by V. H. Luis
A few minutes pass. I can’t face the elephant in the room, and so I rely on one of my many talents—I change the subject. “Where did you learn to play the piano?”
With care, he pulls out of me and turns my body so I’m facing him. “I’ve played since I was four. For a long time I thought I would do it professionally. I even dual majored in Music and Business at Columbia.” He rubs his fingertips against my cheek as he holds me close. “How did you learn to play?”
My body stiffens at the question. “My dad taught me. He was a musician.” I move my face into the curve of his neck as a chill runs across my body.
“You don’t like to talk about your father.” His hands run down my back and he pulls one of my legs over his body.
“No, I don’t.” I nuzzle against him.
“Did you wake up because you had a bad dream?” Adam’s voice is detached because he’s trying to coax information out of me. My body stiffens.
I pull myself from the security of his embrace and focus on the deep blue of his eyes. “This is the first time I’ve ever heard you play.”
He frowns and refuses to allow me to distance myself, his strong arms pulling me close. “I don’t play often.” One of his hands cups my cheek. “You’re changing the subject.”
My eyes widen in contrived innocence. “I’m just trying to understand you better. Why would you study music and never play? You obviously used your degree in business; what happened to your passion for music?”
His hand trails down the curve of my spine. “Are you doing what you wanted to do when you went to college? You studied art and now you teach at a school.”
Though his tone is still gentle, I hear a hint of reproach. “No, I never expected to be teaching. I envisioned something different.” There is an obvious bitterness to my voice. “All I ever wanted to do was paint. The kids around my neighborhood would be running outside, riding their bikes and rollerblading while I worked for hours on pictures that consumed my head. My dad would say it was the same for him, only he didn’t see pictures, but heard notes instead. Was it like that for you?”
He shifts back and props his head up with a hand. The smile on his face is carefree. “My parents never were into showing their emotions. I’m sure by now you’ve noticed it’s a family trait. Music let me express myself in a way that was appropriate,” he says dryly.
“Will you play for me again? Not now, but in the future.” I place my lips against his cheek in a soft kiss. “Listening to you play relaxes me.”
A masculine chuckle escapes his lips. “I thought having me inside of you was relaxing. In fact, right after you orgasm you get the most adorable look in your eyes. They cloud over with this languid serenity.” The expression in his eyes is smoldering.
I giggle, because only Adam can simultaneously make me feel safe, calm, and turned on. “Well, we could alternate between the two.”
He nods. “I always have appreciated resourceful women with good problem-solving skills.”
I scrunch my nose in a playful frown. “Exactly how many resourceful woman have you appreciated?”
Adam shakes his head with a laugh. “I don’t keep a running record.”
I frown and straighten my arms, forcing some distance between us. “You don’t take my questions seriously.”
Adam pulls me close, so my breasts press against his chest. The action is sudden, and I gasp at the movement.
“Everything you say, the questions you ask, the actions you take—all of it is important to me. If I’m guilty of anything it’s that I take you too seriously.”
The look in his eyes makes me uncomfortable because it’s raw. It’s an intense heart-melting look that for a second makes me believe fairy tales exist.
“You have talent.” He shifts so we’re both sitting, his eyes focused on the mural I painted. “You should paint every day. Let the pictures in your head run free.”
“Adam…” My mouth opens and I have to lick my dry lips. “Take me to the bedroom and fuck me senseless.”
His shoulders lift in a burst of laughter. “I never expected you to be so blunt.”
I’m reminded of the first night he made me his. I uttered similar words. I tilt my chin up and offer him the response he gave me. “You’ll find I only am on special occasions.”
“This is a special occasion?” Adam arches his brow with amusement.
I give a slow nod because words are useless. We don’t need them. The night fades and Adam does what I want, he claims every inch of my body with tender attention.
MY phone vibrates against the nightstand. I reach for it and whimper as my sore muscles constrict. I spent the night being deliciously tortured by Adam’s skilled hands, his nimble fingers, and his eager tongue.
“Hello?” I say scratchily.
My mother’s chiding tone reverberates through the phone. “Evie, where are you?”
I open my mouth to offer her a lie when Adam presses his erection against my back. His hands move over my thighs and nestle between my legs. I don’t think before I speak in a breathy pant. “Adam…”
“You’re with him?” My mother attempts to hide the reprimand in her voice. She fails.
Adam trails kisses down my back as his fingers part the folds of my sex and gingerly rub against that special spot he’s all too familiar with.
“Yes, I’m at his apartment,” I say quickly because if I don’t end this conversation soon, my mother will be privy to sounds no mother should hear her daughter utter.
“I see. Well, I was calling to invite you to brunch. It’s fortunate he’s with you. Your stepfather and I would like to meet him.”
I close my eyes as my body shifts back, brushing against Adam. “Mom, I don’t think we’ll be able to make it to brunch today…”
Adam interrupts me. “Tell her we would love to go.”
My mouth opens to protest, but my mother’s voice sounds in my ear. “Perfect, how does Brio sound? We can keep it simple.”
I shift upright and frown at Adam, who has an adorably lazy grin on his lips.
