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Ian slapped him on the back.“Eat up, Runt. You need the calories.”
“Have you at least scoped anything?” Jannie sipped her Pellegrino, wistfully eyeing Eve’s half-full mai tai. “It’s gonna be a long six months,” she muttered.
Mom patted her hand.“Entirely worth it.”
Jannie smiled at her.“I know.”
Adam nodded.“There are two homes in Henderson that look as if they fit the bill.”
Ian caught his gaze and held it.“Is this because of her?”
Adam stared right back at him.“What if it is?”
“What about Ingrid?”
Everyone swung around to look at Erik.
He froze, eyes wide, fork in midair.“What? What did I say?”
“Drop it, son.” Dad speared him with The Look. He glanced over Adam’s head, concern in his eyes.“Eve’s coming back. She’s looking pale. I think you need to take her home.”
•
Eve
Somehow, she’d gotten through the dinner. The alcohol had helped, and so had Adam, her Viking protector, who’d been attentive and catered to her throughout.
At one point, he’d offered to take her home. She’d refused. This was the last dinner with his family, he wouldn’t see them again for months, and she was damned if she would let Bart ruin what was left of Adam’s time with them.
He’d already ruined enough.
She put the toothbrush down and capped the toothpaste, staringin the mirror. Her expression was soft, as she supposed it always was when she thought of Adam. Seeing the two men, only a few feet apart, had shaken her to her very foundation.
It was like light and dark. Good versus evil. Angel and devil. Bart had destroyed her. And Adam had come to the rescue, once again.
He moved to stand behind her and placed his warm hands on her shoulders, stroking gently, back and forth.“All packed?”
She nodded.
He kissed the top of her head.“Wheels up at eight tomorrow. We have to leave from here at seven.”
She studied their reflection in the mirror. Such striking differences between them, but they looked good together.
His worried blue eyes studied her intently. She turned, seeking the shelter of his arms. Immediately, he wrapped her in warmth and comfort. She inhaled deeply of his familiar scent, citrus and Adam and everything good in the world.
“You done in here?” His deep voice soothed her.
She rubbed her cheek against the softness of his T-shirt.“Mm-hmm.”
“I won’t be long.”
She filled her senses with his scent once more, then forced herself to pull away.
She didn’t want light. She flicked the switch on the lamp cord. Sliding between the cool sheets, she took his pillow and hugged it to her chest.
Adam had opened the window, letting in the warm night air with the sounds of frogs and crickets. Moonlight streamed in, its peaceful glow calming her nerves.
She heard the bathroom door, and in a moment, he was there, lying beside her and pulling her against his solid frame in his favorite way to hold her, his front to her back. He settled his chin on top of her head.