“And we need a sold sticker for that sketch of me on the ice, Lincoln. I want it to show it off to all the patients in my office.”
Choked up with emotion, Linc nodded. “I have a bunch of them, Dad. You can take your pick.”
“Uncle Linc?” Emily was back at his side, tugging at his hand.
“Yes, sweetheart?”
“Will you draw me on the wall too?”
Linc chuckled. “Of course I will.”
“And can Auntie Cleo come trampolining with us next weekend?”
“What? No… I… I didn’t ask her to call me that.” Cleo’s frantic whisper made him smile.
Beth waved her hand. “She gets attached pretty fast when she likes someone. You’re basically her new bestie. I’m surprised she didn’t ask if we could take you home.”
Cleo beamed. “When do your playoff thingies start? Will we have time to go trampolining next week?”
A groan from behind them had everyone turning to see who else had arrived. His teammates Will, Finn, Sébastien, Austin and Ryker stood in various states of formal dress.
Will had a hand spread over his face. “Cleo, you’ve been friends with Molly for how long now? And you’re stillthisclueless about hockey?”
Finn swaggered toward the group, tapped Linc on the chest. “Gotta get your woman up to speed, Scott. She’s the first of the WAGs, she’s gotta know her shi—stuff.” He worked his way around the group and made a beeline toward Linc’s exhibit.
“We were in the neighborhood.” Austin shrugged. “Door was open, and the sign said there was alcohol.”
Linc smirked. “Sure, sure. Well, we mere mortals appreciate you gracing us with your presence.”
His friends made their way toward Finn, who stood next to Molly, staring at the frames hanging on the wall.
A hand on Linc’s arm jolted him back to the circle. “You need a minute?”
He looked down and Cleo was looking up at him, her eyes soft and her lips curved into a small smile. His heart threatened to explode in his chest. “Thanks, Lizzy. I think I’m okay though.” He sucked in a deep breath. “Certainly not what I expected, a little terrified now that it’s all just…” He waved toward his art. “Out there, for all of them to see.”
“They’ve known for a while. They played dumb so you wouldn’t feel weird about it.”
“Zelda’s spillin’ all our secrets today.” Russ shook his head with a smile as he wandered off toward the team.
Dad handed him champagne, taking the empty glass from his hand. “You have a good group of friends there, Linc.”
“I do, Dad. We’re gonna win the playoffs too.”
“Damn straight we are!” Russell hollered, fist in the air. Molly hissed a shh at him and smacked him in the stomach with the back of her hand.
“I like her.” Amelia’s eyes lit up at having found a kindred spitfire.
“I have a question.” Mom looked back and forth between Linc and Cleo. “Why do you call her Lizzy?”
Chapter 33
Lincoln
Sweat streamed down his neck, soaking the collar of his half unbuttoned dress shirt. His belt dug into his hips. His now unsheathed cock was flying at half-mast, and his shoes were still on. This woman was driving him insane.
Cleo lay on her bed, hair stuck to her clammy face. Her mascara and lipstick were both smudged. He’d freed her tits from their red satin prison, and her dress was bunched around her waist. She’d never looked more beautiful. That just-fucked look worked for her.
She stretched her arms over her head. “I think you broke my vagina, and youdefinitelyruined my dress.” Her lazy smile sent jolts of warmth into his chest.
