“Did you do the routine with me?” she teases, knowing damn well you’d have to sedate Adam to keep him still enough.
I can feel him grinning behind me. “Had my tights and everything,” he deadpans, “but these old hockey knees aren’t what they used to be.”
Their banter drags me back to the summer he graduated, all lopsided smiles, and boy-next-door charm. Back when he was himself, and he made me giddy.
Now? The easiness is gone. Whenever I see him at events, mingling and networking, he makes a show of it. I’ve witnessed the real deal, and the faux debonair grates on my nerves.
“You can let me go,” I finally snap at him, desperate for air.
He takes a small step back, his palms sliding off me painfully slowly, like he’s savoring every shred of connection.
I place my foot back on the ground, turn my heel, and lift my arm up, toward the clear blue summer sky, pretending I can disregard the weight of his stare. “Ignore him, Lilly. Let’s finish.”
She cackles, her forehead covering the screen. “Shoot. Forgot to charge my phone.”
“Don’t you dare hang up!”
“It looks like it’ll shut down—” The call drops.
Perfect.
The yard feels too small with Adam so close. The entire world is restricted to this spot, and every nerve in my body comes alive under his attention.
He bends and whispers in my ear. “If you wanted a window show, all you had to do was ask.” He chuckles, and I feel it deep in my bones.
“Good thing it was free, because it was nothing spectacular,” I bite back.
This time, he throws his head back and bursts out laughing. “You were never a good liar.”
“If you don’t mind, I like my personal space, thank you very much.”
“I like your personal space too,” he says, edging closer. I know he’s doing it to annoy me, but I can’t help the tremor shooting down my spine.
“And I’d like you better with a toe tag. But we can’t all have what we want.”
“So, naked, on a flat surface?” He finally steps away, laughing to himself.
Not far enough, unfortunately, choosing to sit a couple of feet away, leaning against the closest pine tree.
I try everything. Breathing mindfully, going through every part of my body to release the tension, picturing myself on the beach in Bali. Nothing helps. I feel the burn of his gaze all over me. In the end, I’m left grunting and fussing, more unraveled than when I tumbled out of bed.
“What are you doing?” His voice is low, smooth, and far too amused.
It grates on my last nerve. “Trying to center myself, you asshole.”
“Sure.” His chuckle vibrates against my skin. “You look very… serene.”
“Don’t you have anywhere else to be?” I snap at him, but it’s weak. The truth is, I’m glad he’s back. And I hate myself for how much I’ve missed him. For how it all falls into place when he’s near.
He’s also a good distraction, even if all we do is bicker.
“Watching you ‘relax’ is stressing me out. It stopped being entertaining five minutes ago.” In one swift move, he pulls his T-shirt over his head with one hand, giving me a prime view of his abs. “I’m going for a dip.”
For the next fifteen minutes, I stick to my routine. Perfectly focused. Not sneaking glances. Not one bit.
Until he climbs out, water sheeting off him, swim-shorts plastered to his… everything. He pushes his brown hair back,sunlight striking each line of him like he’s every woman’s fantasy come to life.
Damn him.
