What to Read After FSOG: The Gemstone Collection (WTRAFSOG)

by CJ Roberts

  “Let’s get you some air.” He put his hand on the small of my back and led me away. “Emma, dinner is starting soon. Will you find our table, please?”

  The cute brunette nodded and hopped off.

  “What’s the matter?” He wound me through some random hallway and around a few corners, until I had no idea where we were. We came to a door that led to a stairwell and he opened it. The cool air hit me. “What is it?” he growled, and faced me.

  “Why are you mad at me?”

  He looked down my body, stalking closer, forcing me to step back until my back hit the wall. “Because you have me so fucking hard that I can barely hold a conversation.”

  “You didn’t seem to have a problem chatting with Miss Skinny No-Boobs back there.”

  That grin split open and I saw his dazzling, straight white teeth. “Katelyn Gunn, are you jealous?”

  “No, I’m pissed. You set me up.” The pounding in my ears was so loud I could barely hear myself speak.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean that you take me to an ‘event’ where the city’s biggest quadrillionaires are going to be, along with the entire cast of the Victoria’s Secret runway, which I was informed you’ve slept with—”

  “I never slept with Victoria’s Secret.”

  “You know what I mean. Why, Adam? Do you want to hammer home the point that I don’t belong here?”

  My knees began shaking. Panic was overtaking me and soon I’d have a full-on attack. I squeezed my eyes shut, my breathing becoming more hectic by the second.

  “Look at me.” The moment Adam cupped my neck, it was as if someone had taken the screeching teakettle off the burner. Calm rushed through me. I latched on to it and concentrated on even breaths. Slowly I opened my eyes. He was crouching and face-to-face with me.

  “What was that?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Bullshit, Katelyn. You looked on the brink of fainting.”

  “I get panic attacks sometimes. I felt it coming on, but I’m okay now.” Did this man have any idea what he was doing to me? Not even Megan had ever been able to bring me back from the brink of an attack the way Adam just had.

  “Listen to me carefully, Katelyn. You belong where I say you belong, and that is with me tonight. As far as my sexual history, yes, I’ve slept with women, some of whom are present, but I’m not sleeping with them now.”

  “That’s not the point,” I whispered.

  “Then what is?”

  “Do you really not get it? How would you like it if I brought you to some hole-in-the-wall bar all my ex-boyfriends frequented?”

  His nostrils flared. “Point taken. But I cannot brush off important events because of who may or may not be in attendance.”

  I knew that. Adam was an important member of the community and what he did on his own time was none of my business.

  “You’re right,” I sighed. Exhaustion hit every bone in my body like a wrecking ball.

  Once again, I didn’t know what to do or how to feel, and it was wearing me out. All of my energy was consumed just trying to stay balanced. Trying to have a relationship of any kind with Adam wasn’t like walking on eggshells, it was like walking on eggs.

  I was tired of trying to keep myself even, trying to fit into a life that wasn’t meant for me.

  “Adam, you don’t owe me any explanations. I’m not your mother or your wife. We have no commitment to each other. I think it would be better if I went home. This whole setup isn’t for me.”

  He pressed into me, the wall cold on my back and his rock-hard frame against my front.

  “You are my lover, and I am yours. You are gravely mistaken if you think there is no commitment between us.” He kissed me hard.

  I groaned, my hands gripping his shoulders to pull him closer.

  “You do owe me explanations. I am new to the details of relationships, but be certain that you belong only to me.”

  His tongue thrust deep. I lapped at him, sucking and biting until he growled.

  “So, we’re exclusive?” I hated that I sounded like a begging little girl, but I needed to know.

  “That was my assumption. If you’re having second thoughts, let me assure you that I will not allow you to have another man.”

  “And what about you?”

  “My eyes are set on what I want.”

  His strong kiss left me dizzy. His mouth forcefully ravaged mine with every hard stroke of his tongue. I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him with all I had. I wanted him closer. I tried to lift my knee and coax him further against me, but the dress kept me from moving my legs much. Adam must have figured out what I was trying to do, because he gathered my dress in his fists, hiked it up, and lifted me. My now free legs locked around his hips.

