Adam's POV of previous chapter
Her lips were on mine. I could live off of the taste of her. I loved how she knew I was coming over so she probably just brushed her teeth or took a swig of mouthwash and ran downstairs not realizing she doesn't look perfect. But to me, that's when she looks perfect. I wanted to keep her in my arms but I was careful not to hold too tightly and remind her of my brother.
She was breathtakingly beautiful. I wanted to watch her enjoy our kiss. I watched and was taken aback when her eyes opened looking directly into mine. It was the most intimate moment of my life.
I was hers. In that moment, it didn't matter that she still had my brother's engagement ring somewhere in this house. It didn't matter what they had done together. I could care less what the media and my father would think. In that moment, I knew I loved her.
Holly had me wrapped around her so tightly and she didn't even know it. My heart,
I wake up feeling only a tinge of a hang over. Moaning, I turned over on my side and saw Adam. His body still above the covers, his arms crossed, keeping his hands to himself. It didn't feel weird to have him in my bed. Shouldn't it feel weird? I was the one being a creeper, watching him sleep. His eyes shut, his perfect lips just parted a little bit as he slept on his back."You like what you see?" Adam said without opening his eyes. I almost jumped out of my skin. Shit! I had been caught."Fuck, Adam! You scared the shit outta me."He laughed and turned on his side towards me with his eyes open. "I don't see any poop but I can't inspect you properly with these blankets in the way." He didn't move a muscle, leaving it to me to give permission or not."I didn't shit myself, Adam. Obviously." I rolled my eyes, "but if you need to check and make sure, by all means." I had one arm craddling my head and put the other one up in the air.
When Adam came up for air the second time, he didn't seem as satisfied with himself as he did the first time."Everything okay, Adam?""Of course.""I'm not buying whatever shit you're selling so why don't you just tell me what's wrong. Do I smell? I need to shower and this all just happened so fast and"And he's laughing. Laughing at me. Fantastic. "Way to make a girl feel good about herself." I tried to move my leg over his head but his hands held me down at the hips as he killed the tip of my nose. Tears filling his eyes, that's how hard he's laughing."Holly. God. No. Oh my Lord, sweetheart, no. You are far from smelly or gross." He sighed. "No I was laughing because you already know me so well."What was he so elated about? And how was that funny?"I'm laughing at myself. You see I thought you and my brother might have actually been a good match. He said jump, you jumped. You both seemed to enjoy it too." I did like it but
Noah was waiting outside his front door when we pulled up."Not creepy at all, bro."He had a point, it was kind of creepy, but Noah was also someone who likes being in control so much he crosses the line. Noah also likes getting his way, which isn't about to happen. I felt sick to my stomach."Do you want me to go with you? He won't hurt you, I won't let him.""No. Thank you, Adam. But I need to do this on my own. He won't hurt me." I didn't sound very convincing. Heck, I didn't know which one of us I was trying to convince."Keep your phone on you. Anything fishy, text me and I'll barge right in. Okay?"I nodded and hopped out of Adam's car. My outfit was plain and modest for a reason. No wicked heels, painted nails, and a fancy hair do, just me in my jeans an t-shirt from the Gap, black converse, and a pony tail. Walking towards Noah, I saw him take me in and stiffen when he saw the box in my hand."Holly.""Noah. Can
Adam's POVI couldn't wait any longer. She loved me. I knew it! All that other stuff was true about how I'm a jackass at times but I loved her. She loved me. It felt like the right time to show Holly what I had started to build for us.She was going to think I was crazy. And maybe she's right. I'm crazy about her. I only had eyes for her. I'd never brought another woman back to this house because this was going to be our home together. After last night, I didn't care where I lived because just being with hers was my home."So your house is hidden back here or are you taking me to get sacrificed?"The woods surrounded us. I turned off onto a dirt road that was bumpy. I had plans for all of this but for right now I couldn't finish this place without her input."Yes, the Board of Directors requires a blood sacrifice before moving forward with the project.""I wouldn't be surprised.""Ha! I wouldn't either. But no.
Adam's POV I took Holly by the hand, pulling her further inside excitedly. She had only seen the mud room thus far. Her eyes widened as we stepped into a huge room for entertaining. It was open with seating and a full bar. A few tables set up with seats around them but enough room to stand and talk. Attached to that was a kitchen the size of the master bedroom. I knew she didn't really cook often but I'd get us a personal chef as well as bar back. Someone would need to change what's on tap. I even put in a tap for rootbeer for kids and non-drinkers. There was a wet bar hidden in the corner closest to the bar room. And of course an entire area just for Holly's caffiene fix. She let go of my hand and ran to the cafe set up. It was on the far side of the kitchen with a little nook that overlooked the pool and lake. "You have a pool and a lake?" "WE have a pool and a lake. If you want it. This can all be changed.
