When I fumble again, seriousness enters her voice. “What’s your deal, Lincoln? Is everything okay?”
“I…I just…” I let out a heavy sigh.
I take a moment, looking at my reflection in the dark hotel window. All I see is a lonely hypocrite.
I should make the excuse that I’m worried about this business deal. I should lie and tell her that things are looking shaky. That it’s got me all out of sorts.Or better yet, I should try to have some self-respect, say good night and let her get offthe damn phone. But that’s not what comes out when I open my mouth.
“Fine. I miss my wife.”My fingers rake through my hair.
There’s a long pause before Jules whispers, “Hold on.”
The phone goes quiet for a long moment. The longer she’s silent, the more nervous I get.
Did I say too much? Am I crossing too many lines? That crumpled contract sitting in my desk at home comes to mind.Yeah. I’m definitely overstepping our neatly-typed boundaries.
I hear a faint, muffled sound, and I strain to hear more. “Jules?” I ask, but she doesn’t answer. I can’t figure out what’s happening.
Then, my phone buzzes suddenly. Confused, I look down to see that Jules is requesting a video call.
Video?Shit.
I fumble with my phone, nearly dropping it as I try to tame my messy hair and straighten my wrinkled shirt.
Worried that I’m going to miss the call, I quickly hit ‘accept’. And when I do, the breath rushes from my lungs.
There on the screen, in vivid HD, is Jules spread out in lacy black lingerie. On my bed.
Yeah. I’m definitely missing my wife.
35
JULES
“My god. You look so perfect, babe.” There’s reverence in Lincoln’s eyes as he stares at me through the phone screen.
And,babe? Oh my god…He called me ‘babe’. He almost sounds like he means it.
My heart is pounding as I’m propped up here against his pillows. Awareness washes over my skin. I’d almost chickened out a dozen times as I’d slipped into this lacy underwear and locked the bedroom door. As my finger had hovered over the video button, I’d almost changed my mind and ended the call.
But my desire for Lincoln had been too strong.
Because the truth is, I’ve been missing my husband all day. And, the way he’s looking now? That hunger in his eyes is so damn validating. It’s scary how much I’m growing to want his approval these days. It’s terrifying how much time I spend wanting him to want me. The physical distance between us right now only highlights how incessantly I’ve come to want him around.
“Tell me again that you miss me…” My own words surprise me. Hell—they shock me.
I don’t know what gives me the guts to say that. Maybe it’s the glass of wine I had after dinner. Maybe it’s the hundreds of miles between us that gives me the courage to ask for the words I want to hear. Or maybe it’s the fact that no man has ever cracked me wide open the way Lincoln Raines does.
I’ve built my whole persona around not needing anyone. I’m fiercely independent. I stand on my own feet. That’s what I’m known for.
But with Lincoln, I’m realizing that, risking his rejection is what requires vulnerability. Asking him to see me—toreallysee me—is what takes courage.
His cheeks seem to pinken when I make the request. He clears his throat. And for a moment, I fear that he’ll shut me down, remind me that our marriage is a sham, and that I need to keep my silly little fantasies in check. But then, I watch him settle against his pillows, getting comfortable, and he says, “I miss you, Jules. I’ve missed you all day.”
I can’t help the smile that tries to creep up on me. I fight my hardest. But I lose.
With the way he’s holding the phone, I can’t see anything past his toned biceps. Still, he’s the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen. That tousled hair. Those penetrating eyes. The wide, wide shoulders. He’s quite literally breathtaking.
“What do you miss about me?” I prod him.
