This Time He Pursues Me With All Chapter 97

I stared at my phone, chest tight like someone had wrapped a steel band around my ribs and pulled.

*Click.*

The sound made me jump. I turned to find Adam stabbing at his food with unnecessary force, then sliding half his plate onto mine.

"Eat first."

Ryan's voice had been loud enough that Adam probably heard every word.

I picked up my fork, mechanically moving food from plate to mouth. It could've been cardboard for all I tasted.

Adam's eyes flicked to me. "If you don't want to deal with it, don't. They'll find a hospital without you. They're not dying."

My throat closed up. I kept my head down, fork scraping against porcelain.

My eyes burned.

I shoved more food in my mouth, using the chewing as an excuse not to talk. Not to let the tears spill over.

The chair scraped. Footsteps behind me. Then his hands were on my shoulders, firm and warm, turning me around, pulling my head against his chest.

"Cry if you want. You don't have to hold it together for me."

That did it.

Not sobs. I never sobbed. But tears slipped out, hot and silent, soaking into his shirt.

I learned early that crying didn't help. Mom never cared if I cried. Never comforted me. No one gave a shit about my tears.

But here, pressed against Adam's chest, his hand steady on the back of my head—I couldn't stop them.

A minute. Maybe two. Then I pulled back, grabbed a napkin, scrubbed my face dry.

He brushed the hair off my cheek, voice soft. "Still hungry?"

I shook my head. "I'm full."

His gaze dropped to my barely-touched plate, but he nodded. "I'll drive you back to work."

---

While Adam went to pay, I waited outside, arms wrapped around myself.

He came out holding a small white box, pressed it into my hands. "Pastries. The restaurant's specialty. Eat them this afternoon if you get hungry."

"Thanks."

In the car, I stared out the window. Ryan hadn't given me a choice. Hadn't *asked*. Just demanded.

*What am I supposed to do?*

Adam's hand found mine on the armrest, his thumb brushing my knuckles. "If you need help, tell me."

I looked at our joined hands. Pulled mine away. "Thanks."

His jaw tightened, fingers flexing on the steering wheel. "Maya. Even as a friend—you can lean on me."

"I don't *want* to lean on anyone."

The silence that followed felt heavy, suffocating.

---

He pulled up in front of Garrison Industries. I grabbed my purse and the pastry box, reaching for the door handle.

Then I saw them.

Julian and Sophia Morgan, standing near the entrance.

Sophia spotted me getting out of the Aston Martin. Her lips curled into a cold smile. "Well, well. Someone's got *skills*. I'm genuinely curious, Maya—what kind of tricks did you use to make Sterling obsessed with you?"

My mood was already shit. I didn't have the energy to play nice.

I flipped my hair over my shoulder, gave her my sweetest smile. "Want to know?"

"Enlighten me." Her tone dripped condescension.

"Not everyone gets the full package, Sophia. Some of us got looks *and* personality. Some of us got... well, *your dad's money*."

"You—how *dare* you mock me! Who the hell do you think you are?"

"She's *my woman*." Adam's voice cut through the air like a knife. "That answer your question?"

I turned. He'd gotten out of the car, was walking toward me, hand sliding possessively around my waist.

I glanced at him but didn't pull away.

Sophia's bravado crumbled. "Mr. Sterling, I didn't—"

His eyes swept over her, cold and dismissive. "Who are you again?"

"I—I'm Sophia Morgan. My father is—"

"Ah, right. Morgan." Adam's mouth quirked, not kindly. "Shame he only had *you*."

Sophia's face went white.

She opened her mouth, closed it.

"I'll have a word with Gregory," Adam said, voice cold. "Someone needs to teach his daughter some manners."

Sophia's glare snapped to me.

Adam pulled me closer. "In case it wasn't clear—she's *mine*. So watch how you talk to her."

He cupped my face with both hands, thumb brushing my cheekbone. His voice went deliberately loud, theatrical. "Baby, if anyone gives you shit, tell me. I'll fucking *destroy* them."

I didn't respond. Just stared at him.

His fingers tightened on my jaw—not hard, but enough to make me wince. "Did you hear me?"

I nodded, more to make him let go than anything.

His smile turned wicked. He leaned in, pressed a quick, firm kiss to my lips.

"Good girl."

Then he turned to Julian, like he'd just noticed him standing there. "Oh! Mr. Garrison! Didn't see you there. My bad—couldn't help myself. Feel free to look away if it bothers you."

Julian's expression was unreadable. He turned on his heel, walked into the building without a word.

"Julian, wait!" Sophia stumbled after him in her Louboutins, nearly tripping.

I shoved Adam away, headed for the entrance.

"Maya!" he called after me. "See you tonight!"

My steps faltered. I glanced back, shot him a glare.

He was grinning like an idiot.

Several people had stopped to stare. I ducked my head and speed-walked inside.

---

Back at my desk, I could hear raised voices from Julian's office.

"Sophia, stop coming here. We're done."

"Done? Julian, we're *engaged*. Your father told me to spend more time with you, build our relationship—"

"There's no relationship to build. Call off the engagement. I don't have feelings for you."

"I know you don't *now*, but that doesn't mean you won't later! I'm cute, I'm smart, I can help your career—you'll fall for me eventually."

"I don't feel anything for you."

"I *know*. You've had feelings for plenty of women before. You have feelings for your *secretary* now. In a few months, maybe you'll have feelings for me too."

A pause. Then Julian's voice, flat and tired. "Sophia, everyone thinks I'm a playboy. Don't expect more from me than I can give. You're not my type."

"But I *like* that you're a playboy! You've never tried someone like me before. Why not give it a shot?"

"Are you out of your fucking mind?"

"Maybe I am! Maybe I'm *completely* crazy about you! I've never felt this way about anyone. The first time I saw you, I just—I *knew*—"

"I have work to do. Leave."

"But Julian—"

"*Get out.*"

Footsteps. Sophia emerged, looking like a kicked puppy. When she saw me at my desk, she glared, then hurried past like I might chase her.

I couldn't help it. I laughed.

Adam had scared the hell out of her.

---

An hour before quitting time, my phone buzzed.

**Adam:** *Emergency meeting tonight. Can't come over.*

I sent back a grinning emoji without thinking.

His reply was instant: a photo of Grumpy Cat, looking deeply offended.

I actually laughed out loud.

Sarah looked up. "What's so funny, Maya?"

Mark chimed in. "Yeah, you never laugh like that."

I cleared my throat, schooled my expression. "Just... saw a funny meme."