I’m panicking. Adam and my mother together, talking? The idea is disturbing on so many levels. “Mom, don’t you have to go to church today?”
“Evelyn.” Her tone is clipped. “It’s Saturday.”
My shoulders slump. Duh! Adam’s chuckle makes me scowl. He’s enjoying this too much.
“I’m getting the impression you don’t want me to meet him.”
“No, of c-course th-that’s not it…” I stammer.
Adam once again speaks. “We’ll meet her wherever she wants. Name the time.”
My mouth is parted in shock as I hear my mother’s exuberant response.
“Noon will be wonderful. See you both then.”
I blink a few times as I place the phone on the nightstand. “What just happened?”
“We agreed to meet your mother for brunch.” Amusement governs his expression.
I grab one of the pillows and swing it at him. Adam grabs me by the waist and flips me so my body is trapped under his. I squeal with mock indignation at his forceful restriction of my body. My eyes widen as a disturbing thought interrupts the moment. “Did I hang up the phone?”
Adam gives me one of his movie star grins. “I sure hope so, because I plan for us to make plenty of noise before we go.”
I decide on wearing a simple spaghetti-strap dress for brunch while Adam opts for dark denim jeans and a button-down, the long sleeves rolled so his toned forearms can be seen. He is my little piece of heaven and the idea of sharing him with my mother, who judges every action I make, is as appealing as a root canal.
The restaurant is empty when we arrive, and yet my mother insists on sitting in the outside patio.
“We live in Florida, the weather is beautiful, and a little sun is good for you.” The designer sunglasses she wears frame her oval face.
Adam, to his credit, doesn’t seem to mind. With debonair flare he approaches my mother and kisses her cheek in greeting. He s
hakes my stepfather Nicolas’s hand and exhibits the impeccable manners I’ve grown accustomed to.
My mother wastes little time with pleasantries. “I must admit, I didn’t think we would meet anytime soon. Evelyn has been secretive lately.” She shoots me an accusatory glace before picking up her glass of water.
I move the menu forward, not bothering to look at it—from her tone, I know my nerves will make it difficult to eat.
Adam doesn’t appear to be flustered. I envy how self-assured he is, because I’m usually foundering in a sea of insecurity. The feeling is only amplified by the presence of my overbearing mother.
“I haven’t been secretive, just busy. There’s a huge difference between the two.” I try to sound calm, but an edge of anger pervades my tone.
Adam has a small smile on his lips as he speaks. “I’ve been a tyrant with her time, Mrs. Aaron. I won’t apologize for that—I doubt anyone could blame me for wanting to be around her.”
My stepfather’s loud chuckle and my mother’s shocked expression makes me grin. I give Adam a look as he eyes the menu.
“Are you always this demanding with the women you date?” My mother’s sunglasses shield the dark glare I know she is giving Adam.
Mom! I stifle a groan.
“Ava, she’s twenty-four years old. I doubt she wants you to interfere with her love life.” My stepfather rolls his eyes.
“I have a right to be concerned; she is my daughter.” Her expression of indignation is perfectly executed.
“I am demanding in general, and from the direction this conversation has taken, I think it’s safe to assume you are as well.” Adam looks at my mother with frank honesty. “Though, rest assured, Mrs. Aaron, I only show such interest when I truly care about someone.”
I look at my mother with a small smile, because I love hearing the gentleness in his voice. When he openly admits his affection for me I’m lost, drawn to that feeling only he can stir within me.
My mother takes off her glasses as she regards Adam. The corners of her eyes soften, the wrinkles easing. I have to stifle the laugh threatening my composure. His charm is winning her over.
“Mr. Black, what are your plans for Christmas Eve? We’re hosting a small gathering at our home. Nicholas and I would love it if you joined us,” my mother says pleasantly.
Adam reaches for my hand and holds it under the table. “Unfortunately, I have a business trip I can’t miss. I’ll be spending the holiday in New York. In fact, Evelyn will be traveling with me, and we won’t be back until after Christmas.”
My eyes widen at his words. Wait…we’re going where? Adam squeezes my hand and his thumb rubs across my knuckles. I get the impression I’m supposed to nod and smile; I can’t muster the energy to nod, though I manage the smile.
“Really? You’ll have to forgive my surprise, but Evelyn neglected to mention this.” The tension that had recently eased once again makes her stiffen in her seat.
My stepfather’s cheerful voice cuts the tension. “That’s the smartest decision you two could make. I’m only sorry I couldn’t convince Ava to go away for the holidays. Now we have the pleasure of hosting a party.” He sighs and shrugs.
“Nicolas!” My mother glares at my stepfather.
“What? It’s true. We’re going to spend hours getting the house ready, preparing the food, and then afterward we have to clean up. I doubt that’s anyone’s idea of a perfect Christmas.”
“I think planning a trip together when you’ve only been seeing each other for a few weeks is unwise. I mean honestly, Christmas is less than two weeks away.” My mother looks at me.
I want to tell her to mind her own damn business, but the words elude me. I fist my fingers, pressing them against my palms. Adam’s grip around my hand tightens. He’s getting upset, though I’m not sure if his anger is for my mother’s intrusive statements or me. Why would he be angry at me?
