by Nadia Aidan
Slamming his glass back down on the bar, he paced back and forth. He stopped to glance at his left hand and glared at the single platinum band that encircled his ring finger.
"So what I still wear my ring?” he muttered angrily. That didn't mean he was having a hard time letting go, as she'd claimed. And the reason why he hadn't filed those divorce papers was because he was simply too busy campaigning.
"Who has time to do all of that it in the middle of a campaign?” he asked himself as he stomped back over to the bar to pour himself another glass of whisky and knock it back.
Lisa was wrong. He didn't still love her. It was she who was having a hard time letting go.
He slammed the empty glass down and crossed the room to flop down on his sofa. Dragging a hand through his close-cropped hair, he sighed. Seeing Lisa again had stirred up things inside him that he wasn't yet ready to deal with. Hell, he wasn't sure if he wanted to deal with them ever. But now that she'd agreed to come back for the sake of his campaign, he feared he would have no choice but to come to terms with their disastrous marriage, if only to put it behind him so that he could move on.
He glanced up at the sound of the doorbell ringing and dragged himself from his seat on the couch to cross the foyer to the front door. He was in no mood for company.
He peaked through the peep-hole to catch a glimpse of his visitor. Seeing who it was, he twisted the knob and pulled open the door.
Richard took one look at his disheveled appearance and frowned. “I brought some beer and pizza, but from the looks of it you don't need any more drinks."
Adam glowered at him as he stepped aside to let him in.
"I've only had a couple of shots."
Richard snorted as if to say he didn't believe him, but didn't say a word as he dropped the two large Papa John's pizza boxes and a six-pack of Heineken on his kitchen counter.
Adam slid his gaze over the food and beer. “So, are we celebrating or is this all to cheer me up?"
"Both.” He flipped open the boxes and pulled out a slice of pepperoni pizza, not bothering with a plate or a paper towel.
Adam sat down on the stool and followed suit.
"If you're here to convince me that this is a good idea, don't bother."
Richard arched his eyebrows as he shrugged. “I'm not here to tell you any such thing. Personally, I think this is a good idea, but I also know this is difficult for you."
Richard had no idea, or maybe he did. They'd been best friends since law school at NYU and Rich had been one of his groomsmen in his wedding. He knew how much he'd loved Lisa and how much her betrayal had hurt him.
"So, when does this fiasco begin?” he asked as he bit into his pizza.
"Lisa said she left most of her things here when she moved out which means she doesn't have much to move back in so she should be all settled within the week. I told her that she could have the East wing of the house, if that's alright with you."
The Mayor's mansion was divided into the East and West wing. When Lisa had lived there with him, they'd stayed in the West Wing, leaving the other side available to guests and company.
"I guess it's fine. But where will company stay?"
Richard shrugged. “I guess in the East Wing. We could just move her to one of the extra rooms on your side and have housekeeping come in to make it look like a guest room when people come over."
Adam frowned. “That's not going to work, Rich. Once the campaign gets underway I will be entertaining several donors here overnight. Unless they're dumb, they're going to realize that we live in separate quarters. Housekeeping won't be able to hide the fact that all her belongings are over there. It's just not practical."
"What do you want me to do? Put her in the West Wing with you?"
He scowled. “Not really, but that side has enough space for both of us to live comfortably. To guests we will appear to be a normal couple. And it will keep the other section open for entertaining."
"She's not going to be happy about that."
He rolled his eyes. He really didn't give a damn. “Yeah, well, she's not alone."
He wasn't happy about any of this, but for the sake of keeping his political ambitions alive he was just going to have to make the best out of a very bad situation.
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Chapter Four
Lisa sipped on a glass of orange juice as she sat at the breakfast counter of Adam's home reading the morning newspaper. She glanced at the bright green digital lights on the microwave. She had about fifteen minutes before she needed to head out to work. Her meeting with designer Karen Kane had been pushed up on her schedule, and as Karen was one of her best clients, she didn't want to be late.
The sound of footsteps drew her attention and she glanced over her shoulder to see Adam already dressed in a well-tailored charcoal gray suit that fit his well-muscled body perfectly. Goosebumps broke out across her skin as her gaze roamed over him. He'd always worn a suit well, but then he wore everything well. At 6'5", with sun-bronzed skin and thick black hair that he always kept cut close to his head, he could make a paper bag look like a designer's dream suit.
She gulped deeply as she slid her gaze along his chiseled body up to his face to drink in his full sensual lips, prominent cheekbones and chocolate bedroom eyes. She gasped at the tightening of her nipples. He'd always had an overpowering affect on her. It was humiliating. He could barely stand her, yet her body was still needy for him as tingling warmth settled between her thighs and moisture coated her panties.
She faltered when she met his gaze and glimpsed a tiny flare of male satisfaction in their depths. If she didn't know any better she would swear he knew the type of effect he was having on her and that he was enjoying it. She averted her eyes as embarrassment stole over her. Despite her sophistication and polish, Adam always had a way of making her feel like a giddy schoolgirl. Even though she'd lived in the modeling world and handsome men had been a dime a dozen, there was something about Adam's rugged good looks that drew her like a moth to a flame.
