“What did she mean about another room?”
“Well, let’s just say, you are the first to sleep in my bed.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Sophie, I don’t want to have to draw diagrams,” he said, trailing a finger down the towel, from between her breasts to her pelvis. She swallowed at the sheer sexiness of it, wanting to remove the towel and jump his bones. How on earth could she be thinking about sex again? Her body should be exhausted. “And I don’t really like reminding you – or myself for that matter – I’ve had a shady past with women. But those women have never slept in this bed. For some reason, I knew it was just sex, so I used to use another room.”
“Oh.” Sophie stood dumbfounded, still getting used to the idea she was indeed special. Not that she thought Adam would treat her like his past girlfriends; it had been his reason for not committing initially, thinking he couldn’t give Sophie what she deserved. And thinking he didn’t want it. But all these little things were, well, lovely.
“I suppose I was afraid of them getting close, getting to know me. I didn’t want them getting to know me.” He dried himself off and quickly dressed in a pair of shorts and polo shirt. “I’ll go put the coffee on,” he said. Sophie coughed suggestively and looked down at herself, still wearing the bath sheet as she towel dried her hair. He smirked. “And I’ll get your clothes.”
She found her knickers and slipped them on, then spotted Adam’s cream shirt by the bed. It smelled of him, his aftershave, musky and masculine – her favourite. She grinned as she put it on, remembering Adam’s reaction the last time she wore his shirt and made her way downstairs. She heard voices, and the front door shutting, and realised, with relief, it was his housekeeper leaving.
Phew! Yes, would prefer a proper introduction another day – with clothes on.
She tiptoed into the kitchen, sneaked up on Adam as he spooned coffee into the machine, and putting her arms around his waist, snuggling her head against his back. He turned and cuddled her, one hand fingering her damp hair, pushing it behind her ear, the other sliding under the shirt, down her hip, tucking into her knickers. He breathed out an appreciative sigh and kissed her. Their foreheads still touching, lips still hovering over hers, he said, “Think we better take the coffee upstairs.”
Chapter Twenty Seven
Adam walked Sophie to her door late Sunday night.
Rising on her toes, she kissed him goodnight. As they separated, her heart ached so much at the thought of goodbye she thought her chest would burst open. She’d see him tomorrow - this wasn’t goodbye goodbye - but the thought of not sleeping with him hurt. This really was what love felt like. They hadn’t left each other’s side all weekend. Lounging around his house, snuggled up watching television, or swimming, reading, sleeping … making love.
Sophie had been the one doing the reading, though she’d found it hard to concentrate on the book she’d pinched from his study, watching Adam, shirtless, practising his golf swing.
Dear God, he was gorgeous.
“Can you stay here tonight?” She looked up to see his reaction, fingering the collar of his jacket.
He grinned. “Yes, I can. I like that idea. But I will have to leave early tomorrow morning.”
Relieved she would spend another night held in his arms, she fumbled with her keys, opening the door.
It being late, she led him straight to her bedroom, welcoming him into her bed. Spooning in behind her, Adam kissed her neck, the soft spot by her ear, his tongue licking along her shoulder, while he caressed her breast, hip, and thigh. With him pressed against her, she felt far from tired, and with a moan of delight, turned in his arms to kiss him back.
Their lovemaking remained slow, sensual, making the most of each other. But while they kissed, gently rocking, clinging together, the dread of work came to her mind. Jerrisons. Manchester. How much she would miss Adam overwhelmed her. The tightness in her chest became uncontrollable. She stilled, unable to stop the prickling sensation in her eyes, and as he met her gaze, her tears trickled down her cheek.
“Sophie, what’s the matter?” Adam stopped, and gently rubbed her cheek. “Am I hurting you? Do you want me to stop?”
He started to pull out, but she clasped him tightly and shook her head. “No.” The last thing she wanted was separation.
“Then what is it?”
She sucked in a breath, too afraid to speak, but she needed to be honest with him. Her fingers stroked his temple, her eyes fixed on his. “I don’t want to go to Jerrisons. I don’t want to leave you.” She tried her hardest to contain the sob.
