‘Who?’ Kitty frowned.
‘It’s Adam. He wants to know when to bring the dog over. For Jonas’s surprise.’
Kitty only had to hear his name for her heart to start racing. It was shameful the way he made her feel. Exciting too, in that schoolgirl crush kind of way. Just four simple letters and her body was in a full rush.
Gently, she extricated herself from Jonas, slipping a cushion under his head and tucking the blanket firmly around him. He murmured in his sleep, then turned over, twisting the blanket around him. With his golden hair and bright red cheeks he seemed more cherub than child.
The warm feelings followed her into the kitchen, where Adam was leaning on the counter, his brown eyes following her entrance. He didn’t have to say a word. His expression said it all.
His intensity took her breath away.
‘Hey.’ She felt suddenly coy. Lingering by the table, a few feet away from him, she found herself twisting at her fingers. ‘Everything OK?’
‘It’s fine.’ His voice was thick. ‘I just wanted to see you.’
‘You did?’ Kitty glanced behind, seeking out Annie, but the housekeeper was nowhere to be seen. Maybe she was being discreet, giving them some space. Kitty had long since suspected Annie knew exactly what was going on.
When Adam swallowed, his Adam’s apple pushed out. ‘I missed you.’ A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. ‘I can’t even make it through a day without seeing you.’
His words made her heart want to sing. He was echoing her thoughts, underlining the aching need they both seemed to have.
Maybe that’s what made her bold enough to step forward and take his hands in hers. Rolling onto her toes, she lifted herself up, pressing her lips to his. The contact of his soft, warm mouth, framed by the sharp bristles of his beard was delicious.
A moment later he was scooping her up, kissing her hard and fast. His hands were everywhere, in her hair, down her sides, cupping her behind. Getting his fix while he could.
She was getting hers, too.
When she finally pulled away, her face was flushed. Adam’s eyes were dark, searching, seeking answers she wasn’t sure she could give. She wanted to try anyway.
‘You came about the puppy?’
Adam shook his head. ‘An excuse, I came about you. No, I came for you. If I had my way I’d steal you right now and hide you back at the cabin.’
‘That sounds good.’ A lie; it sounded perfect. There was nothing she’d rather do. But there was Jonas and there were complications, and there was that damn movie Adam didn’t know was being made. Secrets and lies, all waiting to spill out. Was it wrong that she wanted to hide away from them all? To pretend it was just her and Adam and nobody else in the world? She couldn’t remember a time she was happier than when she was lying in his arms.
‘But I guess that’s out of the question?’ He tipped his head, his smile inviting. She wanted to follow him out of the door, to leave everything behind. For them to stay in their bubble for a few hours longer.
‘I can’t…’ It hurt her heart to say it. ‘There’s Jonas, his concert, it’s Christmas Eve. I can’t leave him alone.’
‘Where are Everett and Mia?’
‘They’re out in DC. They won’t be back until late this evening.’ She tried to hide the bitterness in her voice, but it was impossible. ‘They won’t even be here to hear him sing to his grandmother.’
A flash of anger lit Adam’s eyes. ‘They won’t?’
‘No, and he’s been practising for days, poor kid. He’s so excited about it. Sometimes I want to shake them, make them realise what they’re missing out on. It’s one thing to be dedicated to your career, another to forget your child at the most important time of year.’
‘Doesn’t matter what time of year it is. The kid should always come first.’
Kitty nodded in agreement. Another reason why she felt so connected to Adam – he was on her wavelength. How often did you meet someone who seemed to echo your own beliefs so completely?
‘Will you come to his concert?’ she asked him.
‘I wouldn’t miss it for the world.’
‘Thank you,’ she said softly, squeezing his hand. ‘You’re going to make his day.’
Mary Klein’s bedroom smelled of rosewater and soap. At some point that week, Annie had made it look festive – with a tree in the corner and garlands on the wall. Even the patient herself was looking better, any residual pain seemed to have gone, bringing the pinkness back to her cheeks.