back inside and slid the door closed. Still holding her hand, he walked to the bed, where he stopped, kissed her again with slow deliberation, then released her only to pick up his jacket and tuck it under his arm.
âWhat are you doing?â she asked.
âIâm saying good night.â
She couldnât have heard him right. âYouâre what?â
âSaying good night,â he said, cupping her cheek in the palm of his hand and stroking her skin with his thumb. âAnd thanking you for a fantastic evening.â
He kissed her again and she met him with fervor and a need sheâd never experienced before.
âButâ¦but you canât go,â she said, still not believing him. How could he get them both so wound up only to walk away? How could he kiss her, tell her he wanted to make love with her and then leave?
âBelieve me, I donât want to,â he said, resting his forehead on hers and staring into her eyes. âBut I also donât want to rush you into something you might regret later.â
She almost groaned, knowing she should be grateful for his thoughtfulness. Knowing she should appreciate that he was willing to take it slow. Knowing that she didnât want him to leave.
âBut I warn you that the next time we kiss,â Adam said, skimming his lips against hers, âit wonât stop there.â
He pulled back to meet her gaze. âAnd there will be a next time.â
She blinked, stunned into silence by his words.
âSweet dreams, sweetheart,â he said, drawing her close. His hands skimmed down her back to her hips as his mouth hovered an inch from hers. She parted her lips in invitation but instead of kissing her, he whispered, âUntil next time.â
Then he opened the door and walked out, leaving her dazed and aching with need.
Seven
I must be out of my mind, Adam thought as the plane soared above the mountains and headed for home. Heâd had her just where he wanted her and hadnât made a move. And though he could stand back and marvel at his own inner strength, he had to question whether heâd made a mistake or not. His body was still clamoring for her despite knowing that she was trying to play him.
Now, as he watched Trish squeeze her eyes shut and clutch his hand, Adam wondered if it was indeed inner strength or just plain stupidity that had caused him to walk away from her. Last nightâs kiss had proven that Trish wanted him as much as he wanted her. Sure, maybe she was a gold digger, but he didnât think sheâd been faking the need heâd seen in her eyes. And if the look in her eyes hadnât been enough, sheâd actually said so. Out loud, he reminded himself, replaying the moment over and over in his head. His memory wasperfect, dammit. He could recall with absolute clarity the scent of her. The feel of her. The shine in her eyes as she looked up at him. And he could hear her whispered voice echoing in his mind.
I want that, too, sheâd said, when he told her he wanted to make love with her.
I want that, too.
So, was he deaf, as well as stupid? Sheâd wanted him. And what had he done? Heâd walked away. As a show of strength. To prove that he was his own man and to show the world that no one but Adam Duke would determine his own future. Certainly not some cute-as-hell gold digger. And definitely not his mother.
But what had he gotten for his troubles? A sleepless night, an aching body and a temper on the edge of snapping. Why the hell did it have to be Trish James who appealed to him on every level?
Heâd walked away to prove that he wasnât the kind of man who would roll over and play dead just because Trish James said she wanted him.
âSo howâs that whole âdetermine your own futureâ thing working for you?â Adam muttered under his breath. Then he shook his head, thoroughly disgusted. âItâs not working well at all.â
Because
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