So Toxic(Bad Boy Next Door Book 4)(135)

“Okay. Seven?”

“Seven will work.” He lifts his hand in a half-wave as he drags Spike to his punishment—time-out in his kennel, I’m sure.

I have no idea how to I’m going to handle breaking this news to him. I’m so far out of my depth.

Inside, Mom tugs and pulls on the wretched swimsuit. “You know, this might be a little on the small side for me and my girls.”

“Ya think?” I rub my temples. “I’m sorry, Mom. Are you okay? The dog didn’t hurt you?”

“No, I’m all right. I’m old, but not completely breakable. Not just yet, anyway.”

“Hey, would you like to take Clarissa home with you? I have some things I need to take care of this evening. It’d really help me not to have her underfoot.”

Mom’s eyes light up. “Oh, that would be wonderful. We can bake some cookies. And I’ll take her to see that new kids’ movie.”

I grin.

One less thing to fret about. Now, all I have to do is get through the rest of the evening.

I pack an overnight bag for Clarissa and set it by the front door.

Mom changes clothes and putters around in the living room. “Adam’s lady friend, Jen…”

Jen?

She leaves the name hanging in the air as though it has some special significance.

Then she continues with a smile. “She’s really lovely.”

I swallow hard. “Of course, she is.”

“And her children are precious. That Maddie was so sweet with Clarissa.”

“Oh? That’s nice.” Nice that Adam’s daughter is sweet to mine. They can be BFFs, and it will just be a party at the holidays.

“And he’s so handsome.”

I plop onto the sofa. “I guess.”

“Just sayin’. That’s all.”

Just don’t want to hear it—that’s all.

I clasp my hands together. “Well, I guess you two should hit the road and beat that traffic. Eh?”

“Yes, I suppose so.” She taps her face. “Give your Momma a kiss.”

I give her a peck on her cheek. “I love you, Mom. You know that, right?”

“Yes, I know. I love you too, Baby Girl.”


* * *

At five minutes to seven, the bell rings.

I pull open the door with a big smile, one of those that hurts the face because it’s so forced.

My gut quivers, and my hands shake. I shove them into the front pockets of my Capri jeans before he notices. “Come on in.”

I nudge the door closed with my foot. “Dinner will be ready soon.”

“I could smell the steaks grilling from next door.” He looks me up and down. “Mouthwatering.”

No matter where I go or what I do, his gaze doesn’t leave me, even as I remove the baked potatoes from the oven and the steaks off the grill. By the time we sit to eat, I’m a jumble of nerve endings, a mass of sparking and jumping live wires.

Finally, everything is on the table and we settle in to eat. Trying to come up with small talk sucks, especially when there’s such a huge thing lurking in the recesses of my mind.

About halfway through the meal, Adam places his fork and knife on the edge of his plate. He leans across the table. “You’re awfully jumpy.”

Damn. He noticed.

“Not really.”

His eyebrows rise. “Aw, c’mon now, Beautiful Girl. Why don’t we talk about the elephant in the room and get it out of the way?”

I swallow hard. “Elephant?”

Oh, dear Lord. Does he know about the baby?

“You and me. This not seeing each other thing.”

I slump. “Oh. That elephant.”

At least he wasn’t referring to the mastodon in the room—I’m not sure I’m ready to talk about that.

Even still, I’m not sure I’m ready to talk about anything yet.

I jump from my seat. “Can I get you something more to drink?”

“Kelsey.” He follows me to the fridge.

I grab a pitcher of tea. But Adam takes it from me, setting it aside.

“What are you doing?”

He walks toward me.

I step back, but he keeps coming until I’m against the cabinetry. I wet my suddenly dry lips.

Hazel eyes follow the movement of my tongue, and then they return to my eyes, as though he’s searching for some sort of answer there.

I go stock still.

Adam traps me with one strong arm around my waist, pulling me tightly against his chest.

I try to say something but, like so many times before, my words play hide-and-go-seek with my tongue, and it can’t find them. So, I bite the corner of my bottom lip.

His mouth is only a breath away. “You don’t really think we’ll never end up back in bed together, do you?”

My knees weaken, so I grab the edge of the countertop behind me. I suck in a great breath, holding it as I give the slightest of nods.