Tempting Adam

by Dorie Graham

  “That’s why he sounds familiar. I’ve heard he’s been helping out while they’ve been remodeling. Lauren’s housemate works there. Lauren’s been down there pitching in. You’re sure this is the right guy?”

  “That cookbook turned out to be a key piece of evidence. There was only one local bookstore that sold them. They sold a copy two days before she received hers. The owner was an older woman who remembered him quite fondly. Said he was the romantic type. It was easy to trace him from there. A florist around the corner from the women’s center also remembered him and the white roses. You’re lucky he didn’t shop online. That would have made finding him more difficult.”

  “Well, thank you. You’ve done a great job.”

  “You can rest assured your girlfriend isn’t in any danger, Mr. Morely. He’s more a hopeless romantic than a serial killer.”

  “Yes, of course. That’s a weight off my mind.” Adam sipped the strong coffee.

  No, Lauren wasn’t in any danger, but she had a right to know the real identity of her secret admirer. With things as they were, telling her the truth couldn’t make matters worse between them. He’d go see her tonight.

  It was time to come clean.

  A GENTLE BREEZE rustled the trees along the walkway as Lauren and Kamira strolled back to the women’s center.

  “I feel so honored you could work me into your schedule.” Kamira smiled broadly as she rubbed her belly. “That Chinese was incredible, but I think it’s going to have to count as lunch and dinner for me.”

  “It was good. And I’m glad I slipped away. It’s getting too busy around the office even for me.”

  “So, you think Adam is behind this rash of new clients?”

  “It looks that way.”

  “And you’re feeling bad about blaming him for the bagel fiasco?”

  Lauren sighed. “I think I was a little short-tempered, but I haven’t been able to reach him.”

  “Well, I’m sure you’ll find a way to make it up to him.”

  They turned the corner and the women’s center came into view. Lauren pursed her lips. What was she going to do about Adam? Was she making up with her friend or her lover?

  “We still have so much to work out,” Lauren said. “One thing’s for sure, though. I’m not falling back into bed with him until we work out some kind of compromise for where we’re heading in this relationship. If we’re even having one.”

  “You guys will work it out.”

  They walked the rest of the way in comfortable silence.

  “Oh, I almost forgot.” Kamira stopped in front of the center and dug in her purse. “Your mom called this morning right after you left. Something about Rusty. Here it is. She wants you to call her at work. She’s there until closing.”

  Lauren took the message from her. “I hope it isn’t trouble.”

  “She did sound a little worried.”

  A feeling of apprehension crept over Lauren. “I’ll stop by to see her before Norma’s party. They’re actually in the same mall. Norma has insisted she send the limo for me. I think she’s afraid I’ll skip out. I’ll see if her driver can pick me up a little earlier.”

  “The lingerie party is in the mall?”

  “Apparently they’ve leased the space, but haven’t opened yet. Norma said this was a christening of sorts.”

  “That means they’re going to need to make a decision about their advertising pretty soon.”

  “I’m hoping tonight’s the night.”

  The door to the center opened and Mark Patterson emerged onto the sunlit walkway. “Good afternoon, ladies. Can I interest you two in lunch?”

  Kamira seemed to stand a little straighter. She fluffed her hair back. “Darn. We just ate. How about a rain check?”

  He heaved an exaggerated breath. “I guess that’ll have to do.”

  Lauren smiled. She should probably leave the two of them alone. Kamira seemed interested, after all. “I need to get back to work.”

  “Me, too,” Kamira said. “Good luck with tonight, Lauren. I’ll see you later.”

  She nodded, but to her surprise, Mark turned with her as she stepped from the curb. “I’ll walk you to your car,” he said.

  “Okay, thanks.” She cast Kamira a questioning glance, but her housemate just shrugged before turning to enter the brick building.

  Mark probably wanted to talk about Kamira. Lauren turned to him as they crossed the street to the lot where she’d parked. “So, what’s up with you these days?”

