Hope on the Rocks (Rainbow Cove)

“You can stop looking so worried. I’m not going to jump you against the door.” As usual, Adam saved me with his directness.

“That’s not without its appeal,” I admitted.

“Neighbors might complain about the noise.” He lounged against the wall, eyes roaming over me, enlivening every cell in my body.

“Considerate of you.” The desire in his gaze made it easier to flirt back, being wanted worked even better than a shot of liquid courage might. “The unit next door is one the owners rent out a lot. I think it’s empty tonight.”

“Good. I won’t feel bad if I make you scream.” Adam’s expression went from primal to devious, smile deepening and eyes crinkling. “And there’s that sexy blush of yours.”

“Glad to amuse you.” I resisted the urge to put a hand to my cheek, see how hot the skin was. All of me felt on fire like I might turn to ash if I didn’t get him soon.

He stroked a broad thumb down my cheek, making me shiver. “The blush plus those hipster glasses of yours make you look all innocent, makes me feel like I’m corrupting the valedictorian.”

He wasn’t that far off, so I had to laugh. “Well, luckily for you, the nerd glasses stay on. I can’t see much without them, and contacts are too irritating for the sort of hours I pull.”

“Oh, you can leave them on,” he drawled. “I’ll clean them myself if need be.”

Gulp. He sure had a way with imagery, and his words transported me back to that breathless state I’d been on the phone. “Thank you.”

I very nearly added the Daddy, and the flare of heat in his eyes said he likely knew it.

“Why don’t you show me your bedroom? I need to see what we’re working with if I’m gonna help you paint.”

As far as pretexts to get in my bedroom went, that was rather smooth, but I didn’t want him to feel obligated. “You don’t have to help paint.”

“I’m aware. But projects keep me from going stir crazy missing Ramona and Teddy.”

“That’s good. I know how that goes.” I tried to keep my tone from going too wistful. “I’ve tried and discarded more hobbies in the last two years than in all my years prior.”

“Anything stick?” Adam followed me to the stairs that led to the second floor.

“Cooking. I have an on/off relationship with my blog for healthy recipe photos. And walking on the beach, cliché as that sounds.” As I headed up the stairs, my cheeks heated, and my words sped up. “But I like long walks, and combing for washed-up treasure gives my meandering a purpose.”

“That’s cool. You can show me what you’ve found. Later.” He paused near the top of the stairs, eyes shifting from hungry wolf to something more thoughtful. “I should drag you hiking sometime. I hunt, but even off-season I like getting out there, camping and fishing.”

Huh. Not that I had a lot of experience with casual sex arrangements, but all Adam’s talk about painting and hiking certainly made it seem like he wanted to be friends, not simply an occasional booty call. Which was nice, but also skirting dangerously close to the relationship territory I so wanted to avoid. However, I also didn’t want to shoot down an offer of friendship right before I finally got to kiss the guy, so I settled for a noncommittal noise and absent tone. “Hiking is nice.”

Continuing to feel a little out of my element, I opened the door to my room. My legs felt none too steady as I entered, and Adam’s laugh as he followed me didn’t calm my nerves any.

“We are so painting. This place has all the warmth of a mortuary waiting room.”

“It’s not that bad…” I tried and failed to defend my taste. Adam’s tease wasn’t entirely off the mark, but I wanted him to hurry up and kiss me. Discussing future decorating plans felt decidedly couple-like, and the little thrill his interest gave me was not at all welcome.

“You’re talking to a guy who owns more than ten black T-shirts, and still, I gotta say that’s a ton of black and gray.” Adam gestured, encompassing the dark blackout shades, stark white walls, and black-and-gray bedding, which did give the room a rather dour appearance.

“Okay, okay. You have a point.” I tried to send him please kiss me soon vibes with my eyes. I’d never been very good at initiating sex, and by that moment, I would have agreed to repainting the entire condo if it got us back to our earlier flirting. I needed more of those ready-to-combust feelings and less conflicted emotions over a possible friendship. “Maybe redecorating would help my sleep.”

“So would letting me wear you out.” His feral look was back, and perversely, that was what finally got me to relax. Lust was easy. Lust, I understood. Forget nervous knees and sweaty palms. The thrum of desire as Adam went to sit at the foot of the bed made me feel powerful. Sexy.