by Ciara Cole
She kept moving back as Adam advanced, until she felt the edge of the desk. She grabbed it for balance, just as Adam closed in again.
He grasped her chin with his fingers and tilted her gaze up to his. When their eyes locked, she almost forgot to keep protesting. The sensations he sparked in her so easily came bubbling to the surface.
“Adam,” she began in a warning tone, which sounded too breathless even to her own ears. “Listen…”
Whatever she was going to say was cut off as Adam crashed his lips against hers.
“I miss touching you. I need to be inside you,” he whispered against her mouth, before he began sending small kisses down her jawline to her throat.
“I don’t think this is a good idea,” she managed, but then he lifted her bodily and deposited her on the edge of the desk.
He was in between her legs, resting his hands on her thighs while staring at her with eyes full of passion and desire. “Afraid I’ll make you scream the place down?”
That husky whisper reached deep into her core, making her tingle at the challenge in his gaze.
She had to close her eyes against it as her head fell back. “Adam, you know this is wrong. We can’t…” Even as she spoke, his hand reached in between her thighs to her panties and spanked her moist center. Her breath hitched, as she felt her brain almost short-circuit in lust.
“You were saying?” Adam teased, reaching his fingers beneath her panties to rub her folds.
Gabrielle was panting, the pool of wetness gathering within her opening as he stroked her. “I…you…” This wicked man; she couldn’t even piece a sentence together at this point. He was doing this on purpose, she wailed internally.
He tore off her panties with one yank. He sat in the nearest chair and drew her open thighs to tilt off the edge of the desk. His fingers strummed her naked clit as he lowered his lips to spread kisses over her inner thigh. Gabrielle’s hand bunched into his hair, pulling slightly as her back arched along with her hips. Oh sweet lord. We shouldn’t be doing this…
“Unbutton your blouse.”
Gabrielle snapped up her head to see Adam’s compelling gaze as his mouth drew closer to her sex. Moaning, she popped at her buttons and exposed her bra in white lace. Adam groaned, then commanded her to take out her breasts and pull her nipples.
“Do it, Gabrielle.”
She did as he said, her body jolting as she tugged at her hard nubs roughly. The same moment, Adam took her lower lips into his mouth. He eased a finger inside her, and her nerve-endings splintered in ecstasy.
She whimpered ceaselessly, feeling the finger move from slow to speedy as he thrust in and out of her. He was driving her crazy.
“Adam!” she panted, as he pierced her walls with a second finger to join the rhythm of the first. He sucked, nipped and bit on her sex as his tongue feathered her clit. Gabrielle gripped the edges of the desk as her body jerked out of control.
He built up the pleasure till Gabrielle felt ready to scream as high as he’d predicted. Thank goodness for the insulated walls. Adam’s office was the height of advanced technology beneath its refined exterior, and she couldn’t be more relieved for that. Because any minute now, she was going to be splitting in too many pieces and in different directions.
“You taste so good,” he said hoarsely. His tongue circled her clit then flicked it, and then circled again. Over and over and over.
Her heavy breathing filled the whole room. She fisted a hand in his hair again, tugging harder than ever before as her orgasm coasted forward. Something deep in her stomach expanded and climbed, her nerve center sizzling as it buckled beneath the sumptuous stimulation of his fingers and tongue.
“So beautiful and sexy,” he growled, looking up at her blissful expression. Watching her face, he pulled out his fingers to lift his hand slightly, then brought it down to slap her swollen clit. Once, twice. Thrice, and she cried out in pleasure-pain as that final impact shuttled her into space and back.
Gabrielle fell back on the desk, watching the ceiling spin around and around as her lower body convulsed. Adam held her clit in the heat of his mouth while she came, using his tongue at her entrance to catch the dewy pearls of moisture.
He didn’t stop till he’d lapped every last drop. She watched him with drowsy eyes from where she lay on her back and saw his gaze gleam as he looked up at her. “This is mine,” he said, with one final kiss on her puffy sex. “And you’re mine. Don’t ever ask me to let go.”
