If we went there and it didn’t work out, it could be the end of our friendship. Not to mention it could be disastrous to our working relationship.
I shifted uncomfortably on my feet as my thoughts continued to swirl, attempting to ignore the feeling of Adam’s gaze burning into me.
ADAM
Fuck.I could see the uncertainty in her eyes. Did I just screw everything up? But she wouldn’t have kissed me back if she didn’t feel the same way I did. And she sure as hell definitely kissed me back.
I was too distracted, only half paying attention to what Dylan was saying on the other end of the line.
“You there?” he asked.
“Yeah.” I sighed, wishing I had Lyla back in my arms instead of Dylan in my ear. “Just walked in the apartment.”
“That’s what I was just saying.” He huffed. “Ethan called me saying you were back. I thought you were working the night shift?”
“I was.” I shook my head, technicallystillwas. “I mean, I am.”
“Okaaay…”
Maybe I was hyper-focused on Lyla at the moment, but I was struggling to comprehend what he needed from me.
“So why are you home now?” He spoke like he was gritting his teeth and trying not to snap.
That was fine, because I was right there with him. And I had no plan to sugarcoat my response. He needed to know my intentions.
“No way was I leaving Lyla here by herself with some lunatic out there watching the apartment.”
Her eyes cut to me, studying my face.
“We don’t know that—” he began.
“Doesn’t matter.” I cut him off, and hoped I could convey the meaning behind my next words as I stared at Lyla. “What if it were Hattie?”
Her brows pulled together.
Dylan let out an exasperated sigh. “That’s not really the same.”
“It’s exactly the same. In every way imaginable. No way was I leaving Lyla, just like no way you would leave Hattie.”
Her mouth dropped open, and at least now I could see more clarity in her eyes.
“Noted. Just no trying to play hero, got me? Let us handle it.”
My grip tightened on the phone. If it came down to protecting her, I’d die trying, so I wasn’t sure I could make any promises.
“Call me back if you have an update. I’ll be here.”
Hopefully, with Lyla wrapped in my arms.
I hung up and shoved my phone back in my pocket. Therewas so much I wanted to say, but I didn’t have the first clue where to start. After the way she responded to my kiss, there was no denying she wanted more. But she needed to understand what I wanted. Because it wasn’t just her gorgeous body for some short-term hookup.
“Lyla…” I began.
Her teeth sunk into her bottom lip so hard I was surprised she didn’t draw blood. I stepped forward, bringing my thumb and forefinger up to grip her chin and gently prying her lip free.
“I want so badly to finish what we started.” I slid my hand around to cup the side of her face. “But I need you to know that once I have you in my bed, you’ll be mine. In every sense of the word. Not just my friend, but the only woman I’ve ever imagined a future with.”
Her eyes widened slightly. Was she not expecting that? Or had I gone too far with my truth? There was so much at risk, I understood that, but I was ready to lay it all out for her and prayed she felt the same.
