Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 92167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
“Actually,” he drawled as he walked toward her, “I came to find my elusive fiancée and see if she was ready to head home.”
“I’m going home with you?”
She winced over the pitch she hit with that question.
He didn’t stop until he was in her space. Damn it, now she was thinking about him all over her. Tipping her head, she focused on his eyes. Not the dimple he had when he gave her that grin. One that made her think more about orgasms and less about being proper in a community center.
Nope, not focusing on that at all.
“That’s where dinner is. Thought you may want to change first. If not, I’m fine with it. I love you in my clothing.”
She clenched her thighs together at the heat in his gaze when he ran it over her body.
“Where’s Greer?”
“Out at the front desk talking to Tully and Dawson. They wanted to know if it was okay if she came with them now.” He cupped her cheek. “I’m perfectly fine having her at the house for dinner, Emma, if you want her with us.”
“It’s a business dinner.”
“For a community center that focuses on children. She’s part of our life and she is always welcome where we are.”
A twinge punched her heart. What if her baby’s father had felt that way? Where would her life be now? Not in Rock Falls, that much she knew.
Now isn’t the time to think about that loser. Or how we still live in the same state and he hasn’t once reached out about his daughter. Honestly, she didn’t know what she would do if he did, given his response when she’d told him of her pregnancy.
“When is the dinner?” She winced over the edge to her tone.
“Two hours.”
“Wait here.” She went to the door. “Greer.”
Her daughter bounded over to her, smile stretching from ear to ear. “Is it okay if I spend more time with Dawson, Mama? We’re going to let Tully come too.”
Meeting Dawson’s gaze, she mouthed her thanks. “I think you and Dawson will have a great time. Don’t forget to include Tully.”
She hugged her. “We won’t. Bye, Mama.” She stepped back. “Bye, Linc!”
“Bye, Greer. See you tomorrow.”
“Okay!” Greer tucked her hand in Dawson’s and didn’t flinch from Tully when he reached for her other hand.
Emma blinked back tears as she watched her daughter go off with her friends. Greer was emerging from her cocoon and would be ready to fly on her own before she knew it. Turning to the room where Linc remained—right where she’d told him to—she walked in and kicked the door closed before marching up to him. Hands on her hips, she looked up.
“Yes?”
God, he was so tall.
Before she could talk herself out of it, she grabbed onto his shoulders and yanked him toward her as she pushed up on her toes. She slammed her mouth against his and kissed him. No tongue, nothing like that, just lips to lips.
His eyes were wide when she stepped away.
“Thank you,” she blurted. God, had she fucked up the kiss, too? He’d done it so well to her earlier, but this was different.
Linc opened his mouth and she tutted, waving a hand in front of him.
“Nope, not talking about it.”
“Emma.”
“Lalalala. I said not talking about it. Now, help me put up some of these paintings. I have an hour before you need to take me home to get changed.”
“We’re not putting up these paintings.”
“Why not?” She glared at him. “Have you looked at them? They’re incredible.”
“I’ve seen them.”
Emma narrowed her eyes and picked up the one closest to her. Opening it, she noticed the way his gaze slid away.
“Look at me.”
He didn’t.
“Linc,” she insisted. “Look at me.”
“Why do you want these to go up?”
“Because they’re incredible and they’re of Rock Falls. People will recognize them. And art makes people feel good.”
“There’s more than just art to make people feel good.” He tugged on the knot of the shirt she wore, bringing her nearer to him. “Like kisses.”
Her body flushed hot.
“Not talking about it.”
“If we’re putting up these paintings, we’re talking about the kiss.”
“That’s blackmail.”
He smiled. “Business negotiation.”
“Shit still stinks if you call it a bouquet of flowers.”
Linc snorted and took the painting from her. “Do we have a deal?”
“Deal, but we talk while we hang the art.”
He nodded. “Get some pins, I’ll bring the box.”
Surely he didn’t want to discuss the kiss that bad? She got the pins and together they exited his office.
“The one of the bridge here.” She indicated the wall where it would be seen by those coming in the building.
He clenched his jaw. “Fine.” Picking it from the box, he unrolled it and held it up until she nodded. “Pin.”
She placed one in his hand and watched him reach up to push it into the wall. Truly, it wasn’t fair. He moved and it was just a fluid motion, whereas with her, it was a lot of jerking and panting. Not the good kind.