I'd never touch it.
Fact was, I didn't want her to leave. I liked having her around and I wanted more. She was only eighteen, which freaked me the fuck out, but at least she was legal. And in a few months, she'd be nineteen.
I turned in my seat and saw Mia with Eric and Kenny. She was sandwiched between them dancing her ass off and I wanted to tear something apart - preferably Eric’s limbs from his body. I was even jealous of him!
It wasn’t that Mia didn’t give me hints. I knew she wanted me and I probably wouldn’t have to try hard to get her underneath me, but I wanted it to be her decision. The first day I brought her home - or technically the second day - I’d promised her I wouldn’t touch her unless she wanted me to and I hadn’t. Shit, she was sleeping in my bed and I was sleeping on the couch.
Though, five times - I’d counted - she’d asked me to sleep with her because she had a bad dream, but that’s all we did. I’d held her tight and we’d slept. Only slept. I’d hated it and loved it at the same time because waking up next to her had been torture. Every time, her body had been wrapped around mine, her head had rested on my chest, the smell of coconut had filled my nose, my arms had held her tight, her leg had been thrown over mine, and her sweet spot had pressed against my thigh.
My dick twitched thinking about it.
Not touching her had been the hardest thing I'd ever done in my goddamn life, and six weeks without a woman made it worse.
“Hey, this seat taken?” I heard asked to my right and I shook my head as I continued to stare at Mia. When something brushed my arms, I looked over and all I saw was blonde, pink and sparkles.
Fuck.
I didn’t know her, but I didn’t have to. She had “any which way you want it” written all over her.
“I’m Sherry, what’s your name?” she asked and then stuck out her hand.
“Adam,” I grumbled and shook it to be polite. She was pretty, before Mia, I’d probably have thought beautiful, but now I knew better.
“So, you here alone, Adam?”
I sighed and looked back toward the dance floor.
Was I here alone?
Technically, yes.
Mia was laughing, probably at something Eric said, and her eyes hit mine, but they skittered away a second later. She wrapped her arms around Eric's neck and whispered in his ear.
I wanted to be that fuckin’ ear.
“Depends on what you define as alone,” I muttered stupidly, my eyes still on Mia. Then, both Mia and Eric glanced at me and neither one of them looked happy.
I frowned. Was she jealous? Would this make her hurry the fuck up and let me have her?
“I think you answered my question,” my neighbor purred so close to my ear I snapped my head back.
“What?” I asked, momentarily distracted, and then I felt her hand hit my knee. I felt it sliding upward and I didn't stop her, thinking a quick bit of jealousy might spur Mia on. Then sparkles grinned and brought her face closer to mine.
“I have VIP access. We can go upstairs if you want…get to know each other better…”
Amazing to think that before Mia, I’d have taken her up on that offer in an instant.
I glanced to the dance floor and Mia was staring at me, frozen. When our eyes locked, she glanced away and my gut clenched.
I was just about to tell sparkles thanks but no thanks when a hand turned my face and lips hit mine. It didn't even last a second, before I shoved her off and she stumbled.
"You asshole!" she shouted, and I wiped my mouth in disgust.
"Learn some fuckin' manners," I barked at her and stood. I turned to the dance floor, but Mia and the guys were gone.
Fuck... Fuck!
How could things have gone so bad so fast?
I took off, searching for them, but they were nowhere on the dance floor. I scanned the bar area, but they weren't there either. I walked to the back, toward the restrooms, where I found Eric and Kenny waiting in the hall - outside the women's restroom.
I exhaled audibly, relieved to know that Mia was okay.
"She in there?" I asked Eric, lifting my chin to indicate the restroom, but he refused to look at me.
Or answer me.
"Eric!" I called out thinking he couldn't hear me over the music, but again, nothing, and he was pouting like a child.
"Eric, what the fuck? Is she in there?" I barked.
"Yeah, she's in there, dude," Kenny answered instead and I glared at him, but he wouldn't look at me either.
