"No need," he says, straightening. "I'm just heading out." His gaze lingers on mine for a moment. "I'll pick you up at seven."
I nod silently, my tongue skating across my bottom lip.
Jazz just gapes between us as he strides out the door, leaving the bell jingling overhead.
"He'llpick you up at seven?" she practically shouts as soon as he's gone. "What the fuck did I miss, Lilah?"
My defeat, I think. But I don't say that.
I don't even know where to begin.
Chapter Five
Lincoln
"Fuck me running," I breathe, coming to a dead stop in the middle of the bookstore when Lilah materializes from behind the counter, looking absolutely fuckable.
She's changed clothes since I was here this afternoon. Then, she was in jeans and a T-shirt that said something aboutspreading pages. I don't know. I was more focused on how hard her nipples were behind the words than on the words themselves.
She isn't wearing a T-shirt now. Instead, she's in a slinky red dress that hugs her curves, showing off more skin than should be legal. Every inch of her golden skin glows in a way that has my dick wedged against my zipper. Her hair is all soft and curly around her face. And I don't know what she did with her makeup, but she looks like both a siren and an angel at the same damn time, with pouty red lips, smoky eyes, and pink cheeks.
"You're early," she says, giving me a nervous smile.
"Couldn't wait," I growl, stomping across the space separating us. I want to haul her into my arms and kiss her lipstick off, but I promised to be on my best behavior. I suppose I should actually try to follow through, right? Goddammit. I wrote my own death sentence here.
A soft laugh whispers from her lips, tightening my balls. "That hungry, huh?"
"Starving." And I don't want food.
I reach for her hand, drawing her out from behind the counter. Christ Almighty. If those heels aren't leaving imprints in my back tonight, I may actually commit crimes against humanity.
Her gaze drifts down my body, her expression full of humor. "I would say you clean up nice, but I'm not actually sure you own anything other than fancy suits," she teases. "Do you?"
"Probably not," I admit, spinning her in a circle. "You look ravishing."
"Surprised?"
"Full of regret."
She shoots me a questioning look.
"I'm taking you out in public, and other men are going to look at you. I'm regretting my choice already, Lilah. I'd rather keep you all to myself."
"Too bad." She smirks at me, her expression soft. "You promised to feed me."
"And don't keep her out too long!" someone shouts from the back. "I know where you work!"
"Worry about yourself, Jazz!" Lilah shouts back, shaking her head before she meets my gaze.
"I'm not the one having dinner with the devil!" Jazz yells, making me chuckle. "I told you to sleep with him, not date him!"
Lilah just shrugs and grins when I look at her, as if she isn't the least bit sorry that her friend thinks I'm the devil. The little minx probably isn't sorry. She doesn't trust me. Clearly, her friend doesn't either. I have my work cut out for me here if I'm going to change their minds.
"Are you ready?" I ask.
"Yeah." Lilah leans over the counter, giving me a great view of her ass, and then straightens with a clutch in her hands. "I'm ready."
I place my hand on the small of her back, leading her out to the SUV. She shivers when I help her inside, but doesn't say anything. She doesn't speak at all until we're on the road, heading away from downtown.
