She had to meet Minka, but other than that her calendar was empty. Because all of her time was supposed to be with Adam. That was the reason she came a week early.

About twenty minutes later, freshly showered, she wiggled into a pair of broken-in jeans. Lily paused to catch her reflection in the mirror and examined the little roundness of her belly. She flicked the thin silver bar going through her navel, wondering how long she'd be able to keep the belly ring. No baby b.u.mp yet, but her waist had changed, making the jeans a little difficult to snap closed. Smiling, she slipped into a black silk camisole, grabbed a pair of beige pumps along with an oversized cardigan from the closet, and made her way down to the main floor. Like everything about Adam, the kitchen was an exciting mix of cla.s.sic and up-to-date amenities, keeping the room timeless in style but modern in functionality. Vintage wide-plank French oak floors, Old Masters oil painting as featured art wall in the kitchen, and a marble-topped island added a farmhouse style. She stopped and glanced at the picture of Adam and his parents on the counter before walking over to make her coffee. The sound of a car engine caught her attention. She peeked out the open window and caught a glimpse of an old pickup pulling into the driveway. Seconds later, Adam's parents stepped out.

She gripped the coffee mug and tried to breathe slowly, telling herself to calm down. She'd tell them Adam was out and make a dash for it. And of course use Minka as an excuse. It wouldn't be a lie; she was scheduled to meet her friend. They didn't have to know she still had three hours to kill. Putting on her brave face, Lily walked out of the kitchen to greet Adam's parents.

When she opened the door, a delighted look stretched across their faces. Lily nodded in their direction, but they reached over for a warm hug.

"Liliana," his mother said as she took in Lily's appearance. "You look much better. We were worried about you last night."

Lily found herself smiling. "I'm fine. I was a little tired. Please come in." Wait. She didn't mean to say that. The plan was to make a run for it and avoid any marriage conversation. "Adam's not here," she added for a little sanity check.

"We know," his father responded. "We wanted to make sure you were all right."

Geez, could two people be any nicer?

They were running a close second to her parents. "Thank you. I was about to have a cup of coffee. Decaf," she added with a smile and they chuckled. She sensed they knew Adam had something to do with it. "Adam has strong views about me having caffeine," she said as they entered the kitchen.

"We're not surprised," his mother replied. "Although a small cup is fine."

"But that's our Adam," his father quipped.

No s.h.i.t, thought Lily as she found two extra coffee cups. "I don't know how you like your coffee."

"Don't worry about us, we can make our own," his mother said as she sat on the stool. "We wanted to talk to you."

Lily quickly glanced at them.

"Come sit with us, dear," his mother continued, her voice warm and encouraging.

She edged a cautious inch closer. "I'm sorry if I came across a bit rude yesterday, but..."

"You were caught off guard," his father chimed in.

"I didn't realize Adam told you we were getting married soon."

"You don't want to marry Adam?" his mother asked with a thoughtful expression.

Lily cleared her throat with guilt. Put aside the initial shock from last night, she liked Adam's parents. They were warm and obviously loved their son. "It's not that. It's..." she let out a deep breath. "It's complicated."

His mother smiled. "You love him," she said then turned to her husband and beamed. "See, I told you she was in love with him."

His father nodded, leaned over and kissed Adam's mother. "That's the best news we've heard," he said, his gaze now on Lily. "When Adam told us the two of you were getting married, we were concerned." His father ran a hand through his hair.

The motion made Lily smile; it reminded her of Adam. "I can't marry someone who doesn't love me. I'm sorry."

His mother stood up, walked over and hugged her. "Adam is difficult. We love him. But he's built walls."

"A fortress he lets no one penetrate," his father added.

The words described someone who had been deeply hurt and was refusing to allow himself to feel love again. A forced solitude. Lily nodded and batted her eyelashes in an attempt to hold back the tears that threatened to spill down her cheeks.

"Why?" she asked, wanting to know what brought him so much hurt.

His father smiled warmly at her. "It's for him to tell you. It's not our story."

"You're a strong person, Liliana," his mother said gently. "Give him some time."

Lily winced. "He won't even open up to me. I don't know..."

His mother rubbed her shoulder. "We didn't mean to make you sad. We wanted to make sure you were all right. No matter what happens between you and our son, we look forward to getting to know you. And..." She smiled brightly. "We can't wait to meet the little boy or girl. How many weeks are you?"

"Seven."

"You guys have time. Don't be sad." She glanced over at her husband. "How about we take Liliana out for breakfast?" Her attention returned to Lily. "Are you up to it?"

