Tamed (Torn #5)(16)

“Hush.”

“You sure this is okay?”

He sighed. “What are you talking about?”

“The whole no-expectations thing. Cuddling and sleeping in together is more than just sex.”

He rolled his eyes. “I usually f*ck a chick and then kick her ass out my door. You spent the entire night with me, which is more than anyone gets. I doubt if sleeping for a few hours is going to cause any confusion. Now, sleep.”

I slept.



When I opened my eyes, the clock said it was after four. I glanced out the one window in his room. It was daylight out. Thank God. I slowly moved Adam’s arm off me and climbed from the bed. I was in desperate need of the bathroom before my bladder exploded.

I slipped from the room and walked to the bathroom. It was directly across the hall from his bedroom. After relieving myself, I washed my hands and glanced in the mirror. I barely recognized myself. My hair was sticking out everywhere. I ran my fingers through it, trying to tame it. I knew it was a lost cause. I splashed water on my face and scrubbed, trying to get rid of the black smudges of my makeup.

Once I passed for kind of presentable, I snuck back into his bedroom and picked my skirt up off the floor. I looked longingly at my destroyed underwear as I pulled my skirt over my hips. I put my bra on before hunting for my top. I spotted it on the floor a few feet away from the bed and picked it up before slipping it over my head.

When I glanced back at the bed, Adam was watching me.

“Hey,” I said quietly. “Didn’t mean to wake you.”

He stretched, the blanket falling to his waist. “No biggie.”

I shifted my weight from foot to foot. “I’m just going to go.” This is awkward as f*ck.

“All right. I’ll see you later then. Thanks for last night, Amber. Best night I’ve had in a long time.”

I gave him one last smile before walking to the front of his apartment, picking up my shoes as I went. They must have fallen off last night when he’d carried me back to his bedroom.

“Hey,” Adam called from behind me.

I turned to see him standing in the hallway outside his bedroom. My eyes scanned his naked form without an ounce of regret. I’d never see him like this again. My one night of glory was up. As soon as I walked out of this apartment, I’d become a distant memory.

“Yeah?”

“How are you getting home?”

“I’m going to call Chloe to see if she can pick me up. If not, I’ll walk.”

“I can take you home if you need me to. Just let me get dressed.”

“You don’t have to do that,” I mumbled, but he’d already disappeared back into his bedroom.

I sighed. Adam was nothing like I’d expected. I’d watched him for months, but it hadn’t prepared me at all. I’d thought he was easy to figure out. I’d seen him act like a typical playboy, never once showing any real kindness to the women surrounding him. Being with him one-on-one was an eye-opener. While he was still rough around the edges, I’d seen a more compassionate side to him. I wasn’t sure if that made my need for him worse or not.

I knew one thing. I was sad to leave him. That bothered me more than I was willing to admit. This was supposed to be simple—f*ck him and leave him. It was supposed to be even easier than my deal with Alex, but it wasn’t.

I sucked in a sharp breath when it hit me. I had a crush on Adam.

No, no, no, no!

Feelings weren’t a part of this. They had no place here. Yet, once the realization had hit me, I knew it was true. I felt more than just lust for Adam.

“Ready?” Adam asked.

I jumped when I heard his voice. He was standing a few feet away, giving me a quizzical look. I hadn’t even noticed him coming out of his bedroom or walking down the hallway.

“Yeah, sure,” I said. My voice sounded almost hysterical to my ears, but if he’d noticed, he didn’t say anything.

“Let’s go then.” Adam grabbed his keys off the hook next to the door.

I followed him out of his apartment and down to where his car was parked. We climbed in, and he shoved his keys into the ignition. I jumped again when it started, the deep rumbling causing my bones to vibrate.

Adam glanced in his mirror before pulling out. I kept my eyes straight ahead, terrified to look at him. If he knew what I was thinking, he’d stop the car and dump me out on my ass. He’d never speak to me again, and I wouldn’t blame him. We had an agreement, and I wasn’t following it.

No expectations. That was supposed to be a simple rule to follow. How had I f*cked it up so easily? Why hadn’t I realized that my interest in him was something more than I’d expected? I was so stupid. Getting attached to someone like Adam was emotional suicide. He didn’t do relationships or feelings. I was sure I knew the fate of anyone who had tried since he never once mentioned ever having a girlfriend over the past few months.

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard you this quiet,” Adam mumbled as we drove through Morgantown.

I glanced over at him. “What?”

“You’re quiet. That isn’t normal.”

“How do you know what my normal is? You don’t even know me,” I pointed out.

“You’ve been to every show since Chloe started bringing you around. I’ve sat at the same table as you. You talk constantly.”