Linc greets me in baggage claim with the biggest smile on his face. He can hardly contain himself as he sweeps me off of my feet with a full spin, my hands releasing the hold on my small bag in favor of his cheeks. His handsome face is covered in two days’ growth, ticklish beneath my palms. My enthusiasm is rewarded with a bone-melting kiss and firm squeeze to my behind. I allow myself to drown in his arms and this warm kiss without an ounce of shame or care in the world to who might be watching our public display.
“God, I missed these lips.”
“I missedyou,” I say.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” he whispers between kisses, kneading my ass once more before lowering me to my feet. My heart floods with warmth at his words and the underlying need laced within them.
We’re in our own little world, his eyes holding mine in a way that should only be reserved for the bedroom. When he finally releases me, I look around to find we have garnered an audience. I smile up at him sheepishly.
“Excuse me, Lincoln Cole?”
Linc reluctantly drags his eyes from mine to land on a stunning brunette with a star struck look on her face.
He smiles at her, and I swear she dissolves into a puddle at his feet. Hesitantly, she holds out a pen and the latest copy of a popular music magazine with his gorgeous face on it. “Ca—can I have your autograph please?”
With a short nod and a wink, he scribbles his name across the glossy mag.
She blushes fifty shades of red before gathering enough courage to ask for a picture. “Would you mind?” she asks, handing me her phone. Linc gives me an apologetic look as he drapes his arm around her shoulder.
“There ya go,” I say, handing her back her phone and reaching for my bag on the floor.
“Thank you so much,” she squeaks out before scurrying off.
I blink, wondering how often he’s bombarded with such requests. But then I mentally shake myself. He’s famous for crying out loud. He probably gets this all the time.
“Well, that wasn’t weird at all,” I tease.
Linc shrugs, crimson staining his cheeks. He tries to hide his embarrassment by turning away from me. “I’m used to it.”
I don’t think anyone could ever get used to that.
He collects my luggage from the carousel and threads his fingers with mine, leading me out to the parking lot.
“I guess I’m gonna have to get used to women drooling all over you, huh?”
He keeps his eyes focused forward. “They’re just fans.”
“Pretty sure guys don’t gush like that when they meet you.” He doesn’t respond. I tug his hand, making him stop. “Hey, it’s okay. It’s just gonna take some getting used to is all.”
He pulls my hand to his mouth. “There are a lot of things about me you don’t know, Syl. Who I am in Grandeur is not who I am here. But only you know the real me.” He looks almost scared. “I want you to always remember that.”
Raising my other hand to touch his face, I rise up on my tiptoes to kiss his lips. “I know.”
His forehead touches mine. “What did I ever do to deserve you?”
“I ask myself the same question every single day,” I whisper, kissing his lips.
Linc’s mouth is warm and tender. “Meant to be,” he murmurs, and I melt all over again. “C’mon, I want to get you somewhere private so I can show you how much I’ve missed you.”
After several more feet, we come to a stop in front of a souped-up King Ranch. It’s a sparkling pearl white with shiny chrome wheels and blacked-out windows. A far cry from his old pickup back home.
“Nice truck.”
“Shit, this old thing?” He grins. Linc is not the type of person who would ever let money go to his head, so I’m not surprised by his modesty.
He can’t stop smiling as he maneuvers through rush hour traffic, that roguish smile doing wonderful things to my heart.
Holding my hand, he lifts it to his mouth. “I’m so damn happy you’re finally here.”
