The Fling (18+)

Chapter 28

I awoke in Adam's arms to the cold, gray light of an overcast morning. A slight chill in the air had me cuddling against him, stealing his body heat through my bare skin.

"You know, if you're cold, I've got an excellent solution to that problem." Adam's sleepy voice sounded next to my ear as his fingers traced along my spine.

A throaty chuckle escaped my lips, "I'm intrigued. Tell me more."

"Well, I'm thinking we get you on your stomach, you put that pretty ass in the air, and I-"

Hard, pounding knocks erupted from the door. Desire died a sudden death as my father's voice carried through the oak barrier, "Nora? Come on, you can't sleep all day!"

Rolling over, I grabbed my phone, noting the hour with rising panic.

"Shit!" I hissed, "I forgot to set my alarm!"

"Damnit," Adam groaned, whispering as he sat up, "stall him?"

I nodded, watching him pad into the adjoining bathroom. "Sorry, Dad!" My voice called out, "I must've overslept!"

I heard him sigh, "Nora, open the door - we need to talk."

Oh, god.

Vaulting across the room, I opened my suitcase, tearing out the pajamas that I had stopped bothering to wear.

He can't know. He can't...

Hopping as I tried to pull on the drawstring shorts, "O-okay, give me a second."

"Now, Nora."

I pawed at my hair, trying to make it look less like I'd spent the night getting fucked by my father's best friend.

Ex best friend...

Wondering if that made things better or worse, I slung my arm into the sleeve of the worn, college hoodie I'd packed in case of cold weather, zipping it to the throat, conscious of the marks Adam may have left on my skin

Seconds passed like ages as I turned to look at the door. It stood like the physical manifestation of death itself, beckoning me toward it. Taking a deep breath, I walked to it, gripping the knob and twisting.

My father stood on the other side, polo-clad and as annoyed as I've ever seen him. "Let me in."

Mind flashing to the state of my bed, I knew I couldn't let that happen. "What do you want?"

His eyes narrowed and his head tilted slightly, "I want to talk about you holding up your end of the bargain."

I scoffed, "Me?"

"Yes, you! I paid a ludicrous amount of money to get you to come along this week and make me look good!"

"And I'm doing that!" I hissed.

"No, you're not! You're constantly hiding out in your room and making up excuses to avoid socializing!"

Okay, he might have a point...

"Fine," I spat. "You want an obedient little puppet? You've got one."

"Good." Dad glanced behind him, as though worried about eavesdroppers, "Bruce's been acting weird all morning. I think the deal's on thin ice."

And it has nothing to do with you almost poisoning your wife, I'm sure.

I held that thought behind my teeth, knowing that no good would come from voicing it. "I got it. I'll take a shower and be right down."

He looked up, reacting as though he hadn't actually seen me until now. "Jesus, what happened to you?"

Self-conscious, I smoothed a hand over my hair, "I didn't sleep well."