“Hey, I promise you, I’m working on it.” He wiped her tears. “You may still have to go, but I’ll find some sort of solution, okay? Because I don’t want you to leave me, either.”
“Okay.” She nodded.
They still made love like it might be their last time.
***
“Sophie,” Adam said softly, sweeping her hair off her face. “Love, I’ve got to go.” He perched on the side of her bed, fully dressed. He would have loved to get back into bed, but had important work to do, especially concerning Sophie.
She rubbed her face and yawned. Her eyes widened with the realisation he was dressed. She sat up with a start.
“What time is it? Am I late for work?”
He chuckled and shook his head, stopping her from getting out of bed. “No, it’s only six o’clock. I’ve got to run though. I probably won’t see you until Wednesday evening, as I have meetings galore. Plus our issue to sort out.”
She nodded at him. He kissed her, hating the idea of leaving her, finding it difficult to stand and leave the bedroom.
He’d throw himself into work. He wouldn’t have time to think about her.
“I love you,” he said.
“I love you more.”
“We’ll argue about it Wednesday.”
***
The last three days had been the slowest of her life. She hadn’t seen Adam since he’d left her flat early Monday morning, and here she sat, now Wednesday, staring at the clock, willing five o’clock to appear. She still had another thirty-five minutes to go.
She felt empty and void, as though half of her was missing – the part with her heart.
She’d received the odd text from Adam, answering her silly messages reminding him she still existed and loved him. Hopefully he wasn’t finding her neediness annoying. What if he decided she really wasn’t for him, that the past weekend, albeit bloody fantastic, was too much? Maybe it wasn’t so bloody fantastic for him. Maybe he found her clingy, annoying, and not really pretty enough …
He’d said before he would let her down, that he wasn’t right for her. What if he hadn’t changed his mind, and realised he couldn’t commit? Or worse, bumped his head and awoken to reality. Because, let’s face it, it’s too good to be true. She had all these stupid, pathetic little doubts in her head, because he wasn’t there, physically, in her life. She couldn’t touch, kiss, or cuddle. He was only at the end of a telephone and that didn’t seem real. He’d been out for the last three days in meetings; even his secretary hadn’t seen him. It made the time spent in his house feel like it had been a dream and she now lived her nightmare.
Sophie thumbed her mobile again, desperate for some kind of communication. Every five minutes she’d stare at it, willing the arrival of a text message from him. To hell with it. She’d text him again, with good reason. Try not to sound needy, clingy, or pathetic, but practical.
Hey, you. Are you picking me up tonight, or am I meeting you there? Love Sophie x
Should she have sent the love and the kiss? Frustrated, she tucked the phone into her trouser pocket, worried that lost in the depths of her handbag she wouldn’t hear it if it beeped. She looked at her PC again; only five minutes had passed. James wasn’t even in the office to chat to, so she had to knuckle down and concentrate on some work, tie up some loose ends. Might as well, as she was sure she’d be travelling up to Manchester soon to sta
rt this contract. At that thought her belly turned cold, sickening her.
Life without Adam for six months. She swallowed and blinked, fighting back the stupid tears which were trying to form. She couldn’t even handle three silly days.
It wouldn’t be so bad, she knew. They’d travel weekends, he had said. But what if he couldn’t? What if his work demanded he stayed in Surrey, he was too busy to get away? What if he decided their relationship should go on hold? Oh, she hated these doubts.
Her phone beeped and vibrated in her pocket. She yanked it out, her heart lifting, then falling rapidly into a black abyss.
James.
Make sure you’re there before 7:30pm don’t be late. P.S. she said YES!
She texted back, congratulating him and not to panic, she’d be there, then closed her PC down. Sod it, she was going home. It wasn’t like she’d never done extra hours. She was taking some time back. She was too miserable to work right now, and besides she’d be slogging her guts out in Manchester. She couldn’t stay up there – alone – for six months.
***
Wrapped in a bath towel, Sophie thumbed through her wardrobe of freshly dry-cleaned dresses. Adam had seen them all, but which one did he like the best, and which one would suit this surprise party for Kate?
