AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I don't hesitate as I rest my hand on his forearm and lean in to brush a kiss across his cheek. I'm not sure about the etiquette here, so I'm going with whatever feels natural. Nova turns his head toward me, catching the corner of my mouth. I grin into the accidental kiss, lingering for a few seconds before pulling away.
Bane lifts his chair and tucks it under the table. “I'll walk you out.”
I dip my head in acknowledgment and pull away from Nova. I snag my latte, my purse, and my duffel bag and walk toward the door off the kitchen.
I pause by Silas, glancing at him. “See you tomorrow?”
“Eight o'clock,” he says, doing that head tilt thing that men do.
I exhale a quiet breath of relief. I half-expected him to tell me to fuck off and find a new job. Honestly, I think I'll probably always half-expect him to tell me that, so I might as well get used to it.
Bane trails me outside, quiet until I reach my car. I unlock the doors and toss my things inside, keeping my latte in one hand.
“Thanks again for letting me stay here. And for the coffee. I appreciate it.”
He nods a few times. “I'm sorry I told them without letting you know.”
“It wasn't a secret. I'm not ashamed of you or what we did.” Even as I say it, my cheeks heat a little. I can't help it. There's part of me that does feel a little embarrassed that my employer knows about my sexual history. With his cousin.Andhis brother.
“Good,” he says, his voice softening. “But still, I should've talked to you first.”
“Yeah, it's okay though. This is new for me, ya know? And I don't know, I don't want to hurt anyone.”
“We're grown men, baby girl. We can handle a little competition.”
I bite the inside of my cheek, feeling my brows wrinkle a little. “I don't want anyone to compete, remember?”
The corner of his mouth hooks into a smirk. “I know but we still will.”
“I won't choose, Lincoln.” I lower my voice, worry taking hold inside my chest.
He just nods, the smirk still in place. “I'm not asking you to.”
I sigh, feeling a little overwhelmed all of a sudden. I just want to go home and forget for a little while.
“I should go,” I say, my voice soft.
He steps toward me, his hand lifting to cup my cheek. He brushes his thumb over the sore skin on my cheekbone in a move so tender, my heart aches.
“You call me if you need anything, yeah?”
I nod, unable to speak with my eyes locked on his intense gaze.
He leans in and places his lips against my forehead, murmuring, “I'll see you soon, baby girl.”
14
EVANGELINE
I drive home in a daze,my head spinning. I'm so wrapped up in my own thoughts that I barely even notice the drive. When I pull into my driveway, I'm surprised to see it looks the same. I don't know what I expected, but it feels different.
Or maybe it's me who feels different.
Be brave, Nana Jo's voice whispers in my mind.
I expel a sigh and grab my things from the car and make my way inside. I mentally brace myself for the destruction and mess, but when my feet carry me to the living room, shock holds me immobile.
Nothing's broken or messy. In fact, it almost looks cleaner than it did before. My brows furrow in confusion, and I step closer to inspect the room. There are obviously things missing—several garbage bags' worth. But there are no signs of the chaos that happened here last night. The chaise is in its right position and the broken pieces of Nana Jo's vases are gone, like someone swept them up.
