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He put down his brush and moved another easel against his. “Come paint. We can share the paint.”
She moved her stool closer and bemoaned that she no longer had a direct line of sight to him. Linc reached around her and placed some brushes on the easel. Plunging his fingers into her hair, he tugged her head. On instinct, she parted her lips, desperate for his touch. His kiss.
“Make sure you do everything proportionally correct.” A wink.
“Like the big head.”
He kissed her, biting her lower lip when he pulled away. Her body responded in a flash, demanding he finish what he started.
“Exactly like that.” A moment’s pause. “Very big.”
Even the flush on her skin didn’t bother her like it probably should have. She walked her fingers up his chest and tugged on his shirt. “Linc?”
He bent closer. “Yes, Freckles?”
Lips nearly brushing his, she allowed her eyes to flutter at simply being so close to this man. “Paint me my picture.”
She felt his groan to her core. “Yes, ma’am.”
Her relief was short-lived. He rearranged the paints and his easel so she could see him and he her. His smile was pure sin.
“Better.”
She wasn’t sure who it was better for, because she didn’t want to take her eyes off him.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.” He continued painting.
“Did you end on bad terms with the men you played with?”
His entire countenance stiffened but he never stopped the brush strokes. “No.”
Single word. Harsh inflection. Obvious that he didn’t want to go further with this discussion.
“Then why—”
His gaze was cold when he lifted it to hers. “I walked away from that life when I couldn’t play anymore. Things happened, words were said. That world isn’t one I am in any longer and I have no desire to be.”
“But—”
A muscle flexed in his jaw and she let it drop. She didn’t push it. He may have his reasons, but so did she. And she had ways to find things out if he didn’t want to discuss them. She already had. She merely needed a way to explain her actions to him.
She glanced over to where Greer was, then slid from her stool with a smile. Her daughter had fallen asleep and Emma made her way to her and covered her with another blanket.
They painted for an hour. Okay, Linc painted and she did little doodles. It wasn’t going to be winning any prizes, but she had something on her paper. She stifled a yawn when he got off his stool.
“Let me get you both home.”
“My painting?”
“Well, it’s wet.”
She huffed at him. “Can I see it?”
“No.” He covered it and she pouted, making him laugh. “You can see it tomorrow when it’s dry. This is quick and nothing like what’s hanging in the hall.”
“I don’t care,” she said, edging closer to the covering. “You painted it.” She just wanted a glance. Emma reached for it.
He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her away. “No peeking.”
“But it’s my birthday,” she whined.
“I’m taking you home.” He turned her to the door then crouched by Greer and swept her up in his arms.
He carried her daughter from his truck into the house as well. She directed him to place her in bed and after covering her up, she brushed a kiss over her forehead and closed the door. She walked with Linc to the front of the house. Only one light was on and it cast a soft yellow glow over part of the room, leaving them mostly in shadows.
Linc stood before her, tall, the potential to be extremely imposing, but she only felt safe with him.
“I wish I had known it was your birthday, Freckles. I would have gotten you a gift.” His words were a low rumble that did crazy things to her insides.
“You did.” She pushed her hands into her pockets so she didn’t do anything foolish like grab for him.
He cocked his head to the side. “I did?”
“A painting.” She frowned. “Even if you’re not letting me see it.”
His smile was incredible and she loved seeing it on him. “Tomorrow.” He sobered and took a deep breath.
“The sun will come out?”
He grinned and drew her close to him, tugging her arms free to wrap them around his waist. “You and your random movie quotes. I’m leaving for the night, Freckles, before I drop to my knees and taste you as I’ve been wanting to do. I’ll be here in the morning to take you to work, and I’ll bring you your painting.”
Linc kissed her and she sagged into him with a whimper of need. His hands skimmed along her curves and she wanted to have his calloused hands on her skin. Her bared skin.
“Night, beautiful.”
He set her away from him and left her with the imprint of his mouth on hers. Need burned through her and she wished she had more confidence. Maybe if she had some, she could have convinced him to stay. To sleep with her. To do more than just kiss her and raise her body temperature.
