Finally Found (27 page)

Adam had no idea just how long a workweek could be. He hadn’t worked five consecutive days in a very long time. It was the monotony of it all that really killed him. How did people do this? He had asked around the office under the guise of market research only to discover that most of these people weren’t working because it was their passion as much as the
y admitted it was a means to an end…survival. Still, there were aspects of the job they enjoyed. Morale had improved significantly since the Employee Appreciation Day and everyone seemed to be really looking forward to the holiday party. Although Sam had hired Cammie, it was left to Adam to plan the event with her. They had opted to do something different and a bit magical for the party. What had once been a boring executive café had been transformed.

There were white lights and gauzy tulle. There was a kissing ball and beautiful evergreen wreaths decorated in silver, blue, and pearl. There were candles on decorated tables. There would soon be a buffet set up and a carving station. The desserts he had seen in the email were pretty incredible, too. For that night, because so many of the employees had children, they were even hosting a party down the hall. It was a combination of crafts and movies and snacks. The evening promised to be quite perfect. On paper. He hadn’t seen Cammie. They hadn’t spoken on the phone even. Every time he tried, she would rush him off and explain that she was working and busy.

Now it was Friday. All he could think about was getting home, getting ready, going to the Whittier’s party and seeing Cammie. Mostly it was all about seeing Cammie. That’s why when he pulled into the parking garage and found her vehicle there, which wasn’t hard to do since it stuck out like the proverbial sore thumb, he found himself behaving in ways he hadn’t since high school. He stood in front of the elevator pushing the button like it was a game of Whack-A-Mole. He waited for the doors to open on his floor and bounded to his door. It was unlocked which both excited and frightened him.

“Hey!” He yelled as he entered his loft. “Lock the door behind you. What if some crazy came in here?” His hands were waving about anxiously.

She barely glanced up from the island where she was prepping hors d’oeuvres to respond. “It looks like one already has.” She smirked.

“What if...,” His voice trailed off. She was laughing at him. Maybe he did seem ridiculous. This was a safe building. Still, a woman alone in an apartment in New York City…it wasn’t safe. Then he realized she was alone all the time. He considered for a moment that she might not be, that she might have company of the male persuasion that he was otherwise unaware of. He looked at her critically as he considered it. Then he remembered what a tight fit it was with both of them standing up in there. He couldn’t imagine if they had both wanted to lie down. He actually chuckled picturing it.

“Okay,” he said calmly. “I’m glad you’re here. I’m going to go get changed. Is there anything I can do to help you out?” He wandered over and nuzzled her neck with his face.

She tried to brush him away. “I am trying to work here. Quit it!” Yet even as she spoke she was laughing and smiling.

“Just one minute,” he said quietly as he turned her to face him. Then he leaned down, slowly, deliberately, and intensely connected with her lips. There was a sizzling lip searing chemistry there, the same as always. Only this time, he was feeling for a response and he had it. She still wanted him. Satisfied, he released her and went to get ready.

An hour later she had finished prepping and packing. As she stood near the door double checking everything, Adam started hefting some of her crates into his arms. She looked at him with a puzzled look on her face.

“What?” He asked.

“That’s what I was about to ask you. What are you doing?” She reached over to take the crates away, but he held her off.

“Stop. We don’t have time to argue or mess around. Let’s go. The
Whittiers can make or break you, trust me on this.” He scooted her out the door. “Now lock it,” he chided.

She shot him an exasperated look as she turned the key. “Let’s go.” She headed to the elevator. He could already feel an argument coming on.

“Let’s take my car,” he said confidently.

She shook her head. “I have a better idea.” She smiled broadly. “Let’s take separate cars.”

He studied her for a moment, considered it, and responded. “No.” Then to soften his response he added, “Doll, are you ashamed to be seen with me?” He smirked at her.

“Yeah, that’s it,” she frowned. Then she added, “Only…I kind of am. Adam, I’m the caterer. I’m supposed to be there early. You are a guest. You probably, under normal circumstances, wouldn’t even arrive on time.”

He wanted to argue that point. Really he did. Only when he opened his mouth to refute her claim, he couldn’t. She was right. Still, he decided to turn it into a bargaining position. “How about this…I’ll stay out of your hair at the party. I’ll leave you to do your job and wow the clients. And after, you come back here. We’ll spend time together.”

Her eyes narrowed. “That sounds remarkably like a threat.”

He looked surprised. “What makes you say that? I’m hurt.”

Shaking her head she replied, “No, you’re obvious. And you are used to getting your way. And because I’m going to be super tired later, I just may take you up on it. So, here’s what I’m going to do.”

He looked at her eagerly and smiled in anticipation. “Yes, doll?”

