Page 3 of Crave

My stomach dipped and excitement flooded my veins. I casually typed back,Ok. I get off at 1am.

See you then.

I wasn’t sure if we were going to end it, talk, or fuck. But tonight, I’d finally find out.

Chapter Two

Landon

Listen to No Ordinary Love

by Sade

Iretraced the steps I’d walked that night I showed up at Adam’s door. The night I begged him to let me in. The night we slept together. The night everything changed.

This time, I felt different. No longer filled with pain and longing; of confusion and rage. Now, I needed clarity to see what came next. After the episode in the closet, I needed to have a conversation with Adam without being drugged by sexual lust. I’d hurt him by hiding the news I’d been cast inDumped, but I think telling Max first was worse. We couldn’t keep tearing each other apart in this vicious cycle. Eventually, one of us would break.

I needed to know what he wanted from me.

He was waiting at the door. Without speaking, he let me inside. I glanced around, my gaze settling on his bed where he’d given me so much pleasure. I tried not to blush. I tried not towant him too badly. I tried to hide all my thoughts that could be glimpsed on my face.

God, he looked good. Black sweats clung low on his hips. A simple white t-shirt covered his chest and stretched over his biceps and broad shoulders. The tats covering his arms always called to me. They were like a detailed story of his life. The black guitar surrounded by thorned roses called to me. I liked to trace the outlines of each picture when I lay in his arms, sated.

His hair was damp from the shower, and hung loose around his face. I stared at the delicious scruff covering his jaw and remembered how it scratched against my thighs, my breasts, my cheeks. His bare feet peeked out and made him look slightly vulnerable. “I thought we should talk. I’m sorry shit went down like that last weekend.”

I dropped my purse and paced the small room. “What shit are you sorry for?” I asked carefully, wondering how he’d react. I had no idea what type of emotions to expect from him.

“Do you want a drink before we dive deep into our very fucked up relationship?”

I spun on my heel and stared at his face, surprised to see the twinkle of amusement in his eyes. I couldn’t help but give him a half smile. “Sure. What do you have?”

“Beer. Wine. Tequila.”

“I’ll take a shot. With lime, if you have it.”

“I do.” I watched while he made my drink. “How was work?”

“Busy. Not sure if it’s a full moon but things are getting freaky after hours.”

“Maybe everyone’s looking for comfort.”

“Maybe.” He brought me my shot and poured one for himself. “Thanks.”

Adam held my stare as he raised the glass to his lips and drank without blinking. My stomach dipped in that familiarway, but I refused to show him any type of vulnerability. So, I swallowed and didn’t speak.

“I’m sorry I tried to push my opinion on you,” he said. “I had no right to believe I knew best. It’s your career. I’d be pissed if you told me what to do or not to do with the band.”

Shock vibrated through me at the simple admission. I took a step toward him. “So, you agree I should take the part?”

“No. I still think it’s a huge mistake.”

I blinked. “That’s a half-assed apology, Adam.”

“It’s truthful. I believe you’re worth more than a show calledDumped. But I’m not the one who has to make the hard choices. I know how badly you want exposure. I’m sorry for making you feel like shit.”

I nodded. Adam always made things clear. I loved his refusal to play games like the ones I’ve mastered. An apology from him meant more than any other, because he was authentic to the bottom of his soul. He never confused me with demands or judgments I’d never be able to hit.

He was the same in the bedroom. I was never unclear about everything he wanted to do to me and with me. And he sought permission.

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