Adam’s face paled. “Lobster?”
Mrs. Poole began clearing the books off the coffee table as if her employer didn’t look like he’d swallowed the lobster tail whole. Bella rushed to help her, adding bookmarks and saving spaces so she would be able to pick up where she’d left off. She wasn’t scolded for helping this time. Perhaps Mrs. Poole was getting used to her wanting to do things on her own. More likely she was respectful of the fact that this was Bella’s work, and she didn’t want to mess that up.
“I always serve lobster on Valentine’s Day. And since the two of you hole up in here like birds of a feather, I had to bring it to you.”
Bella dropped the book on torts with a thud that sounded through the whole house. “It’s Valentine’s Day?” If that was true, it was also her father’s birthday, and she hadn’t called him yet. Nor had she thought to buy him a gift. As lazy as her evenings seemed, she was soaking in every last bit of information possible before the test. Adam was a huge help, but he was also a distraction, and more often than not it was him that filled her thoughts before bedtime and not criminal law and procedure.
“February 14th, same as last year.” Mrs. Poole looked back and forth between the two of them. “You’d think you two would keep track of the date.”
“I do,” they answered in unison. Just that morning Bella had Adam sign and date the re-application for subdividing Phase II. The first one had lapsed because the planning council dragged their feet making a decision, and so they’d had to reapply. That was one of many things she’d accomplished—the days were too short to get it all done.
She kept her eyes off of Adam and on organizing the books as Mrs. Poole laid out what would be considered a romantic meal, including two golden candlesticks. Her face burned. Were her feelings so transparent that the cook felt the need to play matchmaker? If Adam didn’t want to be with her, then he shouldn’t be forced into an intimate dinner. “I should take this back to my room and study there. I don’t want to impose on a family tradition.”
Adam’s hand on her arm stilled her movements. “Stay,” he said softly, asking in his own way even though it came out as a command. “I promise we’ll cover everything on your study guide for the night.”
Her eyes lifted to gauge his sincerity and found no reason to say no. Though it wasn’t the study guide she was worried about. The more time she spent with Adam, the more she couldn’t help but touch him—his hand, his arm, his back. It was like she had no control over herself anymore. Throw in candlelight and the storm raging outside, and she may not keep her head straight. “Okay.”
Mrs. Poole finished setting out their plates, side by side, so they had to share the couch to eat. “There. I’ll be back in a while to gather the dishes. Don’t you dare touch them.” She pointed her finger at Bella.
“Promise.” Bella smiled easily.
Mrs. Poole winked before leaving the room, and Bella thought she just might die of embarrassment. Did the whole castle know that she’d fallen for Adam? They were always disappearing with secretive smiles on their faces when the two of them entered a room.
“I have a confession to make.” Bella sat on her hands. “I’ve never eaten lobster before.”
“Never?” Adam asked as if that was the most preposterous thing he’d ever heard. He added a slight gasp, telling her it was scandalous as well.
She slapped his arm. “Not all of us grew up in a castle, you know.”
Adam smiled. “I’ll make you a deal: you tell me about your childhood, and I’ll make sure you don’t starve.”
“What do you want to know?” She mimicked his movements as he grabbed the body and tail of the lobster and twisted to separate. “Umm.” Her hands were covered in butter.
Adam grinned, his eyes doing that adorable crinkling thing in the corners. “Don’t worry about it. You’ll get a lot messier before we’re done.”
She scowled. “Great.”
He cracked the flat end of the tail, the crackling noise competing with the hum of the gas fireplace. Then he pressed on the back of the tail, and the meat fell right out. Bella did the same thing, but her lobster didn’t cooperate.
“Like this.” Adam covered her hands with his and showed her how to do it right. Her stomach flipped, and she ducked her head.
His hands lingered a moment longer than necessary. He leaned close and whispered in her ear, “Start talking.”
She giggled. “Okay. Okay.”
Adam dipped a piece of meat into a small bowl of garlic butter and took a bite. Bella did the same, but quickly, so she could fulfill her part of the bargain. The meat was tender, and she let out a soft moan before speaking. “So, my mom died when I was three.”
“Do you remember her?”
“Only what I’ve seen in photographs, so I guess they aren’t real memories. She’d been sick for some time, so I don’t think we had much of a chance to bond.”
He licked the butter off his thumb, distracting her for a moment. He had the perfect lips. They weren’t too full, nor were they too thin—just right for a man to kiss her thoughts right out of her head. And they were shiny with butter, so they’d surely taste good too.
“Anyway,” she said just a little too loudly. “My dad had been on the fast track to partnership at McGregor and Associates.”
Adam let out a low whistle. “That’s impressive.”
McGregor and Associates was an older firm in Oregon. One of those family dynasty firms that demanded excellence and rarely took on an associate who didn’t bear the McGregor name. Her dad had been one of the exceptions.