  Supporting me against the wall with one arm, he reached between us with the other and unfastened his pants. I felt his erection prod at my opening. This was going to be fast. Hard. No slow build, no nice words. Raw lust was driving me and all I wanted was to feel him inside of me. I needed that connection.

  After shoving his pants low on his hips, Adam brought his hand back to his mouth and licked his fingertips, then reached down and rubbed the wetness over the tip of his cock.

  “Need you now,” he groaned.

  “Yes!” I dug my heel into the back of his thigh. He thrust hard into me.

  My breath caught. I was wet, but not overly so. There was a slight bite of pain from the tight fit, but that edgy burn sparked a fire and it smoldered beneath my skin.

  I felt him everywhere. So thick and long. He pounded in and out. There would be a bruise on my ass from hitting the wall over and over as Adam hammered inside me. I didn’t care. In fact, I wanted it. Wanted the pain, the mark that showed he was here. Because with it came so much pleasure.

  My obsession for this man was dangerous. One look from him and the world fell away and I was his. However. Wherever.

  I came instantly, violently. With a groan, he was right behind me. I breathed deeply the scent of his hair and skin. I knew we couldn’t linger, no matter how badly I wanted to.

  He withdrew and I felt the warmth of his semen trickle down my thighs. He took out his handkerchief, knelt before me, and wiped it away.

  I knew my mouth must have never quite shut because I had trouble getting enough air. He didn’t say anything, merely adjusted my dress, took my hand, and led me back up to the party.

  We arrived in the dining room just as everyone was being seated for dinner. Emma waved at us and Adam ushered me over. I sat in silence between him and his sister while the announcer gave the list of who had won what from the silent auction.

  My muscles were humming and my skin flushed hot. I still felt him. The last remnants of his orgasm coated my core, keeping me constantly wet. His eyes fixed on me as the speaker announced another winner. Even as we clapped, Adam didn’t take his stare from me. Everything that had just happened, from the way he mastered my body to the deep blue fire burning in his eyes, was a reminder of the power he had over me.

  Here we were, surrounded by people I didn’t know—people he had had a relationship with at some point, and I didn’t know how to deal with jealousy. Mostly because I had never felt it before.

  As much as Adam calmed me, everything around him unnerved me. Not being prepared for him was one thing, but his lifestyle and all the emotions that went into it was another. When I didn’t trust myself to act logically, I usually left the situation that threatened my sanity. Space was a tool I used to regain my sense, but Adam was taking over and instead of running away, I was hurling myself at him.

  If this was a game, Adam held the advantage…

  I held on to my clutch as the limo bumped along the streets of Chicago. Emma and I had exchanged numbers. I liked her so much already. Very blunt, but sweet. She reminded me a lot of Megan, only with more edges. Plus, she had to deal with Adam on a regular basis, so it was nice to see a female able to tackle the feat and still have a full head of ha
ir.

  I didn’t even realize we had stopped in front of Adam’s penthouse. He got out and offered me his hand.

  “Aren’t you going to take me home?”

  “No.” He guided me through the doors and into the elevator. “I was hoping you’d stay with me tonight.”

  The thought made me happy. That warm and fuzzy happy. And I needed that. I had held it together through the event, but the truth was, I didn’t know how to handle these feelings. Assurance was something I’d need constantly until I gained enough emotional ground and security for this situation.

  I didn’t know if it was even fair to ask that of Adam. The way he looked at me right then spoke volumes. We had just been surrounded by some of the most beautiful women in the world, yet Adam Kinkade had taken me home and wanted me in his bed.

  He leaned in and kissed me. Softly and gently. “You’re beautiful,” he whispered against my lips.

  “How do you do that?”

  The elevator opened into Adam’s foyer and we walked through.

  “Do what?”

  “You seem to…read my mind.”

