I tilt against the headrest to watch him as he drives. I don’t often get to simply watch him without having to combat his authoritative and intense stare in return.
He’s got a strong nose and jaw, a shapely and pouty mouth, the subtle stubble along his jaw and chin, and the feathering of gray along his temples.
I can’t see much of him otherwise, but he’s got a beautiful face, distinguished yet rugged.
Adam was made for business, to be a leader, and it shows. But was he made for romance?
I suppose we would see. He’s given me hints at it.
The slow but dominant way he’s taken charge but hasn’t pushed me past where I’m comfortable.
Mostly.
When I pull back, he wants to know why. And that’s more important than I ever thought possible.
It’s not what I’m used to.
I’ve always taken care of and given myself over to my partners—offered too much of myself for minimal returns.
He glances at me as we exit the town limits, and I’m even more curious about what he has planned.
Most of what surrounds Pinebrook is forest.
A lake sits on one side, a small one fed by a small river, and I’m pretty certain we’re headed to a private spot that I never would have pinned as one of Adam’s favorites.
When we park, I can barely see the edge of a hill in the growing darkness through the back window, a lookout in the woods that I’ve never been to before.
I wait as Adam exits the SUV and opens the back hatch. Cold breaches the warmth we’ve built along the drive.
Again, I find myself watching him through the gap in the seats. He spreads out a blanket and props a cooler and heat bag at the end before his gaze lifts to mine.
The confidence and amusement tugs at me.
I climb out of my seat and join him.
Adam has a blanket ready for me, wrapping it around my shoulders before helping me up in the back of his vehicle.
He lingers above me, his big hand cupping my cheek, sliding his fingers behind my ear and brushing my jaw with his thumb.
“So this is your favorite place?”
“Yes.” Such a simple answer. Is he trying to get me to pry?
“Why?” Because I find myself actually wanting to know what makes him tick.
“It’s quiet here. No board meetings, no phones, no noise. Just…room to breathe.” He’s searching me for something again, and the heat of him is delicious with the cold swirling around us.
I want to lean into him, but our date has just started. It’s too early to cuddle in close and encourage the things I’ve been daydreaming about since he denied me.
But I don’t take the opening, remembering what he taught me about leaning in, touching him…
“And then there’s me, ruining your peace.”
A small, sly grin greets me. “Maybe you’re the reason it’s peaceful.”
I snort and shake my head, embarrassment heating my face. Taking his hand in mine, I examine his large, blunt fingers and trace the lines of his palm. “You don’t strike me as the type to picnic in the woods.”
“That’s because you only see me when I’m working.”
