Liv smiled as she remembered Adam’s tortured face. She probably should’ve told Adam who her dad was when he told her where he worked, but tonight had been way more fun. Adam had been giving her a hard time. Introducing her dad cold like she had was merely payback. Now they were even. A question had been pulling at her: Will Adam treat me differently now that he knows? After tonight she’d know. She really hoped the answer was no. She snuggled in for the night with a good romance book and drifted to sleep a half hour later.
• • •
Silver Lining rose and fell abruptly on the water. It rocked and hit the dock full force. Liv rushed to the patio, still in only her pajamas and bare feet, in an attempt to tie down her home. The winds picked up and she lost her footing, hitting the rail. Her legs smacked with such force that her body toppled forward before she could grab onto anything.
Liv struck the cool water, instantly feeling her breath catch as she tried for another. She was pulled under and pushed up abruptly, each time barely catching her breath.
Swim! Get to shore! The whipping water splashed her face and her kicking legs burned from the blow they’d just received. Take control and swim! Liv tried, but she wasn’t getting anywhere. Panic set in and her breathing became more erratic.
“Hel—” Her body was swept under before she could complete her cry.
• • •
The storm had gone from a downpour to a fierce force just in the few minutes it took Adam to unload the groceries. He paused from putting away a jar of peanut butter and a few cans of soup when he heard the distinct sound of a banging shutter. Damn. Well, at least he was already wet, so now would be a good time to tie them down. He hustled outside and stopped dead in his tracks.
What the hell? Her houseboat wasn’t there. He scanned the water farther out and saw the long boat free and moving farther away.
There was no time for gear. Instinctively he jumped in the water and swam to Silver Linings. As Adam approached he could faintly hear short cries for help. Then they stopped. Liv. His heart rate skyrocketed as he made his way to her through the turbulent water. By the time he reached her, she was unconscious. Adam swam on his side, positioning her on her back, resting on his side. He held her below her neck with his left arm, making sure her head didn’t dip underwater as he swam to the dock.
Adam hauled her up on the dock and checked her vitals. Heartbeat steady, but low, and she was breathing.
“Liv!” he shouted and tapped the side of her face. She needed to wake up. “Liv!”
The longer she was out, the more dread filled his body.
Finally Adam heard low moans and her eyelids fluttered. She coughed and he shifted her on her side.
“You’re okay. You’re okay.” He heard his tone, soft and reassuring. He rubbed her forehead again and then cupped her face in his hands. Liv opened her eyes and searched his. He brushed her soaked hair away from her face. Man, she’s beautiful.
“You scared me,” he said gently as his fingers caressed her hair.
Rain fell in sheets and Adam saw the lime-green lines from Silver Lining rock in the water out of the corner of his eye. Shit. He couldn’t leave her houseboat vulnerable in the storm.
She tried to sit up, but he gently moved his hands down to her shoulders to stop her. He wasn’t sure how much water she’d swallowed, if she’d hit her head, or hurt anything else.
“Hold on. Just rest for a moment. I got ya.”
She closed her eyes and then opened them suddenly. “My house!” She sat up quickly, so much so that her forehead connected with his cheek.
“Ah!” Liv recoiled at the hard connection.
Adam moved his head back and internally cringed at the pain but didn’t make a sound. He didn’t want to make this situation any worse.
“Sorry. Are you okay?” Her eyes widened with concern.
It took him aback. Maybe she said that because she’d been the one to inflict the pain. But still, she cared. A lump formed in his throat and he swallowed to squelch it.
“I wanted to make sure you’re okay. Go inside—”
“Where?” she interrupted.
“Mine. Go in and dry off. I’ll get your boat.”
“Adam, no! It’s way too rough and that thing is huge.” She grasped him by the shoulders now. “Thank you for saving me, but leave the boat.”
“Liv. Go inside.” It was not a question, but a command.
• • •
She watched as Adam briefly stopped at the back of his boat, grabbed equipment she’d never seen before, and dove into the water. All in a matter of seconds. Go inside? How could she go inside when Adam had just saved her life and then threw himself back out into stormy water to save her home?
The tears came on suddenly and strong. She didn’t want him to die. She wanted him safe with her on the dock. What was worse? She had no way of helping. Liv stood on the dock. Powerless.
Liv anxiously searched the dark, choppy water. Nothing. She didn’t see his head or arm or anything.
“Adam!” she screamed.
She knew it was futile but felt a small amount of relief by calling out his name. She wrapped her arms around her waist and let the rain pelt her skin. She would go inside when Adam went with her.
Should I call someone? 911? Dad?