  He smiled, but there was something hesitant in his eyes. “Oh, still chasing love.”

  “Come on, Mark. A good-looking guy like you? I find that hard to believe.”

  “Well, you see, there’s this woman I’m very interested in. I’ve been thinking about her a lot, but I’ve been unsure about approaching her directly.”

  Lauren nodded as they reached her car. “There’s an age difference and you’re not sure how she’d feel about it, right?”

  His eyes rounded. “Yes. So, you figured it out?”

  “Well, it’s to be expected. I think she’s used to men of all ages falling for her.”

  “I’m sure she is.” He was quiet a minute, then asked, “So, she’s open to the possibility of a relationship with a younger man?”

  “I believe she is.”

  The smile he gifted her with at that moment could only be described as radiant. He drew her hands into his. “Lauren, you’ve made me so happy.”

  “Well, to be honest, I think she’s a little hesitant, but with a little urging, I think you’ll have Kamira eating out of the palm of your hand.”

  He straightened. A deep frown formed between his eyebrows. “Kamira?”

  She nodded. “That’s right. Kamira.”

  “You think I’m interested in your housemate?”

  “Well…yeah. Older woman to die for. You two have been spending all this time together getting the center ready.”

  His eyes clouded. He dropped her hands. A ragged laugh tore from his throat.

  “Mark, what’s wrong?”

  He drew a long breath as he held her gaze. “I’ve been inventing all these reasons to work up here and getting closer to Kamira because of…you.”

  A funny feeling claimed Lauren’s stomach. “Me?”

  “Yes. I figured she knew more about you than anyone else and I might glean a little inside information through her. Plus, I hoped you might show up here to help on occasion.”

  “Me?” she repeated numbly.

  “Yes. I thought you’d figured it out, Lauren. I’m your secret admirer.”

  ADAM PARKED his truck outside one of his job sites. They were almost finished landscaping the vast suburban property and he had stopped by for a final inspection. With luck, Manuel and Rusty had teamed with Chris and Eric to finish the job.

  Before exiting his truck, Adam pulled out his cell phone to check his messages. He swallowed as Lauren’s message played. The soft tones of her voice sent his blood pumping. So, she had finally called. He should be relieved. That meant she was at least still speaking to him. Of course, that might not last once she heard what he had to say.

  “Hey, Adam. Could I see you a minute?” Rusty strode toward him across the side lawn. Worry lines creased his forehead.

  Adam slid out of the truck as Rusty reached him. “Sure, Rusty. What’s up?”

  “I know we had that talk about me handling things on my own, but…” His gaze dropped away and he shifted nervously.

  “What is it? Something wrong?”

  Rusty rolled his eyes. “Isn’t there always something wrong?”

  “Well, you made it a year in Texas.”

  A short laugh burst from the youngster. “And you think I wasn’t ever in trouble during that time?”

  “But you must have handled it on your own, then, because we never heard from you.”

  “That doesn’t mean I handled it all very well.”

  Adam stood silent for a moment, waiting.

  “S
herry’s dad’s in town looking for her. He stopped by my place last night, mad as a bull, accusing me of keeping her against her will.”

  “Did you?”

  “Hell, no. She left days ago. I haven’t got a clue where she is. Probably took the old man’s money, then ran off with that homeboy of hers.”

  “So?”

  “So her old man is all over me. What do I do?”

  Adam shook his head. For once, he had absolutely no compulsion to step in. “That, my dear boy, is for you to figure out.”

  He patted Rusty on the shoulder, and headed for the backyard to check on his crew’s progress.

  LAUREN WHIPPED into her parking spot at the agency. Humiliation burned through her. She slammed the gearshift into park, then sat drawing deep breaths. How could he? How could Adam have let her throw herself at him that way? Why hadn’t he said anything?

  She got out of the car, slamming the door behind her. And poor Mark. Closing her eyes, she tried to shut out the memory of the hurt look in his eyes. She’d done her best to let him down gently, but she’d been so stunned. She could hardly remember what she’d said.

