“I’m glad I came too,” I replied and then I paused for a moment, thinking back to the conversation he’d had with my brother before we left Silver Falls. “I…I have to tell you something, Adam.”
“What is it?” I could see the worry on his face.
“This morning I heard you and Sawyer talking in the barn. I know I shouldn’t have eavesdropped, but I did and I’m sorry for how he’s treating you…even after you went to him to try and make him understand. I hope you’re not mad at me.”
“Of course not, Caroline. I don’t think I could ever be mad at you,” he said, but his voice dipped in concern. “I just wish you hadn’t had to hear the conversation.”
“I’m kinda glad I did,” I said quietly and he looked at me curiously. “I guess…” I began, but then hesitated, not wanting to tell him what I was about to tell him. “I guess I still have doubts…about you…about us…and to hear what you said to Sawyer about me…how you feel about me…I guess I needed to hear that.”
“I know you have your doubts and I don’t blame you. Does it hurt that you doubt me? Hell yeah, but I’d probably feel the same way if the roles were reversed. I guess, just like with Sawyer, I’m just going to have to prove myself to you.” His voice was soft and he smiled, resting his hand on my cheek and rubbing his thumb along my jawline.
“Did you really mean it? Did you mean it when you told Sawyer I’ve always been special to you, Adam?” I asked nervously.
“I’ve never said truer words. When I first saw you again, my first night back in Silver Falls, when you walked into the kitchen and your family and I were all around the table eating dinner, I told myself that was the moment I saw you differently…that you’d always been Sawyer’s little sister to me until then, but I’ve been lying to myself. I saw you as more than Sawyer’s little sister long before I came back to Silver Falls. I was just too afraid to admit it to myself. You’re beautiful, Caroline. You’re smart and funny and so damn sweet it’s sickening sometimes,” he said with a quiet laugh as he looked at me with a smile. “And I’ve loved you for a long time. Longer than I probably even know, but you’re here now and I just have to tell you I love you.”
My heart was aching from his words. Aching in a way it never had before because it had never been so full. I was falling so deeply in love with this man that it scared me.
“I think I’ve loved you longer than I realized too,” I said softly. “I just never thought you could ever feel the same way.”
“I did, Caroline, and I do. I love you,” he said and before I could say anything else, his lips were on mine, kissing me slowly and gently as he brought me closer, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me on top of him. Our lips parted for a moment, my hair falling onto his chest. Our eyes met and I could see the want he had for me, but mostly, I could see the love. I hoped he could see the same thing in my eyes.
“I love you, Adam DeLain.”
I needed to more than see the love in his eyes, I needed to feel it. I needed to feel him. He knew I needed him.
He gently started pulling the shorts from my body, the tank top following until I lay naked before him. I reached for his shorts, sliding my hands into the waistband and helping him out of them. He was crawling back onto me a moment later, the weight of him feeling so good against my body. He ran his fingers though my damp hair and then his mouth was on mine, kissing me slowly as he gently eased into me. I gasped softly at the feeling of him inside of me. I didn’t think I’d ever get used to him because I didn’t think anything real could ever feel as good as he did. Aside from my initial gasp, we were silent as we made love. He moved slowly and with purpose, his hands moving over my skin in all the right places. I was lost in him and he was lost in me. It was a perfect moment, but then the silence was finally shattered when I couldn’t take it anymore and I felt my body start to tremble, calling out his name. As the feeling washed over me, he whispered my name into my ear and then he collapsed onto me, trying to catch his breath.
“I want to stay with you like this forever,” he said quietly, his breath heavy against me skin.
“Me too,” I whispered, but we both knew that was impossible. We both knew tomorrow would come and with that, news that could change Adam’s life. This moment together would just be a memory then, but for now, this moment was perfect.
Twenty-Nine
Just as I’d known it would be, last night was nothing but a memory now. I’d fallen asleep in Adam’s arms, only to be awoken by the sound of his alarm going off at seven a.m. I’d stretched as he got out of bed. I’d started to get up too, but then I’d felt his hand on my shoulder and he’d eased me back down until my head was resting on the pillow again.
“Stay here. Sleep in and relax,” he’d said.
“You don’t want me to come with you?” I’d asked, my voice a little hoarse the way it was sometimes when I first woke up.
“There’s no point. I don’t know how long it will take and you don’t need to waste your time in a waiting room.”
“I don’t mind, Adam,” I’d insisted, but he’d just smiled and kissed me on the forehead.
“I know you don’t, but I’d feel better if you stayed here. I might need to go to the ballpark afterwards to take care of some team stuff depending on how this all goes, so just stay here and sleep in. I’ll be back as soon as I can,” he’d said and I’d known there was no point in arguing with him. Adam wanted to do this alone and I had to respect that, even if I wanted nothing more than to be there to support him.
He’d left the house by seven-thirty and I’d gone back to sleep. It was now almost noon though and I couldn’t help the anxiety I felt as I waited for him to get home.