She breathed in through her nose and out through her mouth. Wait. Is this what Adam does? Liv stood for minutes and minutes and minutes. She couldn’t remember what his specialized military skills were, her brain scattered. Hopefully he had every skill in the book.
She remained numb and cold. She continued to search the water and call out his name until she realized her boat nearing the dock. It’s moving. He’s alive. Her tears came back. Thank you, Jesus.
She wiped her tears away and helped wrangle the large houseboat when it was close enough to reach, which really meant she did nothing but steady it. Futile action? Sure. But she had to try to help.
“Adam!” she called out again. She couldn’t see him. “Adam!” He had to be there somewhere.
“I’m here.” His voice cut through the storm.
She turned around and saw him climbing the ladder to the dock.
“You should be inside.” He brushed her upper arm with his cold fingers as he passed her and hurried to secure the boat.
“I was waiting for you.”
“Help me tie down.”
She followed his lead and did as he instructed, looping, tightening, and holding the rope. When it seemed as though he was satisfied with their impromptu tie-up job, he turned to her and directed, “Come with me.”
He offered her no choice as he put his hand on the small of her back and led her into his home.
• • •
Adam didn’t say a word as he closed the door tightly behind them and led her to the couch where she sat and he knelt in front of her. He slowed his breathing. The events of the night raced through his head. Not the part about the boat and bringing it back to the dock. Work, he could handle. No, the part about Liv, in the water, gasping for breath and then unconscious. That part. The most terrifying part.
He cupped her head in his hands and softly brought their foreheads together. His thumbs rubbed her temples. The warmth of her otherwise chilled body soothed him. He closed his eyes and focused on her rhythmic breathing.
He separated them, instantly regretting the loss of her body heat. She jostled a little, but he didn’t let go of her face.
“I can’t lose you.” The words tumbled off his lips and he had no regret.
Liv searched his eyes and he let her in. He allowed her to see him, vulnerable emotions and all. The moment their lips touched, his body charged and his chest tightened. Liv leaned in and softly moved her lips over his. The kiss deepened as their tongues converged, learning and teasing with every movement.
Her fingertips found the sides of his chest and slowly ran up and down, adding to the spark that already overwhelmed him. His body heated everywhere, craving her touch. His hands glided to her back and held her tightly, her softness rubbing against him. She slid closer. He wanted Liv to wrap her legs around him. He moved his hands down to her thighs. He wanted to pick her up and carry her to the bedroom.
Instead, Adam pulled away from her soft, full lips and parted their bodies. She’d just been through a traumatic event, and he’d saved her. Liv wasn’t in the right frame of mind to make sound decisions. He swore at his physical reactions and cursed his conscious.
He glanced down, unable to meet her eyes, afraid of what he may, or may not, see. Her skin’s redness started to fade, but surely she was still cold to the core. He spotted bruising on her legs and cursed under his breath.
“You should get in the shower. It’ll warm you up.” He had a chill, although that kiss had done wonders for raising his temperature. He sat to the side on the floor so he wasn’t blocking her path anymore. “I’ll find you some dry clothes.”
She cocked her head to the side and furrowed her brows. “You brought my boat back. I can just stay there.” Adam heard wariness in her voice.
“Oh no. It’s back, but I haven’t been able to assess the damage yet. Tonight you stay here. We’ll play tomorrow by ear.”
She started to protest but stopped when she met his eyes.
“Nothing you can say will change my mind. It’s not safe.”
“Okay.” She stood and walked toward the bathroom.
Adam watched her soaked blue pajamas cling to her every curve and cursed himself again for stopping their kiss.
He scrounged up his smallest pair of shorts and a T-shirt and knocked on the door loudly, setting it just inside when she called back.
The thought of Liv in his shower naked almost sent him over the edge. Flashes of her wet body danced in his mind and he busied himself tidying up. He had goose bumps that wouldn’t go away. He needed his own hot shower after Liv settled.
She appeared from the bathroom in the clothes he’d given her—his clothes. Every control tactic he’d ever learned went into not sweeping her up in his arms. Dammit.
“You can sleep in here.” He showed her the master bedroom.
“Really, I’ll be fine on the couch.”
She turned to go back down the hall toward the living room when he caught her arm. “I’d prefer you get sleep. You have a long day tomorrow, I suspect.”
“Are you kidding? Every day is a long day.” She smiled, easing the tension between them. “I couldn’t impose.”
“I insist. I can sleep anywhere. I’m just going to jump in the shower.” He walked past her and the smell of his soap had never been so intoxicating. “Help yourself. I’ll be on the couch if you need anything. Good night.”
And now he needed a cold shower.
He let the beads of water beat on his back as he leaned into the spray. Thank you, Vam, for popping for the big water heater. The warm water did wonders for his cold, cramped muscles. Liv would be steps away from him all night and he had residual adrenaline he needed to use. He moved the nozzle to cold.
