The sound of his orgasm was enough to make mine slam into me and take my breath away. The hot clench of his body around mine, the combined scents of sweat, jizz, and the faded remnants of whiskey on his breath, and the feel of his tight fist still holding mine all mixed together to make my head spin.
As the two of us faded quickly into sleep, all I could think about was the breathy plea in his voice right before he came.
Promise you won’t let me go.
“Never,” I breathed into his damp hair before pressing a kiss into his skin. “Not on your fucking life.”
Because Adrian Hayes was it for me, and I finally knew exactly how to show him I meant it.
#WhiskeyKisses #BeautifulAndPerfectAndMine #VinterDenimFTW #NeverLettingGo
23
#WHYNOTBOTH
ADRIAN
I was sittingon the couch in my rental cabin, staring at my phone like it might spontaneously combust, when a knock at the door made me jump. I’d been avoiding Vic’s increasingly frantic calls for two days now, and the weight of the Solenne Collection decision was sitting on my chest like a boulder.
Through the window, I saw a man in a SERA jacket standing on the porch, snow dusting his shoulders. I recognized him—Dr. Tommy Marian, Foster’s boyfriend. The one who’d been laughing as he pelted Maya with perfectly aimed snowballs, while somehow managing to look like he’d stepped out of a medical drama.
“Adrian?” he called through the door. “It’s Tommy Marian. We met the other day.”
I opened the door, immediately hit by a blast of cold air and Tommy’s easy smile. Up close, he was even more striking—the kind of wholesome, all-American handsome that probably made patients feel better just by walking into the room.
“Hey,” I said, stepping back to let him in. “Is there another epic snow battle on the horizon? Am I being drafted?”
He laughed. “Not today, but you’re on my list for next time.” He stepped inside, shaking snow from his jacket, and held up a thermos. “I’m here to deliver you some cocoa my mom said you liked and to issue an invitation. We’re having Christmas at the lodge—the whole extended Marian clan, plus anyone we’ve adopted along the way. Once my mother heard about you possibly being alone on Christmas, that was it. She said you’re part of the family, whether you like it or not. I’m afraid now it’s a command performance.”
The words hit me harder than they should have.Part of the family.I’d heard similar phrases my whole life, but they’d always felt hollow, obligatory. This felt different. Real.
“That’s really nice of her,” I managed. “I’d love to come, assuming I’m still in town.”
Tommy tilted his head, something shifting in his expression. “Assuming?”
I shrugged, trying for casual. “You know how it is with work. Things come up.”
“Everything okay?” The question was gentle, with that particular tone medical professionals seemed to master—genuinely concerned but not pushy.
I found myself hesitating. I hadn’t talked to anyone about the Solenne offer except Vic. But there was something about Tommy’s presence that made me want to unload the weight I’d been carrying.
“You want to stick around for a coffee or maybe some of that cocoa?” I asked. “I could use some advice.”
He didn’t answer but handed me the thermos and immediately moved to the hooks by the door to remove his coat. When hereturned to the kitchen, he took two mugs from the coffee station and poured us each a cup.
“What’s going on?” he asked.
“It’s kind of a work situation,” I admitted, curling my hands around my mug. The cocoa was still hot, and the warmth was comforting. “Got offered this huge opportunity, but the timing is… complicated.”
Tommy settled his ass against the counter and crossed his arms, giving me his full attention. “I happen to have recent relevant experience about this. Tell me more.”
“It’s a global brand ambassador position,” I found myself saying. “Everything I’ve worked toward for the past five years. Financial security, international recognition, the works. My business manager’s been calling nonstop because they need an answer by Friday.”
“Sounds like a dream opportunity,” Tommy said carefully. “What’s making it complicated?”
I ran a hand through my hair, surprised by how much I wanted to tell him. “It would mean leaving Legacy. Like, immediately. Flying to Paris next week for the launch campaign, then living out of hotels for the next year while I travel the world creating content for the brand.”
“Mmhm.” His face softened in understanding. “And there’s something here you’d be leaving behind.”
