Shit was everywhere. Every surface was covered with something.
A single stove burner was aglow while two frying pans and a stock pot sat on the nearby counter. On the island sat a package of steaks, butter, cream cheese, garlic, two wine bottles, mushrooms, asparagus, potatoes, multiple bowls, a carton of eggs, cream cheese, and flour.
What the fuck was he going to do with flour?
The entire disaster made me smile because it was obvious what he was trying to do. My rockstar was attempting to cook a romantic dinner for us. And even though it had taken multiple attempts to make a grilled cheese sandwich that wasn’t a burned offering, he was doing this for me.
And my heart swelled with joy at his attempt.
Backing out of the danger zone, I padded down the hallway toward his room.
“Where are you, Rockstar?” I called into the silence. “And why you fuckin’ up my kitchen?”
I expected to find him in his room, maybe changing clothes, or taking a shower. But Adam wasn’t here.
My heart began to pound as I checked the other rooms. Where was he? Dreamboat texted me earlier to let me know he’d dropped him off. And the stove was on. He wouldn’t leave the stove on unless he’d been —
The pounding of my heart made the bile in my stomach churn. Panic began to flood my veins like nothing ever had. I pulled out my phone to call Brent when the sound of the front door opening caught my attention.
I raced to the door, only to find him walking in with a Safeway bag in his hands. Adam looked up, his shirt covered in flour, and grinned until he saw my face. His brow furrowed as he walked toward me.
“What’s wrong?”
Hands propped on my hips, I looked down at the floor as I willed my pulse to slow down. My fear of failing to protect him rose to the surface, and even though I tried not to, I growled at him anyway.
“Where the fuck have you been? And why are you alone? You know you’re not supposed to go out alone! It’s not fucking safe! How many fucking times do I have to explain this to you?”
Adam’s eyebrows furrowed as he looked at me like I was crazy. “What the fuck are you talking about? I didn’t go out alone.”
I pointed at the bag and glared at him. “Well, you weren’t here when I got home! And if you’re not here, that means you’re gone. I saw the disaster area in the kitchen and thought you’d been kidnapped. The stove is on, and shit is everywhere! Dreamboat said he brought you home.”
“He did,” he yelled back. “But I forgot something at the store when we went shopping. So, I—”
“Went out alone!” I was going to have a heart attack. “We’ve been over this, you stubborn, gorgeous man. You cannot go out anymore without a bodyguard! If something were to happen to you, I don’t know what I’d do!”
I ran my hands through my hair as Adam’s green eyes took me in. The anger was a result of my fear, and I guess he could see that.
The ire he was feeling slipped from his face as he continued to look at me. Adam dropped the bag on the floor, stepped closer and ran his palms up my chest to my face, where he cradled it. I stepped closer as he brought his lips to mine and kissed me passionately.
His soft lips and warm tongue invaded my senses, and when the familiar taste of him hit my brain, I circled my arms around him and possessively pulled him to me.
Adam ran his calloused fingers through my short hair and moaned as I deepened the kiss. Only when breathing became necessary did I pull back, lowering my forehead to his as I caught my breath.
“I didn’t go out alone, He-Man. I ordered what I needed and had it dropped off with Henry. I went downstairs five minutes ago to get the bag from him.” He continued to run his fingers through my hair and down the back of my neck, soothing me.
When I could breathe again, I pulled back to look him in the eyes, but didn’t let go of him. “You scared me, Rockstar. When I couldn’t find you, I panicked. Please don’t do that to me again. I don’t think I could survive without you.”
Adam stared into my eyes as he assessed me with all the love I felt for him. I wish he’d let me say it. I needed with every fiber of my being for him to know how I felt about him. He needed to know he was everything to me.
“I’m sorry, baby. I just wanted to surprise you. We must have passed each other in the elevators.”
I loosened my hold and brought my hand up to cup his face. Adam leaned into my touch as he gazed at me. I kissed him sweetly, then looked him in the eyes. “I’m never leaving you, Rockstar. Just remember that.”
Adam still struggled with the abandonment issues and probably always would. But I was going to make sure he never had to doubt me.
He nodded and tried to sound convincing. “I’ll try.” He motioned toward the kitchen. “I guess I better get back in there. Our dinner isn’t going to cook itself.”
I smiled at his attempt at domesticity, then kissed his cheek. “Want some help? You’re gonna need your strength for what I have planned for you.”