He moaned and decided it was time to crash. Toweling off, he wrapped the brown cloth around his waist as he left the humidity of the bathroom. He walked into the living room because that was where he stupidly left his dry boxers and stopped short when he saw her standing at the kitchen sink staring out the window.
“I thought you were going to bed,” he said in the low light of the cabin.
She kept her back to him. “How’d you get out there? To me?”
“It’s what I do, remember?” He nabbed his shorts off the chair. “That’s probably a discussion for another time.”
“How’d you pull the boat to the dock?”
He slipped into the bathroom and quickly pulled on his shorts and white T-shirt. When he came out she still stood, arms crossed, at the sink.
Adam walked up behind her, keeping more distance than he would’ve liked. He decided not to be “that guy” and leaned on the counter with his hip.
“Listen to me. I tracked the weather. It’s not going to get worse. We’re going to be okay in here and your boat will still be tied up in the morning. I promise.” He turned toward her, crossing his arms. “Okay? Repeat after me … we’re going to be okay.”
She turned her head toward him, repeating his words in the same tone. “We’re going to be okay.”
“My boat, my home, is going to be okay.”
She started to grin. “My boat, my home, is going to be okay.”
Her wet blond hair fell from her ear. He instinctively reached up and tucked the strand back with his right hand and let his fingertips lightly graze the line of her chin. Her dad’s my boss. Her dad’s my boss.
I do not have this much will power.
“I hate to be a nag,” he brought his hand back to his side, “but you really should get to bed. You’re going to crash pretty hard … adrenaline and all.”
Liv studied his face. He watched a flicker of fervor light her eyes. Maybe he was too hasty in assuming she couldn’t make sound decisions right now.
Just as he decided to test his theory, Liv whispered, “Goodnight.”
• • •
A couple of hours later Adam heard a scream and bolted upright. Liv.
He made short time of the hall and swung the master bedroom door open. “Liv?”
“Yeah.” She breathed heavy on the word.
He sat on the corner of the bed and reached out his hand, finding her bare thigh by mistake. Really. Accidents happened all the time. Leaving his hand there, however, wasn’t an accident.
“What happened?” he asked quietly, already knowing the answer.
“Nightmare.” She shuffled in the darkness. “I was back in the water.”
“How’d you get in the water in the first place?”
“Slipped.”
“That explains the bruising on your legs.” He wanted to reach out to fold her in his arms, keep her safe. His hand burned with the touch of her skin. “I should’ve checked you over better. Did you hit your head?”
“No. I’m fine. Really.”
“All right,” he said reluctantly. “Good night. Call if you need anything.”
Her hand grasped his before he could move. “Stay?” she whispered.
How could he say no? Adam nodded in the dark and she scooted over to let him into the bed. He lay on his back and stared up at the ceiling. The length of their arms rubbed and smashed into each other and there was nothing in the world that could’ve torn him away from her side. He covered her hand with his. She interlaced their fingers and his body relaxed. He listened for the sound of her breathing and closed his eyes.
As he drifted off, her head snuggled into his chest, her arm glided over his midsection, and her leg lightly captured his as she rolled on her side.
Adam pleaded with the ceiling and whichever powers that be that were teasing him with her touch, then sneaked a sideways peek. He’d been lucky enough to never experience real torture before, but he guessed this is what it felt like. If this was some sort of trick and she wasn’t asleep, she was a damn fine actress.
Her relaxed, peaceful face and soft features were beautiful—especially when nestled against his body.
If he was going to remember anything about this night, it wouldn’t be the fiasco with the boat. It would be the first time he really acknowledged to himself that he had feelings for Liv. Real feelings—more than skin deep. The need she conjured in him perpetuated a force he’d never dealt with before. He didn’t know how to proceed. Could he proceed? In reality, no. She was the boss’s daughter and that meant hands off for sure.
He wanted to possess her and be possessed by her. Liv didn’t subscribe to average in any way—even the simple act of sleeping, actual sleeping, enticed him more than any woman ever had. And it scared the bejesus out of him.
Maybe he couldn’t have saved his parents or Vam, but he could save Liv—and he had. He’d been there. He’d always be there.
He drifted into the best sleep he’d had in years.
• • •
Liv rustled as the light alerted her to the morning. I didn’t realize my bed was so soft. She snuggled into the covers and then her brain caught up to reality. I’m not alone. Her eyes shot open and she looked at the body she laid nearly on top of—Adam.
