Page 25 of The Dom's Sinful Desires
“Wh...”She struggled when the word caught.She cleared her throat.“What?”
“Can I come in?”
The fact that Adam was asking told her how agitated and worried he was.
“Yes,” she murmured after a pause.
Adam opened the door and slid in.His brows snapped together at the sight of her face.He walked to her and crouched by the tub.His hand cupped her cheek, and he ran a thumb under one of her eyes.
“Oh, love.I’m sorry.”
Hailey looked down as fresh tears scalded her eyes.“I’m not sure why you’re apologizing.I’m the one who keeps messing up.”
Adam pinched her chin when she tried to turn away.“No, love, you don’t.I know I’m overprotective, but the thought of you hurting in any way drives me bat shit crazy.”
“It just seems like I’m getting punished every day.Even before Drew came home.I’m not doing anything different than I was six weeks ago, so what’s changed?”She stared at him and swallowed.“May ...maybe you need some space?You know, time alone with your brother.”
“I’m sorry.What the fuck did you just say?”Adam's hand dropped, and he hissed in fury.
Hailey cringed.Hell, now she’d done it.Adam was furious, something she’d seen only once since she’d known him.She wasn’t afraid he’d hurt her.She just didn’t like seeing it and being the cause of it.
Hailey held out a beseeching hand.“I’m sorry.I don’t mean to upset you.I just don’t know what you want me to do?”she cried out.
****
Adam’s eyes scannedher face.Maybe he had changed in the last month or so.He’d felt different after the call from Drew telling him he was coming home.It felt like his world was going to finally be complete, and he’d gone a little crazy with her and the ranch hands.He had them cleaning stuff they’d never had to, like the hayloft.He wanted Drew to come back and see he’d been taking care of the homestead and their wife.He knew it had been fanciful thinking to believe Hailey would let Drew slide into their lives, into their marriage, the way they wanted.He just didn’t realize how anxious it made him.
Something he did know was that her leaving, even for a day, was absolutely not an option.The thought of losing her would kill him.
“I have no intention of ever letting you go.Ever, so come to grips with that.”
“I’m not saying forever...”Hailey said, shaking her head.
He reached out and pinched her chin.He wanted to ensure she saw the depth of emotion he was feeling at that moment.He needed her to really see his love, anger, and determination.
“No.I don’t ever want to hear that shit come out of your mouth.”
Hailey bowed her head and concentrated on the bubbles slowly disincarnating on the water.She schooled her features to hide her emotions and looked up at him.“Why is it so important for Drew to be able to tell me what to do?And I want to know what all these innuendos are about.You two are saying things that don’t make sense.Even Daniel started to say something in the store, and Drew stopped him.Is there something you’re not telling me?”
Adam stared at her intently for a moment.He didn’t think she was ready to know the truth, but it looked like he didn’t have a choice.He hated keeping things from her, and it almost felt like he was lying, and he couldn’t do that.
****
Hailey watched Adam’sexpression.He was hiding something, and she knew it concerned her somehow.“I know you want me to stay, but do you want him here because you don’t want to have to deal with me anymore?”
Adam growled and rubbed the back of his neck in frustration.“Absolutely not.”
“Then why are you letting him in so far.I get that it’s his ranch, too, but why does it have to affect us?”
Adam ran a hand down his face.“I do want him to be part of everything we have because it’s something we’ve always thought about.Even as kids, we talked about sharing ...a wife.”
She sat up straight and sucked in a breath.Shock and something else she didn’t want to identify raced through her.
“Wait!Like I’d be his wife too?”
“Yes.”
Several long, tense moments passed as she gazed at him without really seeing him.