Jennifer picked me up and stayed silent the entire ride to my house."Thank you for coming to get me. I'll see you in the office tomorrow?""No, I'm still technically on vacation.""Oh, Jen, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to bother you while you are off. I knew I should have called a ride service.""No. Please don't think like that. You are never a bother. Ever."I nodded and unbuckled my seat belt. I was almost out the door when Jennifer asked me what happened with Noah, and today with Adam."What happened between you and Noah?" Jen's cheeks turned pink. "I was going to ask you anyways, fiance or not.""It was a spur of the moment thing. I really don't like to talk about it and legally I can't talk about it. But he tried to keep me and I was scared of him.""He can be very scary at times.""But also scary hot, am I right?" Jennifer interjected. She wasn't wrong. I let out a laugh and realized just how strung up I was
Adam's POV"I can't believe you called me.""Who else do I have to talk to? Dad?" Adam said as he poured Noah a nice helping of Wild Turkey brand Rare Breed bourbon whiskey."Fair point. Cheers.""Cheers?""We both lost her. So cheers, bro. We are just two losers pining for the same woman."Their glasses clinked and Noah took a big swig but Adam held back, looking at his brother curiously."You and I were pining over two different women. She was never truly herself with you. She was fulfilling some unmet desire. Mourning the loss of her father. You fell for the submissive. That's not all of her. You only met and fell for one side of a very complex woman." Adam said, "In all honesty, we weren't even playing for the same prize or maybe even the same game.""Right. I don't how she sounds when she is crying in pain or pleasure. Oh, wait, yeah, I fucking do. Brother."This was where it was g
Holly's POVWhy wasn't he answering the door? I rang the doorbell, his car is here, and now I've been knocking like a mad woman, and still no sign of him. Did he get over me that quickly? Noah's car was here, maybe they plan on ignoring me out of spite.I will knock at this door until my knuckles are bloody. "ADAM!" I yelled as I knocked.The door swung open, causing me to loose my balance and fall right into Adam's arms."Woah, careful there, Holly. I know fell for me, but you don't have to endanger yourself every single time you know." He was so corny and overly confident. But she loved that about him. She knew that his jokes were bad and the confidence he wore on the outside was to protect the sensitive self on the inside.He stood her up and waved a Jennifer who honked and peeled out of the dirty gravel driveway."Come in. I wasn't expecting you.""I know." He took my breath away. I felt di
5 years later... Adam and I were celebrating 5 years of our success as a couple. Although Adam says we've been together over a decade because the day we met is when our souls recognized each other as the others half. He's such a romantic. I was also celebrating 5 years as a badass COO boss woman in a male dominated field. Wired magazine was going to be printing an article about women in technology and asked me to be on the cover! We had a lot to catch up on over these last few years that came and went in the blink of an eye! We were both happy that everyone we invited had come to the party. Even Noah, although he stayed close to his dad all night and wouldn't make eye contact with anyone. Noah had been in therapy and even started an 'alternate lifestyles' club in the area, embracing what he truly took pleasure in. Not everyone was a fan of it, Kate and my mom especially, but I was proud of Noah. I respect that he knows what he wants inside the boardroom and bedroom. That he's wil
Holly's POVI curled up in bed and was about to go back to sleep after buying my ticket home for Kate's wedding. A one-way ticket. And the incessent knocking at my front door was back."I SWEAR TO GOD MINDY! IF THAT'S YOU!" I growled and opened the door."Lucky for me, I'm not Mindy." Adam stood in the doorway with flowers, food, and looking tired and not as put together as he usually does. Big dark bags under his eyes. His shirt wasn't stylish or clean. I just started at him. "Can I come in?""Oh. Yeah. Uh. Sure." I opened my door and put my arm out inviting him inside."It's pretty clean in here.""Had a little help.""I heard. Mindy is a bit of a gossip. She's got a big mouth.""Matches her large breasts. Don't you think?" Why was he here, talking about Mindy, of all things.He caughed and set the food down. "I thought you wouldn't mind Chinese again. Is that alright?"I nodded.
