“Cold?” he asked as he leaned close and lightly rubbed her shoulders with his hands, careful to avoid the wound.
She shook her head and turned to face him. “No, but I hope you brought something to put over my dress or I’m likely to freeze once we’re out of the house.”
“I’ll get it.” Adam smiled and backed out of the room. “I left it out in the car.”
The feeling of pleasure was something that warmed her inside and out whenever she was with Adam. She barely knew him, but she could feel herself falling for him, fast.
She waited for him at the front door and watched as he started the SUV. White puffs rose from the exhaust in the cool night air. Goose bumps prickled her skin from the chill as she waited for him.
The ride to the Manhattan restaurant was fun and Adam had her grinning and laughing from stories he told her about his brother and sister, when they were kids.
Because Adam seemed interested, Keri shared a few of her funnier ballet experiences as well as telling him a little about her career.
Despite the differences in their upbringings, she and Adam had no problem finding things to talk about.
Her parents had never taken her camping or anything else outdoorsy when she was growing up, something she wished they would have. Adam’s family went to the Adirondacks and the Catskills a few times a year and they had traveled cross-country in the family van every summer.
Keri had grown up a part of New York’s high society, and Adam talked about his blue-collar roots.
Ever since her forced retirement, she had settled into a lifestyle she felt comfortable in, away from the glitz and glamour and wealth she had grown up with. It had been an easy change for her, and she had found that she loved it.
When they reached the city, Adam chose a great seafood restaurant that they both enjoyed. Keri felt so comfortable with him that it was easy to let herself just go.
When she had dated Edward, the relationship had been superficial. What she had thought was genuine had turned out to be a farce. Nothing but a lie.
After dinner, Keri and Adam decided to go to one of the more low-key jazz clubs in Manhattan.
The saxophone was wailing a tune she didn’t recognize when they entered the club. Adam took her hand and together they walked through the dim interior, past the bar and round tables with little candles glowing on each one.
It was still early enough that the club was probably not as crowded as it would be later on in the evening. Probably why they were able to find an unoccupied table off to the side, a little more secluded than other areas of the club.
After Adam seated her, he pulled his chair close to hers, their knees touching. Thrills went through Keri’s abdomen. The nearness of him, the scent of him, made Keri heady in a way she had never experienced before. He didn’t wear cologne and she loved his natural masculine scent. She met his eyes, falling into the warmth of his gaze.
She didn’t hear the server at first when he came to the table and asked what they’d like to drink. Keri chose a chardonnay while Adam ordered beer.
A clarinet solo highlighted the next song and she raised her voice to talk over it when Adam asked her who her favorite jazz singer was.
When their drinks came, Adam left the tab open and Keri sipped her chardonnay. When she set her glass on the table, Adam rested his hand over hers. She smiled and he moved close enough to brush her mouth with his.
Tingles flushed over her body, starting from the touch of his lips and traveling to her toes. A soft sound escaped her, a sigh of pleasure.
He raised his head and looked at her. From just that little contact she felt almost dizzy, intoxicated. As if she had had more than a sip of her wine.
Adam brought his fingers to the side of her face and rubbed his thumb along her jaw.
Keri swallowed and he traced the line of her neck with his fingers all the way down to the hollow at the base of her throat. She let her eyelids close as she listened to the soft tune the jazz band was playing and enjoyed the drift of Adam’s fingers over her skin. His hands were callused, but his touch so soft.
She found herself getting lost in the music, lost in his caress. He brought his lips close to her ear. His breath was warm as he murmured, “You’re so beautiful, Keri. And I love what I see inside even more.”
Her throat was dry as she opened her eyes and looked at him. “I like what I see in you, too.”
“You’re an angel,” he said softly. “My angel.”
“Yes.” The word came out without her even realizing she would say it. That she would agree so easily with his claim.
She was his.
Hair at her nape started to prickle as if she was being stared at. She turned her head.
And saw Edward across the room. Staring at her and Adam.
Keri didn’t know if she could breathe. “Oh, my God.”
* * *
Adam turned and looked in the same direction. He stiffened, his body going rigid the moment his eyes landed on Carter. The man stood with his back against the wall, his arms folded across his chest, his face drawn into a smirk.
Anger pumped through Adam’s body, fierce, hot, and he shoved back his chair and stood. Somehow the bastard had followed them.
It was as if his body was powered by a force other than his own. Adam’s legs and arms moved,
