Chapter 14

fourteen

A week after their first night together, Adam drove over to Jillian and Conner’s. Mick had a job and Serenity had some kind of meeting with a vendor in Honolulu. He wasn’t sure about what, but it sounded like someone wanted to sell her pictures, to tourists of course. A huge number of photographers made money that way, but from what Serenity had said, she did better than most. So, he decided to head on over to their old stomping grounds.

Adam watched Jillian as she watched her son play in the sand. She was leaning back against her beach chair, sunglasses on, a big straw hat, and wearing a white sundress. Her hand rested on her massive pregnant belly. Every now and then she would rub it.

“I hate this weather.”

He chuckled. “You hate everything right now.”

She gave him a dirty look, then turned her attention to the waves. It was the slow time of year and since the rain the other night, it had turned unbearably humid. He could understand that she was uncomfortable.

“So, you’re going with my husband over to Maui. Any shenanigans planned?”

He snorted. “Like that man will do anything without you knowing. And, it’s a short trip.”

She sniffed in annoyance. It didn't matter what he said. He always annoyed her these days. It was like this last time, so he was ready for it.

“Why are you out here bugging me and not having fun with Serenity?”

It didn't surprise him that Jillian had picked up on their relationship. It wasn't like they tried to hide it from her, but she hadn't seen the three of them together. They had been lost in their own little world, just the three of them. It seemed that they had an unspoken agreement to keep it to themselves for right now. It wasn’t that they were ashamed. Right now, he had a feeling they all wanted to keep their relationship safe, guarded. Each of them were trying to figure out where things were going. Pressure from people outside of the threesome would put more stress on them.

He glanced out at the waves and then back to Jillian. Her gaze had moved back to her son. Her observance came from two different areas. One, their friendship. Two, it was the writer in her. Many people didn't realize how much she observed in their behavior. Especially when it came to romance.

“She had a meeting in Honolulu with a vendor. Plus, she's busy working on a book.”

“She's writing?”

He shook his head and looked out at a surfer on the waves. It was still surreal that he lived in Hawaii. As humid as it was paradise. They had their issues but it was still beautiful every day. And now, things seemed settled…almost like they were completed with Serenity in their lives.

“Earth to Adam.”

He glanced at her again, then back out at the surfer. “What?”

“The book?”

“Oh, no. It’s a picture book of Hawaii, but not like those kinds of touristy books. There will be a lot of pretty pics, but she wants to show all the sides of Hawaii.”

She said nothing and he looked at her. The look on her face worried him. She looked like she was going to cry.

“What?”

She sighed. “You're in love with her.”

He felt a sharp punch to the gut. “No.”

“If not, you're falling.”

“I haven't known her long enough for that.”

“There's a set time limit before you can fall in love?”

He heard the sarcasm in her voice, and he knew if he continued denying it, he would make an ass out of himself. That wasn't enough to stop him.

“Stop that. We have no idea where this is going.”

She tsked. “I thought for sure that Mick would be the first one to fall. But maybe...”

“What?”

She laughed. “Oh, someone is so testy when he's in love.”

Dammit. “Stop that.”

“If you promise me one thing.”

He nodded. Anything to get her to quit talking about love and Serenity.

“What?”

“Give it a chance.”

“Give what a chance?”

“Falling in love.” He opened his mouth to argue with her, but she stopped him. “I know you love Mick, but I have a feeling you fought that too. Now there is this woman. She's new to both of you, but I sense it. Something has shifted in your universe. Just don't freak out like you do when things change.”

“I don't freak out.”

She slipped her glasses down her nose and stared over them at him.

“Really? You threw a fit when Mick's parents sold their house.”

That was true. But it had been his first real home, the one place he had been accepted. It was irrational and stupid, but he couldn't seem to keep himself from freaking out, a little.

“Why don't you help me up, then go spend some time with Serenity.”

He opened his mouth to say that Mick wasn't going to be there, but she stopped him.

“You want Mick there because he's your safe space, but also because he can help you keep her at arm's length. When it is just the two of you, it might be too hard for you to fight.”

He hated that she was right, but again, fighting her would just make it worse.

“Remember what I said. Go spend some time with her. You don't know each other well and maybe that will ease your worries.”

“First, I have no worries, and second, how much better can I know her...if you get my drift?”

“Sexually, yes. But now, you need to get to know her . I bet you barely know anything about her childhood, or her life after she left acting.”

Her being right was not good for him. But then, it wasn’t like he was avoiding it.

“What?” she asked.

He shrugged. “Seriously, I meant to ask her questions.”

“But?”

Adam shoved his hand through his hair. “Okay, I lose control. I see her and all I can think about is getting her naked.”

There was a long moment of silence, then she laughed in his face.

“Gee, thanks for being so understanding,” he said.

“Oh, my, how the mighty have fallen. Mr. Big Bad Dom can’t control himself. This is too much. And, more than likely, Mick is the same way with her, right?”

He nodded.

She shook her head. “You’re both head over heels for her. How about Serenity?”

He wanted to deny her assumption, but it would be stupid and false. He was falling for her. “It’s only been a week since our first time together.”

“So?”

“It’s too soon.”

He couldn’t see her eyes behind her mirrored sunglasses, but he had a feeling she rolled her eyes.

“It’s not. Don’t push it, but don’t short yourselves either. If this is something you want, make sure that she knows.”

“Oh, she knows.”

“I don’t mean sex. I mean HEA.”

“What?”

“All these years I’ve talked about writing my books and you haven’t paid attention? HEA equals happily ever after.”

He grunted. He wasn’t ready to admit out loud that was what he wanted. He wanted the three of them together. Mick had no problem admitting it, but he had always been the dreamer. Adam needed his feet firmly fixed on the ground.

Until Serenity.

She had changed the dynamics of Mick and Adam’s relationship. He had known she would, but it was a bigger change than he had expected.

“Does she play?”

Both Jillian and her husband Conner lived in the life.

“No, but she is interested.”

“It’s not like it is something that you need though, right?”

He nodded. “But, I think she’s definitely a submissive. She likes to do things we tell her, and she is okay with both of us controlling things. Mick wants to take her to Rough ‘n Ready.”

“That is a good idea.” Jillian slapped him on the shoulder. “Come on. Quit thinking too much and help me up.”

He stood, then held his hand out for her. She took it and he helped her up. She cringed.

“Are you okay?” he asked, embarrassed that his voice had risen in alarm.

She smiled. “No, other than being a fat pregnant woman.”

“I’ll get Sammy.”

“I am okay with that. I’ll start walking back up to the house.”

“Let me help you.”

“You can’t leave Sammy.”

“I’ll have my eye on him. You can’t walk up there by yourself.”

He took her by the hand, and while keeping his eye on the little boy, he helped her up the incline. Once they reached the top, he let her go.

“I’ll be right back.”

“Okay. And Adam?”

He turned around. “Yeah.”

“Remember to be happy.”

For a moment, he didn’t catch her drift, but when he did, he nodded.

“No, really, you three deserve it.”

The way she phrased that was weird, but he only nodded and started back down the incline. Jillian was right about one thing. He needed to know more about the woman he and Mick were falling in love with. The best way to do that was spend time with her. With that in mind, he set off to gather Sammy and his toys, so he could head back to his house and Serenity.