AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Her head shakes as she rolls her eyes at my lame joke. “Yes, apart from mine.”
“White chocolate chip and hazelnut.”
“Nice.”
I don’t ask why she wants to know but pull my shoes on, and with a final kiss head out to pick up Eric.
22: Lottie
I hearthe lift to the penthouse open and can’t stop the smile at the familiar sight of my handsome husband walking toward me. True to his word, Linc had been nothing but wonderful since our discussion in his office. We spent our evenings when he wasn’t working with Eric, either at ball practice or doing something, like playing video games or watching movies. I sucked at video games, but Linc was a natural and Eric was blossoming under his attention.
I’d tried to put the encounter with Charles Coldwell and Arabella Miles behind me. I was annoyed that I’d let it rattle me so much, but it was something I hadn’t been able to control. I know Linc had been scared by my reaction, and for a few days after he’d hovered a little, and I knew he hadn’t been convinced by my excuse of a headache.
Lincoln knew me too well and ten years apart seemed to have fallen away as if it had never happened. Linc was amazing with Eric. He listened and made time for him, and I could see my brother relished having Linc in his life. A male influence was the one thing I’d never been able to give him and neither had our mother, so Eric had missed out. I’d worried Lincoln would let him down, but he’d bonded with Eric as if it was natural, and deep down I knew why, although I could never tell him.
The nights were my favorite, though. Linc fucked or made love to me every night and far from finding it a burden, I craved his touch. I couldn’t get enough of him and the things he was showing me about myself. He opened me to a world of pleasure I’d never experienced and knew, once this was over, I never would again. Far from the eager way I’d counted down the days of our yearlong marriage to begin with, I now found myself wishing I could hit pause.
“Hey, something smells good in here.”
He moves to me and kisses my cheek, as his hands slide around my belly pulling my back to his front. I shiver at the feel of him and wish I could bottle it so I can take it with me when this is over.
Every day is a war between me and the hope I battle with daily. Things are so good between Linc and I, so easy, and I fight to remember it isn’t real or I’ll find myself in love with my husband and nursing a broken heart when it ends. Which it will, Linc has made no suggestion that this is real and why would he? It serves a purpose, and I’ll do well to remember that.
Sliding my hair back, he kisses the space between my neck and shoulder, and I feel desire shoot between my legs.
Pulling from his hold, I busy myself stirring the pasta. “It’s penne alla vodka.”
“Is something wrong?”
I look back to see him studying me. Linc is perceptive and, since that encounter a few weeks ago, he’s been watchful. “Not at all. Everything is fine but I do have a surprise for you.”
“You do?”
“Yes, go check under the lid of that container.”
His eyes light up and he looks so young as he grins and heads toward the box where two dozen of his favorite cookies are sitting.
He lifts the lid and grins before taking a bite and groaning with delight. “If I hadn’t already married you, I’d be on my knees begging you to right now.”
I laugh and shake my head. “You paid me three million dollars, Linc. The least I can do is make you cookies now and again.”
“Lottie?” I glance around at him from where I’m adding more salt to the sauce and see his frown. He hates it when I bring up the contract and it’s why I do it. I need to remind both of us what this is before we fall down a rabbit hole and get lost.
“Yes?”
I feel his hands on me as he spins me to face him. His hair is tousled like he’s been pulling at it and I see for the first time how tired he looks. Running my fingers up his lapels, I go up on tip toes to kiss him. He kisses me back, tasting of sweet cookies as he loops his arms around my back and deepens the kiss.
“I don’t want to hear about the contract, wife.”
“Sorry, I just don’t want us to get carried away and fall into a trap of thinking this is real when it’s not.”
Lincoln cocks his head. “It’s real, Lottie.”
“I know it’s real but it’s not really real.”
Linc watches me before he nods, and he lets me go with a small smile. I immediately regret his loss and the way he pulls back emotionally, shutting me away from his thoughts.
“I have to work. I’ll be in my office if Eric needs me.”
