by C. A. Harms
Lifting it I could only roll my eyes at the words, “Keep your eyes and hands off Adam’s Girl.”
I laughed out loud at Adam’s possessive manner. Wow, honestly? I knew he was trying to be funny, but seriously, his jealous streak was crazy.
I dialed his number and when I got his voicemail, I left a message.
“Okay, Caveman, I am so not wearing this shirt in public. You are absolutely crazy, but adorable.” I laughed, “Remember I have to work at five tonight so I won’t be home until late. Bye.”
I couldn’t help but smile. Adam really wasn’t who I thought he was. I know we didn’t have the best start to our relationship, but his standoffish, anti-relationship attitude stemmed from one awful situation and it appeared he was finally willing to let go of that piece of his past.
I was glad I was getting the chance to meet the real Adam, because he was turning out to be pretty amazing. Every relationship has its snags along the way and together we were learning.
Megan and Radley’s wedding had finally arrived and tomorrow two of the most amazing people in my life would agree in front of all their friends and family to share the rest of their lives together, loving and cherishing one another.
I adored weddings.
I just had to get through tonight at work, even though I would much rather be curled up watching movies with my hunky ex-military man. Those type of evenings had become my absolute favorite.
I was just about to enter the bar when my phone chirped indicating I had just received a new message.
Excitement raced through me when I saw it was from Adam.
Adam: Be there soon, boy’s night and I’ve been included. Radley and Kole are meeting me there for drinks.
Oh wow, I never thought I would see the day Adam would be hanging with those two. I had to admit that it was comforting to know they were able to move forward from their not so wonderful pasts.
Kole and Radley were the partners of my very best friends, which makes them both a part of my life as much as their girls. It made things easier that they accepted Adam and me as a couple.
I was excited knowing I’d see him soon, but that excitement died quickly when I entered the bar. I froze instantly.
Noah and his friend Bryson were there and almost immediately his eyes met mine. There was a moment when I saw a smirk pass over Noah’s lips that I hadn’t seen him express before, but it quickly disappeared when he offered a wave. I waved in return before moving to the end of the bar. I was hoping he would leave before Adam got there. I didn’t want the drama.
But I had this strong sense that things wouldn’t go as I hoped.
After about twenty minutes, I started making my rounds, trying my best to avoid Noah’s table. I asked Cora, the other waitress, to handle that section and she happily agreed.
7:00 rolled around and I heard the door jingle, causing me to look up as I had done every other time since I arrived.
Kole led the way, followed by Adam and Radley.
Once our eyes connected, Adam smiled and walked straight toward me with purpose. He immediately placed his hand on my hip and kissed me softly.
“Hey beautiful, how’s your night going?” he whispered as he tossed around that sweet smile of his that made me weak in the knees almost every time.
Before I could answer his eyes began to wander and I knew it was only a matter of time before he found Noah in the back corner.
“It’s been okay so far.” I tried to regain his attention. “Busy.”
I could tell the moment he located Noah because his jaw began to tense in that irritated manner.
“Hey Adam, look at me.” I pulled on his shirt. “Adam.”
He looked back toward me. “How long has pretty boy been here?”
My stomach tensed.
“Listen to me.” I traced his jaw with my fingertip. His features softened just enough to let me know my touch affected him. “Noah hasn’t even tried to talk to me. I’m with you, okay? You, Adam. You’re here with the boys, have fun. Please don’t make a scene.”
For a brief moment I could see that he was torn between what he wanted to do and what he should do.
Quickly that indecisiveness passed when he leaned forward and kissed me. It was deep and a little too forward for public but I knew what he was doing. Adam was claiming me, making a statement to Noah so I allowed it, because I knew he needed it. And to be honest, so did I.
The moment he pulled back, I caught the cocky grin on his face and I laughed as I pushed on his chest and smiled. “You are such an incredible pain in the ass, you know that?”
