With Regrets Adam

by Adam (lit)

  After a while, she realized she hadn’t turned a page in a long time. The picture on the page in front of her was chicken enchiladas. Hana might be Mexican, with her dark complexion, black hair, and chocolate brown eyes. If so, enchiladas might be one of her favorite dishes. Lyn snickered. Imagine asking old starch face to fix her a chicken enchilada. Not a chance, she decided. She’d wait until she was back in Albuquerque where she knew the places to buy the best enchiladas and burritos.

  If she ever got back there.

  Chapter Six

  The key turned in the lock at 6:20. Lyn was lying in the floor where she had been doing sit-ups and leg stretches. Hands out over her head, knees bent, she glanced up when the door opened.

  “What the hell are you doing down there?” Adam towered over her. His expression hadn’t changed much from when he’d left, and he was still frowning. The beginning of a dark beard made him look more dangerous than usual. He wore a dark blue suit with a pale blue shirt, dark blue tie with white arrows in it. Loafers were definitely designer He also wore the perpetual frown he seemed to have perfected, seeing as he was never without it.

  “Contemplating.” She rolled over and came up on her knees, and then quickly stood. Much too close for comfort, she took a step backward.

  He followed. When they were face to face an inch apart, he reached for her.

  “Don’t.” Her hands came up but were trapped between them against his chest.

  His mouth fastened on hers before she could take a deep breath. The kiss was deep and violent. Her heart banged in her chest, slammed so hard she was certain it would come through flesh and bone. Somewhere, a warning flashed, a denial that he could make her feel anything. But she did. She felt everything, his mouth, his teeth, his breath, furious and punishing.

  To him, she was Kara. To Adam, she was a loose playing, aggressive, money hungry woman, one who needed to be punished. And he was just the man to do it.

  Twisting, wriggling, shoving did nothing to loosen his hold. One hand held her head so she couldn’t turn away from him, and he made certain her teeth weren’t free to bite. He forced her lips apart and slid his tongue inside to tangle with hers.

  Fighting Adam didn’t stop the stimulation building in her, the warm kick through her stomach, the excitement and expectation. Thoughts of getting free of him vanished, and she relaxed into his embrace. Her movement freed her arms, and she moved them up to his shoulders.

  He sensed her yielding and lifted his head to stare into her wide open eyes. In the half light, they were navy blue with thick curled lashes. Her lips were parted, her breath coming in tiny puffs. In that moment, he could have eaten her alive. Her unexpected response ignited a fuse already smoldering, sent heavy blood flowing to his loins. He pressed into her, one hand sliding down to force her hips tightly into his arousal.

  “Let me go,” she said. “Please.” She bit her lip and blinked several times. What in the world was she doing responding to Adam Mabry like a wound-up doll with a switch marked: Interested in sex?

  “I don’t think so. It seems you’re about as hot as you need to be for me to take care of you.” His thick brows rose. “Since Aaron isn’t here, I can substitute.”

  The color drained from her face. “Adam.” She laid her face on his chest. “You can’t seriously mean to sleep with your brother’s wife.”

  “Since you say you aren’t his wife, I don’t have to worry.” But he did. If this is Kara, and I’m sure it is, what the hell am I doing? She’s Kara. You know she is. Aaron’s wife. How could he ...?

  The bottom line was: He wanted her, and he was going to have her, sister-in-law or not. With one hand, he pushed her head back and took her mouth again, brutally, because he wanted her that way. And she liked it hard and fast according to several hints from Aaron when they talked about her. Something they seldom did, but when he mentioned his wife, Aaron didn’t mind saying she liked sex and didn’t mind roughness. In fact, once he’d said Kara preferred he not be too gentle with her. Adam had not been inclined to go further with that discussion. Now, he recalled it clearly.

  It didn’t matter. He wanted this woman, and he was going to have her. Now.

  His arms tightened and he tilted her head back so he could find her mouth again. Reaction, violent reaction sent his blood soaring, and turned him stone hard. Every nerve in his body went on high alert, ready to explode. With a low curse, he pushed her backward to the bed and fell with her. Holding her hands above her head, he yanked the pants to the warm-up suit down and off her legs, revealing the plain white cotton panties she wore.

