“That’s not true.”

But he was talking to her back as she stormed across the room and then down the hall. He heard her door slam behind her.

He clenched his fists. Damn it. He was tempted to just throw his exasperating ex-stepdaughter out the door and lock it behind her. He’d faced a lot of challenges in his life, but trying to help Helen seemed to be a losing battle and he wondered if it was worth continuing the fight.

He raked his hand through his hair. He’d given up Ashley because of Helen’s intrusion into his life again, and his desire to help her.

Had he been a fucking idiot?

* * *

Adam was hungry and he had no idea if Ashley had eaten yet, so he decided to grab some Chinese food to take over with him. He arrived at the entrance to her apartment building and went into the atrium, then buzzed her apartment.

Moments later, he was riding the elevator up to her ninth-floor apartment. He walked down the hall then tapped on the door. He heard her call to come in and he opened it. She was rushing across the living room toward him, wearing a colorful fleece robe.

When she reached him, her arms went around his waist and her body crushed against him. He dropped the bag with the Chinese food and wrapped his arms around her, too. At the feel of her soft breasts pressed against him, he could tell she wasn’t wearing a bra, which caused his body to tighten, but beneath the fabric he could feel a strap around her torso.

Then her lips found his and his heart raced. Her soft mouth moved on his, her tongue stroking the seam of his lips. He opened, welcoming her in. Her tongue dipped into his mouth, her delicate exploration making his cock swell.

She tasted of wine and his gaze swept to where she’d been sitting in the living room. There was a nearly empty bottle of wine and a single glass.

He drew back. Shit. Her warm welcome had made him think that tonight might be the start of something new and special between them. Romantic. Sexual. Fulfilling.

But if she’d been drinking …

“I’m so glad you came over,” she said, her head pressed against his chest. He stroked her hair from her face.

“Of course. Is everything all right?”

She gazed up at him, her soulful eyes gleaming with sadness. “It’s over between Dare and me.”

She took his hand and tugged him forward. He grabbed the bag, then let her lead him to the living room.

“I’m sorry, Ash.” He placed the bag on the coffee table as she turned around.

“No you aren’t, but that’s okay. I know it’s because you care about me.” She slid into his arms again and he couldn’t help but hold her close and enjoy the play of her lips on his again.

“Yes, I do, and that’s why I need to back off right now.”