“Yeah I know,” he said in agreement, “but you like me anyway.”
“Yes, I do,” I assured him without pause
He took a minute to continue watching me, making me slightly nervous. “Okay, no scene. One time he steps out of line, Nat, and the deal is off. He knows we’re together so that should be enough for him to know that the flirting shit should stop.”
“Oh my, what a hypocrite.” I couldn’t help but laugh. “Weren’t you the same guy that went after another guys fiancée and she was even pregnant, too?”
He grinned. “I’m not as tolerant as Kole.” He winked and walked passed me, smacking my ass from behind. I yelped and I could hear his chuckle as he found his way to the table Kole and Radley were occupying.
The night went smoothly and Noah decided to leave after about an hour of Adam’s presence. Who knows? Maybe he felt the tension as much as I did.
He waved goodbye as he left and I returned the gesture. Adam was watching closely, but never said a word. He seemed to relax once Noah left and I felt a sense of relief myself.
I watched as the guys played darts and pool until almost closing time. It was nice to see Adam with Kole and Radley. They all three harassed each other and laughed like they had been friends for years.
Adam stuck around, of course, to make sure I made it to my car safely after my shift.
“You coming to my place?” he asked as I paused to gather my keys from my bag.
I looked up at him and shrugged my shoulders, causing him to give me a slightly irritated look.
I almost laughed at how quickly I could get that response from him. He was just too easy at times.
“Let me rephrase that.” He guided me into the driver’s seat of my car before leaning in closer. “I’ll see you at my place.”
He shut my car door without waiting for me to object and walked away as if he’d just won some type of battle.
I let out a growl at his controlling manner, but on the inside I was smiling. I said I wanted a caveman, well Adam was just that. He was everything I wanted wrapped into one very attractive package. The man made my heart race, my palms sweat and my girly parts tense with anticipation…hell fuckin’ yes I was going to his place.
It took no time at all for him to flip the switch. Once we entered his apartment, he had me pinned against the wall with his hips. His mouth devoured me as I melted against him. Adam had the ability to make me forget everything but him.
Damn, the boy could almost make me forget my own name.
Listening to the groans that escaped him as he rotated his hips against mine drove me forward. I reached for my jeans and began to unbuckle them as I pushed them down my legs. His jeans followed behind as they pooled around his ankles.
Adam lifted me up and I wrapped my legs around his waist. I didn’t care that we both still wore our shirts. I needed him, I wanted this closeness, now. “Please, Adam, I need you.”
He trailed kisses along my jaw until his lips reached my ear. “This is gonna be quick, baby. Hard and fast,” he assured me. “I’ve wanted you since I walked into the bar.”
I just nodded my head as I felt him guide his hardness between us. With one quick thrust he was buried inside me and a deep growl ripped from someplace deep in his chest. “Fuck, baby.”
His hips began to move as he slammed into me over and over. His eyes shut tightly as he pounded forward, aggressively. I cou
ld feel myself building with each stroke as he hit that perfect spot within me each time he thrust forward. I wrapped my legs around him just a little tighter and tilted myself upward. My orgasm was coming on fast and I curled my toes in anticipation.
All at once it hit me and my hands gripped the back of his neck harder. “Yes, oh Adam! Yes,” I screamed my encouragements. “Harder.”
He did as I asked and thrust into me with all he had. “I’m so close.” He buried his head in my shoulder. “Oh, Natalie, I need this, baby.”
“Yes,” I whispered from my post orgasmic state. I felt like I could barely breathe. Feeling his thighs tense beneath me, he pulled me in tighter against his chest as he moved his hips in small quick jerks, emptying himself inside of me.
“Fuck yeah,” he groaned out in a deep tone, almost as if he growled the words.
Once he released his hold on me, he lowered me to the ground slowly. Our lips met once again in a slow, sweet kiss.
And for a brief moment I swore I saw an emotional response within his eyes that I had never seen before. Some type of deep connection that seemed to even surprise him.
