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)
Emma wouldn’t meet his gaze for more than a brief second.
“Hi.” She stepped back, allowing him in. “I just have to get my bag.”
He followed her in and closed the door. “Where’s Greer?”
Her lips trembled. “Already with Dawson. Planning on having a blast while we’re gone these two days.”
He cupped her shoulder, keeping her from bolting. “Are you okay with leaving her?”
“No. But that doesn’t really matter, does it? You told a stranger I was your fiancée and now he’s expecting us both to be there.”
“Emma.”
She squeezed her eyes and opened them once more, holding his gaze. “I can’t put it all on you, I opened my big mouth as well and made it worse. It’ll be fine. I’ve never left her before.” Emma blew out a long breath and nodded. “I’ll be fine.”
He knew how much this woman loved her daughter and it killed him to see her this way. “You don’t have to come, I’ll make your excuses. You can stay here with Greer.”
She shook her head. “No, I’m going. I can handle it.”
“Okay.” He wanted to pull her in and kiss her but didn’t. They had a plane to catch.
…
Emma worried her lower lip as she gazed around the suite they were staying in for their two nights in San Antonio. It contained two rooms and one bed. One king-sized bed. It was incredible and never had she seen anything like it.
Setting her bag on the floor, she walked out onto the balcony and gripped the iron railing. She smiled as she looked at the people milling along the river that snaked below her.
Linc was beside her, not saying anything, surrounding her with his warmth and the comfort he provided. Even if she didn’t want to admit it.
“This is beautiful.”
“Yes, you are.”
She jerked her head up and his gaze, once again, was on her. Emma hated how nervous she was. What if he is expecting sex from me for bringing me? What if he thinks I’m horrible at sex like my ex did? What if he makes me get home on my own? What if—
“Stop it, Emma.”
She blinked and took a shuddering breath. “Stop what?”
“Whatever fucking train crash your thoughts have you on. I’m not expecting anything from you at night. Or day. Nothing other than doing your job, which I know you know how to do.”
Damn him for reading her so well.
“Isn’t my job to play the adoring fiancée?”
He put them nose to nose. “You are one.” Linc cupped the back of her neck and dragged his fingers along her skin, reminding her how hypersensitive she was to this man’s touch. Her nipples drew taut and she damn near rubbed against him.
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.” His voice never wavered.
“I don’t want to let you down, Linc. I know how important this is to you.”
“You’re not going to let me down, Freckles. You came across the country with me, left your daughter for the first time, all because I needed you.”
She tried to smile. “You needed someone.”
His fingers pushed up into her hair and tugged. “No, I need you.”
If only. “Needed,” she corrected.
Linc shrugged. “Your word, not mine.”
“Is this where the meeting is?” She had to focus on something other than how damn good his fingers felt running through her hair. As well as how he used need in the present tense instead of past.
“No, we’ll be going to Mr. Stevenson’s building.” He tucked her against him as they stood out on the balcony. “Across town.”
“Why are we not staying closer? Wouldn’t it be more cost effective to not spend money on a taxi for a longer distance?”
She should pull from him and put space between them but Emma didn’t move. She couldn’t bring herself to do so. She loved being up against him. Having his strong arms around her.
“We’re staying in this area because I thought you might like exploring the River Walk and getting some things for Greer. I have a driver who will take us where we need to go.” He slid his hand to cup her cheek and make sure she was looking at him. “This is a business trip, Emma. However, we are allowed to have some fun while we’re on the trip. We meet Mr. Stevenson tomorrow, so tonight is ours. We can do whatever you want.”
Bed. No clothing. Off the wall sex.
Her phone rang and she moved away from him and hurried to answer it.
“Hello?” She knew it wasn’t Dawson about Greer as she’d given her friend a unique ringtone. She’d not recognized the number when she picked up the phone.
“Ms. Henricksen?”
“Yes?” In the doorway leading out to the balcony, she saw Linc watching her, eyebrow up in a silent question. She shrugged in return, not sure who this was.
“My name is Adam Savaglio.”
Her heart thundered in her chest. That name she knew. One of Linc’s old teammates. A man he wouldn’t talk about. Granted, he had never spoken to her about his ball days.