He smirks some more. I watch as he leans over and grabs a pillow off the bed.
I expect him to turn and walk out of the room. Instead, he suddenly drops in front of me. On both knees.
A million x-rated flashbacks dash through my mind. I can clearly remember what happened the first night he got on his knees and looked up at me like that. The moment had ended with his face buried between my legs as they’d quaked around his head.
But this time, Lincoln simply stretches an arm under the bed and scoops something off the floor. He presents my lacy red panties to me like an offering.
When I think about the way we’d shimmied those same red panties off of my body all those weeks ago, my core aches all over again.
“Thank you…” I say, way too breathlessly.
Lincoln’s eyes blaze as he rises to his full height, towering over me.
“Sweet dreams, future wife…” His voice rumbles as he turns on his heel toward the door. He tries to be discreet as he adjusts himself in his pants. “I know what I’ll be dreaming about.”
24
JULES
I’m seated on the floor of Lincoln’s living room with laptop and sketchbook and snacks spread out on the coffee table in front of me, when Cameron bursts through the front door.
“I’m h-o-o-o-me!” the little boy sing-songs loudly as he runs straight to the kitchen to wash his hands.
“Hey, buddy,” I say with a laugh, already setting aside the new T-shirt designs I’m working on and tucking my pencil above my ear. I get up to follow after him.
I instantly stand straighter when I catch sight of the woman who hovers in the doorway, holding a superhero backpack.
Cameron’s mother.Shit.
I knew that Lincoln’s ex-wife was in town to visit. I knew that she picked up Cameron from school and spent the afternoon at the park with him.
But seeing this gorgeous woman in person now? Here in Lincoln’s home? It’s a little unnerving.
I mean—wow—she’s so pretty. And even though the bags under her eyes make her look tired, they don’t diminish her beauty one bit. I’m not a woman who gets intimidated easily—but again—wow.
It certainly doesn’t help that I currently look like a disaster in a slouchy white T-shirt and ratty sweatpants. I self-consciously smooth a hand over my hair.
“Uh. Hi,” I greet her awkwardly, taking a step forward. “I’m Jules. Julissa. Um, Jules.” Shit—I’m flustered.
She takes a step, shortening the distance between us. “Cynthia. Nice to meet you.”
I shake her outstretched hand and then the room falls silent.
I glance around, wishing Lincoln was here in the living room with me. I’m not really sure how to approach this introduction.
Cynthia is the first to speak. “Cameron talked a lot about you today,” she says, scooting around me and setting the red and blue backpack onto the sofa.
I flinch, hoping he didn’t say anythingtoocrazy. Cameron seemed to like mebeforeI got engaged to Lincoln.BeforeI moved into his home and invaded his space. I’m really hoping to win him over again. But the past few days that I’ve been living here, the little boy has seemed…apprehensive, if nothing else.
“He’s a great kid.” I smile, and I feel another awkward moment closing in on us. “Uh. Give me a second, and I’ll grab Lincoln for you. I think he’s starting dinner.”
“Wait,” she calls out. “Actually, I was hoping to talk to you.”
“Me?” I squeak like a mouse.
She momentarily purses her lips, like she’s getting her thoughts together. “I know this is weird, but would you be willing to grab dinner with me? I thought it’d be nice if we got to know each other a little.”
I blink. “Oh, I…”
