Adam stared at her, completely bowled over by how drop-dead gorgeous she was when pissed off.

“What are you staring at?”

“You. You’re quite something when you’re stirred up.”

“Fine, make fun of me. Whatever. Like this day hasn’t already sucked.” She flopped back down on the bed, defeat radiating from her.

Adam moved closer to her, drawn to her despite the many, many reasons why it was a very bad idea to be drawn to her, of all people. “I’m not making fun of you, Abby.” He brushed the hair back from her face. “Rather, I’m having seriously inappropriate thoughts about how gorgeous you must be when you’re turned on.”

A flush of color crept from her breasts to her face, settling in her cheeks. “Stop it,” she whispered. “You don’t think about me that way. Don’t act like you do.”

“I never have before,” Adam conceded. “You were my brother’s girl. Off limits.”

She ventured a tentative glance at him. “And now?”

“Now I find myself having inappropriate thoughts about you.”

“You feel sorry for me.”

“I only feel sorry that you’ve been disappointed. I don’t pity you, if that’s what you mean.”

“You don’t?”

Adam shook his head. “Do you pity me? I wouldn’t blame you if you did. What kind of man allows his girlfriend to steal his company right out from under him?”

“I don’t pity you either. And if I had to guess, I’d say the kind of man who lets that happen has stopped caring about her and the company if he’s here rather than there, fighting for what’s his.”

Her insight astounded him. That was it—exactly. It was what he’d failed to adequately convey to his father earlier. He just didn’t give a shit anymore. He still had all the talent and know-how that enabled him to build the company in the first place. No one could take that away from him. The company was replaceable, and so was Sasha. “You’re right,” he said, meeting her gaze. “You’re absolutely right. I couldn’t care less about the company or her. Not anymore.”

Abby’s smile lit up her face and warmed the places inside him that had gone cold after Sasha’s betrayal. “I feel better than I did,” she said. “Thanks.”

“Me, too. Thank you. And for the record, I didn’t sleep with every woman in New York City.”

Her sleepy eyes closed, and her lips formed a sweet smile. “Half of them, then.”

“I’ll give you that.”

Abby’s eyes flew open in shock that softened when she saw his teasing grin. “You McCarthy boys are too handsome for your own good. I bet you’ve had your share.”

“I guess,” he said with a shrug, pleased by the backhanded compliment.