Adrian Moore stood inside Liz’s house waiting for her to make it pass the doorway. Shame burned up the back of his neck. He’d never let anyone fight his battles for him, and he wasn’t about to start now. He’d deal with her scolding one more time like he had for the past few weeks.He’d been so determined that he hadn’t stopped pestering her and he would do it until she would agree to give him a second chance. He’d even moved-in to his new apartment from the extended-stay hotel where he’d been living when he’d finally found one closest to Liz’s house.He didn’t care what people or what their neighbours would say when they would see him constantly waiting outside her house.One day, Liz was so fed up with his persistent visits that she gave him a spare key to her house so that their nosy neighbours who seemed more interested to know what was going on between them than worry about their own houses.And unlike the way she’d been treating him before, her attitude toward him was slowly gett
Adrian Moore’s answer was silent but unmistakable.Grabbing Liz around the waist, he spun and set her on the island, parking himself between her legs. He tugged her ass forward so she hovered on the counter’s edge. She’d have to choose to trust him not to let her fall, and he wanted that trust – needed it bad.Her legs wrapped around his waist and she arched her back, leaning toward him. The wanton movement slid her core over the ridge of his erection.Adrian thrust forward. Her leggings stretched and pulled against the strain of his arousal and created an erotic temptation he couldn’t ignore.The lush curves of her hips fit his hands as if she’d been made for him and him alone.He pulled her forward, encouraging her through heated kisses and wordless instruction to ride the hard ridge of his erection until every caress dragged a small sound of hunger from his throat or a purr of approval from her chest.Liz leaned back, whipped her blouse over her head and unhooked her bra. Nipples b
When Adrian didn’t respond, Liz placed her hands on his waist, his chiseled abs tightening at her touch. “Ticklish?”“You’ll never get me to admit it.” He stated, sounding so confident of himself.Biting her lower lip, she dug her fingers into his sides.He shouted and danced out of her way, the towel slipping as low as it could around his hips without falling off. “You’re not playing nice, Liz. I’ll retaliate.”Palms out, she held out her hands in the universal sign for stop. “Okay! I have to go at the office and get a few things down tomorrow afternoon, and then I also have a little employee gathering afterwards. But after that, I will be free.”He ran a hand around the back of his neck and pulled hard enough that his muscles shook under the strain. Taking in a deep breath, he looked at her. “Employee gathering, huh…? Must be a big deal, afternoon tea break with the staffs…why am I not invited to this gathering?”She considered him, taking in the tight lines around his eyes and the
Liz Walters was always on time. She liked schedules. Ever since she joined the company, she did well with agendas and plans and structure.Today, though, there were so many stops and starts, usually involving tender kisses and less-than-innocent touches that it took them forever to get out of his apartment.She couldn’t have cared less. Every touch made it worth the hours it took them to get to her car and head toward the waterfront. It seemed like he was so far away from her regular world, she didn’t even think about restraining herself around him or the big presentation in just a few days.But one thing kept her from being herself completely – the anxiousness eating at her for hiding about her pregnancy from him. She feared she might blurt out something regarding it.It seemed like you are struggling to keep this truth from him, her conscience whispered as though taunting her.Frowning, she rubbed her forehead. It wasn’t that. It wasn’t…One part of her wanted to come clean with Adr
Liz Walters shook her head gently and pulled away just far enough so she could meet his stare. “You paid that guy to say that to me, didn’t you? It was all an act, and this is part of your plan to ruin me, using classic movie references to break down my defenses.”“I wish I could claim I’d done that because it would have been brilliant.” He shook his head at her as he took her hand and lifted her fingers to his lips for a quick, gentle kiss. “Unfortunately, it was a coincidence.”Impulse drove her to lean in and take his mouth in a quick kiss. “You’re a devious man, Adrian Moore.”“You have no idea.” He winked at her.A smile tugged at Liz’s lips but she hid it away from him.Side by side, they started up the stairs. Halfway up the second flight, the soft, sweet scent of cooking pastry hit her. By the time they reached the second-floor landing, the area was infused with the smells of baking and chocolate and strong coffee.A vintage door with an oval glass pane and oval brass doorknob
Adrian Moore realized with a gut-wrenching certainty he was done running. There was a kind of adrenaline surfing his blood stream that he felt determined.He’d spent a lifetime chasing shadows and dreams, moving from project to the next, always searching for the next thing, that next hit that would get him through the night.Happiness had been elusive and, at times, so far out of reach he’d simply stopped reaching. But now, with Liz gazing at him with such fierce and unguarded hope, he wanted to be the man she seemed to think he was.He pulled her impossibly closer, resting his cheek against her temple as he breathed her in. His heart beat hard and sure.No more chasing dreams he couldn’t see.The one he had in his arms was better than anything he’d come up with on his own. He would only find his happiness with her in his life. He’d have to find the right moment to say he’d fallen for her because it wasn’t as easy as before. He’d mess up but now, he’d sort it out.The absolute last th
Liz Walters proceeded to open the car door to get out when Adrian opened it for her. She arched an eyebrow at him, impressed and slightly touched by his act. “Being a gentleman, huh?” He simply shrugged, holding her gaze. “Only for you…” Her heart skidded at his words. Butterflies fluttered in her belly. Keeping a hold of her emotions, she got out of the car and stepped around him, all while avoiding his eyes. “I know you told me that you’ve got some work to do this afternoon but I really want to see you tonight, for dinner?” He sheepishly asked, seemingly a tad bit scared of her response. “Adrian, you already know that I have to attend an employees’ gathering tonight.” She reminded him in case he’d forgotten. “I can’t.” “I know but –” He stopped talking altogether before sighing. “It’s okay. I can understand. Let’s head inside,” he tilted his head in the direction of the office building. “You’ve got work and I need to assist you.” He didn’t wait for her reply and began turning ar
"I'm sorry. A surprise visit from –” Liz hesitated only briefly before saying “- from my lover did catch me off guard, but you know what? I’m glad to see you here, Adrian.” Several voices murmured in the background. She ignored them all. Proclaiming what he was to her, calling him by name, was the best she could offer him. Three months had long been over so they were no longer husband and wife by contracted grounds. She, herself, didn’t know what they were now… She couldn’t give it a name but hopefully, she would soon. It was something she believes both of them wanted and needed. Adrian turned his head to the side, offering her his side profile. “You want to get out of here, Liz?” Liz bit her lower lip but didn’t have to think twice about it. “Yeah…” She’d think about the staffs some other day. All that mattered right now was this man standing in front of her. “Meet me in the parking lot,” he slipped his hands into his pockets. “Give me five minutes.” “Your time starts now,” he