Tempting Adam. Dorie Graham
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her. The heat in her cheeks intensified. She glanced at Adam.
He blinked, then his mouth quirked to one side. “Friendship and mutual respect like we have are vital to any relationship.”
“And where did you read that?” Eyebrows raised, Kamira nodded toward his empty plate. “What’s wrong? Not hungry?”
“Starved, actually.” With great relish, he piled food on his plate, then consumed several bites.
Lauren pursed her lips and poked again at her potatoes. How could he drop such a bomb, then stuff his face as if nothing had happened?
Because nothing had happened. Evidently, any sexual thoughts he’d had of her hadn’t been strong enough for him to act on.
A feeling of foreboding stole over her. He’d always been there for her, with his brawn when she needed it, and with his broad shoulders during times of crisis, like when her father had died thirteen years ago. Would he still be there if he found a wife?
A small sigh rose in her chest. She was losing her best friend. Once he found a woman to give him all Lauren did and more, he would no longer need his old buddy. She’d be superfluous.
Adam reached across the table and squeezed her fingertips. “We’re as good as family. It isn’t like you’ll be getting rid of me.” As usual, he’d read her mind.
“No. Of course not. And if you do marry it’ll be like gaining a sister for me,” she said through stiff lips.
“Right.” Apparently satisfied, he picked up his fork and again dug into his meal.
Kamira sat back in her chair, her expression puzzled. She turned to Adam. “Tell me, do you have a plan for finding this woman?”
“I thought I’d just open myself to the possibility and see what happened.”
A speculative light glimmered in her eyes. “Hmm, I see. That’s good, being open.”
“I told him when he found the right woman he should romance her.”
Kamira beamed. “Excellent idea. What do you think, Adam? Are you up for the romantic approach?”
His shoulders shifted. “Could be. Real romance should be more than just blatant gift giving, though.”
“Blatant gift giving?” Kamira asked.
“I want a woman who’ll want me for who I am, not what I can give her. It isn’t my style to make a big display over buying gifts for a woman.”
Lauren rose to carry her dishes to the sink. “I only meant you should try to make her feel special. Gifts are just a part of that.”
With measured movements, Adam followed her to scrape the spare remains of his meal into the disposal. “Okay, I can see that.”
“So, have we got ice cream for dessert?” Kamira left the table to pillage the freezer. “Death by Chocolate, my fave. Why don’t I dish some up, and we’ll eat it on the deck.”
“Just a little for me,” Lauren said.
“Adam…” Kamira ushered him toward the sliding door that led to the deck. “Can you light the citronella torch? We’ll be right out.”
“Sure. Make mine two scoops?”
“You’ve got it.” With a smile, she slid the door shut behind him. Then she turned to Lauren, her eyes shining.
“You know the mosquitoes don’t seem to notice that torch, Kamira. What are you up to?” Bending low, Lauren rummaged through a drawer for the ice-cream scooper.
“When did you and Adam have this conversation?”
“About his settling down?”
“About his wanting to have a serious sexual relationship involving friendship and mutual respect.”
“Around lunchtime.”
“And you suggested he woo the woman of his choice?”
“I hardly think his tactic of wham, bam, thank you ma’am will work toward establishing anything long-term.”
“Don’t you find it interesting that he’s opening himself to the possibility, but that he isn’t actively searching for this woman?”
Lauren shrugged. “He’s not going to find her in his usual haunts. Do you see a woman like that patronizing Charlie’s Corner Bar?”
“Of course not. But what about the fact that you received those roses anonymously after your conversation?”
“What does that have to do with Adam? There’s still the chance Todd sent them.”
And you think I’ve never thought of you in that way?
“Todd, the man you’re no longer seeing? The man who gave you a new calculator for your two-year anniversary?”
“Point taken, but I still don’t see how Adam figures.” Blood rushed through Lauren’s ears.
And you think I’ve never thought of you in that way?
Kamira glanced out the window to where he’d anchored the torch into its stand. “I’ve always had a feeling about you two. I just think it’s odd—the timing, the fact that he’s against what he calls blatant gift giving. Seems he would be the anonymous type.”
Lauren’s breath caught. “Tell me you’re not suggesting what I think you are.”
“Don’t you see? It makes sense. He isn’t looking for a woman, because he’s already found one. You.”
2
“ARE YOU NUTS?” Lauren stared at her housemate.
“Don’t you see? It all adds up.”
“I hardly think a couple of random coincidences add up to anything.”
Kamira took the forgotten scooper from Lauren’s hand, then dished up the ice cream. “Let’s ask him.”
“No!”
“Why not?”
“Do you know how insane that sounds? He’ll have us locked up.”
After handing Lauren one of the bowls, Kamira carried the other two toward the sliding glass door. “What are you afraid of?”
“I’m not afraid. I just don’t see any point in pursuing this line of thought. Okay?”
With a heavy sigh, Kamira nodded. “Think about it, though.”
Lauren opened the door, shaking her head. The torch glowed and night insects chirped and whirred around them. Above, stars glittered in the darkening sky. Adam sat at the patio table that dominated one end of the deck.
She perched on a chair beside him. “It’s nice out here.”
Thanking Kamira, he took the bowl, then savored a bite of ice cream. “It’s these simple things that make life worthwhile—a hearty meal, pleasant environment and good friends.”
“Yes, good friends.” Lauren cocked her head at Kamira, sending her a smug I-told-you-so grin.
“He sounds like a commercial,” Kamira laughed.
Adam grinned. “Lauren’s cooking makes me want to endorse the good times.”
Reaching over, he clasped Lauren’s hand. “You are a remarkable cook. I hope the woman I marry knows her way around the kitchen.”
Lauren’s grin faltered as the warmth of his hand enveloped hers. She wiggled her fingers in an effort to free herself from his grip, but he didn’t seem to notice. Instead, he carried her hand to his lips for a quick kiss.
“Now that you’ve gotten rid of Jeffries, maybe you should find a real