Her phone beeped and she threw the dress she held onto the bed, reaching for her mobile. A momentary blast of excitement flew through her bones, seeing a message from Adam.
Sorry can’t pick you up. Will have to meet you there. Love Adam x
Throwing her phone aside, she slumped onto her bed. Well, at least he was coming. She’d been fretting all day he wouldn’t be there. Then it really would look like a lie, that being Adam’s girlfriend was all a big fantasy.
She texted him back, reminding him of the timing, then called for a taxi and got herself dressed.
***
Stomach rumbling, Sophie huddled in a dark corner of the dance floor, surrounded by people. Some faces from work she recognised, others she didn’t. She fiddled with an earring, then pulled at the hem of her black dress.
They were all gathered in Rendezvous’ function room above its restaurant. The room was strewn with balloons over the circular tables surrounding the dance floor, saying ‘Happy Birthday’ and ‘Congratulations’. The disco was ready and waiting to light up and burst into song as soon as Kate arrived.
James’ plan was to propose in the morning, spend the day together doing special things, then say he’d treat her to a meal out at her favourite restaurant. He would arrive at Rendezvous with Kate, and the group would shout ‘surprise’ and celebrate her birthday and – hopefully – their engagement. All very sweet actually. James had put a lot of thought into this, and all day, Sophie had hoped Kate would say yes. James, from the beginning with the planning, had been confident it was a sure thing, but Sophie felt relieved when she’d seen his text message earlier. Through the chattering amongst the friends when she’d first arrived, Sophie learnt that James had texted other friends too.
Although Sophie knew some of the people and they all had a common connection in James and Kate, she felt lonely without Adam by her side. The group was whispering amongst themselves, general conversations including ‘what’s the time?’ making Sophie glance at her watch. It was nearly seven-thirty and still no Adam. She’d hated arriving alone, looking very single. She rubbed her arms and hugged herself, even though the room was warm and stuffy.
“Shhh!” a voice in the crowd hissed.
“They’re coming up the stairs,” someone else, who was keeping an eye out near the door, whispered. They ran back to the group. The door opened, and Sophie almost burst with delight, seeing Adam, handsome as ever.
“Sorry, sorry. False alarm,” he said, entering. She ran into his arms.
“I was worried you were going to be late.”
“Sorry, I got held up.” He kissed her, lips full on hers, heat bolting through her body by his simple touch. She would have liked to have deepened the kiss, but quickly realised they had an audience – all eyes were on them. Someone coughed.
“You’re here now, that’s what matters.”
Another person from the group hissed at them to be quiet; somebody even clicked their tongue. Sophie grabbed Adam’s hand and pulled him into the crowd.
Before she could tell him how much she’d missed him, how much she loved him, the person watching the door was whispering again. “They’re coming! Quick. Silence, everyone.”
A little hum of whispers, a hush from the crowd and the group silenced. Adam squeezed Sophie’s hand. She looked up to meet his gaze, and smiled. He was real. He was here. It hadn’t been a dream.
A waiter came through the door first, followed by James and Kate. She wore a party dress and James was the smartest Sophie had ever seen him. He did own a suit, and actually had a tie on.
“Surprise!” everyone chorused. The DJ hit the flashing disco lights, the glitter ball turned, the traditional song, Cliff Richard’s “Congratulations,” exploded from the speakers. Kate, mouth open with surprise, flung her hands to her face, then held them out to embrace the first of her friends who went running to her. Everyone huddled around James and Kate, shaking his hand, kissing her, and demanding to see the ring.
James, holding Kate’s hand, walked over to the DJ and took the mike from him, wanting to make a speech. Everyone gathered around the dance floor.
“Thanks, everyone, for coming,” James said, his voice amplified by the microphone. “Luckily, she said yes.” The crowd roared with laughter, and clapped. “I’ll get this all done now - I’ll be too drunk later.” More cheering and clapping. “So, to my darling fiancée, happy birthday!” Kate tossed her straightened blonde hair back over her shoulder and kissed him. She was wearing heels, and James still needed to bend a little to receive his kiss. “The wedding is next year, the 17th July, so save the date. You’re all invited. And Adam - where’s Adam?” James squinted, searching, the lighting making it hard to find anyone in the darker areas.
