"It's not that funny," I grumble when she wipes tears, trying to get herself under control again.
"It's hysterical," she says. "You must really like him if he's gotten that far under your skin."
"Do not," I mutter. Except…it feels a little like a lie.
Crap.
"So…serious question," she says, and I can tell by the glint in her eye that she's about to give me all kinds of hell. "Did you get off thinking about him after that kiss?"
My blush answers before I do.Dammit.
"You did!" she squeals. "Was it weird moaning his name since it's also our brother's name?"
"Oh my god." I throw a piece of bacon at her. "I hate you so much for that." I press my hands to my cheeks to cool them. "And I'm pretending that our brother was born using his nickname. There is no other choice. I might actually die if I don't."
"This is the best day of my life," Lucy says, wiping tears.
"I'm disowning you."
She just cackles in response.
"We should just name this section the 'Let's Fuck' section," I say hours later when the bell over the door dings. I'm kneeling on the floor, arranging some of the spiciest books in the store onto an endcap. At least, that's what I'm supposed to be doing. Maybe I'm accidentally reading the steamiest parts instead. In my defense, someone has to make sure they belong on the endcap. Might as well be me. "We can decorate the display with penis glitter and those little cutout dolls in sex positions so people know exactly what they're getting into with these books. What do you think?"
"I have no idea what penis glitter is, but go for it," a deep voice drawls behind me.
I thought the bell dinging was Jazz coming in with our lunch!
I whirl around, confirming that, no, it isn't my bestie with food. It's Lincoln, staring at my ass with a shit-eating grin plastered across his face.
"We're going to pretend you didn't hear any of that."
"Oh, we're definitely not," he says, his smirk growing. "I want to hear all about these sex dolls. What kind of positions are we talking about here? Reverse cowgirl? Doggy style?"
When people claim that they're haunted, I always thought the ghosts were more like the ones fromA Christmas Carol—you know, long dead and see-through, out to scare the shit out of you until you change your ways or die of fright. So…why is mine a hot billionaire with an infuriatingly gorgeous smirk and a heartbeat? I'd like to trade him in on a less annoying model.
"Don't you have other lives to ruin?" I groan.
"Nope, not today."
"Huh. At least you admit that you do ruin lives." I haul myself to my feet and dust my hands off before crossing my arms to stare at him. "I guess even Satan believes in self-reflection."
"I take it I'm Satan in this scenario?" His eyes crinkle at the corners, the green color bright with amusement. "What does that make you, little bookworm?"
"The innocent human you're haunting," I mutter, my voice rife with sarcasm.
"Nah, that's not it." He takes a step toward me. "You're too goddamn beautiful to be just another human."
I smile despite myself. "That might be the cheesiest line I've ever heard, Lincoln."
"It's not a line if it's true."
"Right." I roll my eyes at him. "You're shameless, aren't you? First, you steal my building. Then, you kiss me. Now, you're flirting with me. If you don't pick a lane soon, I may lose it."
His deep chuckle rolls over me, hardening my nipples. God, he really does sound incredible. It's just not fair.
"What do you want, Lincoln? I have work to do."
"Right." His lips twitch. "You have to finish the 'Let's Fuck' section." He saunters toward me, not stopping until he's in my personal space. I plant my feet, prepared for him to try to kissme again. Instead, he reaches behind me, plucking a book from the shelf. One brow lifts as he reads the title. "Claimed by Daddy?"