I swiped a hand over my head and down my face. She saw. They all saw.
Decision made, I stalked forward, heard Eric snap, "You can't go in there," as I pushed open the door to the restroom.
There were three women at the sinks, but only one of them was Mia. She was leaning over washing her hands. When her eyes caught mine in the mirror, they registered her horror.
She spun around.
"Are you crazy?" she asked, exasperated. "What are you doing in here?" She quickly glanced at the two other chicks that I could see out of the corner of my eyes were gawking at me, but I kept going until I was staring down at her.
I got so close my chest pressed against hers, but she wouldn't fuckin' look at me either.
Fine. I knew exactly how to get her attention. I gripped her hips - she let out a shriek - I lifted her and sat her ass on the counter.
"I can't believe you just did that!" she snapped in my face, which was exactly why I was able to spot the hurt lingering behind her seething green eyes. And that was it, another decision made...
I was done with giving her time.
I gripped her knees, spread her thighs, stepped between them and let my mouth catch her protest.
I tangled my fingers in her hair, pulled her mouth closer, needing more. She whimpered against my lips and I felt her hands grip my arms.
Her nails dug in to hold on.
Our tongues tangled and we devoured each other.
Her low moans spurred me on and my hands came out of her hair and dropped down to cup her ass. I pressed closer, ground my hips against hers and groaned.
So fuckin' good.
She wrapped her legs around my waist and rubbed herself against me. My hands came off her ass to slide up her smooth thighs and under the edge of her dress.
I needed to feel more. I needed to feel her to fall apart in my hands.
My thumbs were at the juncture between her thighs...so fuckin' close...I groaned...she threw her arms around my neck and pressed closer.
"Jesus," I breathed in her mouth at the exact moment someone cleared their throat.
Mia wrenched her mouth from mine and twisted her neck, so fast I thought it might snap. I squeezed my already closed eyes painfully tight and dropped my forehead to her shoulder. I felt her move, but I tightened my fingers on her thighs to keep her in place.
"I must admit to enjoying the show, but someone just went to call security," I heard Eric say through a chuckle and Mia’s body tensed.
"Oh my God," she whispered, her tone filled with anxiety and I didn't like it.
"Get the fuck out of here, Eric!" I ordered without looking at him.
Mia Dayes
What did I just do?
My thoughts were all over the place and Adam was breathing hard against my neck. I wanted Adam, no question about that, but when I saw that bitch touching him at the bar, I’d been livid. And then I saw them kiss and my heart broke. Then he stormed in here and kissed me like his life depended on it, which pissed me off.
I was angry and confused and upset and my hormones were kicked in to overdrive.
"Let me down, Adam, before someone walks in and catches us like this," I hurried, pushing at his shoulders.
He lifted his head off my shoulder and stared down at me, but he didn't move. If anything, the thumbs between my thighs pressed deeper and I looked away from him, so he wouldn't see the desperation on my face.
I was on fire for him and I wanted to scoot closer to his fingers.
> "You were upset. I want to know why," he asked, low and dangerous.
I shrugged, but refused to answer.
"Mia, I already know, but I want to hear you say it," he demanded and I took a deep breath.
Arrogant bastard.
"Adam, can we talk about this later," I tried and then moved to push him back again, but he didn't budge.
"The faster you tell me, the faster I'll let you up."
"Fine! I didn’t like seeing that another woman's hands on you. I saw the kiss and it made me sick to my stomach, which pissed me off because I know I have no right to feel that way,” I admitted in a rush.
His brow met in confusion. "Why don't you have that right?"
"What do you mean --" I'd started, but he didn't let me finish.
"Why Mia?" he asked in a tone that commanded me to answer him.
“You're such a jerk for making me say it out loud," I whispered. "Because I want you and you don't want me back. Happy now?" I was a pity case for him. I wasn't stupid.
Adam's eyes narrowed and his jaw clenched, but I continued, "Will you let me down now?"
