His deep chuckle made me equally irritated and aroused. “It says, I like to fuck women who won’t bother me again.”
I bit the inside of my cheek as I stared into his blue eyes, ignoring how much they’d softened since the day before. “Well, you hit the jackpot with me.”
His gaze dipped to my lips as molten lava swirled between us. The memory of our night together still burned, but there was something else. Something deeper. Something innate.
“Goodnight, Adam,” I muttered, ignoring the pull.
“Yeah.” He cleared his throat as he fell back a step. “Goodnight, Cassidy.”
I quickly closed the door and planted my head against it as I attempted to catch my breath. He felt it, too. I knew he did. The energy between us was as vibrant as the night we met. This was going to be a problem, albeit an every-other-weekend one, so I’d have to be well prepared. While Adam was around, there’d be no drinking, no losing inhibitions, and no forgetting my purpose here. I had to remain in complete control at all times, or I was screwed.
Thankfully, Adam was gone the next morning while his parents left that afternoon for Europe. Once Mrs. Fredrich departed Monday morning, I was finally able to get back into the routine Liam and I had agreed upon the week prior. It was so much easier to do my job without the added stress of his family.
While Liam slept—which was a lot—I visited the library at the end of the hall, not far from his bedroom. It was my favorite room in the entire house, situated within the magical turret of Harlow Manor, and I spent most of my free time there.
Bursting bookshelves lined every wall, only broken apart by a huge window overlooking the gardens below. Each view held a million stories, and I couldn’t wait to dive in. I’d finished the book I’d brought from home and was ready to choose another.
Using the ladder on wheels, I rolled myself across the wall, inspecting Liam’s late wife’s collection of romance novels. She was clearly a sucker for a happy ending as much as I was, so the options were endless. There were all types of romance: historical, contemporary, rom-coms, even a little erotica thrown into the mixed bag of treats for me to enjoy.
Piling a few of interest under one arm, I carefully climbed down and made my way past the two antique wingbacks to the excessively cushioned window seat. Not only was there a spectacular view of the estate, but I could see the ocean in the distance.
While choosing which novel to delve into first, I found myself chewing the side of my thumbnail—a bad habit I’d broken years ago. With Adam at the forefront of my mind, I questioned whether a billionaire romance would be a sensible option. Would it make me more hot and bothered? Or would it scratch the enduring itch I’d had since our night together?
I hadn’t been able to erase Adam from my mind since we locked eyes—not just this weekend, but at the bar over a month ago. It was the most intense session I’d ever had, and I wasn’t likely to forget it anytime soon, if ever. Every character of every book I’d read since had morphed into him. His face, his body, those hands…argh. I couldn’t let myself think about those things now. He was Liam’s grandson. My client. A no-go zone.
Frustrated that the mere thought of Adam was disrupting my book choice, I piled the novels onto the windowsill, and left the room, grumbling.
“Are you excited about this weekend?” Nora asked Liam while she filled in his chart.
“Bursting,” he replied, emitting a glow.
My gaze panned between them as I sat at his bedside. “What’s happening this weekend?”
Liam grinned. “My great-grandson is coming to stay.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful!”
“You’ll love Josie, Cassidy.” He swallowed the medication Nora handed to him. “I think you two will hit it off immediately.”
“Well, I can’t wait to meet them.” Josie had been my sister’s best friend for years, but we’d yet to meet.
“And don’t worry.” Liam’s eyes softened. “Grayson is nothing like Adam.”
“Why would you say that?” Had he overheard our argument in the hallway?
Nora lifted her gaze and watched me as I shifted in my chair.
“I’m assuming Adam wasn’t very hospitable while he was here.”
I forced a nonchalant shrug. “He was fine.”
“Cassidy…” Liam’s tone grew deeper. “I will not have you treated with disrespect in this house. So, if he, or anyone else in my family, causes you any grief, you let me know.”
“Thank you, Liam, but honestly, it’s fine.” I squeezed his hand. “There are always teething issues when it comes to these situations.”
“Maybe so, but I want you to feel comfortable during your stay here.”
“You don’t need to worry about me, Liam. I can handle your family.”Well, most of them.