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  “I know enough. Nothing you can tell me will change my mind about you or what I may or may not be getting myself into, Grace.”

  “Well, I don't care. Let me start at the beginning.” I let go of him and make myself comfortable.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “Growing up with three older brothers was a blessing and a curse. Having an overprotective father who is also one of the most affluent and influential businessmen on the East Coast wasn’t a walk in the park either. They would question all of my friends and boys were never really allowed to come around. Beyond overprotective, ya know. I've been treated like a baby all my life. Hence, I was given the nickname 'Gracie' pretty much at birth by my brothers. Ryan was the only acceptable male friend growing up because of his family’s connection with ours. And he didn't try to paw at me or force me to do things or stalk me or anything like that.”

  Linc scowls at the mention of Ryan's name.

  “Patrick came into my life when I was sixteen and there was a shift in the dynamic. He was from the sophisticated breed of New York. His family was big business and Daddy liked that. The brothers accepted him because Daddy did. My relationship with him caused a stir in our social circles. We were like a teenage Barbie and Ken.”

  Linc's scowl grows deeper.

  “The media started to pick up on it and we became the face of the young elite. I didn’t like the attention. I didn’t want the attention, but it followed me and has ever since. It seems that people really care what I do, what I wear, who I spend time with. Some weeks are better than others. It all depends on what else is going on in the social world. When this all began my brothers started suiting up, so to speak, to protect me and go to war with anyone who wanted to start one. They sheltered me and tried their hardest to give me the teenage life they thought I should have. Miles was the one who stood up the tallest and spent the most time beside me. Daddy caught onto that and brought him in to work for him once he graduated college. The rest I think you know.”

  I sigh. There is so much more I can tell him, but I can’t. Not tonight at least.

  I stare at Linc and search his eyes for something, anything to tell me what he’s thinking. His look is one of concern mixed with a bit of anger or frustration, I think. Maybe it’s all just pity for the spoiled little media darling.

  “I get it.”

  “Huh?” I ask. He caught me off guard with that.

  “I get it. I get what your father and brothers do. I get what your friends do, too. They all just want what’s best for you, to protect you from the unnecessary.” He grabs one of my hands, brings it to his mouth and gently kisses the knuckles. “There’s something about you, Grace that makes everyone one around you want to stay near you, want to surround you and want to protect you. You’re beautiful and smart and caring and beautiful.”

  “You said beautiful twice,” I giggle.

  “It’s worth repeating,” he chuckles and kisses my knuckles again. “Like I said before, nothing you could tell me will change my mind about you.”

  Insert soft sigh here 

  I snuggle into him as he grabs the remote and turns on Netflix.

  WHAT IN THE HELL IS that noise?

  I can’t comprehend what it is. My eyes feel like they’re glued shut.

  Open please.

  The plea works and they slowly blink open. It’s dark and the TV mounted on the wall over the fireplace is playing some kind of action music. I’m huddled against Linc under a blanket, his arm around me holding me against him. We must have fallen asleep during the movie. I can’t bear to wake him after such an emotional day. I have to move though.

  Nature calls.

  I gently lift his big arm towards the back of the couch and raise my upper body into a sitting position, dropping my legs to the floor. He’s slouched down, head resting on the couch arm, left hand sitting lazily on his thigh, his right leg extended behind me. I place his right arm down on his stomach and lift myself as quietly as I can to stand. Good. I didn’t wake him. I lay the blanket I was using over him and head to the bathroom inside my bedroom. On my way, I stop in the closet and pull some leggings and a slouchy t-shirt out of the dresser to change into.

  I walk out of the bathroom pulling my hair up into an imperfect ponytail when I’m stopped in my tracks. Linc is sitting in the big white chair staring at me.

  “Did I wake you?”

  “Yeah, you did. I opened my eyes and you were gone. Don’t do that to me.” He sounds anxious and exhausted.

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you. I had to pee.”

  “Well as long as you had a good excuse.” He stands. “I should go home.”

