Page 35 of Reckless Games

“Six months ago.”

My stomach sinks. “Six months ago was…”

“Your aunt’s funeral in LA.” Adam finishes the sentence for me. “I know.”

“How?”

“My brother Rhett works for the church. I was meeting with him and my father regarding a business expansion, and my meeting ran a little long. I was leaving as you were arriving.”

I don’t remember passing him, and I feel like I’d remember a man like Adam. But I was so overwhelmed with grief I couldn’t think straight.

“We didn’t even talk.” I shake my head, raking my wet hair from my face. “How did you find me?”

“I have my ways.”

I can’t help the dark laugh that finds its way out. “Ways. Of course. Like money.”

Adam doesn’t respond, he just stands there watching me fall apart for him. Watches me break, just like he promised.

“So what, you tracked me down?”

He nods. “I tried to stay away.”

“Wait, what do you mean, stay away?” It was just the one time. “You saw me again after that?”

“More or less.”

My insides plummet. “Which one, Adam? More or less?”

“More.” He takes a step forward now, but I’m too frozen to move. “I couldn’t get you off my fucking mind, Lake. I had to find you. So I did. But I knew I didn’t fit in your life. It’s too fucking good, and I’m just… bad.”

He dips his chin and lets out a long breath before looking back up at me.

“But I couldn’t get you out of my system.”

“So you’ve been watching me?”

He nods once, and my stomach flutters in warning. He’s been watching me—stalking me—for six months. The times when I’ve had that tingle run my spine or felt some strange need to look over my shoulder at the grocery store. It wasn’t me being paranoid.

“So the dress in my size. Seeing me at the masquerade. The invite.” All the pieces click into place.

“It wasn’t a mistake,” he says, firmly. “My guards told me you introduced yourself as Ivy, and I figured you had your reasons for pretending to be your sister. You assumed that’s why I knew you, and it sounded less insane—”

“Than what, Adam?” I cut him off. “Less insane than the fact that you’ve been stalking me for six months before inviting me to your holiday sex party?”

“That’s not all this is.”

“I don’t care what this is.” I’m practically yelling, barely able to hold my composure. “I shouldn’t even be here.”

“This is exactly where you belong.” Adam’s voice cracks. The first chink in a steel man, and it almost breaks me. “I thought inviting you here would help me get over whatever has you occupying my brain, but all you seem to do is carve yourself deeper.”

He freezes, and I don’t think he meant to say that last part. But it slipped out anyway.

“Well, let me make it simple then. I’m leaving.” I take a step back.

It’s either I walk away or throw myself at him, and I need a moment to digest the things that make me feel like I’m sinking.

“Lake.”

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