Tempting Adam. Dorie Graham

really a nice kid. “What are you doing slaving here on a Saturday? I’m sure you’ve better things to do.”

      “Can’t think of anyplace I’d rather be.”

      “You are a charmer,” she said, shaking her roller toward him.

      “A babe like you should be used to it. You must have tons of guys after you.”

      She snorted her amusement. “That’s a good one.”

      “Come on, bet you have them lined up.”

      She pursed her lips.

      “Fess up. How many?”

      “That’s confidential, and I hardly think you’d find it interesting.”

      “At least one, then. One in serious pursuit.”

      With an exaggerated sigh, she ran her roller through the paint tray. “Could be.”

      “I see, and you aren’t certain if you return his affections?”

      “Let’s just say I’m not sure I need this kind of complication right now.”

      “Want some advice?”

      She smiled indulgently. Who knew? Maybe this young man could offer some insight. “Okay. What’s your advice?”

      “Believe in the secrets of the heart.”

      For a moment, she stared at him, then she laughed. “You’re one of those hopeless romantics, right?”

      “Guilty.”

      “And is there a lucky young lady in your life?”

      His gaze warmed. “There’s someone.”

      “Well, she’s very fortunate. Guys like you are way too rare.”

      Kamira stopped in the doorway. “Mark, could I borrow you for a minute? I need an extra pair of hands.”

      “Sure.” He turned to Lauren. “Don’t forget what I said. Give love a chance.”

      She smiled as he left. The memory of kissing Adam that morning flowed over her again. Love or not, something was happening between them.

      “Yes.” She glided the roller over the wall. “Whatever it is, I’ll definitely give it a chance.”

      ANTICIPATION ROLLED OVER Lauren late that afternoon. A day of painting had done her good, but now she had to hurry. Adam would be by any moment to pick her up.

      She frowned as she stood in one of the clinic’s bathrooms and scrubbed a stubborn spot of blue from the back of her hand. Sounds filtered through the open doorway—a deejay from 99X cracked a joke, while Kamira rustled around in a room down the hall and Mark kept up a rhythmic hammering from somewhere in the original section.

      For the first time ever, Lauren felt the need to primp for Adam. Looking like a manual laborer tonight didn’t fit her plans. She moved to another speckling of paint on her other hand.

      She stood firm in her decision. She couldn’t forget that kiss. And if his response had been any indication, he wouldn’t be able to, either. If he still wanted to pursue their new course, she was certainly willing.

      “Hey, sunshine, ready to go?” Adam’s neat baritone sounded near her ear.

      She started, her heart racing. “You shouldn’t sneak up on a person like that.”

      He bumped up against her back, pressing her to the sink. Her heart quickened as his body spooned hers, his arms wrapping around her. Nerve endings she hadn’t known she possessed jumped to attention.

      “Sorry,” he said. “I was just anxious to see you. I’ve been thinking about you all day. Here, let me do this.”

      With gentle movements he removed the rest of the paint dabs. She leaned into him, aware of the brush of his cheek against hers, the muscles of his chest at her back and his hard thighs bracing her. His scent surrounded her, while his breath stirred her hair. Was it because he’d always been forbidden fruit that this simple act of cleaning her hands sent heat ripping through her?

      When the last speck of paint had disappeared under his ministrations, he set aside the washcloth. “Did this morning really happen, or did I hallucinate that little episode in your kitchen?”

      She turned to face him, feeling the boldness she’d previously experienced only in the boardroom blossom inside her. She’d certainly never felt this brave with Todd, or anyone before him. But this was Adam. And though butterflies stormed her stomach, she somehow still felt comfortable with him.