But I was also conflicted. I had a duty to perform. So I pulled back as we caught our breath. I brought my lips to his forehead, letting them linger a bit before stepping back out of his arms.
Adam looked as dazed as I felt, but his face and eyes were open, and I could see his want and need as clear as day. He looked at my kiss-swollen lips, then up into my eyes. “I’m sorry. Michael. I overreacted, and I apologize for—”
I stopped him there with a quick kiss. “No, sweetheart. I should have asked you before I cleaned up the first thing. I’m sorry I overstepped.”
“No,” he answered vehemently. “I was a dick to you.”
I smiled, feeling a need to lighten the moment with our normal banter. “Well, I love the way you apologize.”
Adam smiled. “Of course you do. I’m an excellent kisser.”
Laughing, I enjoyed the lightness of our unofficial relationship. Then a thought occurred to me. “So, who gets this one for the competition? Me or you?”
“Me,” he scoffed. “I’m the one who apologized.”
I grinned, knowing he’d say that. “I think we need to talk about this.”
I cupped his cheek and gently pressed my thumb over his lips to stop him from talking. “Let me shower, then we’ll talk. Okay?”
Adam gazed up at me and nodded nervously. “Yeah, okay. I’ll get the takeout menus and meet you on the sofa.”
I smiled, then kissed his forehead again, eliciting a sigh from him. Stepping back, I picked up my clothes and went into the bathroom with a smile on my face.
CHAPTER9
ADAM
I don’t knowhow long I sat there, debating with myself whether I should take another chance with my stupid, stupid heart. I felt like I was pulling the petals from a metaphorical daisy. Try again, don’t try again.
I’d only gone through three or four daisies before the sound of the bathroom door opening kicked up the rhythm of my heart. I wasn’t sure how to handle this awkwardness, so I decided to pretend like it didn’t happen. You know, play it cool like the hottest moment of my life left me unaffected.
My thoughts continued to ping-pong back and forth until the scent of his body wash floated in the air and reached me before he did. It was masculine and woodsy, and my brain had already permanently assigned that scent to him, making me smile.
I had to get a grip before a hysterical giggle ripped from me.
Food.
I’d think about food. And if that didn’t work, I’d force myself to think about how badly it hurt when Cooper broke up with me.
Shaking the thought from my head, I peered back at him. “Hey, what do you want for dinner?”
He-Man didn’t answer until he rounded the back of the sofa and took a seat next to me.
“Doesn’t matter to me. Whatever you want is fine. But no junk food, please.”
The ease in his voice relieved some of the tension coiled in my gut. I felt my stomach relax at how normal he sounded. This wouldn’t be a big deal after all. As relief washed over me, I couldn’t stop a smile from spreading across my face.
Of course, he noticed.
He noticed everything.
“What are you smiling about, Rockstar?” He-Man elbowed me playfully.
How should I answer that? I went with the obvious joke. It was easier than facing all my doubts.
“I’m just thinking about how I’m winning the boyfriend game, since you can’t stay away from me now. Better make sureyoudon’t fall in love withme.”
He-Man chuckled at how I’d tossed his words right back at him. Playing it cool was definitely the way to go, even though I still had no control over the smile on my face.
