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Emma narrowed her eyes, knowing exactly what this was. They wanted to make Linc jump through a few more hoops. Anger flowed like lava through her veins.
“He’s perfectly comfortable doing that. I know his hesitation is merely out of respect for the fact I have a daughter who can’t be left alone.”
Linc’s hand cupped the back of her neck and his fingertips moved in small circles, soothing the beast that had been awakened.
“She’s right, honey. Perhaps Emma should stay home.” Mrs. Stevenson shot her a cold glare.
She growled low in her throat, fist clenching where it sat on Linc’s thigh. Wait, when had that happened?
“It would mean that this is something you’re serious about, son. How about it? Can I count on you both coming to visit my great state?”
Emma chanced a glance at Linc to find his gaze waiting. While his touch along the nape of her neck grounded her, it was the tender brush from his hand against her cheek that did her in.
“Your decision. I won’t make you leave Greer.”
She believed him. Giving him a small smile, she looked first to Mr. Stevenson, then to his wife. Her expression told of her hope that Emma wouldn’t go. Mr. Stevenson’s held a challenge.
“We’d be happy to join you. I do have to set up care for my daughter, so it couldn’t be right away.”
“No problem. I have to tell my other guys about this. Let’s talk later about a good time for both sides. Right now, I want to know more about this lovely little town. It’s like a postcard. We will eat dessert and get to know one another.” He held up a hand and their server hurried over.
Emma sighed and leaned into Linc’s touch. He brushed his lips over her ear. Every synapse in her rose, not that they’d been sleeping as he’d touched her throughout the meal, but this was more.
Claiming her? Keeping her off kilter so she didn’t focus on what she’d agreed to? She didn’t know but she loved his touch.
Linc insisted on paying for dinner.
“Fine,” Mr. Stevenson relented. “But it’s on me when we go out in Texas. You’re going to love the steakhouse I’ll take you to.” He stood and glanced to his wife, who got up beside him, a bit wobbly on her feet.
Linc rose, then helped Emma from her chair, tucking her close to his side. A move she didn’t protest.
The four of them moved to the door. Mr. Stevenson held out his hand to her and gave her a limp handshake. She was pretty certain it wasn’t that way with Linc.
“Thank you for indulging this old man, son. I’ll have my people get in touch with you about coming down to San Antonio.” He gripped his wife around the waist when she moved toward Linc.
Hmm, perhaps the man did know his wife.
She and Linc watched the Texas couple get into their car once the valet brought it around. The moment they drove off, she sighed, a collective weight sliding off her shoulders.
“Let’s go,” Linc said, taking her hand in his, leading her to his truck.
“What are we doing here?”
Linc pulled his truck into the parking lot of the center.
“Come on,” he said, and he jumped down and was at her side of the truck in seconds to help her down.
She slid down his body, not at all complaining because the man smelled so damn good.
Emma couldn’t figure out if he was happy or upset by how things had played out tonight. Usually, she was fairly good at reading him, but for some reason, she got nothing when she looked at him. Well, not in regard to how he felt about the dinner.
She got a lot from him and it had been hell to have him so close all night, brushing his hand along the nape of her neck, playing with her hair. All the small intimate touches he gave her, like he couldn’t stand not to touch her.
She leaned toward upset but Linc had such control over his emotions, she couldn’t get a read on them. Or him.
I’m not a fan of not knowing what he’s thinking. While not as important to her as him, because let’s face it, the center was his baby, she wanted to see him succeed and shatter people’s expectations of him. Especially as he was no longer playing professional ball.
Other than when he’d nearly beat up her old boss for what had been implied, he didn’t lose his temper. Sure, he’d gone cold when she mentioned Adam, but nothing had come from it.
Her heels clicked on the asphalt as she followed him to the door. She stood beside him as he disabled the alarm. Then her hand was in his and he was taking her through the building, his pace fast.
“Stop, Linc. I can’t walk that fast in these shoes.”