Unwittingly a sigh escaped her lips as she remembered the day they met almost two years ago at a Valentine's Day bachelor auction. Proceeds from the auction would be used to support her charity that provided a safe alternative residence to children who would otherwise wind up in foster care or underfunded group homes. He'd been one of the bachelors up for auction and when he stepped up on that stage, like every other woman in the room, she'd been smitten.
The piercing ring of the phone snapped her out of her thoughts and she shook her head, grateful for the interruption. It was tempting to live in the past when everything between her and Adam had seemed perfect, but it wasn't healthy.
Adam reached for the cordless and pushed the tiny button to connect the call.
"Hello."
She watched with curious eyes as his face lit up, wondering who the caller was on the other line. It took her only a moment to figure out the person's identity when he called his brother's name—Ryan.
She smiled to herself as an image of Adam's sinfully handsome younger brother flashed in her head. Separated by just a few years, the resemblance between the two men was uncanny. Keeping her eyes fixed on the newspaper in her hands, she floated in and out of their conversation, glancing up only when Adam congratulated Ryan on what apparently was his debut directorial project. Genuine pleasure flooded her and she opened her mouth to tell Adam to send her congratulations as well but instantly came to her senses and snapped it shut.
She'd always liked Ryan. He'd welcomed her into their family and truly made her feel as if she'd earned herself a brother when she married Adam. Even after they separated, he continued to call, encouraging her to work things out with his brother and to offer his support as her friend. So she was thrilled to learn that he'd finally gotten a studio to okay his latest film, Nemesis. They'd talked about his screenplay in depth and she knew he had hopes of making this film his directorial debut. He even had a cast list already picked out. He'd been so exci
ted about the film and the chance to get his feet wet directing, so she knew how much it meant to him to get the go ahead. She made a mental note to call Ryan when she got to the office.
She went back to reading her paper at the same time Adam disconnected the call.
"Ryan said hello,” Adam said after he placed the phone back on the charging tower.
She looked up as her lips curled into a genuine smile. “How is he?"
She could tell by the sour look on his face that he wasn't trying to turn a few words into a long drawn out conversation so he said simply, “He's fine."
She nodded and dropped her gaze back to her paper. She pretended to be deeply engrossed in the blurry, black script in front of her, but it was no use. Adam's presence filled up the space of the kitchen, making him impossible to ignore. And the silent tension in the room was so thick it seemed to hover between them like stifling, muggy smog in the early morning summer hours. She felt as if she was suffocating.
She hopped off her breakfast barstool, folded her newspaper and dropped it into the recycling bin. Reaching for her briefcase, she made her way toward the hallway but stopped when Adam called her name.
She whipped her head around, her eyes settling on his expressionless face. He stared at her as if she bored him.
"Don't forget we have a fundraising dinner to attend tonight. A car will be here at 5 to take us downtown."
She sucked her teeth and slapped her hand against her forehead.
Irritation flashed in his deep, brown eyes. “Don't tell me you forgot."
"I did, but I'll make it."
"Do you have something to wear?"
She snapped her eyes shut, huffed out a long, frustrated breath and shook her head. She felt like an idiot. She'd forgotten and now she didn't have a dress. She knew she looked incompetent in his eyes, unfit to be a future Congressman's wife. She'd just moved in a week ago and hadn't gotten around to unpacking and sorting everything. “No, I haven't had a chance to unpack my gowns, but..."
His lips pressed together in a tight frown and she knew he was annoyed, but all he said was, “What are you doing for lunch?"
"Nothing."
"Then you can accompany me to Saks. The Mazda Galleria is just around the corner from your office."
She bristled at his high-handed arrogant ways. “I can pick out a dress on my own."
"I know you can, but I also know how you get with work. If I show up at lunch then I know you'll get a dress.” He flipped his wrist and glanced at his watch. “I have to go. I'll meet you at noon.” And without so much as another word or a look back, he walked to the other side of the kitchen and headed toward the garage.
She wrinkled her face into a frown as she watched him disappear from the room. She wanted to be annoyed with him, but in truth she couldn't. She recalled his words and a tiny bud of giddy pleasure sprouted inside her. He'd always told her she worked too hard. She had a tendency to work through many meals when things got crazy at work. It warmed her inside to know that he hadn't forgotten that about her, even if he no longer cared.
She reached for her suit jacket and headed toward the front door as her lips lifted into a small grin. Whether Adam realized it or not, they'd just made a date.
* * * *
She knew the moment he entered the lobby area of her agency because a hush settled over the room before erupting into a cacophony of low chattering. She'd been flipping through some snapshots of an aspiring model that her assistant had just handed her when the buzz started. She placed the photos back down on her assistant's desk to watch Adam saunter into the room. She rolled her eyes as everyone's stare fixated on him, from the prepubescent aspiring models that were waiting to meet with one of her scouts to her gay photographer, Manny, who was supposed to be taking head shots at that very moment.
She shot him a pointed look until he scurried off in the direction of the studio.
Her gaze landed back on Adam just in time to see him stop in front of her, and extend his hand. She glanced down at the white, yellow and green paper bag that he held out to her.
