by Jenni Wilder
His nostrils flared, and his eyes roamed over me again.
“God, you are sexy,” he finally said. He stepped closer and kissed me, but it wasn’t the passionate kiss I wanted. “Go make breakfast. I’ll be down in a few minutes.”
I squealed as he slapped me on the behind and I scampered off the bed. Lincoln pulled his jeans on, and I picked up my pajama top, slipped it on and started buttoning it up.
“Hey,” Lincoln said as he came up behind me. “You know it’s not because I don’t want you, right?”
“What?” I spun around to look at him.
“If I had it my way, we wouldn’t get out of bed for days. Believe me, the last thing I want to do right now is take a cold shower. But if I let you touch me, I won’t be able to stop.”
I swallowed hard at his admission. He was looking at me with such love in his eyes. I rocked up on my tiptoes and leaned up to kiss him. I meant for it to be a quick passionless kiss, but the moment our lips touched, the fire was renewed. Lincoln grasped my hips and pulled me close. I ran my hands up his muscular chest and whimpered as his tongue entered my mouth. He slipped his hands under my pajama top and caressed the skin on my back, even my scarred skin.
“Bacon!” Lincoln cried out as he broke our kiss and stepped away from me. He was panting hard. I looked at him confused. “Bacon. Eggs. Toast. Orange Juice. Breakfast. We’re going to have breakfast,” he insisted.
I giggled, knowing he was trying to distract himself.
“For the love of God, get downstairs before I throw you in my SUV, take you to my house, and chain you to my bed.”
I giggled again and scampered out of my bedroom.
“And put some pants on!” he called after me and threw my pajama bottoms out into the hall.
How did I ever think I could stay away from this man? He made me so happy.
~~~~~~~~
Breakfast was ready when Lincoln came downstairs. He was dressed in the clothes he was wearing last night. His hair was still wet, although he must have found a razor and had taken care of his messy beard. It was the smoothest I had ever seen his face.
“Did you use my razor?” I asked him while we were eating at the island in the kitchen.
He turned slightly red and looked at me with a smirk. “Yeah. Is that okay?”
“Fine by me.” I ran my fingers over his now-smooth jawline. He leaned his face into my hand and smiled at me in a way that made my heart beat fast.
We finished our breakfast and discussed what we had done in the week we were apart. Lincoln told me about his games, and I filled him in about how my research was progressing. Lincoln’s phone chirped as we were doing dishes together, and his face fell when he looked at the message.
“Baby, what’s wrong?” I asked. Lincoln’s whole demeanor had changed. He now looked tense and anxious.
He swallowed a few times. “That was Carter… the injunction expired.”
For a second the whole world froze. The tabloid was free to publish my naked, embarrassing, traumatizing picture. I was so stupid. Why didn’t I press charges like everyone had told me to?
I grabbed the edge of the counter for support, and immediately Lincoln was at my side, rubbing my back. “It’ll be okay, baby. I talked to my father yesterday. Please don’t be mad, but I—I had to tell him everything.”
“You told your father about my scars?!” I exclaimed, appalled.
“Yes. I’m sorry but he wanted to know why Carter and I were fighting so hard against this picture being published. He was worried the picture showed us doing something illegal,” he explained. “I had to tell him what the picture was and what it meant, and he agreed it shouldn’t be published. Carter just texted me that he and my dad struck a deal with this tabloid for an exclusive interview and pictures of their home in exchange for hard copies and any publishing rights to your picture.”
I was dumbfounded. “The tabloid agreed to that?”
“I’m sure there was some money exchanged as well,” he admitted.
I pulled away from him and covered my mouth with my hand as my eyes filled with tears. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
He closed the distance between us again. “I didn’t want to upset you if this ended up not working.”
“Lincoln! That’s as bad as lying to me!”
He tried to hug me but I moved back from him. “I’m sorry, Jillian,” he said. He dropped his arms and hung his head.
Good Lord! We had just spent a week in misery because he had lied to me, and now he did it again! I stepped up close to him.
