he’s at least the tenth richest man in the room, I hear Rachel’s whisper, like a devil on my shoulder.
I turn to introduce Armand, but he’s disappeared completely, as if he’s flown away. Just like Hermes.
If Adam is wondering why I’m looking around, he doesn’t show it. “I missed you, darling,” he draws me close. My eyes catch on the tiny golden lyre pinned to his lapel. Beware Apollo.
I blink and focus on Adam, who’s still talking. “I called your office to see if we could ride together.”
“Sorry.” I’m blushing. The only way my cheeks could get redder is if I turned inside out. Breathe. Remember to breathe, dammit. “I must’ve been in the lab.”
“Poor, sweet Cinderella.” He draws me onto the ballroom floor. “Once our companies merge, you won’t have to work so hard.”
His hands—they’re on my body. Intimately touching me. Well, more intimately than I’m usually ever touched.
His right hand rests on my waist right above the curve of my hip like he’s held me there every day of his life. Even Armand wasn’t so bold. Adam’s left hand holds my hand in a commanding grip as he guides me across the floor.
“I-I don’t mind it.” I struggle to get my tongue back in order. “I mean, I like the lab. I like my work.”
“I know you do,” he soothes. “Your board tells me you barely leave Belladonna’s basement.”
Wait, what? “They do?” I bristle. Who’s been talking to him behind my back? “They shouldn’t be talking about me to outsiders—”
“But I’m not an outsider, am I, sweet? I’ve been an ally of Belladonna since the beginning. If my father hadn’t wanted me to take over Archer Industries, I’d be in the lab with you, just like in the olden days with your father…speaking of whom, how is Dr. Laurel?”
“He’s fine.” The rote response pops out of my mouth.
Adam says nothing, just keeps looking at me. And I crumble, sagging in his arms.
“I don’t know,” I whisper as a fist tightens around my chest. Yes, tonight is weird with both of us in these fancy clothes in this super fancy place, but this is Adam. He was one of my father’s beloved students. A protege.
So I tell him the truth. “Dad’s not getting better. The doctors wanted to start PT weeks ago, but he’s still so sick.” My voice trembles.
Everywhere I look, members of Olympus society stare at me. Vultures, all of them. Sharks sensing blood in the water.
With a reassuring murmur, Adam guides me to a corner of the room, snagging a glass of champagne from a server’s tray.
He offers it to me and I shake my head. I never drink, never partied in college. I’m a lightweight, and I haven’t eaten anything.
“I insist,” Adam presses the glass to my lips until I take a gulp. “There, that’s better. I’ll take care of you.”
My shoulders soften. Of course he’s right. Adam’s not an outsider. My father thinks of him as a son. I used to think of him as a brother—
“Sweet Daphne,” he brushes a curl out of my face. “All grown up.”
I flush from forehead to cleavage. I don’t think I can deny any more that Rachel was right. Adam doesn’t think of me as a little sister, not anymore.
“Don’t worry about the merger. Or the board. I can handle them.”
I draw in a breath. “Thank you, Adam. But I’m CEO now. I should—”
“I’m more than happy to take on all duties as CEO, so you can spend all your time in the lab. If you choose to live there, that’s fine. As long as your nights belong to me.” He winks.
I stare at his beautiful features. The room behind him is swimming, a blur of color.
“Nights?” I squeak. “You want me to…work with you? At night?”
He chuckles, tilting his head. He’s looking at me like I’m adorable. Adorable and naive. “I think we’d work well together.”
“Like, business partners?”
“Business partners. And more.” His hand settles into the small of my back, pressing me close. Oh. I might be a virgin, but I aced my anatomy classes. And Adam is perfectly formed—in all areas.
“Don’t tell me you don’t want this,” he murmurs in my ear.
“I…don’t not want it.” Way to commit, Daphne!
Rachel was right. Adam is into me. So much he’d like to be inside me if the hardness against my stomach is any indication. “I don’t know what to say. I thought you just wanted Belladonna.”
“I do want Belladonna. The merger makes sense. But so do we.”
I