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  “Suit up, Rafe,” Briar yells to him. Who needs bodyguards when I have these two?

  “Grace!” Another one shouts throwing his arms in the air to get my attention as the group approaches us. “What’s up, baby? Wanna dance with us?” He looks around Briar trying to get a better look at me. Thank God, she’s tall.

  “Uh, no she doesn’t. Move along dickwads,” Briar demands as Rafe gently pushes me forward.

  “Oh, come on. Just one,” the shortest of the three guys says to no one in particular. Phones are being raised in the air and pictures are being taken.

  The jig is up. I'm recognized.

  The meathead with the shaved head reaches around Briar and grabs at my arm. I freeze, not knowing what to do. Guys in Manhattan don’t usual try to paw at me. They generally leave their hands off and try lame pick-up lines instead. Protocol is different here.

  More people push their way over to see what’s happening. I’m surrounded and start to feel claustrophobic. My palms are sweaty and my vision blurry. Breathing is becoming harder by the second. The room starts to spin as I’m on the cusp of a full-blown panic attack.

  Breathe.

  Suddenly there’s a pull at my waist. “Just breathe,” a deep voice whispers in my ear as I’m lifted off my feet.

  The voice behind me turns from a whisper to a forceful boom. “Guys chill. You’ll have to look up to enjoy the view of this sexy angel from down here.”

  What is happening?

  My feet are set on the stairs and I start to climb them one at a time. Turning my head, I see Lincoln behind me, still holding my waist with one hand and the railing with the other. Briar and Rafe, both still yelling at the meatheads, are close behind him.

  “You okay?”

  I turn my whole body when I reach the top step. He’s down a few steps so our eyes are at the same level. “Yeah. It happens,” I shrug, breathing heavily but trying desperately not to show my panic or that I may throw up. “I guess you're officially my hero now.”

  He laughs and growls simultaneously. “Let’s just keep you safe up here for a while, shall we?” His serious face turns to a smirk as he nudges me up and into our safe haven. “Miles!” he shouts.

  Miles hears the demand, leaps up from his conversation with Parker and Landon, fills another glass of pink bubbly, almost to the top this time, and brings it over to me. “Shit. What happened? You okay, Sis? I should have been there or at least been watching. I’m sorry.” He kisses my nose like Daddy does and I immediately calm. “Damn it. Two minutes and I let it happen. I'm so, so sorry, Gracie.”

  “I'm okay. I'm fine,” I say feeling a sudden sense of security mixed with a bit of embarrassment, standing between my brother, the protector and the oh-so-sexy giant, my new hero. As my breathing steadies, I shout, “Let’s drink.”

  Lincoln bows his head moving his mouth to my ear. “Are you sure you're okay?” He gives my waist another squeeze.

  I nod as chills run down my spine.

  “Good. I wouldn't want to have to kick some ass and start a scene in my own place.” He flashes a teeth-showing grin. “I'd do it for you, though, if it came down to it.”

  I look up to him, blush and form a shy smile. We stare at each other for seconds, minutes, I'm not even sure, before we’re interrupted by Miles.

  Stupid Miles.

  “To being drunk and forgetting about douche-bag assholes that inhabit our lives.” My brother raises his glass again and, of course, everyone follows suit.

  Rafe, Briar and I raise our glasses to meet in a circle. “Clinky kinky,” we all say in unison, and down the liquid contents.

  THE NIGHT CONTINUES with minimal interruptions. I stay in the haven with my loved ones and drink the night away. Lincoln is keeping his promise to take care of me and my gang, making his way in and out of our space, chatting with everyone, then exiting to take care of business down below (the club, not me. Unfortunately). Occasionally our eyes meet and we share a smile.

  Three-thirty rolls around and our little party starts to wind down. Parker and Melanie had already left for the hotel around midnight. I’m actually a bit surprised they made it that long, being the parents of little ones and all. Landon and June are gathering their things and starting to say their goodbyes. Ryan and Hayes are at the front bar talking to a few people that I assume they know. Rory and Olive are on the dance floor with a couple of hotties they met earlier: hopefully not meatheads. Knowing Olive, she'll be naked in the bathroom with one of them in no time. Rafe is cuddling with me on a loveseat style couch in the corner of the haven.

