Chapter 161
Adam stopped the car in front of the Beacon Hill estate. Before the engine even cut, Amy came running out the front door.
"Mommy! Daddy!"
Adam stepped out and scooped her up easily. Grandmother Sterling was waiting in the doorway. She took my hand, her eyes shimmering with tears. She didn't say a word, but her grip was tight.
The dinner was lively, louder and more festive than Christmas.
As the plates were cleared, Robert Sterling slid a thick envelope across the mahogany table toward me.
"Maya, this is a wedding gift," he said, his voice gravelly but kind. "I’ve transferred a few properties into your name. The locations are excellent. That apartment of yours is fine, but it’s a bit small. You can pick any of these to move into."
I opened the envelope. Inside were deeds to townhouses in Back Bay and Seaport. I looked up at him, touched.
"Thank you, Robert," I said sincerely. "I really appreciate it. But... I think I’d like to stay on Marlborough Street for a little while longer. It feels like home right now."
Robert nodded, looking unbothered. "Whatever makes you comfortable."
When it was time to leave, I looked around for Amy.
"Leave her," Adam said, his hand resting on my lower back. "She’s staying here tonight."
I blinked. "What?"
"I don't want anyone interrupting our wedding night," he said simply.
My face heated up instantly. The implication was obvious to everyone at the table.
"I have no face left," I muttered as we walked to the car. "They all know what we're going to do."
Adam chuckled and started the engine. "They’re adults. They understand."
We arrived back at the house around nine o'clock. Usually, I would be winding down for bed, maybe watching a show until eleven. But tonight, the air felt different.
As soon as we stepped inside, Adam scooped me up into his arms.
"I’m going to give you a bath," he announced, starting up the stairs.
"Adam!" I laughed, kicking my legs slightly. "I can walk!"
"Not tonight."
His intentions were written all over his face. I stopped protesting. It was our wedding night, after all. I was looking forward to it, too.
Later, Adam carried me from the bathroom to the bed. The warm yellow lamp cast soft shadows across his face. He looked down at me, his sharp features softened by affection. His lips were pressed together in a gentle line.
I smiled up at him. This handsome, incredible man was my husband now.
We slept until the afternoon. Adam ordered room service from a hotel to be delivered to the apartment. After we ate, I went upstairs and changed into jeans and a sweater.
"Where are you going?" Adam asked, catching my hand as I grabbed my purse.
"I’m going to see Chloe," I said.
He frowned instantly. "We just got married."
I wrapped my arms around his waist, looking up at him. "I know, I know. I’ll just be gone for a little bit. I need to tell her everything."
Adam sighed. He could never say no when I used that soft tone. "Fine. I’ll drive you."
At Chloe’s apartment, she was just waking up. I made us a quick lunch while she peppered me with questions.
"So," she said, leaning against the counter. "Are you going to be a full-time trophy wife now?"
I raised an eyebrow. "As if. I’m definitely working. I’m going to send out resumes this week."
"Why?" Chloe laughed. "Just ask your husband for a job. He’s the CEO. You could get a high-level position and do nothing. The pay would be great."
I shook my head. "No. I’m not doing that."
"Why not? Easy money."
"If I work, I want a challenge," I said, chopping vegetables. "Working under Adam... I’d never feel like I earned it. It’s better to go somewhere else."
Chloe shrugged, not pushing it. I didn't stay long.
On the way home, I stopped at the supermarket. When I walked into the house, Adam was in the study. I could hear him on the phone, his voice low and serious. I didn't disturb him and went straight to the kitchen to start dinner.
A few minutes later, strong arms wrapped around my waist from behind. Adam rested his chin on my shoulder.
Suddenly, he sank his teeth into the side of my neck.
"Adam!" I gasped.
He bit down gently but firmly. When he pulled back, I knew there was a mark.
My face flushed hot. I pushed him away, covering my neck. "Adam Sterling! If you do that again, no dinner for you."
He let out a low, dark chuckle. "Fine. I’ll go."
After dinner, I left the cleanup to Adam and went upstairs to shower.
I was typing on my laptop in the study.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"Resume," I said without looking up.
He paused. "You want to work?"
"I’ve rested long enough," I replied, typing away. "If I have a gap on my resume for too long, nobody will hire me."
Adam walked over to the desk and leaned against it, his long legs crossing at the ankles. He stared down at me. "Why make a resume? If you want to work, just come to Sterling Global."
I stopped typing and shook my head. "I’m not going there."
His brows knitted together. "Why?"
I saved the document, closed the laptop, and stood up to face him. "Because I don't want to."
"Are you sure?" He looked genuinely worried. "Out there, without my protection... what if you get bullied? I’d lose my mind worrying about you."
I stepped closer, looping my arms around his neck. "You underestimate me."
Adam grabbed my waist and spun us around. He sat in the desk chair and pulled me onto his lap.
"Put me down," I protested, feeling shy in this position.
"Not until we finish talking."
I sighed. "Adam, listen. We’re married, and I know you want to make my life easy. But deep down, I can’t be dependent on you. I need to be my own person. I want to work for myself, not just exist as your wife."
"I gave you this life because I love you," he said.
"And I’m grateful," I said softly. "I have Amy, and I have this wonderful life because of you. But I don't want to lose myself in the comfort. Relying completely on one person is dangerous. Do you want me to be anxious all the time?"
He frowned deeper. "Honey, do you still not trust me?"
I smoothed the worry lines on his forehead. "It’s not about trust. It’s about security. Whether I earn five thousand or fifty thousand, I need to know I earned it. If I ever lost you, I need to know I wouldn't collapse."
"I..."
I pressed a finger to his lips. "I know you’ll support me. But I don't want to spend my life looking up at you. I know you’re high above me, but I want to stand on my own two feet."
I didn't have huge ambitions. I just wanted a job that was mine.
Adam stared at me for a long moment. Then he pulled me into a tight hug, burying his face in my neck.
"Do whatever you want," he murmured against my skin. "I support you. Just remember, I am always your safety net."
He pulled back and looked into my eyes. "And Maya? You are not ordinary. Without you, I don't know who I would be right now. You don't have to look up to me. I will lift you up."
Tears pricked my eyes. I hugged him tightly. "Thank you, hoeny."
We stayed like that for a while, enjoying the silence. Then, I felt his large hand slip under the hem of my shirt, moving up my waist.
My breath hitched. His breathing had changed, becoming heavier.
"Adam..."
"Honey," he whispered, his voice dark. "We haven't christened the study yet."
"Adam!"
"Maya..."