“Lincoln, look at me.” He complied, looking sheepish. “I know you want to fix everything, and I appreciate that so much. I love that you have helped me, and I can’t deny that I’m so grateful you and your family have done this for me. But you can’t hide something from me simply because you think it’ll upset me.”
He was shaking his head before I was even finished speaking. “I wasn’t trying to hide it. It’s not like we had time to talk about it, anyway,” Lincoln said, trying to excuse his behavior.
I glared at him.
“Baby, come here,” he said and pulled me into a hug. “I am sorry, okay? I do understand where you are coming from, but I wasn’t trying to deceive you. I only want to take care of you. I don’t want to fight.”
I wrapped my arms around his waist, and we stood in the kitchen holding each other. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply through my nose. I told myself not to blow this out of proportion. He hadn't lied. He wasn't hiding this from me. Our timing was just bad. Had we been together for the past week, this wouldn't even have been an issue.
“Did you get enough to eat?” Lincoln asked quietly after a while and I nodded. “Are you still mad at me?”
“No,” I answered with a sigh. “How can I be mad at you? I’m sorry I freaked out. This is all new to me too, Lincoln. I’m not used to giving up control and trusting someone. But for you, I will do my best because I just want to take care of you too. I want you happy like you’ve made me happy.”
He groaned and pulled my face up to his, kissing me deeply. He walked me backward against the kitchen counter and lifted me onto it without breaking the kiss.
I parted my thighs and he stepped in between them as I wrapped my legs around his waist, pulling him as close to me as possible. His giant hands squeezed my hips, and I could feel desire building inside myself.
Lincoln ripped his mouth away from mine suddenly and placed his hands on the counter on either side of my legs and, with closed eyes, tried to calm himself.
He opened his eyes and smiled at me before reaching behind him, unhooking my legs, and stepping away from me. “What do you want to do today, Princess?” he asked calmly.
“Well… I thought a certain someone mentioned chaining me to his bed… but I just can’t think of who that would have been.”
“You want to go to my place?” he asked and gave me a dazzling smile.
“Yes, please,” I replied while looking at him with lust in my eyes.
“Thank God.” He pulled me off the counter. “Go pack an overnight bag.” he said and swatted me on the butt as I scampered out of the kitchen giggling.
Chapter Twenty-five
I followed Lincoln to his house in my car. I had packed a bag with several outfits just in case I spent more than one night, which would be fine with me. But I had to work in the morning, and I thought it would be better if I could drive myself instead of relying on Lincoln to take me, even though he had yet to complain.
I stared up at his house in silence after parking my car in front of it. There was nothing I could do to stop the memories from the morning I left Lincoln. This time I was happy, though, and I would not let one fight ruin our relationship.
Lincoln had parked in the attached garage, and as I skipped up the steps to the front door he opened it from the inside with a giant grin on his face. I let my duffle bag fall to the floor as I jumped up and wrapped my arms around his neck. Lincoln hugged me close before set
ting me back down. He picked up my duffle bag and surprised me by lifting my small body up in his arms. I squealed and wrapped my arms around his neck as I lay sideways in his arms.
He kissed me as he walked through the doorway, kicking it closed behind us. “I was so afraid you'd never speak to me again. I never thought I'd have you back here in my arms,” he confessed between kisses.
I pulled my mouth free from his. “Lincoln, I want you so badly.”
He groaned and kissed me again as he dropped my duffle bag on the floor of the entryway. “Oh God, Princess. I’ve missed you so much.”
He carried me down the steps and across his man cave, kissing me passionately the whole way. He took a few calming breaths and set me down once we entered his bedroom. He moved to the desk against the wall and picked up a tablet. After a short while, music started playing. A woman’s slow and sweet voice filled the room as she sang about songbirds and loving someone. I smiled and unbuttoned my coat and set it on a chair near the bed, and I kicked off my shoes.