Gabrielle didn’t know what to do. Her body wanted Adam just as much as her heart did. Would it be right to deny both exactly what they craved? What would it take to let go of all her doubts and trust what she now let herself see glowing in his eyes?
It would be so easy to say yes, to whatever he was asking. But she had to ask herself if she was being real about this.
Her first thought when she’d found out about the pregnancy was that she’d fucked up. A man worth as much as he was would never really want anything serious with a woman who wasn’t in his social bracket. Not to even think of having a baby with her.
Yet to her surprise, he’d turned around and done the unexpected. She almost let herself start to hope that this went deeper than just the fact that they were having a baby. What if he really cared and simply wanted the best for them?
I’ll just have to wait and see. Gabrielle hadn’t given Adam a straight answer. As to the current projects the company had undertaken, he assured her that during the trip, he’d assign his skilled team of finance mavens to ensure things ran smoothly while he was away.
He let her know that right now what mattered was getting her health back on steady ground, for her sake and the baby’s.
Ayana was green with envy at the news but she was just as happy to know that things were going well. When Gabrielle had told her about the baby, she’d been as elated as Gabrielle felt, while still feeling worry at how things would progress for her friend. Now, Ayana felt more and more at ease. “Nothing like a little couple’s vacation in the land of sunshine and charm to heat things up. Not that the two of you need any help with that. Just being alone in the same room with you guys makes me feel like I should jump in a cold shower.”
Gabrielle giggled at that, embarrassed to think her lust for Adam was so blatant. But then her smile dimmed. Noticing it, Ayana asked what was wrong.
Letting out a sigh, Gabrielle shook her head. “A part of me feels so happy. I want this baby. And if a romantic relationship with Adam comes along with it, then that’s great. I just – I don’t know, it feels overshadowed by this feeling of failure. I’m not sure how to tell Adam about the fact that my parents will not be happy about this.”
Ayana gave a nod of understanding. “Knowing them, they’re going to be very hard on you about this. I know how tough they were on you for just about everything.”
“Yeah… my non-existent career and love life. Now, I felt I was beginning to succeed and prove them wrong. Now this happened. It makes me seem like such a loser, right? Unmarried and pregnant.”
“I don’t see how motherhood can be considered a failure.” Ayana bristled as she jumped up to pace the room. “You’re an adult, more than old enough and responsible enough to start a family. Sure, the whole set up is not exactly the conventional one of marriage then babies, but who cares? And what right has anyone to judge?”
“I know, right.” She sighed deeply.
“Look, if I were you, I’d just focus on you. And the baby, of course. Any other problem can sort itself out. Now, let’s plan all the lingerie and swimwear you’ll be needing for your trip. Crystal blue beaches, great food, the best luxury hotels and all that unique culture and history… It’s a perfect chance to fall in love. We’ll find you some sexy beauties to help it all along.”
Gabrielle groaned in embarrassment at Ayana’s suggestive words. “I’m more worried about all the air travel involved. I’ve never flown before.”
“And what better way to start than on Adam’s own private p
lane?” Ayana elbowed her with a wink. “Besides, I’m sure you can come up with some worthy distractions if you get air sick. There’s always the mile-high club, don’t forget.”
“Okay, I’m done,” Gabrielle said, hands waving as she jumped out of her chair.
Ayana laughed, teasing, “Talk about jet-set problems. Just try not to have too much fun, okay? I’m already so jealous thinking of the bun in the oven, and the billionaire boyfriend. Damn, should I just kill myself now?” She sighed dramatically.
“Seriously, stop,” groaned Gabrielle, though she couldn’t help smiling at Ayana’s good-natured ribbing. She definitely needed someone to make her smile right then, because she felt too happy and that made her even more scared. Nothing ever really went this good for her – and it almost spelled the coming of something disastrous to counter it.
Gabrielle could never have guessed how close to right her fears were.