  All this time, she’d thought Adam was behind those romantic gifts. She’d ruined their friendship over a stupid misunderstanding. What a fool she’d been.

  She stormed into the agency, nearly knocking over Elliot as she stomped to her office. He stared at her wide-eyed. “What’s got your panties in a tangle?”

  “I’m an idiot.”

  “I could call you lots of things, but never an idiot.” He set a mug of steaming coffee before her. “Here. It’s decaf. You look like you could use it more than me.”

  “Thanks.” She took a long sip, choking on the unexpected bite of alcohol in the drink. “What’s in this?”

  “Just a splash of whiskey. I’m celebrating all our recent success.”

  Frowning, she took a second sip. It slipped easier down her throat. Elliot patted her on the back. “So, what is it, doll? Business is great. We’re rock solid with Bennett in hand and all this new business on the books. Must be Adam.”

  Lauren groaned and handed him the mug. “Why couldn’t I have left well enough alone?”

  Elliott tossed down a swallow, then handed the spiked coffee back to her. “I don’t get what the problem is.”

  “I seduced my best friend because I let everyone convince me he was my secret admirer.” She stopped for another sip. “Now I’ve screwed up our friendship for nothing and I don’t know if I can ever make it right again.”

  “Adam’s not your secret admirer?”

  She clenched her fists in exasperation. Why did the fact that Adam hadn’t sent those gifts have to hurt so much? “No.”

  Elliot’s eyebrows arched. “Then who is?”

  “This really sweet guy who helps out at the women’s center.”

  “Oh.”

  “I set him straight that nothing was going to happen between us.” She shrugged. “It would just never work.”

  “Because you’re in love with Adam.”

  Anguish poured through her. “Why did he let me believe he sent those gifts?”

  “Did he know you thought he was your secret admirer?”

  She paused. Hadn’t he? “I think so. I’m not sure. Maybe not at first.”

  “Then he was just responding to your initial seduction. You can’t fault him for that.”

  “But we talked about it. I told him I was glad he’d taken my advice on wooing the woman he chose. He knew then. Why didn’t he say something?”

  “Well, you need to ask him, but I’d say he realized your mistake and knew you’d be upset, so he kept quiet. Does it really matter?”

  “Of course it matters. None of this would have happened if I didn’t think he was interested.”

  “But he never would have responded if he wasn’t interested. So what if he wasn’t your secret admirer?”

  She took another swallow, then passed the mug back to Elliot. “I can’t think about this now. I have work to do, then I have to see my mother. Rusty’s in some kind of trouble. Then there’s Norma’s lingerie party. I don’t have time to have a breakdown.”

  “Um, a word of warning about this lingerie party.”

  “What?” The too-familiar pounding started again in her temples.

  “I know this is a girls’ night out and you’ll have a great time. Norma can be a hoot. I won’t be surprised if she signs after this, but do be careful. She can sometimes be…well…she can…”

  “Elliot, just say whatever you’re trying to say and get it over with.”

  “I’m sure it’ll be fine. Just make sure she isn’t drinking tequila.”

  “Norma?”

  “She gets a little wild on that stuff. She’s well aware of it though, so I’m sure it won’t be a problem.”

  “She’s promoting her business. We’ll be at the mall. I can’t imagine things will get out of hand.”

  “No. Of course not. She’ll probably have a few models showing off her lingerie. You can schmooze and drink champagne. You’ll have a great time.”

  “You bet. Even though my love life is in shambles. I’m going to show that woman I know how to have the best of times.”

  Elliot raised the mug in a toast. “You go get ’em, girl.”

  14

  NORTHPOINT MALL HAD all the familiar sights and sounds of any mall. The scent of coffee hung heavy in the air as Lauren passed a Starbucks on the lower level. The combined murmur of countless conversations diffused the soft music drifting from a nearby store. Early darkness glittered through a span of glass far above in the domed ceiling.