I thought about Lincoln’s cache of condoms, and my smile grew bigger. We were going to have fun tonight, and I didn’t even feel the least bit ashamed of my scars. I was just glad to be with him again.
My eyes flickered to the nightstand where I knew he kept his condoms and gasped when I saw my terrible picture laying on top.
Lincoln turned when he heard me gasp and was by my side in an instant. “I’m sorry. I forgot I left it out,” he said as if that would make it better.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
“I know you hate this picture, but it’s like an obsession to me. You’re so beautiful.” He paused and looked back at me. “Please don’t be upset.”
“Give it to me,” I demanded, holding my hand out.
Lincoln swallowed hard and stepped around the bed. He met me at the foot of it and held the picture out. I looked him in the eye, and I could see his fear there. He was afraid I would run again.
I exhaled heavily and sat down on the end of the bed with the picture. I traced my fingertips over the scarred skin on the curves of my hip in the picture. “I had worn a new outfit that night. I found a soft pink sweater on sale. It made me feel pretty. On the way to the party, Mackenzie told me how stupid I was to wear a sweater to a frat party.”
I paused, and Lincoln quickly sat down and scooted up to my side. He put an arm around me and held me close. “Jillian, you don’t have to talk about it,” he said quietly.
“I want to tell you,” I insisted. I wanted him to understand.
He rubbed my back and I continued. “We had only been there a short while. A girl from my biology class was talking to me when Mackenzie told me this guy was waiting for me upstairs. I remember feeling excited. Even though I knew nothing was going to happen with him, I felt normal. Just a normal college girl going to a normal party. Not the burned freak from high school anymore.” I sighed.
Lincoln’s muscles tensed, and he pulled me closer to him and kissed the side of my head. “You aren’t a freak, Princess,” he said.
“I didn’t even realize what was going on at first.” I continued as if he hadn’t spoken. “It was so dark in the bedroom. When they started ripping my clothes, I thought I was going to be raped. I tried to scream for help, but being a frat party, the music was so loud no one outside the room heard me.
“Someone turned on a lamp, and I opened my eyes to see Mackenzie standing over me with a look of absolute evil on her face. The flash from the camera was going off, and I realized what she was doing. I tried to cover up, but they had me pinned down. Eventually I just gave up and stopped fighting.” I hunched over on the bed feeling defeated. “It’s just hard to look at that picture and not see the pain behind it. So when you say it’s beautiful, it’s hard to believe. I see ugly scars from burns that took years to heal. I see the pain from three skin grafts. I see a constant reminder that I will never be normal. And I see a pretty pink sweater lying ripped in the corner, reminding me of how stupid I was to trust Mackenzie.”
“Princess… can I tell you what I see?” he asked.
I was apprehensive but I nodded in reply.
“I see eyes that glow with love when you’re talking about your niece. I see lips that taste like peaches and have the power to make me weak in the knees when you smile. I see hips that mesmerize me when you walk and feet that have the daintiest little toes. I’m in so deep with you, baby; I even love your toes,” he said with a small laugh which made me smile.
He reached down and pulled off my socks. I held up my feet and wiggled my toes with the yellow polish on my nails.
Lincoln smiled and grabbed my legs and pulled them across his lap. He ran his hand up my leg before softly cupping my cheek and turned my face up to his. He stared down at me, looking intensely into my eyes.
“Thank you for telling me all this, baby. I know that wasn’t easy.”
“I never thought I’d find someone I could tell that to. I never thought I’d find someone who would want to hear it.”
“I’m so sorry you had to go through that. You’re so strong and beautiful. I can’t ever get enough of you. That’s why I kept the picture, Jillian. I can never have enough of you.” His eyes implored me to understand his viewpoint.
I felt like my heart was going to burst. Lincoln was such an amazing man. I stroked the side of his face lightly with my fingertips.
“I can’t ever have enough of you either, Lincoln.”
“I was so afraid I’d lost you,” he told me.
I shook my head. “I’m sorry I ran from you, but you have to know I’m yours, Lincoln. I will always be your princess.”
