The Anti-Hero (The Goode Brothers, #1)(83)
I bury my face in her neck and find my comfort there. If she is with me, then I have nothing to fear. With her, I can do anything.
Thirty-Seven
Adam
“Y ou’re not even dressed yet?”
Sage comes barreling out of her bedroom, her long, shimmery black gown gathered at her bare feet. She’s pushing her earrings into place before showing me her back, which I take as a sign that she needs me to zip it. Meanwhile, I’m still in my boxers on the couch, petting Roscoe while he sleeps and scrolling through the comments on our latest video. It’s a fifteen-second clip of me thrusting into Sage’s mouth as she gazes up at me with teary eyes. This one is doing almost as well as the last one and we’ve gained another ten thousand subscribers. I love that we can make real videos now.
“Holy fuck. You look amazing,” I stammer as I take in the way the fabric clings to her hips, making her look elegant and sexy at the same time. This dress is nowhere as revealing as the last one. The neckline is straight across her chest, from one collarbone to the other, and the sleeves hang delicately from her shoulders.
As much as I appreciate her in leather and lace—or nothing at all—I can appreciate this too.
“Thank you,” she mutters as she finishes attaching her earring, bouncing in place and clearly nervous. “We’re going to be late, though, if you don’t hurry.”
With a laugh, I ease Roscoe off my lap and stand to zip up her dress, pressing my lips to the back of her neck as I do.
It’s cute that she’s so nervous tonight, attending this as my real date, or rather, my real girlfriend. Although we never really made things official, I don’t think we had to. I’ve barely been to my own apartment in the last two months. I sleep here, eat here, and sometimes even write here. My place just feels cold and lifeless, even on the rare occasion she’s stayed there with me. This place feels more like home, which is strange.
After one kiss to her neck, I slide my hand around her waist and inhale the feminine scent of her perfume, going in
for a nibble on her earlobe.
“Adam,” she whines, enjoying my lips too much to want to pull away. “We have to go. Don’t start this.”
I grind my hips against her backside, sliding my hands down her sides just to feel her through the fabric.
Fuck, now I’m having a hard time dragging myself off her.
“Okay, okay,” I say, stepping away. With a shake of my head, I move toward the bedroom, where my suit is hanging in the garment bag.
As I slip into the rich black fabric, I think about how good this is going to feel, and not in the retribution sort of way. But having her on my arm for real. Seeing her with my mother again. Feeling her presence beside me as we face my father. I can’t remember the last time I felt this happy, but Sage has had that effect on me since the day we met.
I still haven’t told her how I feel about her, but I don’t hide my obsession either. It must be obvious to her how infatuated I am. I’d do anything for her. Anything.
“Ta-da,” I say five minutes later, as I walk out into the living room of her apartment while fixing the cuff links on my sleeves.
She whistles when she sees me. “Damn, Church Boy.”
“I told you I was fast.”
She’s still adjusting the strap on her heels by the time I’ve finished tying my shoes. Five minutes later, we’re out the door, dropping off Roscoe with Gladys at the front desk. Then, hand in hand, we walk to the lot across the street where my car is parked and she lets me open her door for her so she can climb in.
The moment we’re inside, I glance over at her in the passenger seat, looking so stunning I can barely stand it.
Reaching over the console, I run my hand along her jaw and pull her toward me for a kiss, sliding my tongue over the gold hoop piercing on her lip.
“Let’s skip it. I want to fuck you in that dress instead.”
She laughs as she pulls away. “Who said we can’t do both?”
“Oh, we’re doing both,” I reply assertively as I start the car and pull out of the parking spot.
Fifteen minutes later, we’re pulling up to the winery where my mother’s ceremony will be held. It’s a much smaller gathering than the gala I took Sage to, which makes it feel more intimate. After dropping the car off at the valet, I take Sage’s arm in mine and lead her down the paved walkway toward the large event area. It’s under a canopy of trees covered in white lights, giving it a romantic vibe.
“This is beautiful,” she whispers, looking around. In the distance, there is a string quartet playing, and the warm Texas sun hovering just below the horizon gives the air a pleasant heat that puts me at ease. Tonight could truly be great.
But there’s something less tranquil lingering just beyond the peace that tonight promises. It’s the reminder that, after tonight, I have something truly impossible to do. I have to reveal my father for the man he is to my family.
It still feels impossible. Telling my mother about his transgressions might be the most unthinkable thing I can think of because it means I’m hurting her. But deep down, I know it’s the right thing to do.
Before the looming deadline of that conversation can sour my mood, I force it down and try not to think about it. Instead, I focus on the beautiful woman at my side and this perfect night together.