Adam sighed heavily. “Fine,” he muttered before stealing the book out of my hands. “But I’m taking this for inspiration.”
As my mouth fell open, he marched across the hall and into his room, leaving me breathless and incredibly hot. And he hadn’t even touched me.
9
“What the hell is this?” Adam yelled as he stormed into my room the next morning.
I launched out of bed to find him pacing in jogging clothes, waving a folder around. I was too surprised to speak.
Adam’s eyes traveled down to my silk-covered breasts, and I quickly threw on my robe. At least my breasts were distracting him from my son’s beautiful face on my nightstand.
He slammed the folder onto my bed, seething with rage. “He’s not even dead yet, and you’re planning his funeral?!”
“Adam.” I tugged my robe tighter, holding myself together while I endured his outburst. “This is what I do. This is what I’m here for.”
“Well, it’s fucking morbid!”
I lowered my gaze, reminding myself he was angry at the situation, not me. “He’s dying, Adam.”
“But he isn’t dead!”
“I know.” I met his gaze, hoping the connection would calm him. “But he wants to make sure everything is in place when he does.”
“Then why hasn’t he spoken to me about this, or anyone in the family?”
“Because he doesn’t believe you’ll do as he wishes.”
Adam stilled. “He doesn’t trust us?”
“It’s not that.” I sighed as I edged closer to where he stood. “Grief can make people quite irrational, and it often leads to families fighting over these important decisions. Liam wants this to be a peaceful time, so that’s why he hired me. I’m not a part of this family. I’m objective, and I can make sure his final wishes are fulfilled, before and after his death.”
“Oh.” Adam drew in a deep breath. “I guess that makes sense. I’m…um…”—he cleared his throat—“sorry for waking you.”
As he proceeded to walk out of the room, I called out his name, and he paused.
I waited until he turned before speaking. “In the future, you will knock and only come into my room when invited. This may be your house one day, but while I’m an employee of your grandfather, you will respect my privacy.”
With a curt nod, he left my room and I scrambled to hide the framed photo that Finn had given me last Mother’s Day into the bedside drawer.
The next morning, Adam was gone and so was my book. He’d fucking left for LA after his confrontation and took the novel I was halfway through with him.
Yeah, I could read another, but I was loyal. I couldn’t start a new book without knowing how the last one ended. I was invested in the characters. Their love story was enthralling, and the sex…phew. The sex was the raunchiest I’d ever read, and thanks to Adam, very much relatable.
Who knew when he’d decide to come back, or if my book would ever return…or worse…if he was reading it. God knew what he’d think of me if he did. He was practically the main character.
Not wanting to dwell on the possibility of Adam enjoying my latest fantasies, on Monday morning, I threw myself back into work, only to discover another fantasy waiting—the hot doc.
“We’re going to have to reduce his outdoor exercise,” Marc said after Liam’s check-up. “His body is slowly shutting down, and he needs more rest.”
I followed the doctor farther down the hallway. “How long do you think he has left?” I asked, dreading his answer to the question I hated to ask.
Marc’s sincere gaze surprised me. “My guess…he’ll be gone before Christmas.”
I closed my eyes. As much as I wanted to go home, I’d never wish this upon Liam’s family.
“Don’t fret.” He placed his hand on my shoulder. “I’ll inform the family of his progress.”
My heart dipped, and my first thought was Adam. He wasn’t going to take it well. “Thanks. I’ll do what I can to keep him comfortable.”