Amy tried to stay cool, but she let a grin slip. It was presumptuous of Adam to say she was his girlfriend, but she wasn’t going to argue. In fact, it made her feel proud and excited.
“It’s true.”
“But where do you expect me to go?”
Adam stepped away from him. “I’m sure your assistant will welcome you into her arms.”
James grimaced. “She broke it off with me.”
“Then find a hotel. You’re in London – there are plenty to choose from.” Adam glanced at his watch. “Nine minutes and counting.”
James scowled like a dominant dog, toppled off his throne. Even though Adam hadn’t actually said what would happen after the ten minutes was up, Amy could see that James didn’t want to find out. Adam was tall, toned, and tersely terrifying. Not someone for the shorter and skinnier James to argue with. Not only was Adam physically and mentally stronger than James, he was also now practically his boss.
James shook his head wearily, then slunk off to pack his bags, muttering expletives.
Adam turned and threw Amy a smirk. “Any other pests you need me to remove?”
She chuckled. “No, just that one – thank you. You want some tea?”
“Sure, I’d love some.”
Amy led him through to her cramped kitchen, which the landlord hadn’t modernised for decades. The bright red cupboard doors and the checkerboard floor tiles always made her feel like she was in a 1950s American sitcom, like I Love Lucy. It was quirky and unique, but it could do with a facelift. She grabbed the kettle and filled it at the huge ceramic sink, then she flicked on the power and turned to face Adam.
He was leaning against the old-fashioned pantry door, looking incongruous yet gorgeous. It was like being visited by Elvis. Amy wondered how she’d got here, and whether this was for real. Really for real. Did he actually want to be with her as much as he said? He seemed so sincere and she wanted to believe him. But she was afraid he might break her heart.
Amy opened her mouth to ask him to please be brutally honest with her, but the front door slammed shut. James had left without saying goodbye.
Amy winced. “Shall we go and sit in the living room?”
He stepped over and wrapped her in his arms. “Sure. Don’t worry about him, okay? He’ll be fine.”
She rested her head against his firm chest. “I hope so.”
They went through to the living room, which also needed modernising. The couch was an old velour thing that she and James had found at a yard sale, and the wallpaper was peeling in the corners. But Adam didn’t seem fazed by her less-extravagant living standards compared to his expensive luxury. He drifted over and gazed at one of her half-finished paintings, which was propped up on an easel. Amy had started it a few weeks ago, but had been too busy with James and work to get any more done. It was a landscape in oils, inspired by her hometown in the suburbs.
He spoke sincerely “This is awesome, Amy. You’re extremely talented.”
“Thanks – I just do it for pleasure. You know, to unwind and relax.”
“Well, I think you should share your talent with the world. Don’t keep it hidden away in here. The world needs more people like you in it. You can inspire them, okay?”
She smiled shyly. “Thanks. Would you like to sit down?”
“Sure.”
They sat on the creaky, lumpy sofa together and Adam wrapped her in his arms.
She kissed him tenderly on the lips. “Adam, I need to know the truth, so please be honest with me. Did you say I was your girlfriend just to get rid of James?”
He held her tight. “No, I really meant it. You’re totally under my skin. I’ve never wanted a permanent thing with a woman before. But you… You sure are one special lady.”
“You’re a special man. After you get past the arrogant cockiness.”
He chuckled and kissed her. “It’s all part of my charm.”
Amy laughed, then pulled out of his arms to put on some ambient music. Now that they’d established Adam’s intentions, there was something else she needed to know. She turned to face him, feeling as if the space between them was cavernous. The tension crackled between them with magnetic force. Amy’s nervousness bolted her feet into the threadbare carpet, but her desire was telling her to go over and snuggle into his arms.
She threw a hand to her hip. “So are you gonna tell me what this project is all about?”