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His eyebrows shoot up. “Wow. Your mom was…”
“Intense?” I interject. “Yeah.”
The trees open up, revealing Lincoln’s house and the pristine lake in front of it and I sigh. It’s so peaceful out here that you can just forget everything and truly relax.
“Was she like that all the time?” Lincoln asks as he puts the car in park in the garage and I nod.
“Pretty much. She was a complicated woman.”
“Wait there and I’ll come get you,” he instructs as he opens his door and I roll my eyes.
“What did I say about that chivalry thing?”
He pins me with a stare. “Your ass leaves that seat before I get there and I’ll spank it.”
“I might like it,” I shoot back and he grins.
“Noted.”
He rounds the back of the Camaro and opens my door, holding his hand out to me and I grab it as I stand up. We leave the garage and go up to the porch. I turn and look out at the water as he digs in his pocket for his keys, peace settling over me. This is exactly what I needed after that creepy phone call last night and sleeping in the safe room.
“Tate?” Lincoln asks and I spin to find him waiting for me with the door open. “You okay?”
I nod. “Yeah, sorry. My mind started to wander.”
Taking his hand, I let him pull me inside the house and I gasp at the gorgeous, rugged interior that matches him so perfectly. The wall that faces the lake is full of windows, flooding the room with light and I picture curling up on the sofa on a cool day and reading a book.
“This is amazing,” I tell him and he smiles.
“I forgot you didn’t get to see the inside last time. Do you want the tour?”
When I nod, he grabs my hand and starts leading me through the house, pointing out various rooms. The middle of the house is one large open space that houses the living room, kitchen, dining room, and office and there’s a master suite on either side. The office is in the corner by the hallway and sectioned off by three large logs that go to the ceiling. It’s packed with bookcases full of books and I grin as I run my fingers along the titles.
“You like to read?” he asks and I nod.
“Do you not remember the boxes of books you hauled down from my apartment for me?”
He sighs. “Ah, yes. How could I forget? I nearly put out my back.”
“You did not, you liar.” I laugh, smacking his ass and he growls, spinning me around and wrapping his massive arms around me.
“Careful, Darlin’.”
“Why?” I ask, heat creeping up my cheeks as I quietly gasp for air. “I think I can handle you.”
“Why don’t we test out your theory?” he whispers, leaning in until his mouth hovers above mine and I reach up on my tippy toes just as his phone rings and he closes his eyes, letting out a breath. “I’m sorry. Just give me a minute.”
He pulls his phone out and presses it to his ear.
“Yeah?”
His gaze snaps to me.
“Right now?”
Worry creases his forehead and I step forward, laying my hand on his arm.
“No, I can’t.”