She stared up at Adam from her perch on his shoulder. The rush of tingling in her body was instant and intense. How could she be automatically turned on by a sleeping man? His arm responded to her thoughts by holding her tighter. How did I get here? Every memory from the previous night flashed into her mind, including Adam’s intensity and their kiss. I kissed him.
She closed her eyes. The kiss had been toe curling. More satisfying than she’d thought it would be. More satisfying than any kiss she’d ever experienced before. Liv had wanted more—so much more than Adam had been willing to give. The sting of rejection caught the back of her throat. A longing, an undescribed feeling, gnawed. She couldn’t put her finger on the pull that had accompanied their kiss and still prickled her skin. Did he feel something more, too?
Probably not, she scolded herself. Come on, Barnette, he’s the one who pushed you off. Her skin splayed across Adam turned to wet snow. And she’d been the one to ask him to stay with her last night after waking up from her nightmare—the horribly realistic dream hadn’t been about the boat, not entirely; it involved Adam dying. She’d watched herself with his lifeless body in her arms—which is what caused the scream that brought her out of her sleep last night. He didn’t want me to kiss him and he didn’t want to be in the bed with me.
Should she duck out? Did she have anywhere to go? Her head pounded. His natural spicy scent allowed her to override her mind and fall back into rhythmic breathing with him. She could really use some more sleep, and Adam didn’t seem to be in a hurry to go anywhere. What would it harm?
Just as she drifted into a semiconscious state, Adam stirred. “Good morning.” He kissed the top of her head.
“Good morning.”
Adam’s kiss sank warmly into her hair. His skin shifted smoothly on hers, tingling spots she never knew could tingle. If she didn’t get out of his bed soon, she would make choices she wouldn’t later be able to blame on being under the influence of anything but Adam’s sex appeal.
“Sleep well?” he asked, not releasing her.
“Yeah. I fell right to sleep … once you were here.” Liv clenched her lip between her teeth at her honesty.
The fact that she managed to sleep next to him all through the night jarred her to her very core.
Liv couldn’t breathe. She needed air. She sat up and glanced down. What am I wearing? Oh right, Adam’s clothes. They hung loosely on her. Her pajamas had been soaked. Crap.
“You okay?” His hand splayed on her back and he rubbed her so tenderly, she froze. His touch invited her to melt into him; for a moment she contemplated giving in.
“Yeah … ah … I need to go get ready.” She turned. “Can I go back home?”
His eyes swept over her body, taking in every inch. She knew she had fabric covering her body, but she glanced down again just to make sure. The way his gaze seared her body, she wouldn’t have bet money on that fact. I never asked if he had x-ray vision or any other super powers. Liv kind of wanted to stick around now and find out.
In the light of sun, her face devoid of makeup, in his baggy clothes and the morning still on her face, this wasn’t her best showing. Great way to make an impression, Barnette. She fiddled with the covers and he sat up next, moving away his hot hand. She tried not to grimace or ask for his touch back.
“I’ll go with you.” He swung his feet around the edge of the lush bed.
“You don’t—”
“Your protesting won’t help anything.” He smiled and his disheveled hair complemented his lazy morning grin as he followed her, still wearing just his boxers and T-shirt across the dock.
I can’t believe I was in bed with him just a few seconds ago.
He checked out the ties, both around her boat and inside. Satisfied for the moment, they agreed to inspect for damage after the initial work at the marina had been done for the day. She sensed his hesitation to leave her, but he made her promise to call if she needed anything and invited her back for another night if she wasn’t comfortable being alone yet. She said no, but the truth rested somewhere between wanting to jump into his arms and jump into his bed.
She missed caring for another person. A boyfriend. She hadn’t had that in—well, she couldn’t remember. She tried to think of a name for Adam’s actions so she could add it to the list she kept of the perfect man. Caring? No, that term spoke too general. Attentive? Adam had been so commanding and had taken over the situation, without being asked and without hesitation—definitely attentive.
Damn, a military man is sexy. Navigating waves, wind, and rain and a drowning person was not something your average Joe knew how to do. Maybe the dating pool she wanted to swim in required a higher level of man. Liv chose a yellow sundress lined with white lace that hit just above her knee, slipped into metallic sandals, and braided her hair to hang over her shoulder in the front. She may have work to do, but today she needed to feel like a lady.
I’m not dressing up for him. She warned herself to shut up and sought out voices at the marina that would drown her own out.
• • •
This whole mess bothered Adam. The storm had been bad, but it shouldn’t have been enough to free Liv’s houseboat from the dock. His morning digging had confirmed his sinking suspicions. The ropes on the dock hadn’t snapped and the tie downs weren’t pulled from the fiberglass. When he’d inspected closer, the ropes had been precisely cut and left hanging off the dock. Someone had maliciously screwed with them.