"Oh, as much as I'd love to, I have to meet Minka. Maybe another time?" To her surprise, she found herself a little disappointed. She liked Adam's parents even if the state of her relationship with their son was out of their control. "Maybe we can do dinner soon."

"That would be great. Why don't you confirm with Adam and let us know a day?"

Lily nodded.

His mother clapped her hands. "Well, we must be going. I'm glad we were able to talk Liliana." She leaned in and hugged Lily. "Don't give up on him. He's a good person," she whispered.

By the time Lily returned from meeting with Minka, it was dark. She stepped onto the paved driveway and the night swallowed her into darkness. Stars blossomed in the blackness. Not a light was lit in the house, but she spotted Adam's Maserati. Opening the door, she walked inside and made her way to the bedroom. The room was empty. Her heart fell. She went to the kitchen and switched on the light. Nope. Not there either. She crossed the hall, turned left and entered the den. She caught his silhouette sitting in the dark with a drink in his hand. She flipped the switch and he looked up sharply, his face a black mask. The mere presence of him caused her stomach to contract, and a rush of heat flooded her entire body.

"Come to bed with me." She waited. Her heart pounding against her ribs as if trying to fulfill a thousand beats.

"I was adopted."

His eyes locked with hers. There were no words to sum up the intense wave of emotion that shot through her. He was opening up to her. Ready to spill his secrets. She rushed over to him and dropped to her knees between his legs.

"Adam," she said through quivering breaths. "It's all right. We can talk in the morning," she pleaded, unable to bear the anguish in his voice.

He chuckled, a dry, lifeless laugh. It shattered her heart and she wrapped her arms around him.

"My mother was a prost.i.tute."

His voice was void of emotion, but Lily felt every bit of his pain. A dark, sickening grief filled her heart. She bit her lip to keep from crying.

"A drug addict," he continued and paused again. "I was born an addict."

A gasp escaped her throat, as the shock washed over her like a tidal wave. Images of Adam as a baby, born addicted, a result of the drugs used by his mother. She didn't know much about it, but she remembered Paige talking about it once. The drugs traveled the placenta, causing the baby to become dependent on the substance, developing an addiction just like the abuser.

Her stomach quivered and she fought back the nausea that threatened to take over her body. Lifting her head, she caressed his face. "Adam, oh, Adam." Her voice shook with pain.

"There's more," he added harshly.

Lily clung to him like a lifeline and shook her head. "No more. Not tonight."

"Liliana," he said her name in a tortured voice.

She shifted her body and leaned into him. Their faces inches apart. "Please," she mumbled breathlessly against his lips. "Let me comfort you."

He tilted his head down and kissed her hard with an urgency that was almost rough, burning her lips with his mouth. He tasted of bourbon and warmth. And something else. Love. Yes. Most definitely love. She loved him.

It was her turn to rip apart clothes. With hungry hands, she tore open his b.u.t.ton-down shirt, unbuckled his belt with one hand using the other to run her fingers over his stomach.

His hands caught her arms and held her still. "Liliana, no s.e.x..."

She met his gaze. "This isn't s.e.x."

He raised an eyebrow and exhaled a long breath. "No?"

"Foreplay." She smiled at him, eyes still wet with tears. "You said no s.e.x, but foreplay is totally okay." She paused. "No penetration, no house rules broken." She licked her lips and unzipped him.

The sight of Lily on her knees between his legs stunned Adam. Oral s.e.x, b.l.o.w. .j.o.b, whatever the f.u.c.k one wanted to call it was nothing new to them. Lily had always given as much as she got and always left him winded and wanting more. But something shifted tonight. He opened up to her. At least he started to, but she stopped him from putting everything on the table.

Adam tilted her chin, and caught a glimpse of the pain that coursed through his veins in her eyes. Only hers were a little feral and mingled with l.u.s.t, even through the tears still glistening on her cheeks. Brushing his thumbs against her face, he swiped them away, leaned into her and kissed her. She met him with fierce pa.s.sion. Briefly their teeth clashed, then she sucked on his lower lip, teasing him with her tongue, telling him who was in charge.

"I won't be able to stop," he whispered in a raspy voice against her lips.

"It's not up to you." Her voice was a little labored, but filled with determination as she pressed her hand against the firm bulge in his pants.

A low groan escaped his throat. He was a goner, completely f.u.c.king gone and at her mercy. Even with the faintest touch, he'd be sure to explode.

"Don't try to stop me," she warned.

