14.
Ada
When I finally managed to drag myself out of my state of discombobulation, I showered and got ready to meet with Frances and the girls. Once dressed, I returned to the living area and noticed Jonathan had left his phone on the side of the couch.
Great. I was going to have to knock next door and return it to him.
I’d been hoping not to run into him again this weekend, but it was unavoidable. Inhaling a breath for courage, I left the apartment and stepped across the hall. After knocking twice, I heard someone approach before his sister opened the door.
Maggie’s features displayed surprise, and I knew instantly Jonathan had failed to mention to her that I was living in his spare apartment. “Oh, hello. Ada, isn’t it?”
“Yes. Hi. Sorry to bother you. We met at your workplace a couple weeks ago. You helped me down the stairs?” I said to jog her memory.
Maggie smiled warmly. “Right, yes. I saw you at the funeral, too, but we never got a chance to speak.”
I bobbed my head. “Um, well, it’s nice to see you again. Can you let Jonathan know he left his phone behind?” I thrust the phone towards her, hoping she’d take it without question and return it to its owner. I wasn’t that lucky.
Maggie’s blue eyes lit with interest, a smile shaping her lips. “Left it behind?”
I shuffled uncomfortably from foot to foot and threw a thumb over my shoulder. “Your brother might not have mentioned it yet, but I’m renting the apartment next door.”
Her eyebrows flew up. “You are?”
“Maggie, who is it?” Jonathan called from somewhere in the apartment before making his way to the door. He appeared wearing grey lounge pants and, well, not much else. My cheeks flamed at the sight of his bare chest, a white towel casually draped across his shoulders. His hair was damp from the shower, and I found myself unable to quit staring, particularly at his defined pecs, wide shoulders and muscular arms.
“Ada?”
I swallowed, my mouth parched as I was suddenly lost for words.
“You left your phone at her place,” Maggie told him while the connection between my brain and my mouth malfunctioned in his shirtless presence. His sister looked thoroughly amused as she shoved the offending item at him.
He frowned at her. “Listen, I can—”
Maggie shushed him with a hand. “No need to explain. It’s none of my business. Ada, we were about to have breakfast. Would you like to join us?”
“Oh, no, that’s not necessary. I already ate.”
“You can have coffee, then, or tea. Please at least stay for a few minutes. I’d love to get to know you better.” She seemed eager to get acquainted, and I worried the friendly act was a front, and she might be suspicious that I was using her brother in some way. He was a wealthy man, and there I was suddenly living in his very lavish apartment next door. Anyone in their right mind would take a moment to question the situation.
I glanced at my watch. “I have to meet my sister and nieces in a little while, but sure, I can stay for a coffee.”
Looking pleased, Maggie motioned me inside, and Jonathan stepped back, his gaze fixed on me. I mouthed a “Sorry” at him when Maggie’s back was turned. He clearly hadn’t wanted to discuss our arrangement with her yet, and my appearance had forced his hand.
I was suddenly full of worry that she might deem me untrustworthy and convince her brother to kick me out of the apartment. My hands shook as I took a seat at the breakfast bar and flicked my tongue out to wet my dry lips. Noticing my nervousness, Jonathan took the seat next to me, his arm brushing mine as he shot me a soft look that said, Relax, no one’s going to interrogate you.
I certainly hoped that was true.
His eyes wandered over my plum shirt. “You look nice. That colour suits you,” he said quietly while Maggie poured the coffee, her lips curving in a smile that seemed genuine. It put me at ease somewhat.
“Thank you,” I said, running my hand over the smooth material and glancing at Jonathan, who was still basically topless aside from the towel. I had a hard time focusing on the cup of coffee Maggie placed in front of me, and I was pretty sure she noticed when she said, “My goodness, Jonathan, go and put a shirt on or Ada will think we’re a family of exhibitionists.”
“Don’t presume to tell me what I can and can’t wear in my own home,” he shot back casually, picking up a slice of apple from the fruit selection on the table and popping it in his mouth.
“We’re about to eat. Some clothing would be nice.”
He narrowed his gaze at her playfully then stood. “Fine.”
I managed to breathe again once he was gone, and Maggie glanced at me thoughtfully. “You know, I’ve been trying to set him up for ages to no avail.”
Her statement caused my brain to spark to life as I suddenly remembered Lissa. Oh, God. Lissa . How on earth had I forgotten about her? Jonathan’s kiss had been so all-consuming that I’d neglected to recall he was actually dating someone . How many dates had he said they’d been on? Three? Four? He mentioned she wasn’t his girlfriend yet, but still, I felt ill at the thought that I’d let a man who was seeing another woman kiss me. After Cathal and Hannah, I’d never dream of doing something like that to someone else.