  “You look exhausted. Why don’t you just stay here?” I said it without thinking.

  Well, now it’s out there.

  “Are you sure you’re comfortable with that?” I nod. He grins. “Then let’s get to bed.”

  Sleep. Just sleep.

  That’s what I’m telling myself as I head towards the bed. He meets me there and we both pause and look at each other, standing on opposite sides. Duritz breaks the obvious tension by jumping in first. Thank God for my crazy ass dog. I follow him in and slide under the covers. Linc eyes me with that sexy grin. He tugs on his Henley from behind his neck and pulls it over his head in one fluid motion. He unzips and drops his jeans, stepping out of the legs and kicking them over to where his shirt is. His socks come off next and join the growing pile of clothes.

  And here he stands. The Adonis.

  Jesus, Mary and Joseph!

  He’s one step away from being completely naked by only being in his navy boxer briefs. Stupid briefs. I can barely see the tone of his body, only the shadows of it. More tattoos cover his chest and down past his abs. He’s beautiful, and is about to be more beautiful in my bed.

  He slides himself in beside me cautiously. We’re awkward, not knowing what to do or how to lay. I’m tired and so is he, so we shouldn’t drag this out any longer. I wiggle over to him and nuzzle up to his chest. He tenses for a brief moment until I find a comfortable spot and then relaxes, putting his right arm around me and resting a hand on my arm. Duritz makes a small circle in the little space between us, then settles down near my knees.

  Linc tilts his head down. “Buonanotte mia bella ragazza.” (Good night my beautiful girl.) He kisses my hair. “Sweet dreams.”

  I’m melting into that puddle again while slowly drifting off. “Mmm.” I snuggle in deeper. “Good night.”

  He starts humming in the softest, most soothing voice, while brushing his fingers through my hair. His voice is so soothing that it’s lulling me quicker and quicker into sleepyland.

  I breathe out a puff of air and fall.

  Chapter Fourteen

  A hint of sunlight shines through the curtains that cover the picture window above my bead and land on my face. I like the warmth. It surrounds me and hovers like a blanket. I'm calm. I’m comfortable. At peace. I haven’t woken up like this in a long time. Actually, I’m not sure I’ve ever woken up like this. I even had the best dream, starring Linc. Blinking my eyes a few times I realize I’m not alone.

  Omigod.

  I’ve forgotten something from last night.

  I'm on my side, arms tucked under the blanket. I look over and see Linc on his stomach with his arms and head buried under the pillow and one leg halfway off the bed. The other is bent at the knee, flat on the mattress. The covers are barely covering him, which I don't mind at all. His position doesn’t look comfortable as his large body takes over the bed.

  He stirs, stretches, turns on his side facing me and reaches out to touch my face.

  “Good morning beautiful.” His voice is raspy and sexy, not as it should be this early in the morning.

  “Good morning.” I take it upon myself to scoot over and nuzzle into his chest as he wraps an arm around me to bring me closer.

  I pull my arm from under me and drape it over his side, but not before my hands travel up his stomach feeling every musc
le in his well-defined abs move from my touch. He hisses through his teeth and pulls me in tighter.

  “Did you sleep well?” He kisses my temple.

  I grin. “Better than I have in a long time.”

  “Good.” He snickers. “Maybe I should stay over more often.”

  I stiffen a bit. That right there, what he said, scares me. It scares the piss right out of me.

  Crap...now I have to pee.

  “Whoa, Grace. I mean it when I said I don’t want to push you into anything. If you even want this to be anything. I’ll go as slow as you like. I’m in no rush.” He kisses the top of my head. I relax a bit. “You’re worth waiting for.”

  WOW!

  This can't be for real.

  “I should get ready for work.” I push away and slowly make my way out of the bed and head towards the bathroom.

  “Wait.” I stop and turn to him. “You’re going to work today?”

  He's anxious again. He seems to get that way often.

