Adam woke up incredibly uncomfortable. The tingling sensation in his arm exploding out of each digit on his left hand drug him out of his slumber. Blurrily opening his eyes, he turned his head only to end up tickling his nose into Abigail's hair.

Breathing deeply of the scent that was hers alone, he smiled. She was lying on her side snuggled up tight against him, her head cradled into the crook of his arm, her long tresses splayed out over his skin and their limbs entwined. All things considered, it wasn't necessarily a bad way to wake up.

She looked so sweet, innocent and untroubled. Which, lately, seemed to be an eccentricity she rarely possessed. Brushing a light kiss on the crown of her head, he closed his eyes and tried to relax himself enough to go back to sleep, but it was impossible.

His mind was too full of thoughts of Abigail. From her soft, snuffling snore to the memory of her whispering pleads last night in the shower. He had not intended for things to get so out of hand, but...he sighed...when it came to her, he was powerless to say no. Visions of her lithe body wrapped around him as he guided himself into her, of her crying out his name as she dug her nails into his back and the look of unbridled passion as she had met him thrust for thrust had his body stirring to life.

Throwing his free hand over his head, Adam groaned and tried to wipe the images out of his mind. If he was averse to wake her by moving his now numb arm, he sure as hell didn't want to wake her up with what was growing thick and ready between his legs. To be honest, he had no idea what the typical protocol was upon waking with a woman.

Sleeping with her had been a completely new experience for him. One, he found, he liked...a great deal...and it left him marveling. Glancing down at her slumbering face, he took in the delicate flush of her cheekbones, lush lashes fluttering against her cheeks, her pert nose and those soft, full lips. She was...resplendent.

He burned for her again. She was everything he ever wanted...strong, intelligent, kind...and she was more than he thought he wanted. Adam should have been more than satisfied, at peace, and content after what had transpired between them, but...it had only made him want more. Taking the tips of his fingers, he ran them gently across her cheek. Sighing, she snuggled closer to him, warming his body and his heart. Whoever would have thought he would be a hearts and flowers kind of guy? He snorted softly at his own question. But now that he received a taste, he wanted it all and he craved it with her. There was nothing that was going to stand in the way of his hunger. Not anyone...not any secret.

JC jumped up on the bed and lazily sauntered his way across Adam's chest, breaking him from his thoughts.

"Hey there big guy," Adam said softly. Careful not to wake Abigail, he reached up and scratched the tabby under his chin. The cat purred like a motorboat, arching up into his touch. His kneading paws punctured into his naked chest with his pleasure like he was making bread. Wincing at each pinch of his claws, Adam gently pushed him off, but not before JC got the last word by ripping a foul smelling shot of noxious gas.

"Dammit, JC," he groaned, tilting his head away as far from the smell as humanely possible. But, it was to no avail. It clung to the air like smog, permeating everything in its wake.

Abigail grunted, her sweet face and nose crinkling up in a frown as she blinked her grey eyes open.

"Holy crap on a cracker," she muttered, waving her hand furiously in front of her face.

Lifting her head off his chest, she gave him such a look of horror, he couldn't help but laugh.

"Don't look at me, baby," he snorted, pointing an accusatory finger at JC who simply sat there grooming himself. Oblivious to the fact he had emitted a fart so foul, it could have hospitalized a small child.

Groaning, Abigail pulled the covers over her nose. "What do you feed that cat?"

Adam couldn't answer, he was too busy trying to hold his own breath, but failing miserably when he continued to laugh at her reactions. Before long, her breathy chuckles muffled by the sheets, matched his.

Turning on his side to lean over her, he playfully tugged at the bedding she had clutched over her nose. His smile going wider as she shook her head and struggled to keep them where they were.

Finally winning the battle, he swooped in and placed a kiss on her lips. "Good morning, baby," he murmured in a soft whisper against her mouth. "Did you sleep well?"

She snuggled closer, her leg lifting over his as she turned to face him. "Mmm-hmmm...I was until your cat's digestive issues woke me up." Giggling, she stretched in his arms.

Adam groaned softly as every part of her luscious body came in closer contact with his. He was so enthralled with the feeling of it, he missed her question.

"What?" he asked, nuzzling into her neck and pulling her tighter against him as he ran the palms of his hands down her back.

