His jaw tightened as his eyes glazed over. “You’re not a distraction, Cassidy. You’re my fucking lifeline.”
“You don’t need me to get through this.” I moved his hand to my heart. “But anytime you want to talk, I’ll be here.” My gaze lowered as I forced out the next words. “The other stuff will have to wait.”
Adam rolled onto his back with a long sigh. “Do you want me to leave?”
“No.” My heart ached at the thought. “Not tonight.”
“But after?”
I exhaled heavily. “You know it’s for the best.”
“But I’m notorious for doing things that aren’t good for me.”
I poked his side. “Exactly.”
He stared at the ceiling, deep in thought. “How long?”
“Just until everything settles down. Then, we’ll see where we are.”
With a subtle nod, he yanked the tangled blanket over his body. “Then you better lock your door,” he grumbled before rolling over. “I have no restraint with you.”
My lips curved. “Deal.” I leaned over him and pressed my lips to his cheek. “I’m going to take a shower.”
“Cass…” His warning was evident and erotic. “Don’t make this harder.”
I sprang off the bed with a wince. “Sorry.”
While Adam lay in my bed, I made my way to the shower. It wasn’t until I was standing under the steady stream of hot water that I allowed my own grief to trickle through.
Losing Liam felt different than my other clients. In our short time together, he’d become my friend. My confidant. He understood how painfully beautiful love could be, and he made me feel like family when I was missing my own. Liam was an extraordinary man, and Adam was blessed to have known him his entire life…until now. Now, he was on his own.
Memories of my final days with Grams slammed into my chest. She meant everything to me, and I remembered the sorrow like it was yesterday. I had to learn to live without her, just like Adam had to learn to exist without Liam. It wasn’t time for us to act on our feelings. It was time for him to grieve with his family.
The line I drew weeks ago was now a blurred mess. I was hired to support the family, not crumble along with them. Until my time at Harlow Manor was up, I had to remain professional. There had to be boundaries. But the moment I stepped back into my room and saw Adam fast asleep in my bed, I knew I was completely fucked.
I crawled in and tucked myself into the curve of his warm body. When his arm instinctively wrapped around my waist, I loosened my obsidian bracelet and slipped it onto his wrist, hoping it would ease even a miniscule of his heartache. He was going to need it.
The next morning, I awoke to the chime of my cell phone and an empty bed.
Josie: Did you speak to Adam last night?
Me: Somewhat. Is everything okay?
Josie: Gramps’ Rolls is gone again and he isn’t answering his phone, so it’s safe to assume he’s taken off.
My stomach churned. He had run away again.
Me: I’m sorry.
Josie: You have nothing to be sorry for. He wouldn’t have come back at all if it wasn’t for you. I just hope he returns for the funeral.
I closed my eyes as disappointment settled upon my shoulders.
Me: I hope so, too.
It was somewhat of a relief having Adam gone over the following few days. I was able to organize the funeral and wake and counsel the rest of the family through their grief without the added distraction of Adam’s coercive energy and delectable body.
Solace was found in the eyes of Grayson and Josie’s son. Over the days leading up to the funeral, the entire family and staff of Harlow Manor doted over him, and I could see why. He was a chubby little ball of new life, with eyes that swirled from hazel to green, just like his grandfather. His energy already reflected Liam’s gentle and caring nature, and I wasn’t the only one who could feel it.