Mr. Darcy: What’s up? I might be slow to reply, I’m at a party with some of the team, but I’m around. It’s kinda lame here.
Her eyes flitted around the room, straining against the darkness. Could he be at the same party? She shook her head, pinched the edge of the solo cup between her teeth, and typed out a reply with both thumbs.
Cleo: Ditto. She dragged me to this dumb party and then ran off with LITERALLY the first dick to sidle up and smile at her.
She tucked her phone back into her pants and sipped the last of her drink. A chime came from her butt pocket almost right away. Followed by three more in quick succession. She hadn’t expected him to message back so soon and even over the din of the party her ringtone was still audible. Another chime sounded as she was pulling her phone back out, already giggling at the onslaught of messages.
Mr. Darcy: Wait.
Mr. Darcy: If some dude’s dick is smiling you need to go save your friend.
Mr. Darcy: I’m not kidding.
Mr. Darcy: That dick needs medical attention.
Mr. Darcy: Miss Bennet, I do believe we’re at the same party.
She gasped, dropping her empty cup. Pushing off from the wall she took two steps forward and gnawed on her lip. The phone weighed heavily in her palm. Her instincts told her to flee. As she started to move, a firm hand gripped her right hip, and a phone appeared next to her left arm. A hand,hishand. Whether she was ready to meet him, or not, Mr. Darcy had his hands on her. She swallowed and sucked in a few deep breaths as a thumb typed.
Don’t freak out, Lizzy.
You don’t need to turn around, just… please, don’t leave.
She relaxed against the warmth of his hand on her. He rested his head against the side of hers, stepping closer to.
Do you want to leave? I won’t stop you.
Careful not to shake him off, she shook her head slowly. Her chest heaved from the strain of forcing breath into her lungs as her heartbeat thudded in her ears.
Do you want me to leave?
Her right hand covered his and she squeezed, shaking her head again. She tugged his fingers from her hip and slid his hand onto her stomach. He rested his chin in the crook of her neck and inhaled, his chest rising against her back. The warm air on her neck making goosebumps spread across her skin.
He stepped back against the wall, pulling her with him.
Can I kiss your neck?
Scrunching her eyes shut, she sucked in a steadying breath. She had no idea who this guy was, but every piece of her wanted his lips on her skin. Tilting her head so her ear touched her shoulder, she hoped inviting him with her action was enough because all of her words had evaporated.
Lincoln
Cleo-fucking-Martinez.
There was no doubt about it. That’s who he had his hand on. Those hips pressing against his as she stood with her back to him… the smell of strawberries radiating from her long, wavy hair.
His hand was on Cleo Martinez’s stomach, and it feltright.
No matter how much he willed his dick to stay still it stirred against her perfectly plump ass. Her tiny gasp was adorable, and barely audible, but did little to ease the hard-on straining against his pants. He tucked his phone into his pocket and linked his hands together on her stomach.
Her hand trailed along the side of his neck as he brushed his lips against her soft skin. He smiled at the shiver that rippled through her muscles. Her fingers curled into his hair at the nape of his neck and he kissed her again. She arched her back into him, pressing him against the wall and his pulse quickened. Intoxicated by the smell of strawberries, he dropped his head to her shoulder.
“Cleo, you’re killing me.” He gritted his teeth. The truth was out in the open, hanging between them. He prayed she wouldn’t bolt.
Her body stiffened in his arms.
“Lincoln?” Her fingers clawed into his before she flinched and loosened her grip.
He’d never before heard his name said with such emotional weight. One simple word was tangled in confusion and longing, but if he wasn’t mistaken it was also mixed with relief. Her body softened against his. He nodded his head against her shoulder, afraid to speak again in case she got spooked.