  Something dawns on me. “Where’s Briar?”

  “I haven’t seen her for about a half-hour, maybe an hour,” Rafe responds. “And where’s Miles?” he adds with a curious smile.

  We look at each other for a hot second. “Ohmigod,” we say in unison.

  “You don’t think?” Do I dare finish that sentence?

  “I’ll go see if I can find them.” Rafe darts out of the seat and goes in search of the missing pair.

  Left alone on the small couch, I reach into my purse and pull out my phone. I'm dying to know if Patrick left me a message or a text or something.

  Nothing.

  I miss him.

  I’m stupid.

  Taking a second to close my eyes, I lean my head back and rehash the events of the evening. A smile slowly stretches across on my face. As much as I don’t want to admit it, I’ve had a great time. My thoughts are broken by someone sitting down next to me.

  “So, did you have a good time tonight?” An arm slides across my shoulders as a tingle makes its way across my skin.

  I open my eyes and see Lincoln, smiling that sideways smile that drew me in and made me a babbling mess a few hours ago.

  “I did. I think I’ve had enough for one night, though.”

  “Do you need me to drop you off at the hotel? I heard you’re all staying at the Paramore.” He draws little circles on my arm with his thumb.

  Whoa.

  He wants to take me home...er, to the hotel. That could be dangerous. More for him than for me. With all the alcohol I've consumed mixed with the emotions stirring inside me, there is no telling what I would do to him.

  No, I’ll tell you: first, I would climb him like a tree. Second, I would grab hold and...

  “I just thought you might need a ride seeing as your brother left with your friend already.”

  Wait! Hold the phone!

  With a jerk, I sit up straight. “Miles and Briar left together?”

  Rafe skips up the steps and approaches us, grinning. “So, I found out that they left together already. Ryan said some serious canoodling was happening.”

  “Okaaayyy,” I say with curiosity and slight nausea of the thought of my best girlfriend and my overprotective brother. I pull it together and place a sticky note on my brain to ask about this when I see them next. “Well I guess we need a ride to the hotel.”

  “Both of you?” he asks with slight hesitation. I nod. “Well then. Let me get things settled up with my manager on tonight and I’ll meet-”

  “Actually,” Rafe interrupts, “Thomas is already waiting outside. I texted him a half hour ago.” He winks, steps away and heads back down to the front bar near Ryan, leaving Lincoln and me.

  “Oh,” I mention with a tinge of disappointment. “I forgot about Thomas.”

  “Who's Thomas?” Lincoln abruptly, asks looking concerned.

  I flush. “My driver.”

  “You have a driver?” Lincoln snickers at me...again. This is quickly becoming a habit of his. I haven’t decided if it’s cute or annoying. “Of course, you do.”

  “Yeah. He's been with me since I graduated college and moved to my own apartment two years ago. Daddy thought it was better for me than to be driving around the City on my own. It was a compromise I made with him. I would be okay with having Thomas around twenty-four-seven as long as he didn't have to drive me around in a stupid, giant SUV that all the other rich kids tootle arou
nd town in. I'm not as pretentious as most people think I am. Spoiled, yes. I have a suped-up Audi. But I'm not like the other socialites you hear about. I do everything for family. I compromised for Daddy’s peace of mind.”

  Why am I telling him this?

  “Wow.” He deadpans. “Do your brothers have drivers and suped-up vehicles too?”

  “Umm...” I am so embarrassed. “No. None of them do. Just me and Daddy.” I pause and realize I should stop talking but I can’t for some reason. Damn alcohol. Damn nerves. Damn sexy Adonis.

  Damn it all.

  My fingers start to wrestle with each other as I stare at them. “I must seem like a spoiled brat to you, huh?”

  “Not really.” The half-smile is still settled on his gorgeous face. “You just seem like a girl in a family full of guys who want nothing but the best for you. Miles has told me about you being his only sister and how he babies you probably more than he should.” He looks straight ahead and then quickly back to me. “I can admire that. Do the other women in your family get this treatment?”

