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“Are you ok, my love?”
“I’m fine. And I’m not your love.” I huff out, trying to scoot away.
“Yes, you are.” He says under his breath but since I’m still practically fused with him, I hear him just fine.
The waiters come around and take our orders, bringing out some bread and appetizers. Aspen and her men opted for a very casual wedding, one that suits them all so perfectly. Aspen has never been big on fancy events. Neither am I, for that matter.
I go to grab a roll and some strawberry butter when one is placed in front of me. I look over at Lincoln as he grabs himself one and smears some butter on it. He takes a bite of his before looking over at me.
“Did you want something else, my love?”
“No, this is good.” I mumble as I take a bite of my own bread.
The rest of the meal continues in much the same way. The appetizers and bread are passed around and as soon as I so much as glance at something, Lincoln is getting it for me. I finish my water and Lincoln is stopping a passing waiter to ask for more. I stare at him out of the corner of my eye, trying to figure out what his plan is and I see him grin as he watches me right back.
CHAPTER 2
Lincoln
I watchas the red blush stains her pale cheeks. I can’t stop smiling at her. She’s even prettier in person than she is in pictures.
I’ve been in love with Adeline Monroe since I first looked into her as part of the investigation I did for Roman and Flynn into their now wife. They had contacted me, wanting information on Aspen to try to get her to fall for them and, in the process, I found out about my girl. She was the only real family that Aspen had. The more I found out about Ms. Monroe though, the harder I fell. As soon as I saw a picture of her, I knew that she was mine.
Her narrow face with those unique purple eyes, framed by such long lashes. Her straight black hair that’s cut into a pixie cut. I wonder if it’s still growing after her surgery. Her full lips are almost always spread in an easy smile. Her high cheekbones are divided by that straight nose, with a slight bump in it. I know that she broke it when she was young when she fell off of a tire swing. There isn’t much I don’t know about Adeline.
I know about her tumor and if Roman and Flynn hadn’t paid for the surgery, then I would have. They just beat me to it. I know that she’s strong, a fighter, but that she has the biggest heart of anyone I will ever meet. I know she loves Aspen more than anything and I know that she’s happy for her but also jealous because she wants a family more than anything. I’m dying to give her all of that. I want to give her anything she needs, anything she wants.
I had it planned out. We would meet at the wedding and I would charm her and ask her to have dinner with me. She would say yes and see immediately that we were meant to be. Real soulmates. Now that I’m sitting next to her though, my brain seems to be going a little haywire. Instead of being charming, I’ve just been territorial. As soon as Ryan, Flynn’s brother, sat down on the other side of her and started talking to her, I saw red. I know Ryan is a good guy but he’s stealing her attention. He’s making her laugh when it should be me.
I can’t seem to force any words out of my tight throat. Every time those fucking gorgeous purple eyes aren’t on me, I’m so jealous I can barely see straight but every time her eyes are on me, my mind blanks and all I can think is MINE.
The last time she turned to talk to Ryan, I ended up dragging her into my side and tucking her under my arm. I can hear someone trying to start a conversation with me but there’s no way I’m looking away. Not when I have this angel sitting next to me.
Our food arrives and I watch as Adeline digs in. She’s too thin but I know that part of that was from before her surgery. She needs to eat more. She seemed to like the strawberry butter a lot and I made a mental note to pick some up for her. I butter another roll with it and put that on her plate. The blush comes back but I get another one of those timid smiles from her.
The waiters clear our plates when we’re done and we head back outside where a DJ is set up. I stand next to Adeline as Aspen dances with first Flynn and then Roman. Finally, it’s time for the other guests to join in the dancing but before I can ask Adeline if she would like to, Aspen is dragging her out on the dance floor. I stand on the sidelines and watch as Adeline dances with Aspen, then Roman, and then Flynn. Ryan goes to ask her to dance but I can see from her face that she’s starting to get tired and I intercept her before he can reach her and lead her over to a table set up outside.
“Let me get you some water, my love.” I say as I pull the chair out for her before I head inside to flag down a waiter.
I head back outside with Adeline’s water in one hand and a basket of rolls and butter in the other. She’s sitting at the table watching all of the other guests dance with a small smile on her face. She looks so relaxed and I want to keep that look on her face at all times.
“Here you are, my love.” I say as I place the water and bread in front of her.
“Thanks.”
She takes a big gulp of the water but doesn’t touch the bread so I go ahead and butter one for her before handing it over to her.
“I’m so full. I seriously can’t eat another bite.”
She says that but she still brings it to her mouth. I watch her nibble on it as she returns to watching the other couples moving around the dance floor.
“Did you want to dance?” I ask.
“I’m getting pretty tired.” She admits and I can see that she hates admitting even this small weakness.
“Then I’ll sit with you and keep you company.”
I scoot next to her before I lean back in my chair and watch the other guests with her. We sit in companionable silence for a few minutes and I let a satisfied smile stretch my lips when I watch her take the last bite of the roll.
