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)
He nodded approvingly. “Glad to hear it. These men we’re meeting are very family oriented. We’re on the top floor. Let’s head up.”
They chatted about nonessential things as they rode up the numerous floors in the glass elevator. Linc hadn’t stopped touching her, not that she minded, but she was a bit concerned about how stiff he was.
Outside the room, she paused. The entire thing was glass and she could see all eight of the men sitting at the table, watching them.
“Give me just a moment to say something to my fiancé, Mr. Stevenson, and we’ll be right in,” Emma said.
“Of course, my dear. I’ll have Gladys get us some drinks. Water, or would you prefer something stronger?”
“Water is fine,” Linc said.
The man walked in the room and Emma faced Linc, turning him so they weren’t looking at the waiting men.
“What’s going on?”
He looked at her but she didn’t feel he saw her. More like he was looking through her.
She placed her hand on his torso and dug her nails into him. “Linc.”
That did it. His gaze sharpened and that sexy trouble-maker smirk returned.
“You know I want to feel your nails.”
“Tell me that again, after you finish this. You okay? You’re a bit stiff.”
Yeah, she didn’t have to worry anymore. The smirk on his face let her know he was back.
“I’m good. Or I will be. I just need one thing.”
She ran her mind over everything. She’d not forgotten a single thing on his list.
“What did I forget?” Shit, had she screwed up already?
“I need my fiancée to kiss me and wish me luck.”
She pursed her lips and shook her head. “I’m not wishing you luck because you have this in the bag. You know this proposal like the back of your hand, Linc. They’d be foolish to refuse.”
His lips lifted. “And the kiss?”
She pushed up on her toes, settled her hand against his cheek, and kissed him. His mouth opened and she slipped her tongue in to parry with his, mixing their tastes and wishing they were somewhere she could get more.
God damn this man was dangerously potent. When they separated, both were breathing hard, and he gave her a smile and a wink before reaching for her hand once again.
They walked in to find all nine men watching them with undisguised interest. She didn’t say anything as Linc walked her to a chair and held it for her to sit. Then he put the briefcase on the table next to her. She pulled out his tablet and watched him as he introduced himself.
When he gave her a nod, she rose, smoothed her hand down her dress, and pulled out printed copies of the proposal. She walked them around to each of the men, giving them a small smile as she handed them their own copy. Every single one of them zeroed in on the ring she proudly wore on her finger.
Linc began his presentation and she settled in to watch the man work. Much like when he was on the field, there was nothing but pure poetry and smoothness in his actions. This time it was his words—the passion within them—as he relayed his vision to those gathered.
Even though he wasn’t in his on-field uniform with pants that cupped his ass, or a jersey that showcased his powerful chest and arms, he still mesmerized her. A suit and fancy shoes had damn near the same effect as a baseball uniform or jeans and a shirt.
All she knew, right then, was how lucky she was to be part of this with him.
As Linc continued his presentation, she skimmed the room. There were a few men she thought wouldn’t be signing on. They weren’t paying Linc the barest bit of attention, focusing more on her than him. A couple of them made her skin crawl but she pretended not to notice, hell, she didn’t fidget. She listened and couldn’t help but smile at the passion flowing from Linc.
“How soon do you need our answers?” Charlie Toby posed the question.
She cut her gaze from the thin man with salt and pepper hair to the man beside her, immediately cataloging their differences. Linc checked all the boxes.
Always had and always will.
“Obviously, I would like one as soon as possible, but I know investing is a huge decision and most of you have boards to discuss this with as well.”
Linc shifted next to her and she moved her hand under the table to settle on his thigh. Just a brief touch, but he stilled.
She began pulling her hand away but he grasped it and gave her a squeeze first. Entire body tingling, she regretfully repositioned her hand on the table before her.
Another hour of questions passed and she realized this was not the life for her. Gods, this was boring.
“I think we should let this man and his fiancée get on their way. We’ll have dinner tonight, all of us. My treat,” Mr. Stevenson said. “I’ll send a car to pick you up at seven.”