Page 94 of Honey Undone
“You’re incredibly intelligent, Adeline,” she praised, and Adeline smiled.
“Thank you, Mrs. Jensen.”
“Call me Lena.” She winked.
“I didn’t realize how many locations you had.” Adeline crossed her arms over her chest.
“We’ve got a hotel in every major city across America now. Our newest locations are in Montana, California and Seattle.” Mom explained, “Hopefully in the new year we can close a deal for a location in Mexico.”
That was right, they had just opened a brand new location in San Francisco. Thoughts stirred around Adeline leaving and just like that insanity slipped in, leaving me wondering if she had just laid down a new path for me to follow. Without even knowing it.
Dinner went amazing, Adeline charmed her way into their hearts with nothing more than her smile and intelligence and I couldn’t have been more attracted to her at that moment. The way she carried herself through every conversation with such an ease no matter what questions my parents threw at her.
How am I doing? Do you think she likes me?
How couldn’t she? You’re a dream.
I looked up to see Adeline smile at her phone before tucking it away as Mom returned with dessert. A few times Mom made eye contact and I knew from the soft expression that I had made the right decision bringing her here. It had been bugging me since I found out about California, and I couldn’t figure out if it was because I was upset that she hadn’t told me herself, or that I was stuck on not having a solution.
It was silly, but I wanted to keep Adeline. I wasn’t ready to let her go.
I was starting to like the feeling of the strings she was tying me up in.
“I’ve never had lamb before, that was incredible.” Adeline helped me carry the plates back to the kitchen after dinner was finished and handed them to me as I rinsed them off for the dishwasher.
“Thank you for enduring every single dad joke that was made,” I said, kissing her temple before bending over to load the dishes.
“Worth it, I think I fixed the app for the hotel. I gave your mom—Lena… my work number so if she needs me when they launch I’m just acall away,” she said to me, not understanding how much she was breaking my heart with her kindness.
“And you were scared,” I teased her as her hand reached out to rake across my back absentmindedly.
“I wasn’t scared.” She rolled her eyes as she leaned against the counter waiting for me to finish so I could take her home, but I had one more surprise.
“Oh well if you weren’t brave then I guess you don’t need the treat I was going to give you,” I said, looking at her out of the corner of eye. She perked up, tilting her head sideways to get my attention. “What?” I shrugged, “It was only there as bribery and I didn’t have to use it.”
“I like being bribed,” Adeline pouted, “Bribe me!” She demanded and I laughed, closing the dishwasher to move in front of her.
“Ask me nicely,” I lowered my voice. There were some things I didn’t need to share with my parents. Like the feral need to drive Adeline nuts at every turn simply because I liked when she acted like a brat.
“No,” she clipped.
“Oh well,” I said, turning away from her but she caught my shirt in her fingers. “Use your words, Adeline.” I grinned at her and enjoyed it as her cheeks turned red.
“What if I don’t want to use my words?” She countered and I laughed.
“Your loss, it’s a really sick surprise.” I flicked a finger beneath her chin.
A grumble formed at the base of her throat as she narrowed her eyes on me, “please.”
“Please what?” I pushed back.
“Please show me the surprise?” Her voice was sweeter than before as she turned on her charm and got her way with a pretty little smile on her face.
“Since you asked so nicely.” I kissed her lips gently, taking my time until she impatiently leaned into the feeling and her arms wrapped around my neck. “Quick, before we get suckered into movie night.” I gave her hip a squeeze and turned her in the direction of the hallway, leading her down the opposite side from my room and past my parents bickering gently in the living room over what movie they wanted to watch.
I popped the door on the garage behind my back as I blocked her way inside, “Close your eyes.”
“No,” she scowled and I waited until she decided she wanted to listen to instructions.