He rested his forehead against mine, taking one last deep breath, maybe his way of clearing whatever it was rolling around in his head. “Why don’t you go start the shower and I’ll grab us some towels?”
I nodded as he kissed my forehead before walking toward the linen closet, tugging his pants back up to make the process easier.
We took a shower together and he washed my body slowly, which until that very moment I’d never knew I’d like so much. I relaxed completely to the feeling of his hands running through my hair, and over every inch of me slowly, carefully.
“God, that feels so nice,” I whispered with my eyes closed and my head tilted back.
I had never felt more treasured than I did right then.
Once we crawled into bed, I found the warmth of his chest, curling against him. I loved the feeling of Adam’s arms wrapped securely around me. I felt like it was exactly where I should be.
Adam’s familiar scent was comforting and I could hear his heartbeat beneath my ear, like it was soothing me. He slowly traced my shoulder with his fingertips and it caused my entire body to give into my exhaustion from the day. I was slowly drifting into a peaceful sleep.
“Natalie?” Adam whispered, pulling me back from my dreams that waited.
“Yeah.” I continued to stay curled against him tightly, not wanting to move. I had found that perfect spot, the one that made me feel safer than I had ever felt before and I didn’t want to lose it.
“You’re amazing,” he whispered and I smiled against his chest. “You make me happy, beautiful girl, happier than I’ve been in such a long time.” I let his words sink in as I swallowed back the threatening tears. “Look at me, sweetheart.”
I was sure all it would take was one look at him and I’d lose the battle of holding back my emotions.
I lifted my head up from his chest and he placed his hand against my cheek. I felt his thumb slowly trace my jaw.
“I love you, Natalie.” And there they fell. “I love you so much.” His eyes looked glossy at his confession and I could no longer fight against the growing emotional war within me. My tears fell heavy.
After a moment I took a deep breath. “I love you, too.”
The smile that spread across his face was the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen. He appeared relieved, almost. It was like he had been holding his breath, hoping I was going to say I loved him, too, and once I did, all the walls around his heart crumbled.
Adam pulled me up onto his chest and held me close as we fell asleep to the sound of one another’s calm breathing.
***
“I’m up,” I said sleepily into the phone. “I’ll be right out. I just need to grab my bag.”
I woke up to my phone ringing nonstop. I had slept in and now I was running late and Lexi was here to pick me up.
I hung up quickly and scrambled from the bed.
“Hey you, what’s the hurry?” Adam’s husky voice spoke from behind me, causing chills to break out over my skin. His fingers traced my arm softly. “Come back to bed, baby.”
“I can’t, Lexi is here to get me.” I said trying to keep from caving as I looked back at his gorgeous face. “We have to get our hair done.”
“What time is it?” he asked, rubbing at his eyes.
I looked away from him because he was almost too cute to resist and pulled my long hair up into a loose bun. “Almost eleven and I’m late.”
I stood up, sliding my pants up over my hips as I shimmied from side to side.
“You have the sexiest little ass, Nat.” I felt Adam’s hand grip my butt and I wiggled away.
“Stop, cling-on,” I said with a laugh. “We don’t have time for sex.”
Adam grabbed my hips and pulled me back to the bed as I landed with a bounce he crawled over the top of me, one knee on each side of my waist. He held my hands above my head and looked down at me with a devious smile. “Oh, Nat, there is always time for sex.”
My phone rang once more and this time Adam answered it. “She’ll be out in a minute; I need to say goodbye.”
He hung up the phone and lowered his lips to mine. He sucked my lower lip between his and lightly pulled against it. His kiss was a tease and I wanted more. I rose up toward him and he backed away grinning.
What an ass! He knew what he was doing. I lifted my pelvis toward him and rotated my hips. His smile grew bigger.
“Your ride is waiting, Nat,” he said with a wink. “Better get moving.”
