Page 82 of Working Out West

“Why? It means, ‘my love,’ right? Why would you call me that back then?”

“Because I knew I could not live my life without you in it.”

His eyes closed, and he drew in a shuddering breath. A small smile touched his lips. “Okay,” he whispered. Opening his eyes, he nodded toward my food. “You’d better eat before it gets cold.”

There it was: acceptance. Elation filled me that West acknowledged my truth. I had been worried he would not care for my words, but having had him take on what I said and move on, told me I did not need to hope he was mine.

He already was.

Chapter Twenty

West

Dinner was amazing. On top of the company and comfortable conversation, it had been the best risotto I’d ever tried. When I told Adrik, he had a taste and informed me that his was better. On the drive to the condo, I pushed my nerves down enough to mention, “You know I can’t cook. I can bake but not cook.”

Would he worry about that?

“Da, I remember those muffins. I will teach you if you would like?”

Warmth spread through my body. “I’d love that.”

He took a hand off the steering wheel to take mine and rest it on his thigh. “Good. I have many dishes to teach you.”

“But just remember it’ll be your fault if I ruin a delicious dish.”

“With you saying delicious, it reminded me of the times you ate my meals and moaned like you had just come in your pants.”

I gasped. “Adrik,” I snapped. I couldn’t believe he’d just said that.

“It is true. I had never been so hard before.”

I pulled my hand free and pushed at his shoulder. I loved his teasing, but my face burned in mortification. I hadn’t realized I’d moaned likethat. “Oh my God. I can’t believe you said that.”

“What? The truth?”

“Well… even still, it’s embarrassing I moaned like that,andit was the first time I met you.”

He retook my hand. “I will forever be grateful I went through the business to gain company, or I never would have met you.”

I squeezed his hand. “I’m glad too, but… why did you? You’re a hot guy with an accent. You could have found anyone.”

“I wanted it on my terms and where you would expect nothing from me but my company. At the time, I wasn’t interested in finding a partner. I went on dates, but they wanted things I didn’t want to give—more of my time or money.”

“You did go on dates?” Jealousy reared its ugly head in my gut.

Adrik glanced at me and grinned. “Da, but it had been a while, long before you came along. It is good to know you become jealous as I would.”

Rolling my eyes, I mumbled, “Whatever.” Of course he chuckled. I understood where Adrik was coming from. He was lonely in a way where he craved company but didn’t want to have to put on the charm for a date. He was mostly himself right from the start, and I loved knowing that. The first night had been a test to see if we connected, to ensure I wasn’t dazzled with his condo and such. With the rest of our time together, he let himself show in more ways than he had the first.

I was just happy I had the real Adrik.

We drove into the underground parking area, and Adrik stopped close to the elevator. I got out and went to grab my bag from the back seat, but Adrik already had the back door open, taking it. Smiling at his chivalrous behavior, I walked around the car, and we made our way to the elevator.

“Isn’t there usually people around?”

“Dimitri called ahead and got rid of them.”

“Why, and where is Dimitri?”

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