panties. She’d taken that as his inability to control his desire for her.

Now, he was second-guessing everything.

He lowered his head. “I’ve been trying to be considerate.”

“Considerate?”

“Yes.”

His voice was soft.

She shook her head in bewilderment. “You haven’t figured it out yet, have you?”

He raised his eyes to hers then, and she could clearly see the struggle in their blue depths.

“Every single thing you did, you did with my consent. From the very beginning. Remember?”

He nodded, his face somber, but he wasn’t entirely buying it; she could tell.

“I wanted your advances. I wanted you to do those things. If I hadn’t, I would have said something. Or, I would have stopped you. Don’t treat me as if I’m made of glass, Adam. I didn’t break then, and I won’t break now.”

“Of course you didn’t. You’re one of the strongest people I’ve ever known. I just thought I had to be more—”

“I don’t want considerate, Adam! I want…”

I want you to love me.

The thought came out of nowhere, shocking her speechless.

Tears threatened, and she squeezed her eyes shut. No way would she humiliate herself and say that to him.

He caught her chin and tipped her face to meet his gaze. His eyes burned with an intensity she hadn’t seen in way too long. “Tell me what you were about to say.”

She forced air into her lungs. “I want you back.”

His fingers tightened on her jaw. “You’ve always had me.”

And then his mouth crushed hers.

Nothing could have prepared her for the way he seized her lips. For a second, she froze, and then her hands fisted his T-shirt as he thoroughly plundered her mouth. She kissed him back with wild abandon.

He tore away and rained kisses on her cheek, her jaw, her neck. His hand closed over her breast, gripping, his thumb moving back and forth, stroking with increasing urgency as he took her mouth again in another searing kiss that left her reeling.

His tongue plunged so very deep. She arched her back and moaned into his mouth, need making her throb and pulse with unbridled desire. She gripped the hem of his T-shirt, yanking. He pushed to his knees. In seconds, his clothes were off, his hands back on her body, and he was dragging her nightgown up. She heard his low groan as he realized she had nothing on underneath. He shoved the fabric over her breasts but didn’t stop to take it off.

His hands were everywhere, on her breasts and skimming lower, lower, back up again, then down, over her hips. Except for the one place she needed him the most.

She writhed on the bed, desperate with want, and reached for him.

He positioned himself above her, strong hands sliding under her thighs.

“It’s been killing me, holding back with you,”

he gritted.

“Then don’t.”

In one swift move, he lifted both her legs, hooking her ankles on his shoulders.

She cried out, part surprise, part crazed excitement.

His eyes sought hers. She couldn’t believe it, but she still saw questions behind the raw desire.

“Take me,”

she breathed.

He closed his eyes. When he opened them again, she saw a ferocity that almost undid her. Jaw clenched, he shoved into her.

God, he went deep. Hard and fast, he set a frenzied pace, pounding into her relentlessly, drawing a gasp from her with every powerful thrust.

Heat built inside her, those telltale tingles coming fast. It wasn’t long before the release barreled through her, making her scream with its intensity.

A guttural sound tore from Adam’s mouth as he, too, reached the precipice. She could feel him hardening, even as he drilled into her. His hips stuttered, once, twice, and then the achingly familiar sound washed over her, that sonorous, long moan she’d missed and longed to hear.

At last, he stilled. He held her to him for a few seconds, panting. Then, slowly, he released her, collapsing by her side, face down, chest heaving. He threw an arm over her torso, his thumb stroking her side gently, back and forth.

Eve couldn’t stop shaking. She felt his biceps spasm. She pressed a kiss there. His skin was fevered.

“Welcome back,”

she whispered.

He squeezed her hip. “I missed you.”

I love you.

The realization overwhelmed her.

Tears burned, blurring her vision. Eve closed her eyes, trying to stop them, but they still came, spilling out of the corners of her eyes and running, hot, down her temples.