"You fuckin' kidding me?" he asked as he released my thighs from his grip.
I didn't know how to answer that, but he sounded mad now. "No, Adam, I'm not fuckin' kidding you...whatever that means."
He stared at me, but I couldn't hold his eyes.
I looked down at my lap until he tapped me on the side of my head with his index finger. When he spoke, his voice was soft. "What in the hell is going on up here, Baby?"
A shiver ran down my spine. I loved it when he called me Baby. In the beginning, it had been Babe, but I'd put a stop to that and I'd done it quick-like. I didn't appreciate being called something so generic. But when he called me Baby or Freckles...generic or not, they made me feel...special.
I'm such a sucker.
Still, I didn't answer him.
He sighed, lifted me off the counter and set me on my feet. I tugged at my dress and set it to rights, just as the door swung open and security walked in.
"I need to throw you out?" the man asked threateningly.
"Nope, we're done here," Adam responded, grabbed my hand, laced our fingers and pulled me behind him. We walked out the door, passed by Eric and Kenny, whom were still waiting outside, and then we headed outside the club.
"We're leaving already?" Eric whined from behind me and Adam didn't hesitate.
"Mia and I are leaving. We got shit to discuss. You and Kenny want to stay, let me know and I'll come back for you later. Your choice," he finished, and our steps never faltered.
"Adam, we don't have to ruin their night," I chided, but all that got me was a glare.
I heard Kenny and Eric talking quickly and quietly, until they finally decided, "We'll go back with you."
We got to the truck, Adam unlocked the doors and held mine open for me like a gentleman.
A stupid jerkoff gentleman.
As soon we pulled up outside Adam’s apartment, I jumped out of the truck and let Eric and Kenny out of the back. When I slammed the door shut, Eric pulled me in to his embrace
"We're going back to Kenny's place," he said in my ear and when I opened my mouth to protest he spoke over me. "Talk to him, Mia. He's crazy about you. I’ll call you tomorrow." He gave me a swift kiss on the forehead and let me go.
"Bye, Mia," Kenny said through a small smile as he and Eric started walking away. When they got in Eric's car and took off, I just stood there in a daze staring after the taillights. I didn't want to talk to Adam. I was dreading it.
I was also embarrassed by my tacky display on the counter in the women's restroom of a club.
But when I felt a hand engulf mine, I knew I didn't have a choice but to talk.
I turned and followed as Adam walked down the sidewalk and up the stairs.
Inside the apartment, Adam led me straight through the living room to the bedroom and my heart thudded against my chest. My palms were starting to sweat, but luckily he let me go and faced me, but I couldn't read his expression. He walked closer, entered my personal space and touched my collarbone with his fingertips. They traveled down my chest, achingly slow, until they dipped into the front of my dress.
Chills broke out over my skin.
“Adam,” I breathed.
"I like this dress," he rumbled, and his fingers elaborated just how much when they ran along my cleavage and back up my neck to wrap around.
"You didn't like this dress earlier," I muttered, frowning when I remembered how he'd shouted at me.
"That's because I didn't want anyone else to see you in it but me."
"Oh," I breathed again. "Well, why didn't you just say that?"
He sighed and changed the subject.
"You were upset earlier. Eric and Kenny were pissed at me and you threw attitude the moment I walked into that restroom. I know you saw the kiss, but I want to know why you were upset."
The nerve! I had been upset and I know he knew why, but he didn't have to rub it in. And now the image of him kissing the Barbie doll was back in my head. I considered lying, but there was no point.
"I don't know. I didn't like watching her touch you," I responded and his thumb swept across my bottom lip after I spoke, putting me in a daze.
“I didn’t either. For a second, I thought I wanted to make you jealous, but I couldn't go through with it. She just kissed me before I could tell her to go away,” he said, admitting to something, but I didn't understand.
"Why would you try to make me jealous?"