Chapter Fourteen
It was just a day before they were to leave on the trip. Adam was in the office for a last-minute meeting he couldn’t avoid, though he planned to leave once through with the meeting.
Gabrielle insisted on coming in to assist him. The meeting was with the team assigned to supervise the projects and was over sooner than expected, as Gabrielle had made sure everything ran smoothly.
They’d just closed the meeting and Adam was having a last word with the team leader when someone called out as she strode into the door. “Where’s my son!”
A tall, slender woman had appeared, dressed conservatively in a sweater and dress that easily cost more than Gabrielle’s wardrobe. Her thick, smooth brown hair was pulled back in a chignon and her face was flawless for her age of around mid-fifties, Gabrielle guessed. So this is Adam’s mother?
“What are you doing here, Mom?” Adam asked in surprise. The others in the room excused themselves while Gabrielle hovered, unsure.
“You haven’t visited the family home for over two months, and I heard you recently purchased a house.”
Adam swept a glance at Gabrielle. He bought a house? She hadn’t even known that.
“I just had to see for myself what you’ve been up to,” she said, her impassive eyes scanning the office and then resting on Gabrielle.
“Mrs. Bronson, nice to meet you. I’m Gabrielle,” she said, holding out her hand. Adam’s mother stared at it in disdain before turning coldly back to Adam without a word.
“Imagine my surprise to hear you’re taking the jet for a month to Thailand. I hope you intend on cancelling that trip,” she hissed.
“It’s my jet, Mom. Need I remind you? And you have no right to make me cancel anything.”
“I have every right!” she snapped.
“I think I should leave,” mumbled Gabrielle, already backing away in embarrassment.
“I think so, too,” retorted Adam’s mother without missing a beat.
Gabrielle hurried out to her own office. Seconds later, Adam joined her and saw her packing up her belongings. “What are you doing? I didn’t think you meant you would actually leave.”
“Rather than what, stay on and get disrespected some more?” She slipped her bag over her shoulder. “I’m going home to my place.”
“Drop that bag,” he said, even as he took it from her shoulder and set it on her desk. “You’re not going anywhere. We planned you’d stay over at my place tonight, then we’ll leave for Bangkok tomorrow on the jet. So what the fuck is this?”
Adam didn’t normally swear at her and she felt taken aback and helpless. She stared into his eyes, realizing how much she’d fallen for him. And how much this hurt.
“Adam? What’s keeping you? Just send the woman on her way,” his mother called from the adjoining office.
Adam grimaced, then cupped Gabrielle’s face in his hands. “Don’t go.” Those green eyes held hers for a deep, swirling moment. “We’ll talk about this later. I promise.”
He kissed her temple, and then was gone. Gabrielle turned away with a frustrated sigh, feeling like an idiot. She couldn’t remember ever being treated with such disdain, and yet here she still was. Love did that to someone, messed them up until they didn’t even know their own mind.
Despite her better judgment, she let herself overhear a little of what was being said in Adam’s office just next to hers. His mother using her angry tone and demanding to know about Gabrielle. Wasn’t she his assistant, what were they doing going on a romantic trip?
Apparently, Adam’s mother had run into Jake and had managed to squeeze him of information. To his credit, Adam didn’t raise his voice once and, as evenly as possible, assured his mother that she’d be given the full details once she’d calmed down enough to listen.
When his mother started yelling at him, Gabrielle simply shut off her ears with her hands, squeezing her eyes tight. Getting upset would not be good for the baby. Her only relief was that, thanks to her baggy clothes she now wore to work, there was no hint of her pregnancy bump just yet. At least not to the casual onlooker.
Half an hour later, the door opened and she looked up to see Adam. She slowly lowered her hands, as his gaze rested on her with a strange emotion that made her heart skip.
“I’m sorry about my mother. She sees things a whole lot differently from me, and I’m going to work on fixing that.”
“She’s gone?”
Adam nodded, then advanced into the room. “She suspects there’s something between us, if she doesn’t know for sure already. I was waiting till we returned from our Thailand trip before breaking any news to my family.”
