Secret Tastes (Secret Dreams Contemporary Romance 4) (6 page)

"I'm all right. Don't worry," she assured him. She'd try not to let Marie's closeness with Sandy bother her too much, even though she was already smarting from it.

*******

Sam and Adam cleaned up in the kitchen. She'd offered, and Adam had insisted the two of them would do it together, shooing everyone else out.

"All done," she said after wiping the bench tops spotless.

"Great," Adam replied. "Thanks for helping out."

"No problem."

"Do you mind if we stay for another ten minutes?" Adam asked. "We'll just have coffee, then we'll go."

"Sure. Can I use the bathroom?"

"Of course. You know where it is, right? I'll see you in the living room."

As Sam made her way down the corridor, she heard female voices inside an open doorway. It was the study room, if she remembered correctly.

"Well, they don't look that sweet together, do they, Marie?" she heard Sandy say, making her stop in her tracks. "I mean," Sandy continued, "Adam and I couldn't keep our hands off each other when we were a couple—even when there were people around. Do you think it means they're not serious?"

"I don't know, Sandy," Marie said. "I don't have an answer for you."

"Maybe I'm just being jealous, but I think Sam's a bit of a cold fish. I think Adam's just on the rebound, that's why he's with her," Sandy muttered.

Carmen tut-tutted. "Now, now, Sandy. Be nice."

"But it's true, Mum. Adam's a passionate guy and Sam seems a little too passive and undemonstrative for someone like him. I wonder if it's because they're just not that into each other? Maybe Adam still has some feelings for me? What do you think, Marie?"

"I'm afraid what I think doesn't matter, Sandy," Marie said. "It's Adam's decision. Anyway, here's what I wanted to show you, girls. Is this close to what you're looking for, Carmen? I can order it on wholesale price if you're interested."

While mother and daughter were um-ing and ah-ing over whatever it was that Marie was showing them, Sam forced herself to move. The last thing she wanted was to be caught eavesdropping. She walked silently to the bathroom, feeling absolutely miffed.

How dare Sandy call her a cold fish? She wasn't a cold fish! So Sandy needed to see more passion and sweetness before she'd accept it was all over between her and Adam, did she? Fine. Sandy asked for it, she'd get it!
 

Adam did ask her for a return favour. She had to be convincing in front of Sandy, just like Adam had been in front of her parents. Goodness, he'd even sent her expensive roses on Valentine's Day! The least she could do was to get Sandy to leave him in peace.

But more than that, there was no way in hell she'd want to see Sandy win Adam back. Miss Glam-Who-Couldn't-Cook didn't look like she was giving up any time soon, so Sam better start showing how 'into Adam' she really was. It wouldn't be hard because that was the truth.

She might not have demonstrated that in the past, but damn it, it was only because she'd been respectful of Adam's relationship with Sandy! Since she was so incredibly annoyed with Sandy right now, and Adam was free and single…

She locked herself in the bathroom. Sandy did irritate her, but if she were honest with herself, she'd have to admit that what she'd heard hurt because there was a grain of truth in it. She did have a tendency not to be too expressive of her feelings, but not because she was indifferent. She was just ultra-cautious and assessed things before she acted. Unfortunately, by the time she'd run something through her head, the moment for action and spontaneity, more often than not, passed her by.

Tonight, she was well aware of the perfect situation she was in. She was playing the role of Adam's girlfriend. Could she play a decent enough job of it while she summoned the confidence to show him she truly liked him? Could she let go a little bit and then, perhaps, this charade may actually lead to something real down the track?

*******

Sam slinked back into the living room to join Adam and his dad Harry, relieved that the other three women were still busy in the study room.

Adam smiled at her as she sat down beside him on the couch.

"Did you enjoy dinner, Sam?" Harry asked.

"Yes, Mr. Craig. Thank you."

"Please call me Harry. So Adam tells me you're Trey's fiancée's cousin. That's nice. It amazes me that both Trey and Dylan are actually getting married. Among the three best friends, I thought my son would be the one who'd settle down first. The other two loved chasing skirts more than Adam, I thought."

Adam snickered.

"I guess they just needed to meet the right girl," Sam said with a smile.