  He shook his head. “I read your body. I’ve told you before you’re very expressive. I can tell how you hold yourself, when you tense, how your brow starts to strain.” He touched my forehead and I immediately relaxed my frown. “You give off cues that tell me when you’re troubled, over thinking…” He clutched my hips and pulled my body into his. “And when you’re wanting.”

  His hard cock pressed against my stomach and I arched. I did want him. Wanted that connection and that crazed feeling of obsession. It was never enough. The moment he was inside me was like finding the rest of myself, and when we parted, I thought of him all day, missing him before he’d even gone.

  I was falling, and there was nowhere for me to land. Ever since Adam had come into my world, he’d clipped all the safety nets away.

  “Come with me.” He grabbed my hand and led me to his master bath. It was large and lavish. With the overall modern theme, the fixtures were all black wood and gray steel. The shower took up an entire corner. It wasn’t enclosed, nor did it have a door. Glossy bricks of dark marble spread from the floor and up the wall. A massive waterfall shower head hung from the ceiling. Off to the right was a Jacuzzi tub. The vanity and mirror took up the entire opposite wall.

  Adam started the shower, then his hands were back on me, unfastening my dress.

  He kissed me as the zipper slipped down my back. “I want to shower with you.”

  I caught the bodice before it fell from me and took a step back. “I can’t. You go ahead. I’ll just throw on a T-shirt and wait in the bedroom, if you don’t mind.”

  “You don’t want to shower with me?”

  It wasn’t that I didn’t want to. Last time I was over, I’d passed out with all my makeup on. Sure, I’d probably looked like a train wreck in the morning, but I got to go home first thing and shower there.

  I couldn’t get my face wet in front of Adam.

  “I’ve seen all of you, you know,” he said, pulling and loosening his tie. I started salivating watching him undress. Just his tugging on that thin, black piece of silk was sexy.

  “I know. I just…I just don’t feel like it.”

  My heart sank as soon as the words came out. I wanted to be with him. Skin to skin. Water falling between us. But the remnants that my mother’s talons had left behind were not something I wanted him to see.

  His tie hung around his neck. He worked open his shirt buttons. Every square inch of skin he uncovered entranced me further. He was strong as stone, masculine and powerful. Once his chest was bare, he reached out and tilted up my chin. My eyes met his.

  “Lover.” He held out his hand, beckoning me give up the death grip I had on my dress. “Please.” His words were fierce, uttered like a command, but he had asked instead.

  I was helpless against it. He’d probably see the scars sooner or later. I had just been hoping for later.

  I let my dress fall to the floor. I felt every caress of his eyes over my skin. Cool air rushed over my nipples and they instantly hardened. Adam’s gaze was slow as he moved those baby blues up and down my body until my sex throbbed and I wanted to squirm. Never taking his stare from me, he undid his pants and finished undressing.

  He took my hand. I was trembling and it had nothing to do with the cold. He stepped under the spray, his eyes still remaining on me. Water fell around him. The man was a god. His eyes burned bright against the soft glow of light. His black hair hung damp around his brow and ears. Tanned skin and rock-hard planes of muscles were sculpted by water drops slipping down his body. His shoulders eased, the tightness of his day was washed away, and I had never seen a more beautiful man.

  I wanted to kneel before him and take all that impressive length into my mouth again. I wanted him to make love to me while water rained down on us…

  First I had to get in.

  He held his hand out for me to join him. He must have known I was nervous, because he didn’t push me. Didn’t rush. He just stood and waited.

  I slid my palm into his and entered. He gently pulled me against him and the water cascaded down. I hung my head and turned, giving him my back. He let me.

  Heat radiated. It wasn’t just the water, it was him. I could almost hear his brain ticking. He obviously wanted to know what my problem was. But he didn’t speak. Instead, he poured shampoo onto my hair and began lathering. His fingers worked my scalp and massaged me into a lethargic state. The press of his fingertips, followed by the gentle scratch of his nails, sent shivers skating across my skin. He let the water rinse away the suds, then ran conditioner through the strands.

