Page 28 of Damaged Enemy Next Door

Adrian shakes his head, "I still don't know how it happened. I don’t know how anyone gets this way. Veronica was supposed to pick up Emily, and you can only imagine my horror when the camp called me and asked what they should do with Emily. I was in Europe at the time, but I immediately booked a flight back to the States to go be with her. She was so worried when I landed.”

I furrow my brows in disappointment, "What happened to Emily? Did she have to stay at the camp overnight?"

Adrian takes a deep breath, "I had my best friend pick her up. But it was a scary experience for her, and she kept asking me where her mommy was. It made me realize that Veronica wasn't fit to be a mother. So eventually, I had to cut ties. Emily hasn't seen or heard from her mother in months, and I don't want her to have any contact with her. I don't want her to be exposed to that kind of person."

I nod sympathetically, "I can't imagine how hard that must have been for Emily. But I'm glad you were able to be there for her ... are there for her."

Adrian looks at me gratefully, "I'll always be there for her, Olivia. And I'm glad you're here now too. If you’d like to be."

I smile and nod. “In whatever capacity you like,” I say.

“In whatever capacity you want,” he says, taking my hand and letting it linger in his.

CHAPTER 14

ADRIAN

Iwakeuphappiernowadays than I've been in years. Now that Olivia has taken the first step forward to explore what we can share beyond our professional roles, I feel an inherent desire to be by her side at all times. In the short three months that I’ve known her, Olivia Miller is becoming one of the most consistent thoughts in my mind. She runs through it, morning, afternoon, and night.

But of course, things are on the down-low. At work, she insists we don't allow the nature of our relationship to become public, and that's something I'm pretty comfortable with. Today, however, she hasn't come in because she had to go for a site visit on the new construction project, and I told her to take the rest of the day off. Now, I wish I hadn't.

This afternoon, I'm feeling particularly restless. The urge to see Olivia and be around her is strong, but I know I need to be patient. It’s a good skill to practice if things pan out the way I hope they do because if we end up together forever, then I can’t live out my whole life feeling her absence. Over the last few weeks, I’m beginning to see a side to Olivia that surpasses all carnal desire. Ever since I saw the way she treats Emily, how much she cared for her and her mother’s role in Emily’s life, I realized that perhaps she is the kind of woman Emily needs in her life. That is a decision I don’t take lightly, and it is only after the hour-long conversations we’ve had – ranging from her childhood to mine, our traumas, our family secrets, that I’ve gained confidence in believing that perhaps … perhaps I’m falling for her. For once, I can feel myself with no escape plan in sight – into some unknown depth so full of mystery and possibility that I am powerless to resist it – falling in the line of love. These thoughts consume me, but I’m still in the office, and people are asking me a million questions. I decide to channel my energy into work, and soon, I get lost in new architectural designs for the clubhouse in the land development. With the space we have, I think it would be brilliant to set up two golf courses on the condominium grounds – a 9 hole and an 18 hole for people who wish to play a quick game versus a full one.

The next time I look up, it's already dark outside. I stretch and glance at my phone, a message from Olivia blinking on the screen. "Can't stop thinking about you," it reads.

I grin, feeling a surge of excitement. We'd been messaging each other on and off the entire day, sneaking in small exchanges when we could, but nothing had been quite as bold as this. I type out a quick response, "I feel the same way. What are you up to?"

A few seconds later, my phone buzzes. "Nothing much. Just thinking about what I'd like to do with you," she writes, sending me a suggestive wink emoji.

I feel a flush of heat spread across my cheeks, but I can't help the grin that tugs at my lips. My fingers fly over the keyboard, "What would you like to do?"

I wait for her response with bated breath, my heart pounding. The anticipation is intense, and I can feel my body responding to the thought of her.

Suddenly, my phone rings. I pick it up immediately. "Hey," I say, my voice low and husky.

"Hey yourself," Olivia purrs. "I thought I'd spare you the suspense and just say it. I want you, Adrian. Right now."

My breath hitches in my throat as a jolt of desire shoots through me. My body responds eagerly, and I can feel the blood pulsing through my veins. "I want you too, Olivia," I growl, my voice heavy with desire.

There's a moment of silence on the other end, and then I hear her take a deep breath. "Unfortunately, you won’t get to see me tonight," she says, in a low and sultry voice.

“Why is that?” I ask.

“I’m going to be going out for drinks with a couple of my girlfriends. Dance the night away, flirt with strange men, that kind of thing,” she teases me.

“Flirt with strange men, huh? Make sure you don’t find yourself a serial killer. What time do you leave?” I ask her.

“Soon, and I promise I won’t try. But if it doesn’t work out, promise you’d come identify my body?”

"Uh-huh," I mumble. "You’re watching way too many of those ridiculous Netflix true-crime documentaries. I want to see you before you leave. I'm on my way."

This whole being her neighbor thing? That's the Goddamn best part.

I can't wait to see her, to touch her, to taste her.

We say our goodbyes, and I quickly pack up my things and head out of the office. My heart is racing, and my mind is consumed with thoughts of Olivia. I can see her face, hear her voice, and feel her body pressed against mine. The desire is overwhelming, and I can barely contain myself.

To my surprise, when I arrive in our neighborhood, I find her standing outside her driveway, leaning against her car with a sly smile on her lips. She's wearing a tight black dress that clings to her curves and high heels that make her legs look a mile long. Her hair is swept up in a messy bun, and she's wearing dark, smoky eyeshadow that makes her green eyes seem to sparkle in the night.

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