  “Well, there’s only me...oh, and Melanie after she married Parker. So, I guess she does too. Parker will do anything for her. She’s his life; has been for a while now. The men in my family definitely know how to protect their women.”

  “Huh.” He pulls his arm from around my shoulders and holds out his hand. “Let me at least walk you to your car.”

  “Sure.” I place my left hand in his. Wobbling a bit, he steadies me by placing his right hand on my waist. He turns me until we’re facing each other, still holding hands. It’s almost like we’re dancing. I look up at him the same moment he looks down at me. Silently willing him to kiss me, I try to use Jedi mind tricks on him.

  No. Wait. I changed my mind. I can't.

  I need space. Space from any feelings of attraction of lust or love or sex or...

  I miss Patrick.

  “I should go,” I blurt out.

  “Of course.” He drops his hand from my waist and repositions our grasped hands so that our fingers intertwine.

  We pass Ryan and Miss Chatty Cathy. He gives me a wink, which did not go unnoticed by the big man. Hayes stops Lincoln, stands on her tiptoes, whispers something in his ear and giggles. Lincoln lets out a short laugh and gives her a quick squeeze around her shoulders with his free arm.

  Odd.

  Who is this effing chick?

  Ryan and I share an unspoken stare while this is happening. Lincoln squeezes my hand, gives Ryan a nasty look and pulls me towards the front door.

  We meet up with Rafe outside. He’s already standing at the car, animatedly telling Thomas all about our adventures this evening in a theatrical fashion. He can be so dramatic at times. Who am I kidding? He’s so dramatic all of the time.

  Before we reach the car, Lincoln stops and spins me slightly so we’re facing each other again. Even in my four-inch heels my head only reaches as high as his chin. My hands land palm down on his rock-hard chest. His arms are wrapped around me like a blanket. In my half hazy state, it takes me a moment to realize that this is happening. Instinctively I slide my arms around his waist. We stand in a loose embrace that feels calm, comfortable and easy.

  Sigh.

  I'm once again hit with the smell of woods, musk, a hint of nicotine and that damn sexual heat. It's like his sexuality is calling out to me.

  Double sigh.

  He pulls in tighter, brings a hand up into my hair and breathes into me. “I just wanted to see what it was like.”

  “What?” He’s broken the spell on my overload senses.

  He loosens up and leans back a bit. “I wanted to see what it was like.” He shrugs and pulls me in again. “Miles says your hugs are the best around.”

  What the shit?

  “And I have to say, your brother is a smart man.” I feel him grin against the top of my head. “No. A fucking genius is more like it.”

  I’m not sure if it’s from the alcohol or my need to be held after my breakup or my obvious spell I’ve fallen under from his magic sexiness, but I can’t let go.

  I should let go.

  I don’t want to let go.

  I’m confused.

  We’ve only just met but this embrace feels like we’ve been hugging each other for decades. I close my eyes and keep inhaling his scent. This sexy voodoo thing is going to kill me. This isn’t good. But at the same time, this is so good.

  He is a sin and I'm going straight to Hell.

  Lincoln leans into me and whispers, “I hope you had fun tonight. Hopefully you could forget some things. Even if it was only for a few hours.” All I can do is stare at his mouth. I still want to bite that bottom lip. He gives me a slow kiss on the cheek. Cautiously, he drops his arms to his side.

  Damn it!

  Miles must have told him about the breakup.

  Damn him.

  What an ass. He needs to keep the goings on of my life to himself. Ugh. Embarrassment hits me once again.

  Thanks a lot Miles.

  I look up at the tree of a man as he leans his head down to me. In this moment, I think he may kiss me.

  I want him to kiss me.

  I can smell a hint of menthol as my subconscious takes over and I step back. Shaking my head, I turn and walk the short distance to Thomas standing at the back door of the car. As I reach him, I hear that sinfully deep voice once more.

