Page 73 of Adam’s Obsession

“I’m listening.”

“Okay. Here’s my idea. Monday, I’m going to callParkinson–Whitney.”

Adam’s hands stilled, along with his heart. He lifted hishead and stared into her eyes. “What?”

“It’s perfect. They wanted to hire me three years ago. I’msure the offer will still be good. I saw Charles Whitney at a conference lastyear and he asked me if I was interested in making a change.”

“You’re not leaving.” Adam’s fingers clenched on her thigh.All passion evaporated in a wave of panic. She couldn’t leave. God. No.

“But it will solve everything. We can continue seeing eachother. I’ll just work elsewhere.”

“No.”

“What?”

“No. No. No. God. No. For one thing, Tristan would kill meif I let you leave.”

“Tristan? He has nothing to do with this.”

“More than that, it would kill me not to see you every day.No.”

“But Adam…”

“But nothing. I can’t stand the thought of losing you.”

“Your argument doesn’t make any sense. If I go to work forParkinson–Whitney, you won’t lose me.”

“The company would lose you. Tristan would lose you.”

“I don’t care about Tristan. Will you stop talking aboutTristan?”

“What do you care about?”

“I care about you, Adam. If I have to choose between my joband you, I choose you.”

Her words sent a shaft of hope through him. “My idea isbetter.”

“All right.” She sighed. “What’s your idea?”

“Marry me.”

“What? Adam, that’s crazy. We’ve only been seeing each othera week.”

“Wrong. We’ve been seeing each other for two years. And‘dating’ for over a month.”

“What?”

“Our online conversations were more intimate than any you orI have ever had. And you know it. I know you better than I ever knew Betsy whenI married her. What’s more, I trust you, Kat.”

“Those aren’t valid reasons to get married. For heaven’ssake, Adam—”

“Come on, Kat. It makes perfect sense. This way, you and Ican see each other every day and sleep together every night. And noone—especially Jack—would dare to write you into a macro.”

“Write me into a… What are you talking about?”

He frowned. “Never mind about that. Just say you’ll marryme.”

“Adam.” She fit her palm to the contours of his cheek.Stroked him with her thumb. “People don’t get married because they know eachother or trust each other or even because they want to see each other everyday.”