“Oh, ok.” I scanned the foyer. “And where is that, exactly?”
“Through that door and straight down the hall. It’s next to the meeting room. You can’t miss it.”
“Thanks.” I offered her a small smile before attempting to follow her directions.
Once I stepped into the hallway, my footsteps slowed immediately. The walls were made entirely of glass. Beyond the open-plan lounge overlooking the city skyline laid two rooms. To one side, an enormous office, and to the other, a meeting room. One was empty, and one not—at all.
Adam stood in front of a large screen filled with figures and tables, addressing a room full of his colleagues. The entire boardroom table was engrossed in every word until he stopped mid-sentence.
His eyes struck mine as I fell back a step, followed by everyone else who’d turned to see what had stolen their boss’s attention.
“Wait,” he mouthed as if sensing my urge to flee.
Adam held up his hand as I edged closer to the exit, but my unplanned escape was futile. He was already pacing across the room. A shiver rolled over my body as he stepped into the hallway, and when our eyes met, my breath caught.
“Don’t you dare run.” Adam took cautious steps toward me.
“But you’re in a meeting.” I glanced at our curious onlookers. “I’ll come back later.”
“They can wait.” He motioned to the room across the hall. “We can talk in my office. The glass is soundproof.”
Adam’s authoritative tone had my heart racing and body complying on impact. “Okay,” I muttered, quickening my steps past his all-consuming presence and into his office.
As he shut the door behind him, I lowered my gaze, wanting to say what I needed to before losing myself in his aura. “I, um…just wanted to say thank you…in person.”
“For what?”
I ran my hand over his immaculate desk, void of anything personal. “For your announcement today.”
“Only five years too late.”
My head snapped up. “It’s never too late. You’ve changed so many lives today.”
Emotion churned within his oceanic eyes. “Not yours.”
“Had you done this five years ago, I may have been financially better off, but Dom would still be gone…and I…” My words faded as my emotions caught up.
“And what?”
I blinked back tears as I succumbed to my soul. “And I never would’ve fallen in love with you.”
Adam stepped closer, never breaking eye contact. “You mean that?” He narrowed his gaze before a familiar twinkle emerged within his irises. “Or are you using me as some sort of distraction?”
I turned up my chin. “Look, if you don’t want me, it’s fi—”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Adam’s hand slid around my nape, pulling me toward him. “Of course I want you.” He peered down at me with an insufferable hunger. “I haven’t stopped since our first night together in New York.”
I reached up and ran my hand down his jawline. “I haven’t stopped wanting you either.”
Adam pressed his forehead to mine. “You’re a part of me, Cass. And as much as I’ve tried, I can’t shake this feeling that we’re meant to be together. That we’re connected on some higher level…spiritual, even.”
I blew out a shaky breath, knowing exactly how he felt. “I didn’t think you believed in all that hippy shit.”
“I don’t.” He cupped my face. “But I believe in us.” My knees grew weak under his penetrating gaze. His energy aligned with every word.
“God, I want to kiss you right now.”
He stepped back with a tapered gaze. “And why can’t you?”