He needed to stop her; otherwise, he'd be f.u.c.king her till daylight. But the tension was still burning through his veins and he craved the physical contact. Eventually, he'd have to gather his b.a.l.l.s together again and give her free access to everything that he was, but not tonight. Right now, emotionally exhausted; he wanted to take everything she was willing to give. "I'm not."

She licked her lips once more, her intentions clear. Adam felt his muscles tighten with antic.i.p.ation and moved his hips upwards from the sofa to a.s.sist her in achieving her goal. With quick, yet smooth motions, she undid his pants, and pulled down his boxer briefs. His c.o.c.k sprang up, completely enlarged and rigid.

Her hand coiled around his erection, and Adam sat frozen. Waiting for the brush of her lips. Needing to feel the softness of her mouth wrapped around him. She leaned forward, brushed one side of his shirt aside and slowly started to kiss his stomach. With each brush of her lips, he took one step closer toward madness.

He needed to touch. Shift control over to him. Impatiently, his fingers brushed across her shoulders, letting the straps of her top fall, giving him easy access to her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. With ease, both hands slipped underneath her blouse and cupped each breast. He molded them in his hands, tugged on her nipples, and she moaned with pleasure. All the while dragging her lips from his navel down the trail that led back to where her hand was kneading him.

The rosy tip of her tongue swept over the throbbing head of his swollen manhood and licked away his creamy nectar. He grew stiffer, larger. Adam inhaled sharply.

"Don't stop, Liliana," he mumbled, and dropped his head back against the cushion of the leather sofa in resignation.

She tasted him once more, her tongue slid along his length, causing his breath to grow louder. She repeated the motion, exploring every throbbing pulse before taking as much of him as she could in her mouth.

G.o.d d.a.m.n it!

Adam grunted.

She continued the slow and steady motion, sliding up and down his engorged flesh. Every nerve in his body responded to her touch. With fingers knotted in her hair, his body melted with pleasure. His legs muscles grew warm, fresh air entered his lungs and blood flowed into all his limbs. He would have fallen, had he not been sitting down.

"Liliana, G.o.d...oh...G.o.d." His breath came in short gasps.

Adam pulled himself up, his eyes fixated on her lips. With each blow, she preyed on him a little more, took him a little deeper, mauled him with her tongue, while her fingers touched and fondled his thighs and everything in between.

Knowing he was about to go over the edge, he gripped her arms to pull her to him. He'd bend her over and take her from behind and plunge deep inside of her. Instead he met resistance as Lily continued to increase the speed of each of her strokes.

"f.u.c.k!" he swore. "Liliana...I can't..."

Her eyes fluttered open and met his momentarily, and he knew what she wanted. Not that he could control himself any longer. Jesus! His fingers tightened through the strands of her hair as he crested. His body collapsed, releasing all the tension loaded inside of him, leaving behind nothing but a shiver.

"Come here," he said a few seconds later, pulling her to him. "Your turn."

She shook her head. "Tonight was all about you."

Her unselfishness caused his gut to tighten. But he'd never been a selfish lover and now that he was a bit more relaxed, he wanted to pleasure her just as much.

"Come on, let's go to bed," Lily said, repressing a yawn.

He studied her face. Her cheeks flushed to the color of scarlet, and she smiled at him.

"You're okay?" he asked, suddenly concerned. He had forgotten she was constantly struggling with nausea.

"Of course," she answered, dismissing his concern with a wave. "We've done this before."

"But you've never..." He paused, not quite sure of the appropriate word.

Lily chuckled. "Swallowed."

He laughed. "Yes, swallowed."

"I wanted to," she said, holding his gaze. "Besides, in the past, you've never let me finish."

Adam pulled his boxers back on, picked up his pants and rose from the couch. With one arm over her shoulder, he drew her closer to him. Her arm leisurely circled his waist as she nestled closer to him. The connection felt good.

"Think you'll sleep tonight?" she asked as they walked down the dark hallway.

Her voice was filled with concern, causing a strange flutter of expansion in his heart. Leaning over, he placed a light kiss on the top of her head. "I think I will."

Chapter Nineteen.

"You can't start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading the last one."

Anonymous Adam entered the bedroom, feeling refreshed from his first night of sleep in two days. His gaze automatically went to Lily, and his heart constricted at the sight before him. She sat on the bed in a grey camisole, striped cotton sleep-shorts riding high up her thighs, legs crossed, and typing away on his laptop. Her face wore a determined look. She paused, scratched her temple and went back to typing.