“You’re kicking me out?” Lincoln rolled so he was half on top of her. “After all the work I did today, you’re going to make me get in my car and drive an hour home?”
Sadie rolled her eyes. “It’s an hour; I’m sure you can handle it.”
“You really want me to go?” he asked, pressing his lips to her collarbone and trailing a path across her neck.
No. No she did not. Her insides were still humming from her most recent orgasm, and what she really wanted to do was cuddle into Lincoln’s chest and nuzzle herself into a nap.
She was smart enough to see what a terrible idea that was. It had been one day and she was already having a hard time keeping herself emotionally distant. It wasn’t her fault. She blamed it on their history and her hormones swirling together, but it still didn’t change that they could never be together.
Not that she wanted them to be together. If there was anyone she’d choose to get in a relationship with, it wouldn’t be someone from her past.
It certainly wouldn’t be someone with such close ties to the world she used to live in.
As soul-bending as it was to sleep with Lincoln, she needed to keep some distance.
Emotionally, she amended.
Sadie maneuvered out from under him, sat up, and grabbed for her shirt hanging off the post at the end of her bed.
“You didn’t answer the question,” Lincoln said.
She looked over her shoulder to see him sitting up and watching her.
“You should go.”
Was that the same as wanting him to go? She wasn’t sure. Lincoln sighed and Sadie kicked herself for ruining a perfectly good moment. They could have laid in bed for a while. Maybe eaten in bed and watched some television.
Her insecurities were running amok and weren’t doing her any favors.
“I don’t want to get into anything serious with you,” she told him. “I like you. I really do. I always have. But neither of us are stupid.” She turned to look at him. “It’s obvious that whatever it is between us can’t ever turn into something serious.”
“So you keep saying.”
“I’m just trying to put some distance between us so we can make room for reality.”
“The reality that we can’t ever have a relationship? Because I live in Boston and you live out here?”
“Because I’m me,” she corrected.
“I like that you’re trying to protect me,” he admitted. He turned to face her and his body shifted.
Sadie’s eyes zeroed in on his crotch and Lincoln snapped the sheet over himself. “I’m not a piece of meat,” he said, jokingly prim.
Unable to stop herself, she laughed, and he took advantage, swooping in while her guard was down and pulling her onto his lap.
“Stop protecting me, Sadie. I’m a big boy. I’m not scared of what other people might say. To be honest, I don’t care what they say. It means nothing to me.”
“It means something to your family. Your business,” she pointed out. “It’s a pretty small circle, Lincoln. You know it and I know it. If word gets out—”
“It’s not as bad as all that,” he told her. “You’ve been gone a long time. What makes you think anyone even still cares?”
“What makes you think they don’t?”
Every few months she got requests for interviews from news outlets, all of them wanting to do stories on the heiress that murdered her nanny. Her history was public fodder. That was all well and good, but she would do everything she could to keep her current life as private as possible.
“Let’s make a deal, okay?” he said.
“You, with the deals again.”
“I told you, I’m good at them. No more pushing me away. You want boundaries? I can do that. I’m all for it. But please, stop pushing me and pulling me. You promised me no games. I want you. You want me. Let’s spend some time together.”
“And? I’m waiting for the deal part.”
“You let me worry about what people are going to say about me. I make big decisions every day. Decisions that have the potential to cost people millions of dollars. I’m not even remotely concerned what my mother’s bridge club might talk about when they get together.” He spoke over her when she opened her mouth to speak. “You don’t want anyone to know, I understand. I won’t say anything to anyone. We don’t have to go where anyone we know will see us. We’ll keep it quiet and private. To be honest, I prefer that to the club openings and events your brother likes.”
She knew that about him. She’d rarely seen his face in the social pages where her brother was a regular.
“We’ll be as private as you want. Here’s your end of the deal—you ready?”
She nodded.
“Give us a chance.”
What was a woman supposed to do when the man she’d always loved asked for a chance? She’d never been good enough for him, had never even been on his radar. Now, suddenly, he was attracted to her and wanted some kind of relationship.
Was there a way to turn him down?
Would she want to?
No, that would be ridiculous. As long as they could keep their relationship private and out of Boston’s ear, she’d be okay.
Maybe.
“No gossip,” she confirmed. “No cameras or gossip pages.”
“I hate that shit just as much as you do,” he said. “I have no desire for anyone to read about my personal life over their morning coffee. You want private, we’ll do private. But I want you, Sadie, and not just in bed. I’ve always wanted you, I told you that. That’s never been my problem but we’ve never gotten any real chance to spend any time alone together until now.”
“I wasn’t always the best company,” she said.
“Neither was I,” he admitted. “But now that we’re adults, I find you utterly fascinating.” He pushed a strand of her hair away with his fingers. “There’s nothing I want more than to spend some time with you without the threat of you kicking me to the curb looming over us. Can we take that off the table?”
“Done,” she said, her voice shaking.
“How about the ‘nothing serious’ clause. Can we reword that?” he asked.
“It’s been less than twenty-four hours and you already want to renegotiate our relationship?”
