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He propped himself up on his elbow, grinning like a fool. “Damn right it did.”
My smile spread wider. I hadn’t been this happy in years. Things felt like they were falling back into place, but I didn’t want to get ahead of myself. Lincoln and I had a lot to discuss after the night before.
Lincoln’s voice was husky as he stared down at me. “If you keep looking at me like that, we’re never getting out of this bed.”
What he said snapped me out of my daze. “Shit.” I glanced over at the clock on the nightstand, remembering that it was Monday and I had to work. “I’m late for work.”
I tossed the sheets off me and scrambled out of bed. I rushed to my suitcase and grabbed some clothes, then went into the bathroom to get ready.
By the time I came out, Lincoln was dressed. He held out a cup of coffee and grinned. “Figured you might need a pick-me-up.”
I smiled and took the steaming beverage from him. “Thank you.” I grabbed my purse off the table, then my keys and phone. “I’m sorry to rush out of here, but I’m over an hour late for work.”
“Don’t worry about it. Can I take you to dinner tonight?”
I nodded. We definitely needed to talk. “Sure. I’ll call you when I get off.”
I gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, then rushed out the door. I couldn’t believe I didn’t pay attention to the time, but Lincoln was one hell of a distraction.
He occupied my mind for the rest of the day, and the more I thought about what had happened, the more I felt like it was a mistake. Lincoln had just gotten out of a long-term relationship, and I’d jumped him like a desperate whore.
I needed to focus on the reason I was there: Piper. She was first and foremost, then work was second. I didn’t have time to get wrapped up in Lincoln with everything else on my plate.
I sighed. What the hell was I going to do?
LINCOLN
I left Liv’s hotel feeling on top of the world. I couldn’t believe what had happened the night before, and I was on cloud nine.
I had Liv back. We were building a relationship with our daughter, and everything in my life felt right for the first time in a long time.
I didn’t expect to spend the night with her, so I was behind on the day. I was usually up before the sun, so I had some catching up to do at the farm.
I hopped in my truck and headed home to get started on work. Mondays were usually busy since we had to recoup from the weekend farmers’ market, plus we had to muck the stables and tend to the animals.
When I pulled up, I saw my dad by the barn. Rufus met me as I opened my door and stepped out of the truck.
He jumped on me, barking his greeting at me. Petting his head, I chuckled. “Good morning to you, too.”
Then he took off running toward my dad. I followed behind him, hoping my dad wouldn’t give me too much shit about being late. The farm was a family business, and even though it would be mine one day, my father was still technically the boss.
I approached my dad as he tossed a bale of hay into the barn. “Nice of you to show up.”
“Sorry, I’m late. I’ve got a lot on my plate right now, and I lost track of time.”
My dad tipped his hat up and looked me in the eyes. “Your mother told me about what happened with Amber and Liv. Do you really think you’re making the right decision, son?”
After the night before, I had no doubt in my mind. “Absolutely.”
My father sighed. “Well, I can’t say I agree, but you’re a grown man. Just don’t let your love life affect the business.”
“Yes, sir.”
He nodded and tossed me a pair of gloves. “You’re just in time to muck the stables.”
I groaned, knowing he was trying to teach me a lesson. Usually, we had one of the farmhands do it. “Great.”
My dad chuckled as he strode toward the fields. “Maybe that’ll teach you not to be late.”