Harry leaned over to her and said in a low voice, "Well, between you and me, Sam, I'm glad you're here tonight." He winked.

She grinned, appreciating that he was on her side even though his wife wasn't. "Thanks, Harry."

They heard female voices approach the living room. Sam placed her hand on Adam's thigh and looked up at him with a shy but impish smile.

Adam must have picked up her signal. He placed his arm around her shoulder casually and grasped her hand that was resting on his leg.

The three women appeared and Sam saw the flash of jealousy on Sandy's face before it was replaced by a too-bright smile.

"I guess everyone's ready for some tea and coffee?" Sandy asked.

Sam bristled at the fact that Sandy acted like she lived in this house, like she was the hostess.

"I'll make them, Sandy. Sit down and join the others. I'll only be a minute," Marie said.

"I guess I better get off my lazy butt and do something, hey?" Harry said, standing up and following his wife to the kitchen.

Sandy and Carmen sat down and uncomfortable silence descended as they all pretended to watch TV. Adam didn't seem bothered, though. He was now playing with the fingers of her hand that was on his thigh, stroking each one, one after the other.

She shifted a tad so she could lay her head on his shoulder, and his arm tightened around her. Gosh, even though invisible daggers were being thrown at her by Sandy, being cuddled by Adam was wonderful.

Marie and Harry came back too soon, carrying trays with pots and cups. Reluctantly, Sam sat up straight and left the warmth of Adam's embrace.

"When do you go back to Melbourne, Sam?" Sandy asked casually as they sipped their hot beverages.

"On Sunday."

"When will you come back?"

"Next month."

"Oh. So you're not going with Adam to his cousin's wedding in a couple of weeks? That's a shame. It's promising to be the wedding event of the year," Sandy said with a giggle.

"I'm afraid not," Sam responded, not even aware of the wedding.

"Last time I heard, we're still sitting at the same table, Adam," Sandy said casually.

"Oh, are we?" Adam asked dryly.

"Yes. You know Bella already finalised the seating arrangement ages ago. I'm looking forward to it. Should be fun."

It occurred to Sam that the two were probably invited to the wedding as a couple. But why was Sandy still going when she and Adam had broken up? Was she friends with Adam's cousin?

It appeared that Sandy had a deeper connection with Adam's family than she'd initially assumed. To say she didn't like it was an understatement. Now she was the one getting jealous.

"So, let me try to understand this," Carmen said. "You live in Melbourne, Sam, so the two of you only see each other—what?—once a month?"

Sam had this prickly sensation that the three women were ganging up on her. Or at least they wanted to make her feel inadequate for Adam.

"Sam's preparing for her move here," Adam said, coming to her rescue.

"Oh, really?" Harry piped in. "That's great. You're moving to Sydney for good?"

Sam sent Harry a grateful smile. "Yes. That's the plan."

"That's good news then, hey, Adam?" Harry said.

"Sure is, Dad," Adam said, running his hand up and down Sam's arm in a caressing-comforting gesture. "Well, we better get a move on," he added, to Sam's relief.

"Oh, Adam," Sandy said. "Do you mind if I check your glove box for my sunglasses? I can't find them anywhere. They might still be in your car."

"I'm pretty sure they're not, Sandy."

"Have you looked there recently?" Sandy persisted.

"No."

"So can I have a quick look, please?"

Adam sighed resignedly. "Okay."

*

Sandy was in the passenger seat, inspecting Adam's glove box while Sam and Adam stood next to the car, waiting for her to finish.

Sam suppressed an irritated sigh as Sandy also started checking elsewhere in the car. She could see why Adam's patience with Sandy was at an end. It sure seemed like Sandy would do everything—and would stop at nothing—to stay in Adam's life.

Sam was fuming at the thought when, without any consideration, she stepped closer to Adam and whispered, "Kiss me."

Adam stared at her in surprise before his mouth tugged in a wicked smile. He curved an arm around her waist and pulled her close before fitting his lips with hers. He kissed her, his lips soft yet insistent, his tongue sweeping against hers.

Oh Lord, she didn't know what kind of kiss to expect, but this was way more than she had hoped for. Unbidden, her arms snaked around his neck and her body pressed against him as she ardently kissed him back.