  Adam hesitated. Something made him wonder, something out of order somehow. White, cotton panties. Odd item for Kara to wear, Kara who favored silks and satins and lace. So it’s wintertime. He pushed the slipover top up, pulled Lyn up, and the shirt over her head in one smooth move. Beneath it, she wore a white lacy bra.

  Her hands were free and she used her elbow to connect with his chin. He grunted and fell hard across her.

  “Damn you.”

  Suddenly, Lyn stopped fighting. “If you do, it will be rape.”

  He breathed hard. “That’s up to you. Relax and enjoy or do it the hard way.”

  Her heart hammered, her breath came fast and rough through her dry throat. “Don’t do it. You’ll be sorry.”

  He shook his head. “No, I won’t.” He held her down with his body and kicked off his shoes. His pants followed. He pressed his knees between her legs.

  Lyn shut her eyes and lay stiffly beneath him.

  Why he hesitated, he didn’t know. He’d made up his mind he’d take her, he’d make her submit to him, and she would tell him where Aaron was, why they had split up and she remained in Albuquerque.

  “Open your eyes.”

  She didn’t move.

  “Open your eyes, dammit!”

  The long lashes lifted, and he looked into fierce anger with so much heat he could almost feel the flame. He didn’t remember that her eyes were such a deep blue, but then, he’d only seen her the one time when they visited him overseas. And it had been in the dark when she came to his bedroom. He had been tempted to tell Aaron of her aggressive move on him but thought better of it. The less said about it, the less importance would be made of it.

  “Kara.”

  She blinked, opened her mouth, and then closed it without speaking. Why argue that she wasn’t Kara? He hadn’t believed her earlier, and he certainly wasn’t going to listen now.

  He bent and brushed his mouth over hers and nibbled at her lips. She pressed them together and tried to turn her head.

  “Don’t turn away. Kiss me back and I’ll let you alone.” He smiled. “For now.”

  She stared. If she kissed him, he’d let her go? What kind of deal was that? What kind of game was he playing?

  “Will you?” He watched her for any expression.

  “Will I what?”

  “Kiss me.”

  “Why?”

  “Because that’s the only way you’ll get from under me.”

  “All right.”

  “Such enthusiasm. Try to show a bit more with this kiss.” He placed his mouth over hers, and moved it back and forth. “I’m waiting.” His tongue slid along the seam of her closed lips and forced them open. “Put your arms around me.”

  She did and placed one hand behind his head, ran her fingers through the silky thickness. With her head tilted, her lips parted to accept the thrust of his tongue, she held her breath to see what would happen. What happened was unexpected. Her mind cleared of fright, of questions, of anger. Instead, it filled with expectation, anticipation of unexplained feelings, the quest for answers. The kiss zinged along her nerves, ripped her thoughts to shreds.

  And then her mind blanked, and she had only sensations, the warmth and need of feelings she was unsure of. He shouldn’t make her feel this way, make her want more than she should have, especially from this man. This man who thought he was kissing another woman.

  His mouth tease
d hers until, with a groan, he crushed her lips, wrapped his tongue around hers and sucked. Heat shot into her belly and her thighs. She jerked and found herself hard against his erection. For an instant, she thought he would forget his promise not to rape her. And then, he raised his head.

  Her eyes opened wide to stare into dark gray ones. The puzzled look in those eyes must reflect what was in hers, the questions of what they were doing and what their actions would cost them.

  Plenty, Lyn told herself, even as she tightened her arms around Adam’s neck. This would cost both of them, but she would pay the most. Simply because she was the unknown in this problem.

  He rested his forehead on hers. “If I’m going to stop, now’s the time. Take your arms down.”

  She obeyed and let her arms drop alongside her body. He rolled off her and sat on the side of the bed. After a moment, he pulled on his pants and stood. Without looking at her, he said, “Dinner in thirty minutes.” He glanced over his shoulder. “I suggest you put on some clothing.”

