“Another chance, Ava. I know things got heated the last time we talked. I said things. You said things… I’m sure you didn’t mean them.”
I sighed and looked up, wondering why I had ever gotten involved with Derek in the first place. Why hadn’t I seen his narcissism, which bordered on psychotic, before I said yes to his proposal? I felt so stupid.
I squeezed the bridge of my nose. “I’m not doing this with you again. And stop watching my apartment.”
“I was worried when I didn’t see you.” He dropped his voice again. “I miss you. Where are you?”
“None of your business.”
“Come on, babe.”
“I told you what I’d do if you didn’t stop harassing me.”
“You think a restraining order is going to?—”
“Please,just leave me alone!” I screeched.
I hung up so fast you’d think my phone was a bomb I had to quickly defuse. My breathing and pulse had sped up a bit, and I had to take deep breaths to calm down. That conversation left me feeling vulnerable. I was tempted to double-check the door to make sure it was locked.
This assignment in LA was a blessing. At least, I was physically out of Derek’s crosshairs for now. A knock on my door almost made me jump out of my skin. “Goodness,” I whispered, clutching my chest. I had to remind myself that Derek was on the other side of the country… or was he?
I spun around to stare at the door with wide eyes. Then I let out a breath. There was no way he knew where I was. Still, I approached with caution to look through the peephole. I snagged my lower lip and nibbled nervously as I watched Lincoln on the other side. He had his hands in his pockets and was staring at the door expectantly.
I opened the door… barely. “What?”
His eyebrows nearly touched his hairline.
“I mean, hi. What do you want? And how did you know where I was staying?” My eyes squinted to suspicious slits. I didn’t need to start a collection of stalker exes.
“Ava, hey. Sorry for dropping by unannounced. I didn’t have your number, and my assistant mentioned where you were staying.”
“Your assistant?”
“Sienna. I believe you two spoke a couple of times.”
Right. She washisassistant. “Why not get my number from her then?”
He rocked back on his heels. “I could have, but I didn't want to risk you hanging up on me.” His eyes narrowed on my face. “Are you alright? You look a little pale.”
That made heat flood my cheeks—which should have solved the pallor problem. “I’m fine.” Incidents with Derek always left me rattled. I could imagine I looked as if I wanted to jump out of my body. “So, did you need something or…?”
Lincoln’s attention flicked to my hand and the death grip I had on the edge of the wood. “May I come in?”
“No.” I winced. That came out too fast and harshly. I’d never made it a practice to be a complete bitch to anyone. “I mean… why?”
He sighed softly, studying me as if I were a skittish kitten.
Right now, maybe I was.
“I just want to talk. That’s it.”
Just talking to Lincoln Ford sounded more dangerous than it seemed… to my heart, that is. Reluctantly, I opened the door wider and stepped back. The first step he took inside made my heart jolt, which was ridiculous.
I studied him in his leather bomber jacket, crisp shirt underneath, and fitted jeans. His sole accessory was a silver watch, which I was sure cost a fortune. His outfit whispered wealth rather than screamed it. Damn, he looked good. The years had been good to him. Too good. I was so annoyed. I mean, just look at the heartbreaking asshole…
He stood six foot five, pure muscle and broad shoulders that pretty much carried his entire football team back in the day. Yeah, I had low-key stalked his career. It was hard not to. He was in my face on TV, magazines, ads… everything. Lincoln hadn’t played professionally in years, but he sure stayed in shape.
I peeked at him through my lashes, admiring his facial structure like I had so many times in the past. His jaw and cheekbones, carved to perfection, gave him the most masculine edge I thought a man could have. His straight nose had a barely noticeable ridge from being broken during a game some time back—I read about it somewhere. His lips still looked as if theycurved into his typical cocky grin by default. I used to love that confident smirk. And his eyes… goodness. They still got a girl hot and bothered. He wasn’t even looking at me in a way that was the least bit sexual, yet my skin got hotter by the second under his penetrating stare.