Adam opened the program Willamina used to run the security system they’d installed and ran through the video. He started with that morning and watched in reverse. He didn’t believe in playing guessing games by looking at random times.
He viewed himself pulling Liv out of the water and a chill washed over his body—that had been the most horrifying moment of his life. The screen showed no sign of Liv’s boat, and then it slowly came into view. Adam could barely see Liv go overboard; had he not been watching for her, he would’ve missed the flash of skin disappear into the water.
Adam watched in rewind as the boat drifted back to the dock, slowing down the speed of the video. He didn’t want to miss any detail as he waited to see what he knew in his gut to be true. Bam. The culprit knelt at the ropes and made quick work of destroying their security, then shuffled into the night. Within seconds, the man had almost killed Liv. I’m one lucky bastard to have come home right then. Adam couldn’t bring himself to consider the what-if scenario.
Adam replayed the video to focus on his new favorite mystery man. He leaned into the screen and watched the movement frame by frame. The hooded criminal kept his head down, except when he turned to leave. Adam froze the screen and squinted. He studied the man’s features. Where had he seen this face before? Adam sat back on his couch and closed his eyes. Vam’s pictures. His eyes shot open and he reached for the thumb drive he’d placed on the end table. This was one of the men Vam had been taking pictures of. Apparently she’d noticed a lot of people coming and going from Neil’s boat and didn’t like the cut of their jib.
The black bag.
You bet your ass he’d recovered the bag after Liv told him its new location, even if she wasn’t aware of that. Yet. Sure enough, it had contained a top-grade sniper rifle, bullets, and three keys. Adam had contacted one of this CIA buddies and they were running the barrel striations to see if it matched any crimes on record. Adam didn’t need to wait for the results. He knew it would. He’d withheld the information about where he’d come across the rifle. One step at a time.
He copied the image of the no-good dirtbag who had intentionally put Liv’s life in danger and emailed it to Willamina. If this guy was in a database, she’d find him. Adam also decided to send her the entire contents of the thumb drive. While she was at it, she may as well search for all their identities.
He continued the video in rewind and paused when another unwanted visitor on their dock came into view. The time lined up with Neil’s afternoon visit. He must’ve come down here when he left the marina. Adam’s muscles tensed and he balled his fist at his side. Neil moved way up on his hate meter. He watched as the scumbag snooped around Liv’s boat, opened the secret compartment, and pounded on the dock at the emptiness. Neil then proceeded to batter Liv’s door, but she didn’t answer.
Anger rose through Adam’s chest and tightened his muscles. He should’ve been monitoring the cameras. Why had he installed them if he wasn’t going to use them?
Because he hadn’t taken Neil to be a serious threat. Big mistake. Or at least, whomever Neil was messed up with should be taken seriously.
Neil was her former boss, right? Adam remembered hearing something about where she worked before the marina. He opened the intel program on his phone and looked at his watch. Tomorrow it would be time to pay Neil a visit and talk in a little more detail.
• • •
As the summer sun set, Liv and Adam got to work retying Silver Lining properly. Liv decided a hurricane could come through and her home would still be exactly where Adam had tied it.
“I’d really feel better if you stayed with me for one more night. Just to be sure.” He stood with his hands on his lean hips and shook his head at his work. His tan muscles glistened in the setting light, and Liv’s body sang out for him. She pictured him sweeping her up in his arms and having his way with her. She bit her lower lip as her gaze made her way back up to his electrifying brown eyes. She couldn’t help but stare like he radiated sex—because, damn, Adam Lark did. Everything about him, every meticulous movement he made, set a fire in her; one only he could put out, and she wanted him to. Even then she wasn’t sure her cravings for him would ever be satisfied. Her body hummed so loudly she thought for sure he’d hear.
“You’re not positive we did it right?” She took a deep breath to settle herself down and shifted her feet on the dock. “Do we need to redo something?”
“No…”
“Then?” A coy smile crossed her face. “You’re just trying to get me into your bed again?” Part of her prayed he’d say yes.
“Hey, you’re the one who wanted me to stay last night. I was perfectly happy with the couch.”
“Did you sleep well?” She hadn’t asked that morning. She could feel the memory of his hard body under her fingertips. She almost reached out, but instead crossed her arms over her yellow sundress.
He nodded, watching her, and the lines on the sides of his lips started to curve up. “Best night’s sleep in a while. Maybe you’d be doing me a favor by staying tonight.”
She couldn’t help but laugh. Once she started laughing, she couldn’t stop. It felt good to be spirited. “You want to be nap buddies?”
He caught her joke, but didn’t seem to find it nearly as funny.