"Teeth. I need to brush my teeth," she moaned, arching into his caresses and turning her lips away from his searching mouth. "May I burrow your toothbrush?"

"You may have anything of mine you desire," he murmured into her ear, rocking his hips suggestively.

A throaty laugh came from her lips, sending his erection into the land of torment and blue balls.

"For now, I will settle for your toothbrush," she said, pulling away from him. Smiling, she poked him in the chest. "And maybe some fresh air."

Sighing, he reluctantly released her and watched her rise from the bed. As she made her way to his bathroom, she tossed a saucy little smile over her shoulder before closing the door behind her. He loved the way she was comfortable in her nakedness. Not shy...but not flaunting like some sex crazed nymphomaniac...just at ease. It was sexy as hell and it took all the control he possessed to not jump out of the bed and run after her.

JC came up beside him and gave Adam a head-butt.

"Cockblocker," Adam grumbled at the tabby, giving him a scratch behind the ear.

With effort, he roused himself from the bed and walked over to his closet. Pulling out a pair of jeans, he tugged them on. Digging around, he pulled out a pair of boxers and a t-shirt for Abigail and laid them out on the bed for her. The thought of her wearing his clothes making his heart skip a beat. Running his hand through his hair in an attempt to tame it, he shook his head as a smile broke across his face. If it was up to him, she wouldn't ever wear anything.

Drawn by the need for coffee, he padded barefoot out of the bedroom and headed for the kitchen. Turning the corner, he ran into a scene he was not prepared for...couldn't ever be prepared for. Jo Jo stood at the stove swinging his hips and singing some show tune at the top of his lungs...which though odd...was not the most shocking part. He was wearing Adam's Jacquard Armani suit...with heels no less.

"Good morning, Poppy! Or in this case...afternoon." Jo Jo beamed, giving him a little wink.

"Nice suit," Adam growled as he made his way to the coffee pot.

"Isn't it divine? The material is practically sinful." He twirled and did a little shimmy in the middle of the kitchen before turning back to whatever concoction he had going on the stove. "Joan was a real dear and lent it to me. I dare say she was quite shocked to see me this morning. Though, I must say, I was totally rocking that toga."

Sipping his coffee, Adam leaned against the counter and estimated how much of a bonus he was going to have to add to Mrs. Harris's salary to keep his housekeeper.

"Where is Mrs. Harris?"

Jo Jo waved the spatula in the air. "Oh, I sent her out to get some real groceries."

"Real groceries?" Adam arched a brow with his coffee cup suspended half way up to his lips.

"You, Poppy, have way too much processed foods in here." He threw Adam a disgusted look over his shoulder. "Caviar, fatty meats, cholesterol lanced cheeses..." he shuddered. "You're a heart attack waiting to happen. I tossed it all out."

Adam's mouth dropped open. His Beluga caviar...in the trash? Fucking hell. The drag queen had probably tossed out thousands of dollars' worth of food on whim. Clutching his coffee cup so hard he was surprised it didn't break, he gulped down the hot fluid to chase away the verbal berating working its way up his throat.

"Sit...sit." Jo Jo motioned for Adam to take a seat at the counter and he grudgingly made his way over and sat. Turning off the stove, Jo Jo searched the cupboards until he produced a couple of plates. Scooping whatever he had created onto one, he brought it over and set it in front of him.

"Taa-daa!" he sang happily. "A breakfast of champions."

Adam looked down at two dejected poached eggs sitting on top of a bed of wilted spinach and covered in some kind of rather malodourous white sauce. "What is it?"

"Poached eggs and spinach with a Turkish yogurt sauce," Jo Jo responded proudly. "Now, you eat up, Poppy. I'm off to the club to see what I can do about my lack of wardrobe for tonight." He bent down and plopped a kiss on Adam's forehead. "Oh...and I suppose I had better pick up some undies. I drew the line at borrowing a pair of yours. Although," he wiggled, "these pants are so soft and comfy, I may never wear underwear again. It's just so freeing and liberating." He gave a little wave before leaving in a whirlwind of what smelled like his cologne.

Adam was grumpily sipping his coffee, scrolling through his phone and contemplating burning one of his favorite suits when Abigail walked in. She looked absolutely beautiful. Her hair, mussed up from sleep and his hands, cascaded freely down her back as she stood before him in his t-shirt which hit her just below the knees. The sight of her looking so young and vulnerable effectively chased away his annoyance with her flamboyant roommate.

