FRAGILE HEARTS-BOOK # 1: ROSES & THORNS44.12%

Chapter 42: After Effects

When we reached home Adam opened my door and helped me out holding my hand. He closed the door behind me and looked at me.

"Thank you. I had a great time." I told him.

"All of it?" He looked at me and the blood rushed to my cheeks when I remembered the kiss we shared. not once. But twice. I felt bold suddenly.

"All of it." I looked at him before leaning towards his ear and whispering. "Especially when your lips crashed on mine." I pulled back and saw him gulp before he smiled.

"That's good. I can do it again if you want sometime." I smiled at his words and moved towards him, kissing him sweetly. I pulled back before things when too far. I looked at him with his hands still in his pockets.

I heard someone clear their throat behind me and saw Lance with his arms crossed over his chest, before he went inside. I knew he wanted me to come inside.

"Well, I'll see you tomorrow at work. Bye." I told him.

"Dream of me." He whispered in my ear before turning to get into his car and drive off. I went inside smiling to myself and when I entered, I saw all three of my brothers smirking at me. Lance probably saw me kiss Adam and now he would annoy me till he died. He probably told the other two devils.

"Come on now, up to bed if you're done making out with you boss." Arthur smirked at me and I looked at him horrified before all three started laughing and I smiled, shaking my head and went up. I crashed on my bed after changing into my nightwear and thought about everything that went on today. I remembered his kisses down my neck and on my lips when I closed my eyes. I shook my head, pushing all thoughts of Adam away, and turning to my side before touching my lips and smiling.

I still smelled of him. I could smell his cologne on me.

The way his hands roamed on my body, the way he kissed me.. No! Sleep, B.. Work tomorrow.

I closed my eyes and drifted off to a deep sleep, dreaming of Adam.

I woke up early the next day and went out for a run to clear my head but all thoughts of Adam complicated things. Especially since I'd be seeing him again today.

These were the after effects and I had to deal with them now.

Getting ready for work I wore something cute and set my hair. something that would make people swoon.

My phone chimed with a message from Taylor.

"He's here! Where you at?"

I looked at the message and then at the time and gasped.

"Shit! I'm gonna be late!" I rushed downstairs and kissed my dad on the cheek.

"Where you off to in such a hurry?" My dad asked.

"Sorry dad I'm running late for work I'll talk when I come home. Bye!" I shouted from outside and saw my driver waiting for me.

"Hurry Gabe we're gonna be late!" I practically jumped in the back seat, and we drove off.

I texted Taylor on the way that I was on my way.

Reaching the cafe I ran out and tried catching my breath outside, leaning on the panel of the door and pulling myself together I walked in with a big smile on my face. And then I saw him, when all memories of last night came crashing back. He was sitting with his face towards me, looking at me intently.

I dragged myself forward and he got up from his seat, his eyes roaming my body before landing on my lips, he smirked and walked to me. He came so close to me, snaking an arm around my waist and my breath hitched.

"You look hot. Are you wearing something under this?" He touched my shirt lightly and then my bare shoulder and I gulped, before he dipped his head and kissed me right there. In the middle of the cafe. My eyes closed and my hands rested on his chest, holding his coat collar tightly, while his tongue explored my mouth.

He pulled away and exhaled before smiling, looking at me with a warmth I couldn't put my finger on, pulling me towards our table where a very shocked and surprised Taylor sat with her mouth wide open. She looked between us both and then the hand on my waist before breaking into a wide grin.

"Things went that well huh?" She smirked and I blushed, glaring at her to tell her shut up, but Adam chuckled and placed a quick peck on my lips before looking at her again as we both sat down.

"Yes. Would you like to know details?" He asked Taylor and I looked at him horrified.

He wasn't going to describe everything, was he?

"No!"

"Yes!"

I looked at Taylor who laughed when we both said at the same time. Adam also chuckled before my coffee came and I made myself busy with it.

"I'll let her tell you everything." Adam pointed at me to Taylor and she nodded.

