Laying back on the bed, I closed my eyes for a minute until the sound of the front door opening and his voice caught my attention.
My eyes popped open, and I sat up, my heart pounding as I got up off the bed. Was I dreaming, or was he really home?
I tossed his pillow back onto the bed and headed toward the door. “Adam?” I called, hurrying to the living room.
My eyes landed on the most beautiful man I’d ever seen standing in the doorway holding several takeout bags. I stopped a few feet from him and hurriedly took in the artful mess his hair made and the shadows under his bloodshot eyes. It was easy to see he’d had quite a day, too. Adam looked like I felt, but he’d never been more beautiful to me.
“Michael? What are you doing here?” he croaked, his voice more gravel than its usual silk.
I closed the remaining distance between us and cupped his face in my shaking hands. Looking into his eyes, all I wanted to do was kiss him. “What do you mean? I couldn’t stay away from you a second longer than I had to. I got the first flight out of D.C. that I could.”
Finally leaning in, Adam took a step back. My hands slipped from his face and his expression changed. Before I could object, Cole walked in with his luggage. He looked just as disheveled as Adam did.
“Oh, hey Michael.” He looked wrecked as he shuffled from foot to foot, balancing his things. The dark circles under his eyes matched Adam’s. “I’m gonna go put these in my room, and probably go to bed.”
My brows furrowed.His room?
“Here’s your food,” Adam said to him, handing him one of the bags.
Cole nodded and took the bag. “Thanks.”
I watched as he walked to the other side of the apartment. When he closed the door, I looked at Adam.I had so many questions, but they’d have to wait until later.
Focusing back on him, I ran my hands over my face, trying to figure out where to begin. But Adam took that bull by the horns and jumped right in.
“How did it go? Did you get the job?”
His tone was a little detached as I stared into his eyes, every emotion he was feeling crossing his face.
I stepped toward him, but he wrapped his arms around his body. He was protecting himself from what he thought I was going to say.
But he couldn’t be more wrong.
“They offered me a job, yes.”
He sucked in a breath and stood a little taller. “Did you take it?”
I stepped forward and put my hands on him. He was struggling to hold it together as both anger and pain swirled in his eyes. “Before I answer that, Rockstar, I want to know what you think I said.”
Adam huffed and pushed past me, then sat on the leather sofa. I followed him and watched as he took in my body from head to toe. He’d never seen me dressed like this, and I could admit a suit was a good look for me.
He hardened his expression. “I’m not playing games with you, He-Man. Just tell me what you’re going to do.”
I sat down and left a few inches between us, then asked again. “Humor me, here, darlin’. I need to know what the last five months have meant to you. And whether you trust me. Trust what we have.”
Adam blinked at me a few times, then looked down at his hands. I waited, knowing he’d answer, eventually. He turned tear-filled eyes up at me and took another shuddered breath.
My man was afraid. He rubbed at a spot on his chest, and I itched to take him into my arms and reassure him that everything would be okay. That we could make anything work if we loved each other enough.
But he had to believe I’d never leave him, or he’d be terrified for the rest of our lives. I could tell him I wasn’t leaving every day, but he had to believe it in his heart.
“Rockstar,” I whispered, my own eyes filling with emotion.
Seeing the emotion on my face seemed to break open the dam for him.
“You promised,” he whispered. “You said I could trust that you wouldn’t leave like everyone else.”
I nodded. “Yes, that’s exactly what I said. But I need you to tell me what you’re thinking, darlin’.”