“That makes sense,” Gabrielle said. She could understand he’d want to make sure they’d had time to work on solidifying their relationship, and then make it official. But after this, could she really let them venture further?
“If your mother doesn’t accept me, I’m pretty sure she won’t accept my baby either. Maybe it’s best to just…”
Adam shot forward and placed his hand gently over her mouth. Gabrielle’s widened eyes found his questioningly. He rested his forehead against hers and she could see him breathe in and out heavily. After a moment, he slowly let his hand fall but didn’t release her. “I know what you’re thinking, but I don’t want you giving up on this so easily. We promised we would try, didn’t we?”
Gabrielle had to admit it was true. She might not have enough willpower to say no to him right now. Maybe she would go on to Thailand with him, and for those few weeks she’d let herself live the fantasy. But when they returned, she’d hold firm and make the best decision for herself and her baby.
***
Yet Gabrielle’s little caveat to keep herself from putting too much hope into anything could not hold up for long. Her heart was just too hungry for love, and Adam was too good at being the perfect lover, friend and brother figure – all of which he achieved during their three-week stay.
The trip was the best thing for them, as well as for Gabrielle after the last few months – and then of course with the whole pregnancy news.
The private luxury resorts in the urban districts, the historic and ethnical attractions in the suburbs and, of course, the scenic beach towns, each gave Gabrielle a taste of paradise on earth. She especially enjoyed the floating markets and other vibrant tourist features. And goodness, the food.
It was fascinating visiting all the beautiful and serene ruins and national parks, home to a wide array of wildlife. But most of all, Gabrielle would always remember the mass lantern launch, one of the many colorful festivals celebrated yearly. It displayed beautifully illuminated lanterns, which were actually small hot air balloons.
Once the cylindrical paper lantern was lit, it would take a minute for the air inside the paper cylinder to heat up enough to float away into the air, like a balloon.
Gabrielle heard that launching one of these lanterns, known as Khom Loy, was believed to be symbolic of releasing your worries and letting them float away. You could make a wish, or write the wish or prayer inside or outside the balloon, and
watch the lantern lift to the sky, much like you were wishing on a star.
Gabrielle would never have imagined how sharing a moment like that with Adam would feel so special. They’d both lit their lanterns and held them in position until it was time for the synchronized release along with the sea of people around them.
The joy she felt by the mesmerizing sight above them could hardly be confined. Thousands of lanterns floated in the sky in unison, lifting higher and higher before disappearing just as fireworks shed multicolored sparks into the night.
These cultural and religious images and scenes stole her breath away and would stay engrained in her subconscious, like being enchanted by a spell.
In fact, all their time together in Thailand had felt magical, not just because of the utter beauty and wonder that surrounded them each day, but the feeling of affinity that grew between her and Adam as she got to know him better.
As they returned to their hotel after the ceremony, called Yi Peng, Gabrielle had been tempted to ask Adam what he wished for. But then she decided it would be too private, as she wanted to keep hers to herself, at least for now.
She’d always been very spiritual, and somehow she felt something changed between them that night. Watching those luminous balloons float up in the hundreds as they stood with the rest of the crowd in the breathtaking region of Chiang Mai had been so fragile and breathtaking to witness. Had Adam felt it, too?
A Thai couple they’d befriended earlier had invited them to a local dance, and when they arrived, they found it was filled with mostly young children, all dressed immaculately in suits for the boys and white frilly dresses for the girls. Thank goodness Gabrielle had thought to listen to the dress code their friends had mentioned, and though they stood out in the midst of the smiling and shy pre-teens, they felt like they were part of the beautiful innocence that permeated the decorated hall. It had to be some kind of prom, but Gabrielle didn’t even mind – it was all so delightfully gorgeous, and so were the kids.
“I can’t believe this is our first dance – well, since that one night four months ago,” she said, blushing. Their hands were linked in between them as they waltzed to the ballroom music.