  He went through the door but didn’t lock it. She guessed he figured he or Garth could stop her should she try to run. Where could she go in a snowstorm even if she should find a way out? How far is it to neighbors or stores or highway? She had no answers and had more sense than to try to escape with so many unknowns.

  Dressed in a white pullover and red knit pants, she stood in front of the dressing room mirror and ran a brush through her hair. There was a small plastic bag with makeup in her handbag, but she didn’t know where it was. It didn’t matter anyway. No need for makeup to impress Adam. He didn’t strike her as someone who would care, especially not in her case. A glance at the radio clock by the bed told her she still had ten minutes before dinner.

  She wandered to the glass doors and pushed the slatted blinds aside. It was dark, but an outside security light cast shadows on the snow. It had stopped snowing, but there must be a foot on the ground. Not a good night to try escaping.

  But at Lovelace Hospital. How had Adam managed to get her an excused absence if he thought she was Kara? If her staff figured out the mixed-up names, what would they do? Certainly, call in the police to check for a missing person? Wouldn’t they go to her house and check to see if she was there? But, of course, if she had gone to see her sister, she wouldn’t be at home. She sighed. It was too confusing. She wasn’t afraid. Exactly. Wary of the situation? Yes, indeed.

  What if he’d gone through with his threat to have sex with her, whether consensual or not? She didn’t want to know the answer to that question.

  The knock at the door startled her. She waited until the door opened, and Adam stood there. The dark wine warm-up suit he wore probably sold for what her entire wardrobe would cost. Handsome, she thought, and recalled the feel of his mouth on hers, that moment in time when her feelings were suspended in disbelief. How could she have this, this kind of feelings about a man who had abducted her?

  It was the million dollar question.

  He looked her over, nodded, and motioned for her to come with him. He led her into the dining room rather than the breakfast nook. Lyn looked around. She wasn’t much for guessing prices, but she’d bet the dining room suite cost more than her yearly salary. She had no idea what kind of wood it was, but the golden luster was polished enough you could see vague reflections in it.

  Adam held a chair for her, and she slid into it.

  “If I’d known we were going formal, I would have worn one of Kara’s gowns.”

  “Since they were bought for you, I’m sure they’ll fit. Wear whatever you care to.” He sounded as though he didn’t care.

  “I prefer my own clothing.”

  “As you wish.” He looked up as Garth came into the room, nodded to them and took the chair opposite Lyn.

  He was a big man, wide shoulders, taller than Adam and outweighed him by 25 pounds, she would guess. Dressed in a navy blue warm-up suit, he looked as relaxed as Adam.

  Only Lyn sat stiffly in the comfortable dining room chair. There were crystal glasses of red wine by each plate.

  Hana came in to place soup bowls in front of them. She left and returned to place small bowls of croutons at each plate.

  “How do you like your steak?”

  Lyn looked at Adam who was looking at her. “She’s asking you. She knows how Garth and I like ours.”

  “Oh.” Lyn turned to Hana. “Thank you, Hana, but I don’t care for a steak. The soup will be plenty for me.”

  “Nonsense.” Adam leaned toward her. “You’re quite fond of steak, rare if I remember correctly when you were at my home.”

  She smiled at him. “Since I’ve never been to your home, Adam, I don’t see how you can recall my preference.”

  He swore quietly. “Kara, for God’s sake.” He stopped, and then spoke to Hana. “Fix hers rare the same as ours, Hana. It will make it easier for you.”

  Hana nodded and left.

  Lyn sat back in her chair. “Why waste a perfectly good piece of meat that I’m not going to eat? Why pour red wine for me when I don’t drink it? If you don’t want to serve me Chardonnay, fine. I don’t have to have wine with my meals.” She picked up the soup spoon and tasted the soup. Some sort of fancy thin concoction that was delicious.

  “I’ll get the Chardonnay if you like, Boss,” Garth said.

  Adam nodded. “Thanks, Garth. We’ll humor her and see how she likes the white versus the red.”