A smile as bright as the sun broke out across his face, and he brought his lips down to mine. We kissed passionately, tangled in each other’s arms, sealing ourselves to each other. For the first time in a long time, I felt whole and complete, and it was all because of this wonderful man.
“Let’s shower,” I said to him when our kiss broke. I wanted to pick up where we had left off before I found the picture a week ago.
Lincoln smiled knowingly at me. “I already did,” he said, repeating the words I had said to him the morning after his birthday.
“So?” I replied with a giggle and stood up from his embrace. I walked over to the nightstand and opened the drawer. I set the picture inside and grabbed a condom.
With confidence I didn’t know I possessed, I winked at him and walked into the bathroom, leaving the door open behind me. I reached into the giant shower stall, turned on the tap, and adjusted the temperature. When I was satisfied, I turned around and saw Lincoln watching me from the doorway with an amused expression on his face.
He entered the bathroom and sat down on the edge of the Jacuzzi tub we had used the night of his birthday, which now sat empty. He crossed his arms over his chest and looked at me with an expectant expression.
I began unbuttoning my shirt. I pulled it off and let it fall to the floor. I was wearing a pale lacey camisole underneath which I left on as I moved my fingers to unbutton my jeans. I watched Lincoln’s expression as my jeans dropped and I tried gracefully stepping out of them. I kicked them across the floor so they would be out of the way.
I tried to be seductive as I ran my fingertips up my thighs to the hem of my camisole. I took a deep breath and reminded myself this man had seen me naked before and he still loved me. I pulled the camisole over my head and threw it near my jeans. I looked at Lincoln and saw his expression had changed from amusement to desire. His eyes had become deep and intense and his breathing had quickened.
I twisted my arms behind my back to remove my bra but Lincoln interrupted me. “Wait,” he said in a husky voice. He stood up and pulled his own shirt off, dropping it to the floor. He unbuttoned his jeans and pulled both them and his boxer briefs down, exposing his growing member. He kicked them to the side, mimicking my actions, before sitting back down on the edge of the tub to watch me.
Desire swept through me as I admired his strong
muscles flexing under his tanned skin. My inner muscles clenched with longing for him, and I licked my lips and bit my lower lip as my eyes focused on his hardness. I heard him chuckle softly. I knew he was aware of the effect his naked body was having on me.
I turned my back to him and shimmied out of my panties before reaching behind my back to unhook my bra and let it slide down my arms. I looked over my shoulder and tossed the fabric at him before stepping into the shower.
I was now obscured from his sight by the frosted glass doors; I was sure he could only see the shadowed outline of my body. So I stepped into the flow of water and tipped my head back, letting the water cascade around me. I quickly soaped up and ran my hands over my body alluringly, hoping he was watching.
I was rinsing the shampoo and soap off me when I heard the shower door click. I opened my eyes to see Lincoln standing in front of me. I had enough time before he enveloped me in his arms to let my eyes flick down to see he had already put on the condom. He pulled me tight against himself, and his hardness pressed against my pelvis. His hands roamed over my body as if he couldn’t get enough of me. He palmed my wet breasts as he moved his mouth to my neck, sucking hard.
I wound my arms around his waist and moved them lower to squeeze his butt. I moaned loudly as he tugged at my nipples the same time I squeezed his behind.
Lincoln became even wilder at my reaction and he moved his mouth to my breast. He sucked a nipple into his mouth and licked at it repeatedly.
“Ahhh!” I cried out at the pleasure he was causing inside me. He moved a hand between my legs and lightly brushed my folds with his fingertips.
My knees weakened, and I sagged against him. He dropped to his knees and cupped my butt in his hands as he went down on me. Lincoln licked at my folds and used his lips against my sensitive nub, bringing me to the height of pleasure.
Leaning against the wall and bracing my arms against the walls of the shower, I tried to hold myself up as wave after wave of increasing pleasure surged through me. The feeling of his tongue and lips against my soft folds overwhelmed me.