She was lost in the passion when an irate voice intruded into that surreal moment.

"Well, they're not here," Sandy announced, clearly irked.

Adam broke their kiss but kept Sam in his tight embrace. "I didn't think they would be," he said to Sandy.

Sandy glared at Sam before walking away. "I'll see you at the wedding, Adam."

When Sandy was out of earshot, Adam smiled at Sam. "Thanks."

"No problem," she responded, still in a daze from that incredible kiss.

"Are we going?" Adam asked.

"Uh-huh."

"Okay. I think we can let go now. She's not looking anymore," Adam said, pulling away.

Sam blushed furiously as she realised she still had her arms around Adam's neck. Goodness. One kiss and her brain had turned to mush. She quickly got in the car, hoping her colour would return to normal soon. What on earth had come over her?

Adam pondered
that
kiss as he drove to his place. Damn, it was hot—easily the hottest first kiss he'd had with any woman. He was still reeling from the force of it.

He didn't exactly know how it got so passionate so quickly. He knew Sam offered a kiss for Sandy to see. He'd intended to be gentlemanly about it—just lips touching softly and nothing more. But when their lips met, it was like being zapped. Now he knew what people meant when they talked about feeling electricity or energy or whatever when they pashed someone.

He certainly didn't mean to include his tongue in the kiss, but it seemed to have a life of its own. It had been eager to taste Sam's mouth. She'd appeared very surprised—shocked, even—that he took it that far. He hoped she didn't think he'd taken advantage of her kind offer. He knew Sam wasn't the type of girl who went around kissing men just for the fun of it.

He glanced at her profile. "Hey, are you okay?" he asked.

"Yeah," she answered, smiling.

"You still want to pass by my place before I take you home?"

"Yes," she said definitively.

Good. He hadn't scared her away.

"Do you think Sandy would leave you alone now?" she asked.

He snorted. "I hope so, but with her parting comment about seeing me at the wedding, I don't think so."

"Is she just thick or what?" Sam asked, sounding peeved. "Seriously, if it were me, and I saw the guy I'm interested in kissing his girlfriend, I'd back off and stay away. I would take that as a he-doesn't-want-me sign."

"I think Sandy's too lazy to go find herself another well-off guy," he said dryly.

"But I don't see why she'd have a problem," Sam contended. "She's very pretty and very glamorous. She'd look great on the arm of any rich man looking for a girlfriend…" Sam's voice trailed and she lapsed into quiet.

"Well, then, maybe Sandy's just really head over heels in love with me and couldn't let me go," he joked, knowing for a fact that even if Sandy's feelings for him were strong, her longing for his wealth was vastly greater. That gave him a bitter taste in his mouth.

"So what road is this?" Sam asked, switching to another topic. He couldn't blame her. He was sick of talking about Sandy, too.

He proceeded to show her landmarks so it would be easier for her to drive to his place on Friday, even though she'd be using a GPS.

*******

Adam did a quick glance-over of his apartment, relieved that the cleaners had been in that day. He was generally tidy. His place only got quite messy when Sandy was around.

But he knew Sam was a neat freak. Even his mum had lifted her eyebrows at the state of her kitchen after he and Sam had finished clearing up there earlier.

"This is nice," Sam commented.

"I'll show you around. Since you're 'staying here', you have to be familiar with the place." He grabbed her hand and led her first to the kitchen. "It's obviously nowhere near as big as the kitchen that would be going into the new house."

"Do you cook much? I know Sandy isn't a very good cook," Sam said hesitantly.

"She's a terrible cook. I think she really hates being in the kitchen but just pretends to enjoy it when she's with my mum," he said with a laugh. "As for me, I can whip up simple meals. Nothing fancy."

"I'll have to get familiar with where you keep your stuff before my mum and dad arrive here. It would look strange if I didn't know where the utensils are kept."

"Well, feel free to open up every cupboard."

Sam did just that, looking like a professional kitchen inspector of some sort. It amused him and he was content to simply stand there and watch her.

When she finished with the last cabinet, she glanced up and her face reddened.

"Sorry," she said sheepishly. "I was trying to memorise where everything is for Friday night." Her chest heaved. "I didn't mean to snoop around your place just to keep up with our fake story, Adam."