Adam's POVI had no idea what I did to upset Holly. She knew she was it for me. Didn't she? Why wasn't she answering my phone calls or texts. I wanted to drive over to see her but Dan told me I couldn't do that without admitting fault. So legally I was stuck to stalking her social media.Holly hadn't updated her Instagram or FaceBook. She wasn't answering her phone. I didn't attempt to slide into her private messages on the app."Come in!" There was a knock at my door. I usually don't close my door but I've been dealing with so much since I had to let go of Noah. He's now at a "resort" for anger management. Or at least that what we are telling the press. Jennifer has stepped into Noah's role seemlessly though. The board is looking to appoint a new COO soon but I think she should stay on, not just as the interim person."Hey, Adam." I knew that voice. "Can I talk to you? For a moment?""Yeah, come on in Mindy. Have a sea
I got an Uber and went back to my house. Drank and watched Housewives. I drank like I was a housewife. I wasn't. I wouldn't be a wife anytime soon. So how could I be a house wife?I turned the TV off and checked my phone.92 MISSED CALLS99 NEW MESSAGES52 NEW VOICEMAILSI went in and deleted all of them. Didn't even look at them. They were all from the same three people and I didn't have time for people who treated me like crap.Noah reached out a few times but never left a message or text.Jennifer left multiple voicemails and texts but they were all in defense of Noah and Adam's behavior. She was a cheater herself. A liar. So I deleted the rest without a second glance at them.Adam had tried so many times, I finally got the courage to block him. Maybe I should block Jennifer too. And Noah.Just cut them all out of my life. For good. There was a missed call from Kate so I rang her back.
I watched in horror as Noah scrolled through the multiple personal messages that Adam had with other, I could only assume, female beta users."Jack? Using your middle name was a bit too easy to have the females in the company flock to you." Noah smirked. "And anyone that knows you, knows you love yoga and the great outdoors. LimberJack was a little too transparent, brother."It hadn't been to me. But I wasn't like many people in this company, male or female, that were hoping to catch the eye of a Talon brother. If I had been obsessed with him, I'd probably have known his middle name and put two and two together but I didn't. I wasn't that girl. I was lonely girl.Noah clicked on a chat with Mindy32 who was obviously the Mindy that had was so obsessed with him. I bet she's 32 years old or her birthday is March 2nd. Usually the numbers we choose mean something to us.Chats that came up to the weekend we had Chinese food and he slept over in my bed cam
I woke up with a horrible hangover. My alarm was going off and I realized it was only Tuesday. And I needed to get my butt moving or I was going to be late for work.***Adam was sitting at my desk with his feet up. "How is my little drunky drunk?" He laughed and got up to hug me. "Still wearing your sunglasses, I see. I take it you don't remember talking to me last night?""Nope." I slid my sunglasses off and accepted a hug from Adam. He was warm and cuddly. I could have had these arms around me last night, but instead I woke up in my bed. Alone. With a headache and a very foggy recollection from last night. "What did we talk about?""Oh, nothing. Just how many children we are going to have. When you are moving in. I'm taking your name instead of keeping Talon, which makes perfect sense for the company.""Please tell me you are lying." I could feel my face turn pale."Holly. Come on now. We talked about when we were going to do it. And I sa
I sat in my office reviewing the two job opportunities. Even though one was a demotion, my salary didn't change. Could I work with Dev after this morning? Could I work for Noah after every thing we've been through? I texted Jennifer: Hey, want to go out for drinks? Bring Jill! She texted me back immediately: Jill says we are in. WOOT! WOOT! Is Adam coming? I texted her: No. This would be a girls only happy hour. She texted me back where and when to meet. The usual spot at 6PM. Good, now I had someone to discuss this whole thing with and wouldn't feel so alone. I don't feel like I can discuss this with Adam honestly. And it wouldn't be nice to put him in the middle of this decision. There was a knock at the door. Looking up, it was Noah. "Holly." He nodded. "Can we talk?" I shifted uncomfortably in my chair. "Of course. Come on in." He shut the door behind him, which made my skin p
To my surprise, Talon Tech wasn't a far drive from the resort Adam had built for us. I was awake and ready to take on the world of corporate America again. Had it only been two weeks since I was last here? Adam dropped me off at my office and reminded me of our IT operations team meeting in a few minutes. This was basically the team giving me a 'quick glimpse' into what has changed, what needs to change, and any issues we can stop before they become issues. I felt like I was being coddled. And in a way I was, but a lot can happen in two weeks. That's three whole weekends without work. Optics are not looking good right now for me. I walked into the conference room and the room of twenty plus people went silent. I hated having all eyes on me and now all eyes were on me and they were obviously just talking about me. "Good morning, everyone! I am so happy to be back from all that craziness and back to this craziness." I paused, no one laughed.&n
Adam lifted me up a bit and scooted me further onto the bed. The bed creaked a bit and the sheets smelled like they were brand new.I didn't want to slow down but Adam pulled away making me feel cold without his lips on mine."You miss me that much already, do you? I'm just taking off my shirt, Holly." He winked at me, "I think you should too."Red, hot, excited blush crawled up my neck and face. Damn Irish roots, I'm always blotchy and red. I took the hem of my shirt and pulled it over my head. Adam tugged my shirt off and threw it somewhere."This bra is next. Why did you wear such dull clothing today?"I bit his shoulder as he said that, trying to unhook my bra."Because I didn't want to taunt your brother. You know, my ex fiance?""Oh shit." He sat up looking down at me. "I'm going to hate myself for this.""For what?" Adam was starting to scare me."For telling you that Noah is, or was, here.