“I’m obviously Joey.” His hand pointed to his chest and then in her direction. “If you want to be Ross, that’s cool. I won’t judge.” He shrugged slightly and flashed a knee-buckling smile in her direction.
“I think I’ll be fine.” Her giggles subsided and she thought about retracting her false bravery. “But thanks.”
“Okay. I don’t lock the door. If you want, you’re always welcome to change your mind. Just come over.”
He disappeared into his cabin. The ball lay in her court. Liv took one last glance at their knot handiwork and went inside to deal with the carnage from the storm. She straightened and cleaned her home until she couldn’t fully open her eyelids. She crawled into bed purposely exhausted. She didn’t need to have any energy to lie awake and meditate on her life or Adam’s rock-hard body on top of her.
Liv awoke in a pool of cold sweat and a hoarse throat. Her breath came fast and heavy as her eyes darted in the darkness. She put a shaky hand up to her chest. The other fussed with her hair out of nervous habit. She frantically searched her mind. What was going on? The same vivid images from last night’s nightmare haunted her again. This time her mind had built more into the scenario: blood. Adam’s blood everywhere. Chills rushed over her body.
She moved her hands over her face. Wet. Was she crying? Oh, for fuck’s sake. She dried her face and slammed her head back on the pillow. She’d caught him looking at her today. Really looking. Not trying to hide it at all. His glances were soft and they locked with hers every time, not diverting like he had in the previous weeks. Her stomach knotted at his bold, brown eyes.
Could her dream be some type of foreshadowing? Holy crap. Was he okay? That’s insane. He’s fine. I’m just rattled from the storm and Ken and Neil. She inhaled slowly. I’m fine. He’s fine. Right? Many restless hours later, her nagging mind still battled itself. That’s it! She whipped off her covers. She’d just sneak over to Adam’s quickly and verify he, indeed, lay breathing. Then, she’d get a good night’s sleep. Liv covered her cotton slip nightie with her robe, leaving her feet bare. She didn’t want her sandals swatting her foot to wake him up.
• • •
Adam heard a door latch and froze; he continued his steady breathing, kept his eyes closed and didn’t move. His ears listened for any motion. The steps fell lightly and he recognized them. Liv. A swirl of excitement started deep in his gut.
The smell of coconut hit him. He smiled to himself. She’d come to him. She’d climb into his bed and wrap her arms around him, of sound mind and body. He’d deal with the consequences later. If he didn’t have Liv soon he’d go insane and be unfit for work anyway. He almost wished he’d been surprised by her lips sweeping over his—he’d take what he could get though. He hadn’t been able to stop thinking about their kiss.
He heard her stop and then a creak in the doorway. What is she waiting for? He worked at keeping his breathing steady. He strained to hear her thoughts. Instead, his ears picked up the sounds of feet shuffling away. She’s leaving?
“Liv?” His whisper carried across the room. He couldn’t let her just leave.
“Yeah, hi.” She matched his quiet tone. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“It’s okay.” He propped himself up on his elbow to face her. “Come on in.”
As soon as his words hit his ears, he regretted them. What the hell was that? She’d been leaving, not intending to stay. He cringed. Her hesitation hung in the air.
“Now I just feel like I’m imposing.” Her tone didn’t reflect a solid no.
“Nonsense.” His voice confident, but his gut turned. “I was worried about you anyway. Now we can both get some decent sleep.” Hopefully his reasoning would be enough to push her over the edge and give in.
He watched her shadow move toward him and his body relaxed. He scooted over. Not too far—he wasn’t that much of a Boy Scout. Besides, if she ended up like last night, he’d be pushed off the bed if he moved too far over. She positioned herself near him on her back and squirmed in place.
“Comfy?” he asked.
“I fidget.” Liv gave an airy, one breath laugh. “Sorry.”
“No worries. I can sleep through anything.” If I want. He wondered if this would be one of those nights. Or, maybe, just maybe, Liv didn’t have sleep on her mind. He hoped beyond hope that ending their kiss last night hadn’t closed that door permanently. He wanted to feel Liv’s lips on his again, to kiss her soft skin and feel her body under him. Her summer scent consumed him as they both lay on their backs. Neither moved.
“Good night.” He strained his neck down to the top of her head, just as she moved her head to look at him. His lips clumsily collided with the side of her eye. He gasped in surprise “Sorry.”
Still, he kept his face near hers—unwilling to move away from the only chance he may ever have to kiss her again.
She let out a faint chuckle. “No problem.” She rubbed her lips together.