"Because I'm getting impatient and I'm not used to this, Mia. I'm not use to working so damn hard to get something I want, especially with women."
I didn't even hide my flinch. His words cut deep.
"I'm sorry. I didn't realize I was making you work at all."
“Mia, I’ve never worked so hard for anything in my whole life.”
That sounded horrible…miserable even. He'd done so much for me by letting me stay here and I appreciated it so damn much, but I guess I hadn't been paying close enough attention. I hadn’t realized I was such a burden for him. I could feel the tears burning behind my eyes, but I denied myself the release.
“I’ll leave tomorrow,” I decided, still trying to figure out where I’d messed up. I'd offered to move out; I'd given him what I could for rent and I cooked when I could - even though it sucked.
"What?" he gasped and I took a step back. His hand fell away from my neck and he scowled.
"I said, I'll leave tomorrow. I'm clearly a burden here, but in my defense, I warned you that I'd ruin your reputation. I'm sorry."
"Jesus," he hissed. "I didn't mean that the way you’re taking it. I like that I have to work for you, Mia. I like that you don’t make things easy, because I appreciate you more. I don't give a shit about my reputation and I'm not out picking up chicks. Since I've met you, I haven't wanted to. You're not fuckin' leaving."
"Well I'm not staying just because you feel sorry for me!"
He shook his head and I was pretty damn sure he muttered, “Bitches be crazy.”
"Is that what you think? That you’re here because I feel sorry for you…that I pity you?”
I nodded with utter confidence. “Absolutely. That first day we met, you kissed me, and afterward, you said it’d been a mistake before dropping me off without a backward glance.”
“Mia --” he growled.
“No! The only reason you came back for me is because you found out I was staying in a shelter and you felt guilty. I’m not stupid, Adam. I got that then and I get it even more so now --”
“How the hell can I feel sorry for a woman who's so goddamn hard headed? There’s nothing to feel sorry for, Mia! I know you can live on your own. I know you don't need or want my help....BUT I FUCKIN’ WANT YOU! Just you! That first day, I left because I thought Eric was something different to you and I was pissed, but I was planning on sitting outside that building every night until I saw you again!"
Oh. My. God.
>
He paused, took a deep breath and continued, "I don't want you to leave me. I don't want you sleeping in this room while I'm on the couch. I want to help you, because I can. I want to help you, because I want you with me all the fuckin' time. And when the time comes that you do need somebody, I want that somebody to be me and not that fuckhead Eric! And something else…the only reason I haven’t touched you, is because I promised you I wouldn’t until you gave me the okay, but now that this bullshit’s out of the way, you can bet your sweet ass you belong to me now!" he roared, and the neighbors pounded on the wall for us to shut up.
I closed my eyes.
It was such a relief to know he didn't feel sorry for me, but this was insane. We hardly knew each other and we were already fighting like a married couple.
“I don’t know what I’m doing, Adam,” I admitted softly, before opening my eyes. “I've never had a boyfriend and you scare me.”
“Back at you, Baby,” he muttered without hesitation.
I swallowed hard, still trying to keep my tears in check, and then I admitted, "I like it when you call me Baby...and Freckles.”
“I know. Your body relaxes every time I say it and I like to watch,” he responded.
When I muttered, “arrogant bastard” under my breath, he grinned. I sighed. “I don’t like fighting with you,” I said somberly and Adam's grin vanished.
“That wasn't fighting,” he stated matter-of-fact, but he sulked like a little boy being sent to the time-out chair.
“Adam, we were fighting. We always fight.”
“This isn’t fighting, Freckles. This is us.”
Oh shit. That was really, really sweet.
The tears I’d been holding back filled my eyes.
Chapter Twelve
Adam Bryant
"I'm not going to cry, I'm not going to cry..." she repeated over and over as she looked up at the ceiling, blinking fast.
I frowned. She was gonna cry? What the hell did I say wrong now? I thought on that for a second…
Adam, Enough Said (This Can't be Happening) Page 11