  “Grace?” He takes a step back and puts his hands in his front pockets. “Thanks for the hug.” He grins, takes a few more steps backwards. “I hope we cross paths again.” Pulling a cigarette pack from his pocket, he turns and starts walking to the back side of the building.

  Holy mother of pearl!

  And just like that, I have a crush on Lincoln Prescott.

  Chapter Five

  “How’s your burger?”

  “Awesome!” Asher mumbles with mouth full of food.

  After I had gotten home from my night out, Asher and I had decided to walk down to the restaurant on the corner to have a burger. I feel like I haven’t spent much time with him lately. A tinge of guilt washes over me as I watch him scarf down his meal like it’s his last.

  Teenage boys...am I right?

  I shouldn’t have gone out last night. He needs me. Or maybe I need him. Either way, I shouldn’t have gone.

  After a few moments of silence, he says something I was not prepared to hear. “So, did you see Page Six today?”

  “No. Why?”

  “You’re all over it. I saw it online this morning.”

  My phone buzzes in my handbag. I fish it out and look at the screen. It’s Miles.

  “Hey.”

  “Hey, Gracie. I didn’t get to see you this morning.”

  “You didn't say goodbye to me last night either.” No response. Figures. He's a secretive bastard when it comes to his shit, but with mine the vault is always open.

  “Anyway, Rafe and I left early. I wanted to get back to Asher. He’s here with me now. We’re having lunch at The Diner right now.” I know my tone is short, but I really don’t feel like one of his sympathy talks.

  “Something’s wrong. What’s wrong?”

  Breathe.

  “Page Six. What else? I can’t ever have a piece of my life private.” Oh, hell. I need to get out of here. “I have to go. Call me later if you want.” I hang up without giving him a chance to say anything more.

  I make eye contact with the waitress. “Anything else for you two?” the perky young blonde asks.

  “No thank you.” I hand her my black credit card before she can scamper off. “Let’s get out of here.”

  After Asher cleans his plate and I sign for the tab, we exit onto the sidewalk and turn to head the block-and-a-half back to my apartment.

  I can hear them clicking.

  Cameras.

  Damn it.

  “Asher,” I whisper. “Put your head down and hold my hand.” I hold out my hand and he takes it. My picture being taken I can handle, but not Asher’s. He doesn’t
need this. I need to protect him from this. I throw on my oversized sunglasses, Asher shrugs his ball cap lower over his forehead and we go down the street.

  With our heads facing down and fingers tightly woven around each other’s the entire way, we plaster smiles on our faces and dodge the photographers, ignoring the questions being shouted at us until we reach our building. After passing through the front door, Harry quickly closes it behind us to thwart off the leering lenses.

  “Thanks Harry.”

  “No problem, Miss Stratton. Have a lovely afternoon.” He smiles and I start to calm down now that we’re in the safety of the building.

  In the elevator, my phone buzzes again. I'm hoping it's Patrick.

  I miss him.

  Nope. Not him.

  “It’s Daddy. Should I take it?”

  “If you don’t he’ll call us all until he knows your okay. Please save me the call and answer it.”

  “Okay.”

  Breathe.

  “Hi, Daddy,” I force out as chipper as possible.

  “Gracie, are you okay?” There’s a sense of panic in his voice.

  “Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?” I say in high-pitched voice. Why did I even say that? He can read me like a freaking book.

  “I got an alert that the press has wind of the break up and pictures of you out in Jersey City last night. Really Gracie, you need to be careful. And Jersey?” He sounds disappointed in me. “That is the worst place for you to have gone.”

  I let out a sigh of frustration. “Miles planned this night trip with my friends to get me out of the City. Some guy he went to school with owns a club out there and he thought it would be fun. All the big brothers were there to watch me like a hawk. I was fine. I am fine. Stop being so you, Daddy,” I demanded. Quick memories of Lincoln flash through my mind. I can’t seem to stop them.

  Sin. Pure sin.

  “Damn that Miles and his ideas.” He quickly changes subjects. “Well, I’m in Boston right now, but should be home by dinner this evening. Come and have a nice meal with your old man.”