“I’ll take a small victory that you’re willing to use the word relationship but yes, I would,” he said, kissing her chin.
She got the distinct feeling he was trying to butter her up.
“And this rewording?” she asked as his lips traveled along her chin and down her neck.
“Monogamous with the possibility of serious in the future.”
There was no way it could ever work.
Just last year her father’s business had taken a hit when one of his foreign clients found out about her story. Turns out he was a large benefactor to an anti-drunk-driving campaign. Once he learned about Sadie and her past, he pulled his products from her father’s store.
Lincoln and Brady’s clients were worth far more than her father’s. Keeping her distance, changing her name, had all gone a long way to separate herself enough so she wasn’t associated with them.
A serious relationship with Lincoln could never happen.
The old Mercedes reared her head then, possessing Sadie with an impetuousness she hadn’t shown in a long while. She childishly crossed her fingers behind her back.
“Deal.”
9
The following weeks cruised by in an easy blur. Sadie and the dogs found refuge from the summer’s heat, in the pool most days, while Gordon stayed with Lincoln in the city.
Lincoln had finally enrolled Gordon in doggy daycare and he seemed to be doing well. At least he hadn’t been destroying anything. They’d settled into a casual routine, Lincoln spending his entire weekend at Sadie’s, Gordon in tow. They spoke on the phone most nights, their conversations ranging from music and movies to politics and business.
It was interesting, she thought, when the topic of family came up. Lincoln had a much be
tter grasp on her family dynamic than she had on his. When she talked about family obligations, he often replied with I know because he was so close with Brady. When he spoke about his family, she was usually surprised, caught off guard by how little she really knew the Greenes.
Fourth of July quickly approached and Sadie dreaded Lincoln’s impending visit. All week he’d been asking her if she’d spend the long weekend in the city with him. Everybody, who was anybody in Boston, would be on the Cape over the holiday weekend, both of their families included. He wanted her to come to the city and stay at his place. While she’d hedged and given him mostly non-answers, Lincoln was seemingly taking her indecision as a yes. Which would be why she was currently standing in her bedroom over a half-packed suitcase, unsure of what to do.
Aggie and Lola were packed to go to Brenda’s for a few days. Her grandson was visiting and she’d insisted they’d be thrilled to have the two dogs. Cocoa was ready for a weekend with Gordon exploring the city.
Sadie sighed as she threw a tank top in her bag. She had definite reservations about being in the city, the possibility of running into old acquaintances a concern.
More than that, she’d caught herself a few times looking forward to strolling through a city park and doing a bit of people-watching. She’d snapped her laptop closed with a huff when she had the urge to search for good restaurants in Lincoln’s neighborhood.
How did she paint herself into such a beautiful corner? She’d always loved living in the city but had, over the years, come to wonder how much of that love was really her memory of being held in such high regard. She’d been a horrible person, shallow and mean, but none of that had mattered when it came to her net worth. That was what her social circle judged people on and she’d been on top.
She knew her friends hadn’t been the real deal. Hell, they’d all scattered like roaches the second she’d been put in handcuffs, and she wondered if her nostalgic memories of living in the city were the same: clouded by the veil of being wealthy and recognizable.
Lola let out a deep bark from the living room, followed by a growl. Sadie tilted her head, her brow furrowing as Cocoa followed suit. It was not their usually friendly welcome to Lincoln, and Sadie was even more confused when Aggie took up residence by her side, the fur on her back standing up. Sadie rushed to the window, heart in her throat when she saw the young man standing in her driveway.
She checked her watch as she hurried to put the dogs in their crates. She had to get rid of him before Lincoln showed up.
Cocoa and Lola did not go quietly, both of them bucking and fighting as she shut them in.
“Just a minute,” Sadie cooed softly. “It’ll all be just fine. You’re okay.”
Not fooled by her demeanor, they both still fought the confines of their cages, the sharp banging on the door not helping. At the sound, both dogs barked incessantly, a warning for the person on the other side of that door.
Aggie, not as riled as the other dogs but clearly on guard, did not go near her crate. She looked at Sadie with clear eyes, focused on standing guard by her master’s side.
“Heel,” Sadie told her firmly, the dog taking her place dutifully.
When she swung the front door open, she sucked in a surprised breath at how different he looked. He looked far worse than when she’d seen him last, haggard and a bit old. He was only six or seven years younger than she was; he should have been in his prime. If she had to guess by the smell of him, alcohol was taking a heavy toll on his body. He was exceptionally tall, at least six and half feet, though he was not what one would consider muscular. Lean and mean were two words that he embodied.
“Mercedes,” he greeted with a sneer.
When Cocoa and Lola’s barking intensified, Sadie stepped onto the front step and shut the door behind her. He didn’t budge an inch, standing intimidatingly large in front of her.
“Those fucking dogs are a menace. I’m surprised no one’s called the cops on you.”
There was nothing wrong with her dogs other than the fact that they hated Connor Page. Every time he set foot on her property they went ballistic. They were good judges of character.
“You weren’t supposed to come until next week,” she told him, barely hiding the quiver in her voice.