It felt as if last night had changed things for us. He’d opened up to me. We’d talked about things we hadn’t before. I felt more connected to Adam than I ever had, which meant I worried more about him than I ever had. I sat on the couch, flipping through the channels and thinking about the different scenarios that could possibly play out when Adam walked through the door. I prepared myself for both possibilities and I tried working out my reactions in my head. I thought about how I would console him if he got the news he was dreading most and I planned how I would celebrate with him if he got the news he was hoping for.
The sound of the door unlocking got my attention. It pushed open and Adam stood there. I didn’t know how to read his face. My heart was pounding nervously as I waited for him to say something. He shut the door and set his keys down before walking towards me.
“Hey,” I said when he walked into the living room. “How’d it go?”
“Well,” he began, his voice low, but not giving anything away. That changed though when I saw his mouth curl up into a smile. “It couldn’t have gone better. I’m cleared to start training.”
There was a sparkle in his eyes. I could see how happy he was. I jumped up from the couch, going to him and throwing my arms around him.
“That’s so great, Adam!” I said excitedly. “I’ve been sitting here all morning praying everything would be okay. I’m so happy for you.”
I felt his arms around me too, pulling me close and holding me tight.
“I’m so relieved,” he said softly and we didn’t say anything for a few moments. We simply held each other until he gently pulled back, leading me back to the couch. We sat down side by side and he took my hand in his.
“So, what’d the doctor say? Do you get started right away? What’s next?’ I asked him.
“He said my arm couldn’t have healed any better. Obviously, I won’t be playing this season, but I’ll be ready for Spring Training when pitchers and catchers report in February.”
“So, you’ll be in the rotation next season?”
“As long as I don’t mess it up,” he said with a nervous laugh.
“You won’t, Adam,” I said, trying to encourage him. I didn’t want this moment of good news to start to turn into doubt. “It probably won’t be easy and you may hit some bumps, but it
’ll come together.”
A slow smile spread on his face and he reached for my hand, lacing our fingers together.
“Sweet Caroline,” he said, turning to me. “Always the optimist.”
“I hope that was a compliment.”
“Definitely. I need someone like you in my life. Someone who believes in me.” I could see the doubt in his eyes and I couldn’t understand why it was still there.
“How is it you are still so insecure about yourself after everything you’ve done?” I asked him.
“It’s easy when you let the negative thoughts overpower the positive ones.”
“Then stop doing that. You know you’re amazing, Adam. The whole city knows you’re amazing. I see it every time we go out together. Now if only you could see it.”
I pulled our hands onto my lap and started tracing circles with my fingertips on the top of his.
“Maybe someday I will. I just need you to keep telling me.” He smiled and then he leaned in, kissing me sweetly. “Caroline Hale. My own personal cheerleader,” he said when he pulled away and I couldn’t help but smile. I wrapped my arms around his neck and started kissing him again. He started laughing between kisses and then I felt ourselves falling onto the couch, my head against the pillow and Adam on top of me.
“I love you so damn much, Caroline,” he said with a smile, hovering over me.
“I know you do,” I replied with a grin that caused him to laugh again.
“We should celebrate tonight,” he said.
“We should,” I agreed, pulling myself up and giving him a quick kiss. “What’d you have in mind?”
“Dinner and then this great club I know downtown,” he said and I could feel my hesitation. These were two very public places in the city that worshiped him, but I could see the excitement in his eyes and I didn’t want to disappoint him.
“Sounds great,” I answered.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. You got incredible news so we should have an incredible night.”
“Alright,” he said, smiling eagerly and then he leaned in, kissing me once more.
“Wait,” I said suddenly and he pulled back, looking at me curiously. “I don’t have anything to wear to a club.”
“Then let’s go shopping,” he said, climbing off me and holding his hand. I knew better than to argue and I took his hand. He pulled me to my feet and then led me to the front door. He grabbed his keys and we headed into the city.
Thirty
I hadn’t let Adam see what I’d bought. He’d tried paying, but I refused. I could tell it annoyed him, especially because God knew he had a hell of a lot more money than my job at The Silver Falls House provided me. I wouldn’t let him though. I didn’t need him to take care of me and I wouldn’t let him think I’d ever take advantage of him.
I stood in the bathroom, having just finished my make-up and then looked in the mirror. I had a feeling Adam would like the dress I’d chosen. It was simple and it was me, but it had the sex appeal I wanted to give him. I wanted him to want me and I thought the short red dress would accomplish that. It was just above my knees, hugging the curves on my body. The bodice even gave my small breasts a little push that made them look much fuller than they actually were. I put on some dangly silver earrings and then slid on the heels I’d bought to go with the dress. I ran the flat iron once more over a stubborn fly away and smoothed my hair that hung long and sleek past my shoulders and then smiled. Tonight was going to be a good night.
I walked downstairs and could hear the TV on in the living room. Adam must’ve heard the sound of my heels against the hardwood because when I walked into the room, he turned his head and stared at me for a few seconds. I could tell by the look on his face the dress had done exactly what I’d wanted it to. His gaze moved lazily up my body and then one side of his mouth curled slowly into a grin. I could feel the heat on my cheeks as he looked at me and then he stood up from the couch, walking towards me.
