“That’s good,” I say, genuinely happy for him.“Are you finally feeling settled?”
He hesitates, then nods.“Actually… yeah.And something big happened the other day.”
I lean in.“Tell me.”
He meets my eyes, something intense flickering there.“I had an emergency case… a heart attack.And I handled it.No hesitation.Just got in there, took control, and helped.”His fingers tighten around his glass.“I haven’t told you this, but your mom helped me a lot with moving forward after my dad passed.Because of her, I was able to confront my fear, let it go, and just focus on doing my job again.And it felt good.Really good.”
I reach across the table, and he releases his glass, letting me hold his hand.“I had no idea it bothered you that much.You should’ve told me.”
His thumb brushes over my skin, eyes locking on mine.“I didn’t know how to.I barely wanted to admit it to myself.”
And as we sit there, fingers intertwined, I realize something.I don’t just like Adrian.
I’m falling in love with him.
Chapter 34
Amelia
Aswestepoutof the restaurant, the night air is crisp and laced with the scent of rain on pavement.I don’t want the night to end.Not yet.
Adrian glances at me, and a broad smile crosses his face.“Wanna go somewhere else?Just us?”
“Definitely.”
I let myself sink into the moment, into him.His hands find my lower back, pulling me close.I enjoy the heat radiating from his body, the steady rise and fall of his chest against mine.When he leans down toward my ear, he whispers, “I’ve missed being around you.”His breath tickles my skin, sending a shiver down my spine.
And then, as we turn, reality comes crashing in.
Russell.
He and his crew are hanging out near the exit, gobbling loudly, their presence an unavoidable obstacle.Adrian exhales sharply.“You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me.”
“Seriously?He really has it in for you.”
“I don’t know why.”
But instead of puffing up and strutting like he owns the place, Russell simply bobs his head in acknowledgment.No fluffed-up feathers.No aggressive posture.I glance at Adrian.“Maybe he likes you now?”
Russell lets out a deep, throaty gobble, something between a chuckle and a warning.
“Wouldn’t say that too loudly.”
Still, as we move past, he doesn’t block our way, charge, or flap his wings in protest.Instead, he steps aside, letting us pass without a fuss.A rare, almost unsettling moment of peace.
Once we’re in the clear, Adrian slides his hand into mine, lacing our fingers together.“Let’s go home.”
A flicker of something dark and wanting passes over his face.“Keith’s out tonight.”He pulls me in closer.“I can’t wait any longer to have you again.Please come home with me.”
His words send an ache to my core.“Mm.I like the sound of that.”
The drive to Keith’s place is filled with anticipation.My pulse is erratic, my skin buzzing with awareness.Adrian keeps one hand on the wheel, the other resting on my thigh, his thumb tracing slow circles against the fabric of my jeans.Every glance he throws my way is thick with promise.
By the time we step inside, our restraint disappears.
The door barely clicks shut before I’m reaching for him, my hands fisting in his shirt, tugging him down to me.His lips crash into mine hungrily, and I lose myself in the kiss.Fingers tangling in my hair, he tilts my head back as he deepens it, stealing my breath, my thoughts.Everything.
“Fuck.I want you,” he murmurs against my mouth.