"What's this?"
"Unless you've already eaten, then it's lunch."
She arched a single brow, and took the bag from him although she was suspicious. She opened it and peaked inside to see a Subway sandwich and a couple of oatmeal raisin cookies—her favorite. Tiny butterflies fluttered in her stomach, but she beat them away, not wanting to read more into the gesture. “Thank you."
He nodded. “Are you ready?"
She offered him a sheepish grin. “Well actually I was going to call you..."
His expression darkened and she knew he thought she was about to back out.
"I had a meeting with Karen Kane this morning and I told her about the dinner tonight. She sent over some dresses for me just a little while ago.” She flashed him a sheepish grin and shrugged. “They're all lovely gowns. I was just going to save us the time and the trip and wear one of her designs."
"Alright. Can I see them?"
Her eyes widened as she stared back at him. She'd been sure he would be relieved that he didn't have to go shopping with her. She'd fully expected he would tear out of there at top speed, not wanting to spend more time in her company than he had to.
"Uh, yeah, sure,” she said when he just watched her with an expectant gaze. “They're in my office."
He followed after her, closing the door behind them once inside.
Since she spent so much time in her office she'd made sure it was fully stocked. It boasted a walk-in closet, bathroom and a small kitchenette. When they'd been happily married he'd sometimes complained that she'd made her office entirely too comfortable because now she didn't have a reason to come home if she didn't want to. That complaint had never been well founded since she came home every night.
She stepped inside her closet and pulled out the three gowns that were neatly tucked inside black dress bags. She reached up to tug down the zipper of the first gown.
"Try them on,” Adam said as he tipped his head in the direction of the bathroom.
She swallowed deeply as she bobbed her head, suddenly feeling nervous. She didn't want to try the gowns on for him, but she didn't protest as she walked gingerly toward the bathroom. Before they separated, Adam had always enjoyed watching her try on clothing. Their shopping outings oftentimes ended with a quickie in one of the dressing room closets. Lisa shook her head, trying to push the graphic image of Adam's sweat-soaked body covering hers as he entered her. It was just so easy to let her mind wander back to those days, but she also knew it was destructive.
A lot had changed between them in just the span of a few short months. While they may still enjoy doing some of the same things, it was foolish to forget that they were no longer the same people.
Inside the bathroom, she pulled the first gown from its bag. It was a beautiful white chiffon dress that fell to her ankles. Lisa slipped it on, loving how the satin bodice plunged at the neckline, adding the allure of fullness to her small, firm breasts. She reached around her back, grasping for the zipper but after several attempts she finally gave up.
She cracked open the door and peeked out her head. “Can you give me a hand with the zipper?"
Perched against her desk, Adam shifted to his full height and strolled inside the bathroom, shutting the door behind him.
She stood there facing the sink, meeting his gaze in the large mirror as the temperature in the tiny space kicked up a notch. Her breathing grew ragged and she struggled not to succumb to the heady smell of his cologne mixed with his own powerful scent.
She sucked in her breath when his fingertips grazed the sensitive skin along her back. His eyes never left hers in the mirror as he slowly slid the zipper up. Every muscle in her body tensed when he reached her upper back and stopped to brush her hair over one shoulder to keep it from catching in the zipper.
He broke eye contact when he leaned into her, his face only inches from her neck. His warm breath slid across her skin and she wa
s powerless against the onslaught of sensations that coursed through her. Her nipples pebbled against the soft fabric and she struggled not to moan. She clamped her thighs together as wet heat seeped from her now quivering sheath to dampen her panties.
"You look lovely in this dress,” he whispered just above her ear. She slid her eyes closed, enjoying the tiny vibrations that glided across her skin at the deep bass of his sexy voice.
She opened her eyes when she heard him drag the zipper up the last few inches. Instead of backing away, as she'd expected, he settled his hands against her shoulders and spun her around to face him. She stood there, her body trembling as his face hovered just inches above hers.
Her lips parted as she met his hungry gaze. Desire flashed in the depths of his eyes and he gripped her shoulders tighter. She watched a myriad of emotions cross his face, sensing that a war waged inside him. She struggled to mask her disappointment when he pushed her away.
He blinked his eyes, his expression confused, as if he'd just woken from a dream.
He backed away from her. “It seems like you got this covered so I should get going."
"But you haven't seen the other two dresses."
"Just wear that one. See you tonight."
She frowned after him as he hurriedly scrambled out of the bathroom door.
Shoving a hand through her hair, she blew out a long breath.
"Well, so much for our date,” she muttered. She knew Adam still wanted her, but he refused to let down his guard long enough to consider giving her another chance. Their almost kiss today only proved her point. Even though he would never admit it, he still craved her just as much she craved him. His body knew the truth, but his mind didn't want to accept it. If she could just get him to open up long enough to talk to her, then she knew she could convince him to give their marriage a chance.
She scoffed. “Easier said than done.” Adam had built a wall around his heart that seemed impenetrable. But she refused to give up. He wasn't over her and as long as there was the tiniest chance that they could make it work then she was going to keep trying with him.