  “Thank you.” She continued to eat until she had finished the soup. She wiped her mouth on the snowy linen napkin and picked up the wine glass Garth placed near her plate.

  A few minutes later, Hana came in with steaks sizzling on platters. She left those and went back to return with baked potatoes and a large bowl of salad.

  Lyn eyed her plate of steak, pushed it aside, and reached for her salad bowl. Adam watched, eyes narrowed and frowning.

  “You’re being obstinate, refusing a good steak just to show me you can.”

  She put her elbows on the table and propped her chin in her cupped palm.

  “Adam, Garth insisted I eat earlier today. A soup, salad and baked potato is a lot more than I ever have time to eat when I’m working. And I don’t cook very many full meals just for me. I’m not used to eating so much, especially at night.”

  “Then don’t blame me if you go to bed hungry.”

  Adam and Garth carried on a conversation around and over her head, but she didn’t care. Their subject matter didn’t interest her. She sipped the wine and enjoyed it.

  “How about dessert, Kara? Lemon pound cake.”

  “Yes. I’d like a small slice.” She smiled at Hana. “Did you bake the cake?”

  Hana’s beady brown eyes were cold and unfriendly. “I baked it.”

  “Hana cooks everything fresh from appetizers to desserts,” Garth said.

  “You’re very lucky to have someone like her to take care of your appetites. What does Hana do when you aren’t up here in the wilds?”

  “She lives here.”

  “Alone? It must be terribly lonesome without neighbors.”

  “She has family. Children and grandchildren.”

  Lyn looked her surprise. “I haven’t seen anyone else.”

  “Children work. Grandchildren go to school.”

  “Where?”

  “Not too far from here.” Adam’s reply was noncommittal.

  So there are neighbors. How close? Even if she happened to escape and saw these neighbors, they were Hana’s people, therefore in Adam’s employ. No way out there.

  Hana brought in slices of cake for each of them. “Would you like ice cream on it?”

  Lyn shook her head. Adam and Garth refused it also.

  “This is really good.” She looked up but Hana had returned to the kitchen. She shrugged and finished the cake.

  Adam pushed back his chair. “If you’re through, we’ll go into the great room.”

  “I’m going to bed early tonight, Boss. What time are you leaving tomorrow?”

&
nbsp; “Around six, if I can make myself move.”

  “Yeah, you’ve been running full blast lately. Best you slow down a bit.”

  “I’m talking to the private detective at noon tomorrow. I’m hoping he’ll have some news.”

  Lyn followed Adam into the huge room and watched as he added wood to the fire.

  “You’ve hired a private detective? You mean Aaron is actually missing? You really don’t know where he is?”

  “Did you think I made up the story?”

  “But, where is Kara? Why aren’t you looking for her, too?”

  Adam turned the cold gray eyes on her. “Listen to yourself, Kara. Don’t you think that’s rather asinine to keep pretending.”

  “No, I think it’s asinine that you keep calling me Kara.”

  Chapter Seven

  Adam swiveled on his heels and scowled. “Dammit, Kara, you only need to tell me what you and Aaron quarreled about, where he said he was going. I know he’d tell you, or he would call me. Evidently, you’ve really pissed him off, and he’s taking his time about getting in touch with me.” He walked toward her. “And that really bothers me, because he usually keeps in touch. There are business problems we need to discuss, something I’d rather not decide entirely alone. I need his input.”

  Lyn sympathized, but that was all she could do. “I don’t know anything about Aaron, Adam. Or Kara, either, for that matter. We’ve gone our separate ways for many years with very little communication between us.”

  He shoved his hands through the dark hair, pushing a thick wave back that immediately fell over his forehead.

  “To hell with it.” He reached for her and yanked her into his arms.

  She opened her mouth to yell at him only to have him cover it with his, a rough kiss that had her breath catching. In defense, she caught his arms and held on. How could he have her trembling from a kiss meant to punish? How could he start sensations rushing through her, feelings she couldn’t identify, had never felt enough to understand?