Chapter 25
FLETCHER
I was kissed awake—slowly, sweetly—and my lashes fluttered. I blinked a couple of times and found myself gazing up at Adam, who was smiling, obviously wide awake.
“It’s too early,” I whined, trying to pull the covers back over my head.
He didn’t let me. “It’s nine AM. Time to wake up. I made breakfast,” he singsonged before kissing me again, and again, until I was breathless and giggling—and also awake.
“What did you make?” I sniffed at the air. I could smell something sweet and cinnamon-y, as well as the rich undertones of freshly-brewed coffee. Mmm.
Adam grinned. “Guess you’ll have to come downstairs to find out.” With that, he turned on his heel and strode off, his shoes clicking over the hardwood floor.
I groaned and flopped back in bed. Ugh. But seriously? How was this my life? I went from being a homeless street cat to being kissed awake every morning by a gorgeous Alpha. An Alpha who made me breakfast?
Deep down, I knew I shouldn’t allow myself to get so attached to Adam, but my feline practically vibrated with happiness whenever the wolf was near.
Besides, Adam seemed to want me right back. Our feelings were out in the open, like tenuous threads of light, able to be severed at any moment.
But right now? I was going to cherish it. There would be plenty of time for heartbreak later.
I shoved the thought aside and rolled out of bed. I scoured around in the chest of drawers until I found a pair of wrinkled cotton PJ pants. Tugging them up over my hips, I made a pitstop in the bathroom to relieve myself before joining Adam downstairs.
In the kitchen, the heavenly scent of baked-from-scratch cinnamon rolls draped in cream cheese icing invaded my nose, making me whimper with delight.
I might’ve drooled. Adam’s cinnamon rolls were the best, and there was already a plate at my place at the dining room table, along with a tall glass of milk and a mug of coffee, sweet and creamy, just the way I liked it.
“Oh my god,” I murmured. “It looks amazing. You didn’t have to do all this for me.”
Adam only smiled, his golden eyes twinkling. “Yes, I did. It’s worth it to see you grin like that, every time I do. Now sit, sit.” He gestured to my chair and with a laugh, I pulled it out and plopped down.
He sat down across from me, but he didn’t reach for his breakfast. Instead, he propped his elbow on the table and rested his chin atop his palm, intent to watch me devour the delicacy he’d baked for me.
It gave me butterflies.
Picking up the pastry with two fingers and instantly feeling the icing melt over them, I let out a little laugh and took a big bite—and moaned as sweet cinnamon goodness filled my mouth.
“Oh my god,” I mumbled, my mouth full of food. I quickly covered my mouth with one hand to keep from spilling any crumbs. Adam laughed. Deep, resonating laughter that made me blush from the tips of my ears to my toes.
Just the way he looked at me… God. Was it hot in here or was it just me?
I swallowed my bite, grabbed my glass of milk with my not-sticky hand and took a gulp, and then looked at Adam, who’d most definitely ruffled my feathers in all the right ways.
“So, um. What are your plans for the day?” I asked him.
He cocked his head to one side, pondering it a moment, before replying, “Well, I figure we can get our work done early—the lawn needs mowed and I have some paperwork to catch up on—and then we can spend the rest of the day doing whatever our little hearts desire. What do you think?”
I smiled and picked up the cinnamon roll again. “I like it,” I said. “Let me enjoy this delicious pastry first, though.”
“Of course,” he said around a chuckle. “And I’m going to enjoy watching you enjoy devouring that pastry.”
I bit my lip on a grin, rolled my eyes, and took another bite. My teeth sank into the soft, buttery dough, and it practically melted in my mouth. Sugar and cinnamon coated my tongue as I chewed slowly, savoring the moment, before swallowing. “Mmm.”
Damn, the man could bake. Was there anything Adam Sinclair couldn’t do?
I ended up eating two cinnamon rolls, then regretting the second because the food seemed to swell in my belly when I rode around the lawn on the zero-turn. Every bump and jolt made me feel like the Pillsbury Doughboy, but I got it done.
While the mower cooled down, I fired up the weed-eater and buzzed around trees and landscaping, giving Adam’s property that nice manicured finish that matched the rest of the ritzy houses in the neighborhood.