“Isn’t he seeing Lissa?” I asked, a frog in my throat just as Jonathan returned wearing a fitted black T-shirt, retaking the seat next to mine.
Maggie narrowed her gaze at her brother. “Who’s Lissa, and why haven’t you mentioned her to me?”
His eyebrows jumped, and he glanced at me, some indecipherable emotion in his gaze before he addressed his sister. “Lissa is a woman I was dating briefly, but I didn’t see the point in bringing her up since it didn’t work out. I’m not seeing her anymore.”
Just like that, relief flooded in. I hadn’t kissed someone who was taken. I was also glad that Jonathan wasn’t the kind of man to kiss one woman while he was dating another.
Maggie appeared disappointed. “Well, that’s too bad. You know how much I’ve been dying for you to find the right lady.”
Jonathan gave a dramatic sigh and grinned. “Alas, the search continues.”
There was something mesmerising about the way he picked up another slice of apple and bit into it. I found myself staring at him again before Maggie asked, “So, Ada, how old are your nieces?”
“They’re six. Triplets. They run rings around my poor sister and her husband at times.”
“Goodness, I can imagine. I bet they’re cute, though.”
“Very,” I smiled and sipped some coffee, my eyes bugging when I tasted it. Jonathan sprung for the good stuff. I was used to drinking the barely tolerable brand we stocked at work, but this was like rocket fuel. I hoped it’d keep me lively since I didn’t get much sleep last night.
“Well, why don’t you two tell me how Ada came to be living next door,” Maggie went on, clasping her hands around her mug.
Jonathan shot her a look, and I weirdly got the sense he was trying to protect me. The story painted me in a fairly pathetic light after all. “I thought you said that was none of your business.”
“I did, but my curiosity is getting the better of me. You never mentioned you stayed in touch with Ada after the funeral.”
“That’s because—”
“It’s fine. I don’t mind telling her.” I glanced Maggie. “Your brother has been a good Samaritan to me. Well, not at first,” I allowed. “At first he wanted me out of his mother’s house within a week.”
“Jonathan!” Maggie exclaimed, aghast.
“See? This is why I didn’t want to get into it.” He shook his head before taking a sip of coffee.
“But it has a good ending. Jonathan didn’t realise he was basically making me homeless because I lied and told him I had another place lined up. Call it foolish pride, whatever. Then by chance, he discovered I’d been sleeping in my car and offered for me to rent his spare apartment. And I guess that’s how I found myself living here.”
When I glanced at Maggie, I didn’t expect the sheen of emotion in her eyes. Her attention went to her brother as she reached across the counter to squeeze his hand. “This is why I always defend you when people call you a ruthless bastard.”
“Who calls me that?”
Her expression turned sheepish. “Well, sometimes I overhear people at work. And of course, there’s Rhys, though I do feel like you’ve been winning him over lately.”
“Give a few lazy, incompetent employees the sack, and suddenly, you’re a ruthless bastard,” Jonathan said, a hint of humour in his voice.
“Again, I’m glad you’re not my boss,” I put in, and Jonathan bent close, his elbow nudging mine, mouth a scant few inches from my ear.
“And again, I’ll remind you ,
you’re far from incompetent, so I would never have cause to fire you.” His gaze held mine, and flutters filled my chest. What on earth was going on? I honestly couldn’t tell if he’d been flirting with me since I walked in the door. I mean, turning up with no shirt on was brazenly slutty behaviour on his part.
“You don’t know me well enough yet to make that statement,” I countered.
He picked up a grape, his voice low. “Oh, I think I know you pretty well.”
Goosebumps prickled my skin at the hot look in his eyes, and I just knew he was thinking about the kiss.
“So, who wants a bacon and egg sandwich?” Maggie asked, seeming to sense that whatever tension was brewing between Jonathan and I needed a distraction. She went to unpack a box that had clearly been delivered before I’d arrived.
“Yes, please. Anything that might cure this hangover,” Jonathan replied with a long-suffering expression, and I was glad the prospect of food distracted his attention away from me. It was going to take me the rest of the weekend to recover from all the sexy, masculine energy he’d been channelling my way. I definitely wasn’t imagining it. Maybe last night’s kiss had been an impulsive move spurred on by alcohol, but it appeared to have awakened something in Jonathan. Something I wasn’t entirely equipped to handle. Mild mannered, moderately handsome men like Cathal, I could deal with. But Jonathan Oaks was on another stratosphere. He also seemed way too sure of his charisma, like he knew exactly how to seduce a woman, and I feared I wasn’t strong enough to resist.