Adam crawled off of me and rolled from the bed without looking back. I looked up to see his naked ass just before the bathroom door closed behind him.
I shook my head. “Jerk.”
He was such a tease and he’d just played me. I stood up, straightening my shirt and grabbed my bag in frustration. His cockiness drove me insane.
Once I reached Lexi’s car, I could see the smile on her face. I knew I was about to be interrogated on the entire situation between Adam and me. I loved that she was a concerned friend looking out for me, but I just wanted to talk about something else. Right now the guy had my lady parts screaming for attention and the mention of him wouldn’t calm my need. I had images in my head of me running back to his apartment and attacking him until I could walk away satisfied.
“Oh, you look frustrated,” Lexi said with a smirk.
I rolled my eyes at her. “Just a little.” She was laughing and I couldn’t help but join her. “Lexi, he is such a goddamn tease. He works me up and then walks out of the room like his favorite football team just won the fucking Super Bowl. He gets all cocky and proud. He drives me insane! I swear I could beat the snot out of him right now.”
My confession only made her laugh harder. “Pregnancy makes some girls horny. I think he just figured it out.” Lexi backed out and drove toward the highway.
“No shit. If he doesn’t stop the teasing game he’s gonna be joining the five finger Olympics because I sure as hell am not gonna help him make the baby gravy anymore.”
Lexi laughed so hard. “Fuck, Nat, I’m gonna piss my pants.” She was bouncing around in her seat. “How is making him jack off helping you out exactly?”
I looked over at her and smiled. “Please Lexi, like you’ve never flicked your own bean before.”
“You’ve been hanging with Megan too often,” she insisted and maybe she was right. I’d been speaking in riddles without even noticing it.
Just then my phone chirped.
Adam: Are you mad at me?
Natalie: Yep, you left me horny and frustrated…
It took seconds for him to respond.
Adam: Come back and I can take care of it.
I laughed. Yeah right not happening.
Natalie: No thanks. You’re too late…I’ll just pet my own kitty. Have a nice day.
I flipped my phone shut, smiling, suddenly feeling like the ruler of the world. I could just
imagine the images running through his mind right now.
We pulled up to the salon and I got out of the car still feeling as if I’d won. My phone rapidly chirping from my purse made me laugh.
Men were so easy.
Chapter Sixteen
Adam
I couldn’t help the smile that was plastered on my face. I arrived at the church and had one goal, find Natalie.
Damn, she had my mind working in overdrive. Her last text gave me some pretty sexy visions, now I just needed to see her.
“Hey, man, you looking for Nat?”
I turned to find Kole standing at the back of the church holding his little girl. The little princess looked like a carbon copy of her dad for sure. I thought about that being me before too long and my stomach tightened. I was fuckin’ nervous with the thoughts of being a dad. I had a great father and I knew that the loving part would be easy. Hell I already loved the little tadpole and he wasn’t even here yet.
“Um, yeah I was. Do you know where she is?” I asked.
He nodded in the direction of the stairs to our right. “Yep, they’re all upstairs. Do me a favor, tell Lex to come get our girl here so I can get back to Rad.”
I took the stairs two at a time. “Sure will,” I hollered back over my shoulder without pausing.
I found the door at the top of the stairs and knocked lightly. After a few minutes, the door cracked open slowly. Lexi saw that it was me and smiled, “Hello tease,” she said with a smirk.
“Yeah yeah,” I grinned. “Where’s my girl?”
Before Lexi could answer Natalie poked her head out. She attempted to glare at me but I chuckled and a smile broke across her sweet lips.
Reaching out, I gripped her hip and pulled her to me. I leaned toward her and placed a soft kiss on her lips.
When I pulled back, I took a moment to examine her appearance. She wore a soft pink form-fitting strapless dress. The hem rested just above her knee and her hair was all pulled up with tendrils of curls flowing down. Silver jewelry and a pair of silver stilettos laced her ankles.