  “Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”

  “I just thought...” he pauses and runs his hands through his bed-head hair then down over his face. “Maybe you should take the day off or work from here or something.”

  “I don’t see what the big deal is.” I start walking back to him. He obviously has something on his mind. My bladder will have to wait.

  “If you have to go, I want to take you.” I stop as he waits for a reaction but I don’t give him one. “And pick you up, too.”

  He reaches over and pulls Duritz into his lap and pets him.

  Traitor pooch.

  “Thomas will take me. Why are you so concerned about me going to work today?” Crawling onto the bed, I sit on my bent legs next to him and search his eyes for a reason.

  “I just...” he reaches out and grabs my hand. “I just want you to be safe. Like I told you last night, I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”

  “I get that. But it’s just work. I’ll be dropped off and picked up by Thomas, like always. I’ll be inside the building, my Daddy’s building, all day. It’s perfectly safe.”

  The look of concern is still on his face. When did he set up camp there? And when did I become this girl that allows things to happen quickly like this?

  I can't take this tugging at my heart.

  “Okay.” I concede with a huff. “You can take me there if it’ll make you happy and help you get through your day.”

  “And pick you up?” he adds without hesitation.

  “Fine,” I smile. “And pick me up.”

  He lets out a small sigh. The look of concern relaxes and his lips curve up and form that sexy smile that makes me wet down below sea level.

  “Yes, it would make me happy. I’d prefer you stay here, but I’ll take what I can get.” Duritz stretches and bounces out of his lap onto the edge of the bed.

  I'm not sure if it's his level of concern for me, his protectiveness or the words he says to me, but I lean over and kiss him square on the lips. He responds by sliding both of his arms around my shoulders and pulling me into his lap. He parts my lips with his and that glorious tongue enters to finds mine. They chase each other as the kiss deepens. He doesn't even care that I have morning breath. His hands rub up and down my back. I open my fists so my palms are flat against his chest. I lightly and slowly push back. He hesitantly allows it. I open my eyes to see his looking straight into me.

  “I have to pee and I should really get ready.”

  I wiggle away from him and he reluctantly drops his arms to the bed with a thud.

  “Ugh, you tease! If you must,” he says playfully.

  Once again, I start the short trip to the bathroom to clean up.

  “I must,” I say over my shoulder as I walk away.

  Entering the bathroom, I immediately look in the mirror.

  Oh, the horror!

  I can't believe he was even looking at me. I have yesterday's mascara settled under my eyes, the right side of my face is red with pillow creases and my hair...oh God, the nest that has been built out of the knot on top of my head. With a heavy sigh, I start to go through my usual morning beauty regimen.

  Thirty minutes later I exit wearing my fluffiest white robe. I had expected to see Linc still in bed, but he wasn’t. A small bit of sadness went through me not seeing him there. I go into the closet and get dressed, choosing a navy-blue knee length pencil skirt with a white and light pink pinstripe collar shirt, leaving the top three buttons undone. I pair it with my favorite nude patent leather pumps. I take a glance in the mirror. Okay. This looks good. Grabbing a nude handbag, I make my way out to the kitchen.

  I get to the end of the hallway and spy Linc sitting on a stool with his back to me reading the newspaper. He's sipping coffee from a mug that reads 'Virginia is for lovers'. My heart is beating so fast I feel it may fly right out of my chest. Before I walk any further, I take a few deep, calming breaths.

  Just breathe.

  “Good morning, Grace,” Amy says to me with a giant smile planted on her face.

  I’ve been spotted. So much for a sneak attack on him.

  Linc puts down the paper and turns in his seat. That sexy grin of his slowly stretches from ear to ear. This causes me to do the same. But it’s impossible that my grin is as sexy as his. I sit on a stool next to him and spy Duritz cuddled up in Linc's large, inviting lap.

  I want to be in that lap.

  “Hi.” He stares at me for a moment then goes back to reading the paper.

  “Hi,” I reply shyly. I look up at Amy. “Morning, Amy. Is Asher up yet?”