Adam definitely lived in the nice part of town. The houses—if you could even call them houses—here probably sold for millions, with perfect lawns and decorated gardens, the vehicles parked out front worth more than my entire life.
I stood in the middle of the yard, looking around at all the different mansions neighboring Adam’s manor. These were people who knew people, people who had money, who were born into money, or who had amazing jobs paying six-figure salaries.
And who was I? Nobody. I didn’t have money or a job; I didn’t even have a savings account.
I didn’t belong in this world. Did I really think I deserved someone like Adam?
Bitterness swept in like a rising tide, tearing away this morning’s happiness in its undercurrent. My shoulders slumping, I finished my duties outdoors, but dragged my heels going back inside.
Adam was reading a book on the couch when I finally did return. I tried to slink past the living room, but he called out my name in such a way that it tugged on my heartstrings.
“Fletcher?”
“Need to wash up,” I mumbled, the only excuse I could come up with, before continuing on my way to the kitchen.
I ran hot water and lathered my hands and upper arms with soap, getting all the grass and dirt off my skin. I’d need a shower tonight, but for now, this would have to do.
Adam wouldn’t be deterred, though. He followed me into the kitchen, coming up behind me. Just like once before, at the beginning of all of this, his warm, firm body pressed up against my back. His hands cupped my hips, then moved down a bit, his fingers sliding into the belt loops of my jeans.
“Fletch? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” I lied, but I was a terrible liar and we both knew it. “Don’t worry about it.”
“Of course I’m gonna worry about it,” he replied, his voice so gentle. He wrapped his arms around me, embracing me from behind, and my head fell forward.
I hated that it felt so right, being in his arms. Being held like this. Cherished. Adored by this Alpha who I didn’t deserve. Who I had no rights to want.
“Talk to me, baby,” Adam murmured.
I turned slowly in his arms. I rested my hands on his chest and gazed up at him, my eyes already tearing up with what I was about to say.
“D-Do you think this is a bad idea?” I managed to whisper despite the ache tightening up my throat.
“What?” He looked surprised and a little confused. “What do you mean?”
“This.” I gestured between us. “Us. Whatever we are, whatever we’re doing. It feels so right, but I… Are we just fooling ourselves?”
Adam’s expression changed, shifting from confusion to sympathy to concern in one fluid motion. He cupped my face in his hands.
“Baby, where is this coming from? We were okay at breakfast?” he murmured. “Did something happen?”
“No, I just…” I choked on the words. “I don’t belong here, in your world. I am no one.”
“Fletcher.” Adam’s voice was soft as velvet, and tender.
He leaned in until our noses brushed, our foreheads pressed together.
“You do belong here,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
“You make me happy. Happier than I’ve been in my entire life.
If that doesn’t count for something, then I don’t know what does. ”
“But your family—”
“Fuck my family,” he growled against my lips before kissing them, stealing my words away. “They don’t care about what I want, and I want you, Fletcher Rose. Please. Don’t run away from me.”
I hated the crack in his voice right then, the way he held me a little bit tighter, like he truly feared I might turn and leave. And where would I go? Tears slid down my cheeks, but Adam brushed them away with the pads of his thumbs.
“Don’t cry, baby,” he pleaded. “This is just a hiccup. Whatever you think you need to be to make me happy, you’re wrong. I’m happy just sharing the same space as you.”
I swallowed and nodded. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize,” he assured me. “Come here.” Pulling me in, he wrapped me in a hug so fierce, I thought I might break into a thousand jagged pieces, but I hugged him back just as tightly.
For several long minutes, we just clung to each other in the kitchen, gently rocking back and forth, before Adam finally let go. He took me by the hand.
“Let’s go lay together on the couch and watch a movie,” he murmured. “I think a low-key veg day is what we both need.”
I smiled and wiped at my salt-stained cheeks. “That sounds nice.”
I followed him into the living room and we curled up together, with me being the little spoon, a blanket draped over the top of us. I nestled in, my heartbeat settling as Adam’s scent surrounded me.
I wanted to be here. I wanted to be wanted, to be loved and adored by this man, this calm and capable Alpha who’d shown me such kindness. I wanted, more than anything, to be the Omega he chose to spend the rest of his life with, his family demands be damned.
But I couldn’t quite shake the feeling that this was only a rumble of thunder, a warning of the true storm ahead.