We talked a bot more before Taylor had to leave for work. I told her I'd call her and had to kick her out to make her leave.

I was eating a brownie happily when I felt hot breath on my neck.

"I can't stop thinking about you.. About last night." His husky voice in my ear, his breath fanning my neck sending shivers down my spine and he placed a soft kiss on my neck, making me drop my brownie with a slight jump. He chuckled and I looked at him shocked before he captured my lips in a sweet kiss.

"The brownie's good, no?" He said after pulling away, looking in my eyes.

"Adam, you can't just kiss me like that.." I told him, holding his hand.

"Why not? Last I remembered you were my fake girlfriend but I'm going to ask you to be my official real girlfriend... Forget the deal we made.." He looked at me earnestly and I sighed.

"This is going too fast. I like you, I do.. and a lot.. But I need time to think about the whole girlfriend thing..." I said and looked at the sadness in his eyes before his expression changed into the cold one and he nodded.

"I understand. Take your time." He said, paying for our coffees and we both got up to leave.

"Come with me. We're going to your office anyway." He tugged at my hand and I nodded smiling.

We both went to my office together and he held my hand the whole time. Through the car ride and in the office, in the elevator and to Lance's office. I looked at my brothers as they turned to look at us. Lance glanced at our intertwined hands before his expression changed and his jaw clenched.

I let go of Adam's hand and moved a bit aside and noticed him look at me with a confused expression before my brothers came to meet him.

"I'll be in my office, if you need me." I told everyone and left, feeling Adam's gaze on my back the whole time.

I dove into work as a lot had to be covered in the four days I took off. Tomorrow was Saturday and a holiday. I wanted to finish everything today. I had been working on my boutique the four days I was home. It had to be opened somewhere in the next two weeks. The date had been set and the work was nearly done. I sighed as I rubbed my eyes and noticed the time. I had been working for four hours straight without break. I leaned back into my chair and closed my eyes.

Adam had kissed me multiple times now and I want more. I don't know why. We only went on one date and yet I can't get him out of my mind.

I heard the door open and opened one eye to see Adam with a plate in his hands.

"Didn't see you at lunch. Everything alright?" He asked me and set the plate in front of me. I looked to see a chicken sandwich and some cut fruit in the plate. I took the fork and ate the fruit, then the sandwich. He kept sitting there, watching me while I ate in silence.

"Work kept me occupied." I answered and didn't look him in the eye.

"What did you do in the four days at home?"

"Worked on my boutique. It has to open in two weeks." I told him and looked at everything but at him.

"Right." He sighed. "Look at me." I suddenly heard him say and I looked at his eyes, hurt.

Why is he hurt?

"Why won't you look at me or talk to me properly? You're being distant. You were fine int he morning. Is it because of what I said?" He asked me and I could hear the desperation in his voice.

I remembered Lance when he saw our intertwined hands. I saw the fear in his eyes when he looked back at me. Fear for me. Fear of what would happen.

"No. You didn't do anything wrong." I sighed, patting his hand and looking down.

I could feel the tears forming but I didn't want to cry in front of him. But it was too late. A tear fell down onto his hand. I felt him cross the table and come over to me and hold my chin, lifting it up so he could look at my face.

"Look at me." He said more roughly this time and I looked at him.

"Who hurt you? Why are you crying? Tell me Rose."

Rose. He called me Rose. No one has called me Rose but... mom.

"I can't do this..." I pushed his hand away and got up from my chair to get out but he held my hand and pulled me to him while I struggled in his grasp, trying to go.

"Please.. I can't do this.. Not again..." I gave up struggling and felt the tears falling down. He hugged me and held tight.

"Shhh... hush now, I'm here." I felt calm. But I didn't want to feel this way. I pushed him away.

"Don't you get it? You are the problem. I can't do this with you. I.. can't..." I felt my breath hitch and saw hurt and pain flash in his eyes followed by sadness.

Before I did something else, I rushed out of the office and down, wiping my tears on the way.

"Gabe. Take me home." I sat in the car and we drove off, and I didn't look back.

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