Page 18 of About that Fling
“Sounds like it was a contentious divorce.”
“You could say that.”
“I know she was unfaithful.”
She watched his eyebrows lift, and for an instant, Jenna worried she’d spilled the beans on some long-hidden secret.
But Adam just shook his head. “I’m surprised she mentioned that. I wouldn’t think that’s something she’d go around telling people.”
“She’s not proud of it, Adam. She knows she made mistakes, and she owns that. Just as I imagine you own some part of the blame for the marriage going off the rails?”
He was quiet a long time, and Jenna could swear she heard the sound of wheels turning in his head. Or maybe that was the smack of flesh on the screen over her shoulder. She fought the urge to glance at the television as the moaning grew louder.
Adam sighed. “My divorce isn’t the biggest issue here. The conflict is that you and I slept together.” He raked his fingers through his hair, an oddly endearing gesture. “I’ll be honest, I’d hoped to see you again. Not just for sex, but to get to know you.”
“I’m sure we’ll get to know each other through the mediation process.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“I know.” She sighed. “I wanted to get to know you, too, but I don’t think that’s possible. Belmont has strict policies about dating among co-workers. Even though you’re a contractor, we’re both members of the bargaining team, which technically makes us part of the same department.”
She looked down at her hands, which were clenched so tightly around her purse that her knuckles had gone white. She released them and felt the blood surge into her fingers. She met his eyes again. “Look, rules aside, I’m not comfortable with anyone at work knowing what happened between us,” she said. “I take my career seriously, and I’m not willing to risk things getting awkward in the mediation process.”
Adam nodded, his expression unreadable. “Fair enough.”
She let the words hang there between them a moment as the flicker of writhing bodies filled the small space. Moans of pleasure pulsed in the air, and Jenna desperately wanted it to be a turnoff.
But it wasn’t. Or at least he wasn’t. Adam was standing so close she could smell the grassy scent of his shampoo, could feel the heat radiating from his body. She ordered herself to take a step back, but found herself moving toward him instead.
She took a deep breath and felt it catch in her throat. “I don’t want Mia to know.”
“About what happened with us?”
She nodded. “It was a one-time thing, so there’s really no point in putting a strain on my friendship with her.”
He seemed to hesitate, then nodded. “I suppose you’re right. She’s not the sort to see the humor in the situation.”
The words stung for some reason. Something about his familiarity with another woman, the intimacy between two people who’d once been married. She tried again to put some space between herself and Adam, but found her feet rooted in place.
“Right, so we agree?” she said, releasing her death grip on her purse so it dangled freely from her shoulder. “No sense complicating careers or friendships by ever speaking of this again?”
“Agreed.”
She tried to read his expression. Was it wistful or just uncomfortable? Should they shake hands, or just say goodbye? Jenna held her breath, not moving.
When he leaned toward her, she felt her whole body dissolve. Her limbs responded without orders from her brain, and she slid her hands behind his neck as she arched up to meet him.
His kiss was hesitant at first. Then there was no hesitation at all as Adam pressed into her, his lips everywhere at once, his hands solid on her hips. She kissed him back, fingers hungry to explore each curve of muscle in his back. She devoured him, surprised at her own aggression, but knowing this was the last time she’d ever do this with him. His tongue found hers, and her hands tunneled though his hair, deepening the kiss.
When she drew back, they were both breathless.
He smiled, hands still on her hips. “What was that for?”
“You leaned down to kiss me.”
“I was moving to?—”
Someone banged on the wall outside. “Pay to play, you two!” the clerk shouted.
