Page 1 of Adam's Fugitive

PROLOGUE

CORA

Igroan when the bartender sets another drink on the bar in front of me. Knowing this is a bad idea doesn’t stop me from picking up the fruity concoction and taking a sip. I’m so going to regret this tomorrow morning, but I’m determined to make the best of our last night in South Padre Island. While most of the partiers are college students, I’m here with a group of friends celebrating our upcoming high school graduation and my last ounce of freedom before I jump into adulthood. Unlike most high school graduates, I don’t have the luxury of taking the summer off.

Lucky for us, the bouncers aren’t concerned with pesky little details like checking IDs. At eighteen, I’m three years underage, but that didn’t stop me from getting into this packed bar. My friend, Celeste, slaps her hand down on the bar next to my margarita while slurring in my ear, “How many does that make?”

“I lost count a while back.” I shrug and mumble past my numb lips, “But this is my last one.” Pushing back from the bar, I attempt to stand, but it seems my legs are filled with jelly. I dig my nails into the wood, trying to stay on my wobbly feet. “Oh boy,” I groan. “I have to go pee.” What I meant as a whisper suddenly echoes around the crowded bar, and several people turn to look at me. Oops. My bad. The alcohol-infused blood running through my veins absorbs my mortification. “I’ll be back.” I pat Celeste’s shoulder and start my long trek to the back of the crowded bar.

“I’ll be here,” Celeste calls after me.

Halfway down the long, dark back hallway, I glance up and stumble to a stop as I look into startled brown bright green eyes. Oh my, the man walking toward me is the definition of tall, dark, andholy cowhandsome. “Excuse me,” I whimper and attempt to brush past him. The insanely hot giant isn’t letting me by.

“Are you okay?” His warm palm wraps around my elbow, sending heat coursing through my blood while electricity crackles along my nerves. I stare into his emerald green eyes and feel my girly parts melting. Oof. He’s potent. And the heat shining from those freaking stunning eyes is doing all kinds of crazy things to my overheated body. My heavily inebriated mind allows my eyes to blatantly move down his muscular body while I fight the urge to drool. Holy momma. Where is this bravery coming from?

I barely resist the urge to run my fingers through his thick, dark blond hair to see if it’s as soft as it appears. I’m unable to stop a wayward thought from echoing around my brain—this man is well-built in all the important areas. A light blue polo shirt is stretched across his massive chest while his well-worn blue jeans barely contain all the muscles in his legs. Oof. And I’m pretty sure the humungous bulge in the front is a sign that this man is a god. I pull myself together when he repeats his question. “Are you okay, baby doll?” The words send weird emotions flowing through my alcohol-soaked brain.

“Fine and dandy.” I stand tall, attempting to appear normal, but end up almost falling at his feet. “I need to pee.” Oh my God. I can’t believe my freaking slushy brain is letting my unruly mouth run the show. The hottie’s green eyes widen for a second before he pulls me close to his side and wraps an arm around my waist to stabilize me.

“I can’t fucking believe this,” the tall, handsome god mutters while running his massive hand up and down the sensitive skin of my outer arm. “Come on, baby doll. I’ll help you get to the restroom.” His dark, spicy scent surrounds me, and I’m powerless to stop my body from melting against him.

Sober Cora would be mortified at my hussy behavior, but my drunk self doesn’t have the mental capacity to feel much of anything. Except lust. Oh man, my hot savior is inspiring all kinds of crazy, inappropriate thoughts to run through my mind.

“Thank you.” I’m so proud of myself for managing the somewhat appropriate comment. “I’m Cora.” Good manners kick in as I introduce myself to him.

“Adam.” He stops outside the ladies’ room and tells me, “I’ll wait for you out here. Yell if you need anything.”

“Oh, you don’t have to.” Did that come out of my mouth? “I can make it back to the bar by myself.”Dumb. Dumb. Dumb. Don’t turn down his offer.The neurons in my brain attempt to fire, but they aren’t a match for the insane amount of alcohol saturating my blood.

“I’m not letting you out of my sight.” He pushes the door open for me. “Now that I’ve found you, I plan to keep you.” I blink several times, wondering if I heard him right, or is my alcohol-infused brain jumbling his words?

* * *

Adam

Fucking hell. She reminds me of a goddamn china doll. Pale skin, dark eyes and hair, with a light blush staining her soft, silky-smooth cheeks. I watch the curvy little angel disappear into the ladies’ restroom, hating to let her out of my sight. While fighting the urge to follow her in, I lean against the wall and take a deep breath to calm my racing pulse. Getting my unruly cock under control is another story.

It’s easy to see the short, curvy brunette is young. Way too fucking young to be this drunk. I fear she’s too young for me, but that doesn’t matter to my heart or body. There’s no way I’m leaving tonight without making her mine. Who would’ve ever imagined I’d find my goddamn soulmate in The Rock Palace Bar?

Thank God, I let Jacob and the guys talk me into this night out. I run my fingers over my lips, trying to figure out my next move. We’ve been in South Padre Island for the last week celebrating our upcoming law school graduation, and my friends have been on my case nonstop, trying to get me to cut loose. Finding the love of my life surely counts as throwing caution to the wind.

I’m running out of time before we head back to Houston tomorrow afternoon, but I won’t let that stop me from getting to know Cora. I don’t have any choice in the matter. My heart and soul already belong to her. She can’t be much older than twenty, but that doesn’t matter. I’ll find a way to make it work.

After Cora stumbles through the restroom door, I take her soft hand in mine and pull her close. Under the harsh fluorescent lighting, I notice the definite green tint to her peaches and cream complexion. “Are you okay?”

“No.” My heart trips in my chest when the curvy little doll wraps her arms around my waist and holds on tight. “My stomach is trying to crawl out through my throat.” She hiccups against my white shirt. “I want to go back to my hotel before the next round of puking starts.”

“Let me take care of you.” I glance around and find the nearest exit. Trying to be gentle, I lift Cora against my chest. “Just close your eyes and try to breathe through the nausea.”

Cora whimpers a few times as I rush down the packed sidewalk toward the hotel we’re staying at. I ignore the amused glances and concentrate on taking care of my girl. “We’re almost there.” I lean down and place a light kiss on her temple. Breathing in her soft, delicate, floral scent soothes the beast roaring under my skin. I’d like to shove my foot up the ass of the dumbfuck who served my inexperienced girl this much alcohol.

Somehow, I manage to get Cora up to my room without her spewing the contents of her stomach all over the elevator wall. After laying her on the bed, I turn to head to the bathroom. “Take it easy while I get a damp washcloth for your head.”

“Thank you.” She rolls over onto her side and groans. “I think I might be dying.”

Her words send fear shooting through my soul. Pulling myself together, I give my head a shake and jump into action.

When I return less than a minute later, I find my curvy little soulmate delicately snoring. Unable to resist the temptation she presents, I tug off my clothes and find a pair of athletic shorts to slip into. There’s no way I want my painfully evident erection to scare her off.

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