"Thank you for the clothes," she said shyly, helping herself to some coffee. "I guess I had better figure out what I am going to do for clothes...now..." she paused, frowning and biting her lip as she added sugar to her coffee.

"I will take care of it." In fact, he took a sip of his coffee and glanced at his phone, he already had. Erich should be deep in discussion with his personal shopper and fulfilling the list he had texted him by now.

She bristled at his words. "You don't have to do that," she said sternly, shaking her head. "You've been more than generous allowing us to spend the night here and I don't want to put you out more than we already have."

"It's no trouble."

She slammed her cup on the counter, drawing his attention away from his e-mail.

"It may be no trouble to you, but it is not necessary. I will get my own clothes, thank you."

Adam narrowed his eyes. "Abigail, it's no problem. Really." The color in her face rose and he knew she was about to argue with him...again. Holding his hand up, he cut her off. "No arguments. I insist and besides, the point is moot...it's already been taken care of."

Mumbling something he didn't catch, but assumed was not a compliment, she picked up her coffee and stared into the depths. "I'll pay you back," she said finally, tilting her chin up in that defiant way of hers as she tossed the spoon into the sink with a clatter.

Sighing, Adam shrugged his shoulder noncommittally. He would never allow it, but it wasn't worth the fight to point it out to her.

Walking over to the stove, she leaned over and sniffed. "You made breakfast?" she asked warily.

"Jo Jo," he stated simply, watching her movements. She seemed tense and edgy.

Laughing drily, she turned and sat down across from him, fidgeting with her cup. "Um...he likes to cook." She gave him an apologetic tight smile.

"I see that."

Strained silence filled the kitchen.

"You have something on your...forehead," she blurted, gesturing to her brow.

Lifting up a napkin, he rubbed at the spot she had indicated. Looking down at it, he saw a large splotch of ruby red lipstick.

"Not exactly my shade," he muttered, scrunching up the napkin and tossing it to the side.

"It's a good thing I know it's Jo Jo's or I might be jealous," she snorted. Her eyes popping wide as if she was surprised at her own words.

Standing up, she wander around the kitchen, making two full laps before he caught her hand.

"Come here." He tugged her into his lap. Though he wanted to pull her against him, he waited, trying to get a read on her odd behavior. "I am I making you nervous, baby?"

She sighed, melting into his chest. "It shows?"

Skimming her thigh with his fingers, Adam smiled as she shivered. "Perhaps a bit." He nuzzled her hair. "Now...what is bothering you?"

"I'm just not use to...any of this." She waved a hand around the kitchen.

"Having breakfast?" he teased, though he knew full well what she meant. He chuckled at her annoyed eye roll. "Relax, Abigail. Are you hungry?" He pushed his plate closer to her.

She giggled. A sound he was relieved to hear.

"Have you ever tried Jo Jo's Turkish yogurt sauce?"

"No?"

Pushing the plate back towards him, she gave him an innocent look he didn't quite trust. "You're in for a real treat then."

They were finishing up some toast and scrambled eggs when a pounding on the elevator door echoed throughout the penthouse.

"What the hell." Adam wiped his mouth and threw the napkin on the table. "Stay here," he muttered to Abigail. The anxious look on her face making him pause. "I changed the codes to the elevators last night. You can go down, but unless you know the new passcodes, you cannot enter." Brushing his knuckles down her cheek, he tilted her chin up and swept a kiss against her lips. She tasted of raspberry jam. "You will be safe with me, baby. I promise."

Whoever was on the other side of that fucking door though, was in a world of danger for interrupting his time with Abigail, he thought as he strode to the foyer. Dammit, he had finally gotten her to relax and now she looked like she was ready to bolt again. Sighing, he pressed his palm to the security pad. After pushing a few buttons, a live video feed of Jonathan flipping him the bird came on the screen.

"Son of a bitch," he muttered as he debated letting him in. Glancing at Abigail who was standing rigidly in the doorway of the kitchen, he cursed under his breath once more. "It's just my brother," he told her, punching in the passcode. He better have a damn good reason to be here, he added to himself. There were things he needed to discuss with Abigail and they had already been put off for far to long.

The doors slid open and he was about to give his brother a piece of his mind when Jonathan's fist connected with his jaw.