Through the darkness their gaze held. Adam leaned down, decisively, and met his lips to hers. He worked to control his eagerness. But in one breath Liv deepened their kiss. He ran his hands over her soft thigh, cupping her firmly round butt and bringing it closer to his body. Her body felt cool to his touch and every part of him that rubbed against her burned. A low moan escaped from her lips and his desire for her hardened. She put her arms around his neck and he rolled them so he lay on the bottom. He didn’t trust himself to do a very good job of stopping. He didn’t know how far this was going to go, but he’d halted their kiss once and hadn’t forgiven himself since. He’d let her control a lust-filled encounter this time. For now.
She moved sensually over his body, kissing his neck and collarbone. Her hair swept across her face and onto his chest. The light sensation drove him crazy. He wanted more. He suppressed the urge to flip her on her back and ravage her.
All of his senses were on high alert. Every movement and touch caused euphoria all the way to his toes. She found his mouth and their tongues glided on, around, and into each other. Adam barely held on.
She sat up, her legs on either side of him, and removed her tank top, her perfect breasts highlighted in the soft light of the night. He reached for her waist, slowly sliding his hands up. His thumbs caressed the bottom curve of her breasts. She leaned her head back and a low throaty “mmm” hardened him to the brink of discomfort. She swayed her head upright and stared straight into his eyes. A fire from down within radiated through her green stare. She reached down and rubbed him into the apex of her legs. He sucked in a quick breath of air and sighed in pleasure, his own groan nearly foreign to his ears. She stroked him and pushed him harder against her, sliding her body along his long shaft. She pressed on his chest when he wanted to rise to her, and he hesitantly laid back.
Her hands explored his abs, then his chest; her touch teased him more than she’d ever know. Allowing their bare bodies to touch, she met his mouth with a teasing kiss.
He wrapped his arms around her back and his tongue found her right breast. He teased her nipple with his tongue, moving lightly in a circle before capturing it with his mouth. He taunted her thirst for him by skimming her nipple with his teeth and felt her breath catch. He smiled and resumed his light touch, savoring every bit of Liv’s skin on his and her breast in his mouth.
He started to protest when she drew away until he felt her hand. She sat up and, grasping him, she lifted her body, then guided him inside her—slowly, so slowly he grit his teeth and groaned. She felt impossibly good around him, wet and tight and his.
She moaned and moved up and down, so deliberately his mind went blank from pleasure. More. I need more of her. He watched Liv’s sensual motions and reached for her. Their bodies smashed together, making their movements personal. Pure carnal need had subsided to intimacy, in every single sense of the word.
They moved in rhythm, faster with every second. She pulled at his ear with her teeth, prompting a guttural groan from him. Dear God, how’d she know my hot button? His ears and neck burned as she toyed with them. This round was hers, the next was his and he planned to make good use of it.
She kissed her way down his neck as they collided fiercely. Each sensation was better than the last, and Adam felt Liv’s body tightening around him. Let go, baby. He wasn’t going to be able to hold on for much longer. She felt too good. She bit and kissed at his neck, and he held her closer to him.
“Adam,” she called out in a breathy whisper. “Adam.”
His name on her lips sounded heavenly. “Come for me, Liv,” he said into her ear as he kissed her neck.
He heard her cries and his own as they climaxed. She collapsed on top of him and he ran his fingertips lightly down her shoulders, back, and ass, then slowly up again. He kissed her cheek and closed his eyes. I’m in trouble with this one. He’d never experienced anything so perfect. And, he couldn’t wait to have her again.
• • •
Adam leaned to kiss the top of Liv’s head before silently sliding out of the bed. She lay peacefully in his bed, her blond hair disheveled, the covers allowing him to admire her round plump breasts and the serene line of her face. So damn sexy. Even when the woman sleeps she’s seductive. Adam grabbed his boxers from the floor, put them on, and faced Liv. He’d never given a sleeping woman a second look before. I should’ve stayed in bed. He started toward the bed for round four or five, he’d lost track, but his caffeine addiction called. He’d start the coffee and then go back to bed. He smiled, wide—he would gladly go back to bed, but not for sleep.
He glanced at the readout on the stove. They had enough time to enjoy a relaxing, sex-filled morning before they had to be into work. He opened his door to let the morning breeze flow and breathed in the salty scent of the calm, blue water silently waiting for the heat of the day. He’d forgotten about life at the marina. The beautiful outdoors and the people. He’d spent a lot of time with Eddie and the gang in his later teen years. It felt weird to be back—like he was sixteen again and finding his way after his life had been turned upside down by the death of his parents. Only he wasn’t. He wasn’t that pathetic kid who was trying to get through each day. He’d made a life for himself—which had led him to Liv.