“Damn, Caroline,” he said, sliding his arms around my waist. “You look incredible.” His last sentence was almost whispered and then his hand was around my neck pulling me to him, his lips pressing against mine, kissing me so deeply I was breathless when he pulled away.
“I’d hoped you’d like the dress,” I said softly, grinning up at him.
“Like it? I love it. If it were up to me, you’d never take it off, except of course to…” he said, raising his eyebrows at me and I started laughing. “Really though, Caroline, you’re beautiful.” There was no humor, no flirting, just words I knew he’d spoken from his heart as he looked into my eyes.
“Thank you,” I said quietly and he kissed me again, sweeter this time though. “You don’t look so bad yourself,” I said when our lips had parted.
“I try,” he smirked as I looked him over in his dark tailored jeans I knew had cost him a fortune along with a charcoal colored button up shirt. A crisp white undershirt peeked out from under it and his sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. His dark hair was styled, but still in the disheveled way I liked so much and there was enough scruff on his face to look sexy. There was no denying he was perfection.
“Should we go?” I asked and he nodded, opening the front door.
“After you,” he said, smiling at me and ushering me outside.
~~~
Dinner was amazing. He’d surprised me and taken me to Top of the Hub in the Prudential Building. We sat in a corner table with a breathtaking view of the Back Bay. The sun was setting as we ate and I’d never realized how beautiful the skyline was in Boston until I’d seen it like this. No one bothered us either, even though I knew people had to have recognized Adam. It was like we were just two normal people eating the most romantic dinner possible.
“This all just seems surreal,” I said to him as he reached across the table, holding my hand in his as the candle danced between us.
“It’s real, Caroline,” Adam said, smiling sweetly at me.
“I don’t belong in a restaurant like this,” I said sheepishly because part of me felt that way. My idea of fancy was going to Olive Garden. The seafood cioppino before me was definitely not from Olive Garden and I was certain the bottle of wine Adam had purchased for us to share was more expensive than anything I’d ever drank.
“Why do you say that?” he asked me.
“Because this is so far from anything in Silver Falls,” I said, meeting his eyes.
“I know, but that doesn’t mean you don’t belong here. You deserve everything, Caroline.”
“You’re so good to me, Adam,” I said softly and he squeezed my hand.
“You’d better get used to it because I have no plans of stopping.” He kissed the back of my hand just as the waiter came over and took our plates, returning a few moments later with our desserts: crème brûlée for me and warm chocolate cake for him.
“So, what’s this club we’re going to?” I asked after a few bites of dessert.
“Just a place downtown, Venu. It’s kind of exclusive,” he said with a confident grin. Adam was humble, but not always. Sometimes, especially now, I could see the cocky side of him, the side that knew he was different than the rest of us.
“Exclusive?” I teased. “Is that code for snobby rich people?”
“Maybe,” he teased back. “You’ll like it. It’s not the kind of club you’re used to. Not like the one I rescued you from that night in Burlington.”
“I didn’t need rescuing,” I said with a glare in his direction and he started laughing.
“Yeah, you did,” he said smugly. “And I was there.”
“So, you think you’re like a superhero or something?” I asked, raising a playful eyebrow at him.
“I’ll always be your superhero, Caroline.” He was teasing, but something about the way he said it told me he meant it.
“I’ll keep that in mind if I’m ever a damsel in distress.”
He laughed quietly and took my hand again for a moment before we finished our desserts and m
ade our way to the club.
~~~
We took a cab to the theatre district and when we stopped in front of Venu, the line was down the block. It was almost eleven o’clock. I was usually in bed by this time, but from the looks of it, the night was just getting started.
Adam paid the driver and then took my hand, leading me to the front of the club.
“Wait, Adam, the line’s back there,” I said, pointing down the block.
He just grinned, ignored me and continued walking to the front of the line. I could see people looking at us, but then Adam spoke with the bouncer who exuded intimidation with his dark glasses and huge muscles. After he and Adam spoke for a few seconds though, the bouncer grinned and stepped aside to let us in.
“How the hell’d you do that?” I said, leaning in close so he could hear me over the loud music.
“Being me has some perks sometimes,” he said, grinning with a wink and then led me further into the club.
Adam was right when he said it was different than the club in Burlington. This place was impeccable and filled with too many beautiful people. The tables and booths were crammed with them laughing and drinking. The dark corners were occupied with people who couldn’t keep their hands off each other. The dance floor was packed and I instantly noticed the hostesses making their way throughout the club. They wore tight black dresses that barely covered their asses with knee high boots. Their breasts practically spilled out of the tops and I looked down at my own cleavage, knowing they put mine to shame. They exuded sex and I suddenly felt very plain in their company.
Adam seemed to know his way around the club. It was evident he’d been here before and by the ease at which he maneuvered through it, my guess was that he’d been here a lot. I was certain many of the pictures I’d seen of him online had been taken here and I tried to ignore the uneasy feeling in my stomach.
Catching Caroline (Silver Falls Book 1) Page 25