She sighed. “I’m going to give you a counter offer.” The doors opened on the elevator and they walked directly to her car. “I’ll stay over, but know that in return I expect a bubble bath, a foot rub, and a neck massage.” She unlocked the trunk and Adam placed his crates within.

Taking her supplies out of her arms, he then loaded the vehicle for her while she looked on. He knew she was waiting for a response. Honestly, he liked making her wait. He liked having her suffer some like he had been suffering for days. “Sure. Call me when you are on your way over and I’ll even get the bath water drawn. How’s that?”

Her shoulders released. He had noticed how tense she had been. She needed the neck massage, and he didn’t mind rubbing her dainty feet, either. He watched as she even exhaled. Finally she nodded. Then with a smile, she hopped in the car and drove to the Whittiers.

Really, the only thing memorable about the party…was the food. It was more of the same faces hanging out in the same places. When it was finally over, he was happy to go. Adam was made even happier by the realization that
he wouldn’t be spending the night alone. So he went home and made his preparations and waited for his phone to ring. It rang earlier than he had anticipated.

“Hey, doll. Heading over?” He asked while trying to hide his excitement.

“Not tonight, I’m afraid,” she replied. “I have some fires to put out with Sam and Haley’s wedding. Luckily, it’s all online ordering and finding new distributors so I can do that even at this late hour.” She sighed.

“What difference is a few hours going to make? Come over. Relax. And I’ll help you tackle it in the morning. Please.”

She was silent on the other end of the phone. He held his tongue. He waited. Silence was a good thing. It meant she was considering it.

“I can’t be up having sex with you half the night when I have a hundred things to do,” she finally explained. “I’m not making that number up either, it may be on the low side.”

“Okay. No sex. Just come over.” His determination to spend time with her was shocking even himself. Had he really just given up sex? That didn’t seem possible. Only as he replayed the conversation in his head…he realized he had. The more he thought about it, the more he realized he meant it. He smiled. This was new.

“Promise?” She asked. “I’m not going to get there and you are going to spend hours working to change my mind? I’m beyond exhausted. It’s rough enough at the end of the semester, but this is so much more than I’ve ever taken on before. I love it. I feel like I’m finally doing something I care about; finally I’m headed in the direction of my dream. And I just need to focus. Your timing is horrible. Promise?” He heard hear sigh.

“I promise. No sex. No trying to get sex. Just let me draw you a bath, rub your feet and massage your neck. Then it’s off to bed with you.” He felt calmer just knowing she was coming over. “Will you at least let me hold you tonight?”

“Yes,” she said a bit breathlessly.

“Great. I’ll see you soon. I’m going to start your bath.” He ended the call and headed into the bathroom to begin keeping his promise. He liked the way this felt, being a man of honor. He liked doing for Cammie. Most of all, he liked the idea of her walking through that door like she belonged here with him. He thought it would be…scarier. Only he wasn’t scared at all of having her around, of having her stay over, or even of not having sex. He was more afraid of the time apart than he was of the time together. This had to mean something. Only before he could give it much thought, the door opened.

“Hi,” she said quietly, sounding a bit embarrassed.

He looked at his watch. “How is this possible?” He asked. “We just got off the phone.”

She chuckled as she walked into his arms. “I was chickening out in the parking garage.” She dropped her head and pressed her body against his.

“Silly, woman,” he laughed. “Now go get undressed. I’ve already started your bath.

True to his word, Adam had massaged her neck while she was in the bathtub. He rubbed her feet while they sat and talked on the couch. Then, when they finally went to bed close to 1am, he had simply allowed her to find her comfortable sleeping position and wrapped himself around her. He replayed the night in his head as he lay there holding her when he woke. Her hair was soft as silk. Her skin felt smooth and warm to his touch. Every bit of her was inviting him. Yet he was determined to keep his word. He stayed far away from any erogenous zone. She deserved her rest. If this worked out, he’d have a lifetime of lovemaking with this woman. For the first time in his life, he wanted it to work out. How had it happened so quickly that he wanted a life with her? He sent his brother that text. It was an SOS. His brother hadn’t responded, but Haley did.

Don’t fight this. Accept that your heart is ready. Cammie is perfect for you!

He had smiled at her response. He could almost picture the conversation that had resulted in that text. He knew his brother was never comfortable discussing matters of the heart. They were all lucky to have Haley.

In his arms, Cammie began to stir. She stretched like a cat, all luxuriously, as though she was feeling each muscle. Her eyes were open and she was staring up at him. It was so perfect. He wanted this moment to continue, but he knew that she would probably have a meltdown if he tried to keep her from working at the moment.