  “You have the most beautiful hair I’ve ever seen.”

  When the conditioner was rinsed away, I ran my fingers under my eyes. My mascara must be running, but that was the least of my worries.

  Tears stung and I tried to fight them. Tried to shake away the memories. The fear of what Adam would think when he saw me like this. Would he ask me to leave? Would he think I was ugly?

  Every day I looked in the mirror and knew what was there. Though I told myself it was better for him to find out now, I still tensed to run. It was too much to risk. His rejection would devastate me.

  “Katelyn,” he whispered. His hands on my shoulders slowly turned me to face him. Those tears I had been fighting slid down my cheeks.

  I looked up at him, face to face, while water continued to trickle down my brow.

  His jaw tightened and his eyes blazed with fury. My heart struggled to beat. He looked angry and shocked. I knew what he was seeing. I watched his eyes track from the hairline at my temple down my jaw, to my neck. My bottom lip trembled and I thought my knees were going to give out. He took my chin between his first finger and thumb and tilted my head, examining me.

  The tears came quicker. My anxiety should be flaring, but it wasn’t. Adam didn’t make me feel nervous or afraid, he made me feel vulnerable. I was stripped bare—straight to my soul—completely naked.

  I squeezed my eyes shut. I knew the image he was seeing. Pink scars littered my skin, trailing from my temple to my jaw and down my neck like a pathway.

  He traced a finger along the line of scarring and I fused my eyelids together harder. I wanted this to be over. He had seen me now. All of me. Scarred and completely terrified.

  “What is this, Katelyn?” His voice was laced with anger. He must be upset that, like my virginity, I hadn’t told him about this, either.

  “Scars.” I hung my head.

  “I can see that. Scars from what?”

  “F-fingernails.”

  I risked a look at him, expecting to find disgust in his expression. Instead, he looked like he’d just been kicked in the stomach.

  “Someone clawed at your face?” His voice was deadly quiet.

  I nodded.

  “Who? Because these aren’t scratches. These are deep. Old. Like they were trying to—” He caught himself. His temper was obviously
coming out and his tone was growing harsher.

  “Like they were trying to rip my face off,” I finished for him. “Please don’t be mad that I didn’t tell you. I just—”

  “You think I’m mad at you?” He cupped my face in his palms. “I’m ready to kill the bastard who did this. Don’t ever, ever think for a moment that this affects my feelings toward you.” He kissed my cheeks, my eyes, my tears. I sobbed and he pulled me into his arms. “Is this why you flinch when people get too close?” He tucked a lock of damp hair behind my ear. “Why you remained a virgin?”

  I nodded. “You’re the only person who’s gotten this close to me without being violent.”

  Adam tensed. His grip on me tightened. I pressed my cheek further into his chest and wrapped my arms around his middle. His lips trailed along the top of my head.

  “I would never put my hands on you with the intention to hurt you.”

  “I know.” Since the day I’d met him, that had never been a doubt in my mind.

  “I’m glad you showed me.”

  I looked up at him. “Do you think I’m weak now?”

  He scowled as though I had slapped him in the face. “I think you’re strong.” He ran his fingertip down my jaw. “You’re kind, vibrant, beautiful. And you survived.” He skimmed my forehead with his lips. “Whatever I have to do to make you realize this, I will.”

  Adam’s endearments sounded like a threat I desperately wanted him to follow through on. He was changing me, flooding me with his will and might.

  He stood there and held me, skin to skin, as the water beat down on us. With one palm on the back of my head and the other tightly around my back, he clung to me and I felt like I could melt right into him. Leave this world and live out my existence as a puddle surrounding Adam Kinkade.

  And nothing sounded more peaceful.

  12

  “Sure you don’t mind me borrowing your shirt?” I asked, strutting from Adam’s walk-in closet in only a white tee.

  He was lying on the bed, long legs stretched out and hands folded behind his head. He was in a pair of navy blue pajama bottoms and nothing else. Hot damn, the man was mouthwatering.