He’d taken this far enough. It was better to quit now before he did something foolish. Well, more foolish than what he’d already done. Adam’s heart pounded so quickly he couldn’t count the beats. He slowly removed his hands from her silky hair and stood up.
That small line appeared between Bella’s eyes, as if she were studying him, compiling information, and trying to make sense of it all. He wished her luck, becausehecouldn’t make sense out of what was happening to him.
“I need to send an email I forgot about,” he said by way of explanation. Backing towards the door, he ran his hands through his hair. “It’s going to take a while, so I won’t see you until tomorrow.”
She bit her bottom lip. “Good night.”
He nodded and then made his way out of the room with measured steps.
Ben met him in the hallway with a tray of hot chocolate and cookies. “I thought the two of you could use a snack.”
Adam cleared his throat. “I’m retiring for the night. But I’m sure Bella will appreciate it.”
Ben continued down the hall.
Adam watched him for several seconds. “Ben?”
Ben turned, the tray held perfectly level at chest height. “Yes?”
“Do you think it’s possible that Bella could …” He glanced away and caught his reflection in the mirror. What a gruesome sight he’d become. The idea that Bella, who was sweet and strong and beautiful, could ever care for him the way he cared for her was preposterous. Not because she was so shallow that she wouldn’t see past his injury, but because he’d done nothing in his life to qualify him for a woman of her caliber. “Never mind.” He paused, Ben patiently waiting. “Thank you, Ben, for all you do around here, for sticking with me even when I behave like the Beast they all call me.”
Ben’s expression was a mixture of surprise and modesty. “You are not so bad,” he teased.
Adam laughed, feeling some of the self-loathing ease. “I’ll try to remember that.”
“You should.” Ben said it as though he had read Adam’s thoughts only moments before. With a slight incline of his head, he turned to take the tray into Bella.
Adam watched him go, wishing he was a better man and could confidently take Bella into his arms. Though, what would happen after the contract was fulfilled and she passed the bar exam, he didn’t know. Perhaps, when she was free to go, she would run away and never return. The thought brought gloomy rain clouds into his soul, and he plodded into his room, alone.
Chapter Eighteen
Bella
Rain pelted windows and lightning flashed, sending eerie shadows dancing across the room, but inside, the library was cozy. The gas fireplace cast a golden glow over everything, making the leather books gleam and Adam’s skin turn golden. Bella couldn’t stop looking at him. No matter how many times she told herself to concentrate, torts weren’t as interesting as the man sitting across from her.
Two nights ago he’d undone her hair and run his fingers through it in the most delightful way that left Bella’s head spinning. She had no idea a man could be that gentle, that caring in a caress. He’d awakened thoughts and feelings inside of her that she’d managed to keep below the surface until then.
Her eyes traced over his broad shoulders and defined chest. Even though he wore a button-up shirt, open at the collar and the sleeves rolled up, she could tell his body was strong and fit.
“What?” Adam asked her suddenly, having caught her staring.
Her cheeks warmed and she sat up taller. “I was just thinking that you look …” She paused to keep herself from blurting out something ridiculous likehot. “Healthy. I think you’re finally recovered from the surgery.”
His face darkened. “Not likely.” He lightly brushed his fingers across his scarred cheek. The lines where the skin had joined together were pink and stood out. Wearing the mask at night was supposed to help with that, but it would take time.
She reached up and brushed his fingers away with her own. Touching ever so lightly, she cupped his cheek in her hand. “You’re more than a pretty face, Adam.”
His eyes danced, and there was a challenge in there that she was eager to meet. “You shouldn’t call a man pretty.”
Bella flipped her hair over her shoulder. She wore it down because part of her wished Adam would dig his fingers into her scalp once more. She’d never felt so cared for by a man as when he touched her. “What do you want me to call you?” she challenged.
Something shifted in Adam’s gaze. The teasing was gone, and in its place was a warm and tender invitation. The warmth grew as his eyes traced her lips until it was a sizzling attraction that could and certainly would consume her.
“Here we are.” Mrs. Poole bustled into the room pushing a serving cart. Her arrival interrupted whatever was going on between Bella and Adam. They both leaned back, away from the blaze burning between them.
Even with the connection broken, there was still something going on inside Bella. This room, and their time spent here alone, was fast becoming her most cherished part of the day. Though she hoped it would never end, The Cove was almost complete and the contract less than a month from being fulfilled. Then, she would be free to go without any repercussions. Well, legal repercussions. Her heart may never be the same, because it knew it belonged here— with Adam. In order to leave, she may have to leave it behind.
The smell of seafood and butter wafted from the tray as Mrs. Poole lifted a silver lid, revealing two lobsters in a bed of green lettuce.
