“Don’t think I didn’t notice you staring at him all night,” he spat. “Or the way he stepped in before Bishop’s fucking outburst.”
“I can’t help what he does, Ellis.”
“Yeah, well, you can damn well stop encouraging him, can’t you?”
Glancing over his shoulder, I saw our dads walking back. “I think it’s time for you to go,” I said, stepping back.
He didn’t say anything else as my father stepped up behind me and wrapped his arm over my shoulder. “Thank y’all again for coming out,” he said, nodding at his friend. “Charles, I’ll call you on Monday.”
Charles nodded, giving us a wave as he got into his car anddrove away. Dad said something, but I couldn’t hear him over the white nose in my mind. I didn’t even notice when he walked out toward the barn and left me in the dark.
“Men,” I mumbled, turning toward the house. I whipped open the door and stepped into the mudroom. Only, I wasn’t paying attention and tripped over the stupid boots I was wearing.
I braced myself for a hard fall, throwing my hands out in an effort to stop my collision, only I didn’t fall face-first on the floor.
I fell face-first into Lincoln’s arms.
“Woah, there,” he said, looking down at me with light in his eyes. “Watch where you’re going, darlin’.”
His tone was soft and playful, but I wasn’t having it. “Oh, go sit on a cactus,” I said, pulling my arm from his hold. “And don’t call me that.”
The tiny, very rational part of my brain told me I may have been overreacting, but that part was promptly squashed by the chaotic, mentally ill portion that liked to take control.
Lincoln’s stupid, beautiful lips spread into a smile. “As fun as that sounds, I need my boots.”
“Then what’re you waiting for? Get them, and leave.” I waited expectantly, watching as he dropped his gaze to my feet.
No, no, no, no.
“Well…” He blew out a breath. “If you say so.”
Before I could say no, Lincoln scooped me in his arms and sat me on the table in our entryway. I was overtly aware my family was in the living room, only feet away, laughing about something.
Lincoln dropped to his knees, looking up at me as he slowly slid each boot from my feet. Each time he moved, his fingertips lingered along my bare skin longer than was appropriate. I should’ve stopped it, shoved him away, and threw the shoes at his head.
But I didn’t.
Instead, I gripped the table’s edge as he slowly stood andslipped on his boots. My legs spread instinctively as he stepped forward, finding himself between my thighs like he had over a year ago.
What the hell were you doing, Josie?
“Not too mouthy now, are you?” he asked, keeping his voice low. My breathing hitched as he leaned forward, keeping his eyes locked on mine as he reached behind my head for his cowboy hat.
No, I wasn’t. I had to keep my mouth shut so I didn’t do something stupid like ask him to kiss me.
Or beg him to touch me.
“You thought anymore about what we talked about last week?” he asked.
I tilted my head. “Maybe.”
Lincoln’s fingertips skimmed along my hips. “Mm, I can’t wait to find out what the verdict is.” He stepped back, tipping his hat with a wicked smile. “Night, darlin’. Try not to dream of me.”
And then he walked out the door, leaving me to walk back into a room with my family in soaked panties.
lincoln
. . .
