Picking Up the Pieces (Pieces, #2)(29)

***

Saturday morning I was up before the sun. I’d slept surprisingly well, despite the nervous energy I’d been feeling most of the day Friday. Even if my conversation with Amanda hadn’t opened her eyes, it had opened mine. As I’d spoken about Amanda, I’d spoken, too, about myself and the mistakes I’d made. I’d told her that everyone deserves a second chance, even a dumbass like her. I’d given my friendship with Max that chance. And now Adam was giving me mine. And if he thought I deserved it . . . well, then I guess so did I.

I put on one of my Under Armour ColdGear shirts and some sweats, and threw my hair up before heading out the door for a run. The brisk morning air woke me up, and I’d gotten in three miles before heading home to shower.

I’d somehow managed to keep my mind clear from thinking about Adam for much of last night and this morning, but as the hot water sprayed against my skin, the smell of my vanilla body wash brought me back to the last time I’d been with him. We’d made love by the couch in a way that made a silky slickness run down my thighs at the thought. Afterward, we’d been in this same shower together. And my mind filled with images of rubbing soap along his solid chest and down the length of his cock until he hardened again. My heart raced at the memory, and I bit my lip to replace the emptiness my mouth felt without him thrusting inside it.

I rubbed the loofah across my chest and around my neck as I let the water hit my face and make its way down between my legs. I needed this man. Physically, emotionally, I wanted all of him. But I would take the pieces as he’d offer them. At his pace. If he even offered them at all. For now, just the thought of him was enough. Dropping my loofah, I let my hands sweep across my slippery breasts until one hand drifted down to calm the ache between my thighs.

Instantly, my own hand became Adam’s fingers skirting my clit . . . teasing me with subtle pressure until I craved him inside me . . . his mouth sucking hungrily at my opening as his tongue slipped in and out in soft, deliberate strokes. This is what I imagined as I closed my eyes and rested my head against my forearm on the tile wall, working my way to a much-needed release.

My breathing quickened as I tapped gently against myself to thoughts of Adam’s lips on my throat, his long fingers urging me over the edge. I felt my legs get weaker, shaking with every roll of my hips. I needed this. But as much as I tried, I just couldn’t get myself there. Fuck! I banged my head toward the shower wall in frustration, thankful that my arm was there to take the impact. Yup, definitely going to need to invest in a vibrator. And preferably a waterproof one.

***

By 8:30 I had settled myself into a high-top table by the window of the coffeehouse. I wanted to make sure I was there early because, for some reason, I didn’t want Adam to be waiting for me. Even though he’d offered to buy my coffee, I’d ordered my own when I’d arrived, figuring I’d drink it while I waited and collected my thoughts. Then, when Adam arrived, I would have another.

I sipped on my beverage while I tried to wait patiently. But I was on edge, unsure of what the two of us would have to talk about. It was one thing to say a quick hello in a parking lot or exchange cute emails when each person had time to carefully compose their response. It was another thing entirely to sit there across from one another like everything that had happened between us hadn’t happened at all.

And it was probably even worse to sit there across from one another knowing it had.

“Morning.” I was awakened from my internal monologue by the sound of Adam’s voice. Good thing I was early. It was only 8:45. “You already bought yourself a cup,” he said, gesturing toward my coffee. “I thought it was my treat?”

“Uh . . . yeah, sorry. I thought I’d be ready for another one when you got here. I’ll have another in a bit though. Thanks.”

“Okay, well let me grab a drink and I’ll be right back.”

Once Adam got in line, I spent the next two minutes staring at how his perfectly round ass looked in his fitted dark jeans. It didn’t take me long to remember how sexually frustrated I’d felt since that morning, and by the time he arrived back at the table, I was wiggling in my seat, trying desperately to find a position that would dull the ache between my legs.

“You okay?” Adam asked, a curious grin on his face.

Could be better. “Yeah, just trying to get comfortable.”

“So,” he said, placing his coat on the back of his chair and taking a seat, “what’s new?”

God, this already feels so awkward. Neither one of us would be able to make more than idle small talk. Maybe it was a mistake to come here. “Um, nothing really.” I searched my brain, trying desperately to find something to talk about. Anything. Let’s see, what’s new, what’s new? I made a mess of my life and yours . . . wait, that’s not new. Shit. I joined CrossFit . . .who the hell wants to hear stories about CrossFit? Nobody, that’s who. I tried to get myself off in the shower this morning to thoughts of you . . . it didn’t work. Yeah, like I’d ever f*ckin’ say that. Think, dammit. Got it: “I went to Europe over the summer.”

“Really? Where? Who’d you go with?”

I gave him a brief overview of my trip—famous museums I’d visited, beautiful cathedrals I’d enjoyed, the delicious food I’d tasted. And he seemed genuinely interested as I shared some of the details. But after I revealed the fact that I’d gone alone, he’d gotten quiet.