  “Yes. He left for school already with Thomas,” Amy responded.

  “I let Thomas know that I’ll take you to work today,” Linc says proudly, not lifting his eyes off of the newspaper. I grab the social section and begin to peruse.

  Amy pushes two plates of scrambled eggs, bacon and hash browns to each of us. We eat in a comfortable silence, both reading our sections of the newspaper. It’s as if we’ve been having breakfast together for years.

  “We should get going.” Push my half-finished plate away from me, I stand and gather my things for work.

  “Thanks for breakfast, Amy,” Linc nods to her.

  “Anytime,” she winks at him.

  Good God, could you be more obvious, Amy?

  “Bye,” I say giving her an annoyed yet playful look.

  “Bye dear.” She smiles back at me.

  Linc nods to her again as if they have some sort of inside something, lets out a small laugh and leads me through the foyer to the door front door.

  This is turning into an odd morning.

  RAFE: How are you this morning?

  Always looking after me.

  Me: Fine. On my way to work. Talk later.

  “Who is that?”

  “Rafe just wondering how I’m doing. I’ll call him later.” I shove the cell back into my handbag.

  As we pull up to the front of the Stratton Building, I don’t really want to get out but I have to. I need to. I need to try and get back to a normal day. Well, as normal of a day as I can have anyway. Linc puts his Range Rover in park and looks over to me. I return with a look of my own. We sit in silence for a moment, neither one of us wanting to separate, neither one of us knowing what to say until Linc breaks the silence.

  “Call or text when you want me to come and get you.”

  “Okay.” I can’t seem to leave the vehicle. I think of not being with him today and don't like that feeling at all. I want to spend the whole day with him.

  “Do you want to have dinner at my apartment tonight?” I blurt it out momentarily unable to control myself.

  He breaks out that sexy smile. “I would love to.”

  “Asher will be there too. Is that okay?”

  “Of course, it’s okay.”

  I smile back at him and grab for the door handle.

  “Wait.” I freeze and look over at him. He gets out of the driver’s seat and hustles around the front of the SUV. He
opens the door and takes my hand to help me out. How chivalrous. How sexy.

  He gives me a gentle hug and a soft, barely-there kiss on my lips. “Are you sure you want to go in? We can play hooky today.”

  “I would love that but I need to work. It keeps me sane. And you should do some work today, too. Thanks for staying with me last night.”

  “It was my pleasure. I'll see you tonight.” One more quick kiss on the lips and he moves back around to the driver’s seat.

  He stares at me through the passenger window as he rolls it down.

  “Well, if you insist on going to work, you may want to go inside the building,” he says ginning at me. I smile and reluctantly turn on my heel.

  The ride up the elevator is just like it always is. At least one or two people stare. Some whisper. Some avoid being in the elevator with me completely. But today, I don’t even notice. I don't even care. Linc has made everything seem better. It’s like he can keep the bad away by keeping my head in the clouds.

  As I walk past my desk, I notice Ashlyn isn’t there. She’s always at her desk when I arrive. Is she on an errand? Is she ill? Shrugging, I pick up the small stack of yellow messages. I enter the office and am immediately greeted with an oh-so-familiar face staring at me from behind my desk.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Hello, Grace.”

  Jesus Christ.

  I’m frozen. I will myself to move, but I physically can’t. I haven't thought of him for a whole thirty-six hours or seen him for five or six days. It’s been peaceful not having him in my thoughts. I didn't realize this before, but I haven't actually missed him. I thought I did. I thought I was supposed to. But I don't. Having him in my life was familiar, so the feelings that came with him were too.

  Not anymore. Not since Monday night. Not since Linc.

  “What are you doing here, Patrick?”

  He forms a sly, devious smirk that looks nothing like Linc's. “I saw the pictures yesterday.”

  Tilting my head, I squint my eyes. “What does it matter to you?”

  “It matters a great deal to me, Bunny. I still care about you.” God he's a cocky asshole.