“Here.” Adam waved, tall enough to stand out from the crowd, his other arm still firmly around Sophie – and that’s where it was staying. The way she’d been feeling the last three days, she wanted to chain herself to him. He stepped forward, so James could see him, Sophie moving with him.
“Ah, there you are. Would you do me a favour, mate? And be my best man?”
“Love to.” He glanced at Sophie; she hugged him excitedly.
“Thought I’d ask now you’re not nervous of weddings,” James said, chuckling. Sophie giggled.
“Is that why you put me up to it?”
James grinned across the dance floor at Adam. “I wanted you to see what you were missing. And if I’m not mistaken, it worked.” James gestured to Sophie, and Adam pulled her closer. “Right, everyone, I’ve talked enough. Food will be served soon. Let’s celebrate!”
James handed the microphone back to the DJ and grabbed Kate, swinging her around the dance floor, blissfully happy. The music started as their friends joined them.
An hour into the evening, James and Kate made their way over to Adam and Sophie. “Sorry. Been meaning to get to you two sooner, but family and other friends have got in our way,” James said, shaking hands with Adam, and hugging, playfully slapping each other on the back.
“Let me buy you a drink,” Adam said to James, then turned his attention to Sophie and Kate. “Ladies, more champagne?”
“Yes, please!” they agreed, raising their glasses.
“I’ll join you at the bar in a minute, mate. Just want a word with Soph,” James said, and Adam nodded, walking off towards the bar. Kate made an excuse to visit the ladies so the two of them were alone.
“All right?” James said, awkwardly.
“Yes, why?”
“I can’t believe my interfering paid off,” he said. “So glad I don’t have to get Kate to set you up with one of her accountant friends.”
They both chuckled. Yes, Sophie was glad James’ matchmaking h
ad worked.
“How much did you meddle, though?”
“Oh, I’ve been thinking of trying to get you two together for a long time now, and Kate would tell me to leave well alone, but when I found the wedding invitation, and learned you had no date, nothing could stop me.”
“Did you really think it would work?”
“I thought it hadn’t, when you said you were leaving. I was really worried I’d screwed up royally. So I called Nick, knowing you’d meet him and what type of guy he was.”
“Yes,” she said, scowling. “I’m still not sure about that. I thought, ‘great,’ even James has to get Nick to pretend to like me.”
”Don’t be angry with me, Soph.”
“I’m not, really. You’re lucky it worked though.” She nudged him playfully.
“Did Adam bloody good. And I’ve never seen him like this with another woman. And I’ve seen him with a few – oh!” James cringed. “Sorry, but honestly, Soph, tonight, he’s not left your side. He’s mad about you.”
***
“I’ve missed you so much,” Adam whispered into Sophie’s ear, as they slow danced. His warm breath on her neck sent a tingle of delight down her back.
“I’ve missed you, too.” She tightened her hold, tucking her head under his chin. This was as close as they could get without removing clothes. And boy, did she want to remove his clothes!
Public place. Lots of people. Not cool.
“So, do you want the good news or the bad news first?” Adam said.
“I’ve dreaded asking you about Manchester all evening, so give me the bad news.” She looked up, meeting his gaze; his blue eyes had her bewitched.
“The bad news is you’re going to be seconded to Jerrisons.” The corner of his mouth twitched, as if he wanted to smile. “But for no more than six months. I’ve stipulated it in the contract.”
“Yeah, I know, the quicker I get the job done, the quicker I can come home.” She sighed, then frowned. “So what’s the good news?”
“I’ve been busy these past few days, meeting customers with my father, as he’s handing over the reins and it’s given me a chance to talk to him.” As Adam spoke he stroked her back, and she tried really hard to concentrate on his words, and not on what his hands were doing. She’d missed his touch. Her body – and her heart – yearned for him.
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