“Patience unfortunately is not a trait I possess. Besides, the idea of spending the holidays without Evelyn won’t work for me. I won’t do it.”
My mother and Adam stare at each as the phrase “oh shit” is stuck on repeat in my head. After a few heart-pounding seconds my mother relents. She pulls her gaze away from Adam and gives him a hard smile.
“Well, I’m sure Evelyn and I will speak about this trip at length later.”
Oh great, that’s the type of conversation I’m dying to have. I need to get away from them both. I’m being pulled to pieces by these two domineering figures.
“Excuse me.” I don’t bother to wait for a response. I get up and walk to the restroom. For a few minutes I stand in front of the mirror, then I wash my face with cold water and don a brave expression as I make my way back to our table.
Our food soon arrives and I pick at my salad with disinterest. My mother, of course, chides me, and as I listen to her I catch the small frown that forms on Adam’s brow. When will this disaster end?
In less than thirty minutes we’ve finished our meal, and the check is placed on the table. My mother reaches for it, but Adam is quick to counter her. He slips some money in the black folder and hands it to the waiter.
The soft lines in my mother’s face become more pronounced. She hates not being in control. I understand the feeling, since it’s something I’ve been struggling with for the past two weeks. When Adam is around you have to enjoy the ride, because the moment you come in contact with him he’s like a wildfire, and he’ll burn until he’s ready to stop.
We say goodbye, and as we pick up the car from the valet I notice Adam isn’t talking to me. I don’t bother to speak, because after the stressful brunch I’m enjoying the silence.
When we arrive at Adam’s apartment I’m fed up with his brooding mood. “Is there a reason you’re not talking to me?”
“Oh, so the Evelyn I have come to know is still in there. I was beginning to wonder.” Adam tosses his keys on the kitchen counter.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“I can’t believe you let her walk all over you.”
“Wait…” I blink a few times processing my confusion. “You’re angry at my mother and you’re taking it out on me?”
Adam shakes his head. “I’m angry that the woman I normally see in front of me, one that is not afraid to voice her mind to me, is so damn stifled around her mother.”
My fisted hands are shaking. He’s right, I do suppress many of my feelings in the company of my mother, but that’s only because I know the dangers of giving into them. There was a time when I thought of no one else, when I succumbed to my impulses. All that got me was several months in an institution, and for most people that would be the worst experience of their lives. For me it was one in a long string of them.
When I saw Tina’s ashen face, the tearful eyes of my mother looking at me with a horrible mixture of fear, pity, sorrow and anger, the shattered bits of my broken heart were grinded into dust. I swore then I would think about my every action. I would be patient and never give in to the selfish desires I had inherited from my father.
I purse my dry lips and focus on Adam. “Sometimes it’s important to stay quiet.”
“Throughout the entire experience you sat idly while she voiced all of her thoughts. Never once did you offer your own opinion. When is it time to speak up?”
“I didn’t have to; you were more than willing to offer opinions for both of us. In fact, you often make decisions without even consulting me. I had no idea we were going to New York.”
“Let me get this straight—you’re upset I didn’t inform you of my intention to surprise you with a romantic getaway?” He arches his brow at me and I get the full force of Adam Black’s arrogant stare.
“That’s not the point,” I say meekly.
“What is the point?” he scoffs.
“I loathe how you do that, Adam. How you can so easily confuse me. Just because you’re better at arguing a point doesn’t mean you’re right. You do exactly what my mother does.”
&
nbsp; “I suppose the only difference is that when she does it you stay quiet.”
“Is that what has you upset? That I’m docile around her and not you?”
He gives a low chuckle and I shiver at the sound. The way he regards me makes me fidget, though I refuse to give him the satisfaction of turning away. I glower at Adam with a blend of passion and anger reserved solely for him.
“If I wanted a docile woman do you honestly think it would be hard for me to find one?”
Now I want to walk away. I turn around with the intention of going to the bedroom, though I never make it past the first step. Adam grabs hold of my hand and pulls me so my body hits his.
“Answer the question.”
“You are an arrogant, demanding, impossible man.”
“Answer the fucking question.”
“No! If you wanted some docile woman, I’m sure you could find hundreds who would bend over backward for you.” I shove at him and take a step back. “Happy? That’s what you wanted to hear, right? Has your ego been satisfied?”
Adam looks amused and I hate seeing his smug expression, because even though I’m furious I can’t deny this man is damn handsome. He looks as if he’s hiding a smile. Bastard!
For a brief second those hypnotic blue eyes stare at me, and then his arms are around my waist, pulling me against his body. His lips press on mine and his tongue is relentless as it probes my mouth. My hands find their way up his back, settling in his dark locks. I pull on his hair, because although I love the taste of his kisses, I’m desperate for even the smallest edge of control.
Adam bites on my lips as he’s pulled away and the most adorable expression is on his face. “The truth is, I want only you.” Adam shakes his head and for once I see an unsure look in those startling eyes of his. “I don’t like seeing you so uncertain of yourself.”
I blink a few times at his admission. Adam wants me. Why the hell is this idea so hard for me to digest?