“Well, I’m here now.”
“I don’t have anything ready,” she said with wince.
With a quick strike, he punched his fist past her face, hitting the clapboard siding of her house. It was so fast, she barely had time to squeeze her eyes shut, the air from the movement stirring her hair.
“Get it ready,” he growled, menace coming off him in waves as he stood over her.
Usually he came once a month but he’d just been by a few weeks before. His visits were increasing and she knew she wouldn’t be able to keep up with his new schedule.
“Connor, you were just here,” she tried to reason. “I don’t have the money right now.”
“Do you think I’m stupid?” he asked, his voice low.
Aggie took exception to his aggressive stance, growling deeply.
He looked down at the dog as if she was nothing more than a bothersome fly.
“You think these dogs can protect you out here?” He narrowed his eyes. “You get me my money or the next time I show up it’ll be with a bowl full of antifreeze.”
She did not take Connor’s threats lightly.
Fear made her stomach turn and her hand shook as she reached for the door.
“Give me a minute to see what I have left.”
“Invite me in, Mercedes. I’m sure we could take some cash off the top if you’re willing to work for it.”
She was almost sure the face he was making was meant to be sexy, but all she saw was the hatred he had for her. His sister Dani’s face flashed before her, that moment as she sailed over the hood of Mercedes’s car. He had good reason to hate her.
His parents had taken the money they’d received from the civil suit after Dani’s death and had been using it for purely philanthropic purposes. Connor, on the other hand, felt he deserved something for his emotional trauma. Sadie remembered seeing him in the courtroom during her sentencing, a teenager, eyes red-rimmed but stoic. When she put herself in his shoes, she could see his point.
Things had started off small; he’d asked for help buying books at college or help paying tuition. Those were things Dani would have wanted for him and in that spirit, Sadie had gone along with it.
Over the last few years things had taken a turn, and Connor had dropped any pretense on why he needed money. Sadie had it and he wanted it, it was as simple as that. He preyed on her sense of guilt and she continued to pay him, hoping he’d finally use the money to get back on his feet.
Without a word, she shut him out on the front steps.
“Shhh.” She gestured to the dogs to settle down. “It’s okay.”
Sadie raced up the stairs and took out the small lockbox she kept under the bathroom sink. After using her fingerprint to open it, she took out five thousand dollars. She just wanted to get him some money and get him out of her hair. She hoped half of his usual fee would suffice.
Cash in hand she joined him back on the front steps, leaving an unhappy Aggie inside.
“I need more notice, Connor. You can’t just come by like this.”
He pursed his lips and glared at her. “You keep making the mistake of thinking you’re the one in control here, Mercedes. You killed my sister. You took her from me and ran her down like a fucking animal with your car. I lost everything because of you. My parents practically gave up on me because they were so heartbroken. I was left with nothing because of you, and you think you get to tell me how this is going to work? This works the way I say it does. I come when I need money and you give it to me. You’re a murderer, Mercedes. Did you forget that?”
“Not for one second,” she choked out.
“Good,” he said. “I don’t ever want you to forget it. Your money might have paid for a light sentence but I’m he
re to remind you of what you did. You aren’t running this show. I am. You still have a debt to pay for taking a life and I’m going to get my payment, one way or another.”
After his parting shot, Sadie watched, her hands shaking at her sides, as he stomped off the steps and hustled to his car.
As fate played an ugly trick on her, Lincoln pulled in at that moment, parking next to Connor’s car as the other man peeled out, his tires kicking up a cloud of dirt.
When the dust settled, Lincoln stood in the open door of his car, looking up at her, concern written all over his face.
“You okay?” he asked, his voice calm and even as he approached.
She was sure it was clear she wasn’t okay. Her face felt stiff and there were beads of sweat on her upper lip. She nodded, more out of habit than anything else.
“Who was that?”
His hands were in his pockets, and he gave off a casual vibe, like he was just making conversation but there was an intensity in his gaze. He assessed her as if he was trying to see through her. She wondered what he was thinking. Probably wondering if she was sleeping with Connor. She could see where the situation might look suspicious but there was no good way to explain anything. Her guilt had locked her into this mess and she wasn’t sure anyone would understand.
Connor was right in so many ways. She’d gotten off easy compared to Dani, compared to the entire Page family. Didn’t she owe them more?
“Sadie?” Lincoln said.
“Just a friend,” she lied. “He was in a hurry.”
He raised his eyebrows in surprise. Not that she actually had a friend but probably that she was such a terrible liar. If that was the case, he didn’t call her on it.
“Sure left in a rush,” he commented, stepping closer.
The lingering cold from Connor’s visit thawed the closer Lincoln got. When he put his hands on her shoulders she sagged into his chest, relieved.
“You’d tell me if you needed something, right?” he asked as his arms wrapped around her. “You’d tell me if you were in trouble.”
She nodded, not daring to voice the lie out loud.
Aggie barked from inside, the noise so startling she jumped. Lincoln held her at arm’s length, inspecting her.
No Love Left Behind (Boston Billionaire's Club Book 1) Page 11