  With a knot of worry planted firmly in her belly, Lauren turned into the upbeat kids’ clothing store where her mother worked. Miniature outfits in bright jewel tones adorned a rack by the door. A young girl fingered the soft fabric, then turned pleading eyes to the woman beside her.

  Lauren kept her gaze ahead, scanning for her mother. A fluff of blond hair peeked up from behind a table toward the back. Winding between fixtures bulging with the latest offerings for America’s youths, she made her way toward the table, then stopped.

  Her mother knelt beside a little boy, his eyes wide with indecision as he turned his foot from side to side, studying the dress shoes that matched a pair displayed on the table.

  He turned to a woman sitting patiently in a nearby chair. “What do you think, Mama?”

  The woman smiled, then gestured with her hand. “Get up and walk in them, see how they feel.”

  The boy sprang up, then raced away down the aisle.

  “I said walk, Andrew!” With a shake of her head, the woman hurried after him, muttering, “That boy has two speeds—stop and go, go, go.”

  Lauren couldn’t help but smile as her mother turned to her. “Hi, sweetie! Let me see if I can get one of these youngsters to look after things and we’ll go get a cup of coffee.”

  “That sounds good.”

  She followed Delores over to the front counter, where she spoke quietly to a young man who was just finishing ringing up a customer. Delores turned back to her with a small smile. “Come, we need to figure out what to do with this brother of yours.”

  They found an empty table in the food court and settled themselves with a couple of cups of java. Lauren sighed. “Lay it on me. What’s up with Rusty?”

  Delores scooted her chair closer. “Well, I got a strange call last night from a Jack Pickard. He was Rusty’s foreman on the oil rig. He had my number from Rusty’s employment papers.

  “Now, I haven’t been able to get a hold of Rusty to confirm any of this, but this man insists Rusty coerced his teenage daughter into going out with him when he was in Texas. Then he accused Rusty of seducing her into following him here. He says the girl called, ready to come home, but then she no showed on the flight she was supposed to arrive on. The man is here to bring her home himself. He insists Rusty’s keeping her against her will.”

  Lauren blinked, stunned for a moment when her mother fi
nished. “What?”

  “This man—”

  “I got it. I just don’t believe it. Rusty would never do anything like that.”

  “No, of course not.”

  “It’s obviously a case of a father overreacting.”

  “Obviously.” The worry lines appeared around Delores’s eyes. “What do we do?”

  “Kill Rusty?”

  “No. We can’t do that.”

  “I’ll talk to him.” Lauren patted her mother’s hand. The knot in her stomach tightened. “Don’t you worry. I’m sure it’s nothing. I’ll take care of it.” She paused a moment, then changed the subject, “How is Claire? Did she find a job?”

  “She did just like you suggested and found something temporary. She really likes the position and it looks like it could turn into something permanent.”

  “Wonderful.”

  “Thank you, dear. What would I do without you?”

  Warmth filled Lauren’s chest. “You’d get along just fine.”

  “I don’t know. I wonder sometimes.”

  “Delores?” A sandy-haired man, somewhere in his late-forties, dressed in khakis and a denim shirt, stopped by their table. His gaze ran appreciatively over Lauren’s mother.

  Delores straightened, blinking rapidly. “Phillip, hello. I thought you’d left for the day.”

  “I, uh, forgot my briefcase.”

  Lauren frowned as pink blossomed in her mother’s cheeks. Was she imagining it, or was there a sexual current running between the two?

  “Yes, I noticed it on your desk.” Delores fidgeted with her coffee cup. “Oh, would you like to join us? This is my daughter, Lauren.”

  “Ah, the advertising executive.” He leaned over to shake Lauren’s hand. His grip was firm, confident. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

  Before Lauren could respond, his gaze returned to Delores, who seemed to fluff up before their eyes. He said, “I don’t want to intrude. I’ll just head on to the store…and get my briefcase.”

  “I’ll be along in a minute.” Delores gave him a shy smile.

  Lauren made a show of checking her watch. “Oh, right. Look at the time. I’ve got a thing to get to.”