Page 46 of You Are Enough

He didn’t miss the doubt in her voice. “Nope.” His gaze met hers. Even Tristan didn’t know about this place. “No one. I never brought the guys here to party, and to answer that unspoken question swimming around in that head of yours, no. No girls either. You’re the first person I’ve ever shared my secret place with.” His palm brushed her cheek. “It’s my place to be at peace and to think. It’s hard to be the one everyone expects to have no feelings, no desires, no wants. Up here, I can pretend I’m watching over the world and have all the answers I need. This has always been my secret refuge.” There was nothing left to say. He’d already said more than he’d ever said to anyone, even Tristan. She brought out a side of him he hadn’t known existed, didn’t realize could exist. In the short amount of time he’d known her, she had already made him a better person.

Leila covered his hand in hers. “Thank you.” Her voice was soft.

He raised an eyebrow. “For what?” he asked as he massaged her neck.

“For bringing me here and checking on me tonight. You didn’t have to, but you did anyway.”

Adler watched as her eyes glistened with tears. “Hey.” He wiped at a stray tear. “Talk to me.”

Leila sighed deeply and blinked quickly as she turned away. “I promise you, nothing happened. I’m just being emotional.” She laughed. “I always wanted unconditional love from a parent, but I never got it from my mother. All she gave me was criticism. When I walked in my house tonight, I was just overwhelmed with the feeling of home. My dad was playing with Skylar on the floor, and it was so obvious how much he loved her.” She breathed in a shaky breath. “Then when I was sitting withSkylar, I was thinking of you. How great you are with her. How sweet you’ve been to both of us. Ben was never like that.”

Ben?Ben must have been someone important to upset her this much. He could feel the heat rising in his body. There’s no way he’d let any man make Leila feel this bad. “Who’s Ben?”

Leila sat up tall. “He’s Skylar’s biological father and hasn’t ever been in her life. He gave me money for an abortion when I told him I was pregnant and has ignored all my calls since I left Florida when I was four months pregnant.” Her voice was clipped and a bit harsh.

The sudden tenseness of her body was obvious, and Adler rubbed her back in a circle.

“Girls were always hanging all over Ben. He had a nice car and money. He was ruggedly handsome and a smooth talker. When he started showing me attention instead of the other girls, I thought I was something special. As you can see though, I was wrong. I was thrown out like garbage, and so was his unborn child.” She stood and leaned on a tree. “When I got on the plane from Florida, I swore to myself I’d never let myself fall for someone like him again.”

Wow. Adler’s eyes went wide. That hit hard. It was like a kick in the gut with a steel-toed boot. That’s why she had issues with me when we first met. I’m a lot like Skylar’s dad. Or at least I was. I need her to realize I’m not that person. Not with her.

Adler walked behind her and placed his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder. “Now I understand why your first impression of me was negative. I promise I’m not really egotistical, or self-centered, or an asshole. I just played one for a while.” She leaned back in his arms, and he relaxed against her. Good. Maybe she did see he was different.

She turned around and flashed a small smile. “I know. You proved I was wrong about you.”

His crooked smile emerged, and he raised his left brow. “I’m glad.” He tightened his hold on her. “And I hope you know I’m nothing like Ben, and I will never not want you or Skylar.”

Leila wrapped her arms around his neck.

He feared he might scare her off telling her all that, but she was still here, with her arms wrapped tightly around him. The warmth of her skin seeped into his pores. He breathed deep and inhaled the strawberry of her shampoo and the rose scent of her perfume.

His pulse raced, and he finally did what his lips had been begging for since they got off the bike. He kissed her.

Slow and tender at first. He loved the softness and warmth of her lips. His tongue swept inside her mouth and tangled with hers. Then carnal need took over. He deepened the kiss, and she leaned into it and threaded her fingers in his hair, causing a moan to escape from his throat. God, he needed her. He needed this. He pulled her neck closer with one hand while his other found its way beneath her shirt and touched her bare back. Shock waves filled his body from the warmth and silky softness of her skin.

His need to feel all of her took over, and his lips left hers and traveled down her neck. His tongue delicately explored her skin, and he playfully nipped her shoulder.

“Adler.”

The breathy whisper of his name from her caused his pulse to race even faster. He shifted just enough so his hand on her back found its way to her stomach and up. He stopped as he traced his fingers along the edge of her bra. She shifted just enough so he could cup her soft breast in his hand. He throbbed in anticipation. Their desire increased, and his hand pushed her bra up and he touched her soft warm skin below.

The moan and soft “Yes” that escaped from Leila caused his growing erection to push uncomfortably against his jeans.

“Leila.” Her name came out in a deep moan as his mouth found hers again and devoured it. He couldn’t get enough of her. She was sweet and tantalizing. And so irresistible. He ached for her, and their kisses turned desperate.

“God, Leila.” He pressed his hand against the soft, warm skin of her breast, then brushed it down along her stomach, relishing in her shudder beneath his touch.

His breath was coming in gasps like he’d just run a marathon that he didn’t want to end. He rested his forehead against hers, his eyes closed tight, and tried to memorize how soft her skin was under his touch and embed in his mind her warm and tender kiss. “I can't get enough of you.”

When he finally opened his eyes, hers were soft and watching him. Her smile ignited him all over again, but he fought the urge to devour her, to tear her clothes off and take her right here. She was worth more than that. Yes, he wanted her. He needed her, but not here. Not now. Not until he was sure it was what she wanted, that he was who she wanted. When they had sex, it would be special and perfect, and possibly forever.

Leila held on to Adler’s waist as they flew down the road. She was already getting used to the free feeling of riding on the back of his bike. Maybe it was the closeness and warmth radiating from him which made it easy for her to relax. Her body was still reeling with the feelings from his kisses and his touch. His lips on her neck, his tongue on her skin, his hand on her breast. She shivered thinking about it.

The ride didn’t last near long enough before they were getting off his bike in her driveway. He started up the front walk, but she stopped him. “It’s late. Let’s go around back.” She grabbed hishand and led him to the back of the house and the door which led to her and Skylar’s apartment. “If you come over, you can use this door.” She unlocked it and let him in. A dim light was on in the corner.

Adler entered the small room but didn’t leave the tiny entryway.

“Take a seat, I’ll be right back.” She went to check on Skylar. Seeing that she was sleeping peacefully helped her heart to feel at ease. She went out and expected to see Adler on the couch, but he was still in the entry. “What’s wrong? Why aren’t’ you coming in?” She held his hands in hers. Her heart sped up at his touch as his warmth seeped into her skin and calmed her heart some more.

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