I sensed someone’s attention and found Maggie glancing at me curiously. She lifted her mug to her mouth before focusing on Jonathan. “I hope I’m not being nosy, but why did you sleep next door last night? Are you two—”
“Oh my goodness. No,” I was quick to reply. “Jonathan was very drunk, so I let him sleep on my couch. My father, um, I’m not sure if you know, but he had a drinking problem when I was young, so I kind of can’t leave people alone when they’re like that. I have to make sure they’re okay. So many times, Dad had bad turns in his sleep. I even had to call an ambulance once because he’d given himself alcohol poisoning.”
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to pry,” Maggie said, looking guilty.
When I glanced at Jonathan, he was frowning, his eyebrows—a few shades darker than his hair—were drawn together in consternation. “Where the hell was your mother when he was like that? Why were you the one taking care of him?”
“Hey,” I said, placing a hand on his arm. “You don’t have to be mad on my behalf. It was a long time ago, and as you know, Dad and I put all that to rest. He wasn’t the same man he was when he was young.”
“It’s still fucked up. And I’m sorry I made you feel you had to worry about me last night. I don’t normally drink so heavily.”
“I already told you, it’s fine. You’re letting me rent your amazing apartment. The least I can do is make sure you don’t die in your sleep after a wild night.” I tried adding some humour to my voice, but it fell flat. I was glad when Maggie filled what might’ve been a very awkward silence.
“You know, I think the setup you two have here is going to be a good thing. It’s nice to have a neighbour to look out for you. I’d be lost without Siobhan and Bob. I’ve been living next to them for years. Oh, and before I forget,” she said, grabbing her handbag and pulling out a small envelope before handing it to Jonathan. “Charli asked me to give you that. It’s a wedding invite.”
Jonathan’s eyebrows rose. “Why didn’t Rhys just give it to me last night?”
Maggie rolled her eyes. “I think it was a point of contention. Rhys still holds it against you that you might’ve been set up with Charli before they got together.”
“That’s hardly my fault. You were the one who tried setting us up. Surely, you’re the one to blame.” I suppressed a smile because Maggie clearly wasn’t lying when she mentioned she’d been trying to play matchmaker for Jonathan for a while. And why the hell did I feel a pinch of jealousy thinking of him being set up with this Charli person who I’d never even met?
Maggie chuckled. “Right, well, logic doesn’t always apply when it comes to fiercely possessive men and their women. Anyway, it’s a December wedding, and it’s being held at the new Balfe Hotel down in Cork. Shay and I are going to book a room, make a weekend of it. You should do the same.”
“Not sure I fancy being the third wheel,” Jonathan commented as he slid the invite to the side.
“Why not bring a friend?” Maggie suggested, and I didn’t fail to notice her gaze flick meaningfully in my direction. Oh hell. Why did the idea of being Jonathan’s date to his friends’ wedding fill my stomach with butterflies?
Deciding I’d overstayed my welcome and not wanting to stick around for whatever suggestion his sister might make next, I glanced at my watch and knocked back the last of my coffee.
“Well, I should go, but thank you both for having me.” I stood, and Maggie did, too, coming around to give me a friendly hug. It seemed I’d managed to pass muster, and I was relieved she didn’t suspect me of using her brother for my own benefit. At least, I didn’t think she’d hug me so warmly if she did.
“It was great to finally meet properly,” she said as she withdrew. “Don’t be a stranger.”
“I won’t. Enjoy the rest of your breakfast.”
“I’ll walk you out,” Jonathan said, rising and coming to join me as I made for the door. The back of my neck tingled as he escorted me down the short hallway. When I reached the door, I turned back to him, feeling the need to apologise again for intruding. “I’m sorry for gatecrashing your breakfast and kind of putting a downer on the mood earlier. I just didn’t want to leave you without your phone.”
“What are you apologizing for? Maggie and I both wanted you to join us.”
“I know. I’m being weird. It’s just that last night …” I trailed off, a shiver trickling over me as I met his gaze, not knowing what to say.
Jonathan stepped closer then, close enough I could smell his clean skin and the fresh scent of his shower gel. He tilted his head, eyes tracing my features as he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.
“Something you should know about me, Ada,” he murmured, and my breath caught at his husky tone. “I’m pretty decisive in knowing what I want.”