Reality sunk in. His muscles tensed at the memory of the hours they’d spent entwined. His good mood turned into anxiety. What am I doing? The exciting and terrifying idea of getting caught up with Liv sat on his chest. He just couldn’t stop himself. She’d come to him, their chemistry electric, and his body had overrun his logic. Even now, he wanted her again. He couldn’t find the proper amount of remorse for his actions. He had none. How was he going to deal with this? His life was the job and it didn’t involve a woman—a wife. Adam had made his decision long ago, freeing him to be the best he could be at his job. After all, he had no one to worry about at home. How would Liv fit into his life? And what if they had kids? I can’t even right now.
He frowned. There went his morning sex plans. He tried to bury his questions deep down, but he already knew the answers. Liv knew his profession and accepted it, entirely, and all of him. He’d do anything to be with Liv. He wanted a great life with her—whatever that life may look like. He calmed himself by focusing his attention on the problem at hand, the one he knew how to deal with. He’d check out Neil and see what turned up. Then he’d work on the new turn his relationship with Liv had taken.
“Hey, you,” Liv said, her soft voice in his ears.
She wrapped her arms around his torso and leaned into his back. The spot where her cheek lay radiated desire deep in his gut. In an instant Adam’s mood changed. He closed his eyes and breathed in the flawless moment. Waking up to Liv at the bay was living. Peace filled his soul. I want this every day.
He willed away all these new, sneaky emotions. He rested his arms over hers and held them tightly to his stomach. Liv kissed the back of his shoulder.
He turned to face her. His gaze dropped to her naked body wrapped in a thin, white robe. Have mercy. He placed his arms around her hips, clasping them on her back. Without saying a word, they stood in a tight embrace. Comfortable silence passed between them. Intimate silence. I love her. What does that mean?
• • •
Liv smelled Adam’s spicy scent and cozied into his arms. She loved that he held her with purpose, giving the hug an added closeness that sent a chill up her spine.
Something was different. The wispy hairs on the back of her neck stood up. She had everything she’d ever wanted: an exciting business, a beautiful place to live, and now a man who made her comfortable in her own skin. Please don’t let this go sour.
They didn’t know all of each other’s secrets, but in time they would. Their undeniable connection elicited electricity she didn’t know her body and mind were capable of handling. He pulled away and held her at the shoulders. His thumb caressed her collarbone while his strong fingers wrapped around over her shoulder. She peered into his golden brown eyes and felt a shift. He leaned in to kiss her and she moved her head back, partly to study him a moment longer and partly to tease him. He smiled, pulled her into him harder, and captured her mouth. She sank into his demanding kisses and didn’t deny her desire. She didn’t know where this would end up, but she knew what she wanted in the here and now.
She walked backward slowly, keeping their lips tangled, until they stood in front of the couch. She pushed Adam down and straddled him. She cupped his face and kissed him with a need she’d never felt before. He slid his hands around her ass and pulled her closer. His body was hard under hers and she melted into him. Liv ran her finger through his thick, brown hair and moved them over his shoulders and down to his stomach. She took her time, feeling every single muscle he had—and holy hell, did Adam have a lot of them. Every single one of them called out to her.
Her robe fell open and she didn’t try to stop it. In Adam’s arms she felt sexier than she ever had before. Watching him stare with hungry eyes washed her insecurities away.
Their kisses became deep and urgent. She needed him now. She didn’t want foreplay; she wanted to feel him inside of her again, to feel his strength and power between her legs and to see the pure lust in his eyes.
She felt Adam shuffle and hold her close to his body. Then her back lay on the couch and Adam stood posed above her, taking off his boxers. With one knee on the couch and one foot on the ground, he spread her thighs. She watched him with pure joy and he returned her zeal. Even with only his hands on her hips, her entire body burned, ached for him. Thank goodness I’m on birth control. Just like the previous night, Liv couldn’t wait.
As if reading her mind, Adam leaned down and in one expert motion thrust into her. She would’ve moaned or, hell, screamed, but she couldn’t process the pleasure and react all at once. He filled her completely, hitting all the right spots, nearly sending her over the edge.
The pretense for control had flitted away their first night. Their lovemaking barely allowed restraint. Liv’s passion for Adam, her body’s reaction, and the way he moved left her no choice but to give in, fully.
With each movement the pressure grew, fighting to be released. How does he know exactly what I need? She didn’t care about the answer—she wanted his genius to invade her life forever.
Her eyes met Adam’s and their fervor brought her orgasm quick and hard. Her body shuddered as he pushed inside her again and again. His strong hands held her hips, unrelenting under the arch of her body. Her attraction to him was so powerful she felt tingles and the pressure built again, more and more until she couldn’t remember a life without him. Her climax was timed to perfection with his. His body dropped down to hers as they caught their breath. She wrapped her arms around him, resting one on the back of his neck. She kissed his cheek and closed her eyes. Her life couldn’t get any better.