“Oh?”
“And when I decide what I want, I can become singularly focused until I get it.”
His heated words had goosebumps dancing along my skin. Again, I had no clue what to say. I mean, what did a woman say when a man made such a statement? My heart was racing, blood rushing to my ears. How had that happened? He’d gone from barely tolerating my existence to feeling sorry for me and offering me a place to live to cornering me in hallways and speaking like he’d rather have eaten me for breakfast instead of the bacon and egg sandwich that laid half-finished on his plate.
“Right, um,” I began, flustered as I moved for the door. “That’s good to know. Have a nice day.”
With that, I fled, almost making it to the ground floor of the building before I took another full breath.
An hour later, I was still untangling my feelings as I sat on a park bench next to my sister, watching my three nieces play on a nearby slide and jungle gym. I’d just spent the last thirty minutes filling Frances in on all the details about Jonathan. The only part I’d left out was how I’d lied to her about finding an apartment.
“Well, one thing’s for certain,” Frances said, her eyes never leaving her kids as they played several yards away. “The man wants to have sex with you.”
“I honestly couldn’t tell if I was imagining it at first,” I began. “But last night and this morning, it was like he couldn’t take his eyes off me. When he came out with no shirt on, it felt intentional. He wanted me to see how good he looked shirtless. Only a few weeks ago, I was an inconvenience in his life and now this. I don’t understand the change.”
Frances scoffed. “Maybe nothing changed. Maybe the only reason he treated you how he did in the beginning was because you’re gorgeous, and the only thing inconvenient was his attraction to you. I mean, the second time you met, he saw you completely starkers, Ada. I suspect he’s had that image imprinted in his head all this time, and last night, his self-control finally snapped.”
I blinked at her in surprise. I’d honestly been trying to put that embarrassing encounter to the back of my mind. I hadn’t felt desire from Jonathan at the time. Only annoyance that I was living in his mother’s house and he hadn’t known about it. He certainly hadn’t expected to walk in on me in the bathroom.
“What do you think I should do?”
“Are you attracted to him?”
I groaned. “I wish I wasn’t, but yes, I am.”
Frances chewed her lip. “If the situation were different, I’d say go for it. Give him what he wants and get yours while you’re at it.” She waggled her eyebrows. “But he’s your landlord now, and obviously, you don’t want to complicate matters.”
“So, you think I should tell him I’m not interested?”
“It’s the safest bet.”
I blew out a heavy sigh, disappointment ballooning in my chest.
“I’m sorry. I know that’s not what you want to hear, but I care about you, Ada. You’ve landed on your feet with the apartment, especially in this economy. You don’t want to mess things up, and sex is always messy. Literally and figuratively.”
“No, you’re right. I can’t afford to screw things up.”
“On the bright side, you could start searching for a new apartment, and if you manage to secure one, then you can shag his brains out before you leave.”
I laughed, but the tension within me remained. It was a nice dream, but I couldn’t just have sex with Jonathan to fulfil a need and then leave him. I wasn’t wired that way. When I slept with a man, it was because I already had feelings for him, and I quickly became attached. One-night stands would never be something I could do.
Later that day after I ate dinner, I remembered it was Saturday, which meant I needed to go clean Jonathan’s apartment. It was part of the deal. I desperately didn’t want to run into him, but he’d been out every Saturday since I’d moved in, so there was no reason for tonight to be any different.
At least that was what I thought until I let myself into his apartment and found him lounging in front of the TV, a bottle of red wine open in front of him. A movie played at a low volume, some World War I flick I hadn’t seen yet.
“Oh, I thought you’d be out. You’re normally out,” I said, frazzled.
Jonathan cast me a sidelong glance, though I couldn’t read his expression. “Felt like staying in after last night. To be honest, I’ve spent most of the day recovering.”
I looked to the open bottle in front of him. “Looks like you haven’t learned your lesson.”
Jonathan smirked. “Cheeky. I’ve only had one glass if you must know, and I plan on stopping at two.” He paused to consider me. “You should take tonight off. After I disturbed your sleep last night, you deserve it.”
“Really? Well, if you’re sure,” I turned to leave when his voice pulled me back.
“Stay and have a glass of wine with me.”
My pulse pounded in my ears. After my talk with Frances, I knew I should decline, but something about the soft look in his eyes and the way he motioned to the space next to him on the couch had my feet moving farther into the apartment, my mouth responding before I could properly think through the consequences.
“Okay, but I’m only staying for one.”