Chapter 27
27
KYLIE
S omething is off with Lincoln right now. He’s been acting strange all week. Not just strange, but kind of rude. He cut me off quickly when I tried to inquire about it. I’m not sure what to make of it. Him being short with me and yet continuing to keep me in the dark with what he’s feeling is starting to annoy me.
I was going to say something to him about it until he asked me to come with him to his parents’ house. The way he looked at me with pleading eyes, it was almost like he was afraid to go. That just doesn’t make sense.
Why would he be afraid to see his parents? Why did he refuse to call his own mother back?
Even now, as we sit in the car on the way to his parents’ apartment on the Upper East Side, he’s stiff and quiet.
I’m internally freaking out. Upper East Side places probably mean old money. I have a feeling I know what I’m about to walk into. What will they think if they ask me about my life? Will they scoff at the knowledge that I just moved out of Harlem only a couple of months ago and that my current apartment is likely the size of their master bedroom?
George pulls up to the tall white stone building. I step out of the car without waiting for anyone to open my door. I’m over that kind of treatment. Call me crazy, but when he does that, I feel like a child who can’t possibly be trusted to do something as dangerous as open and close my own door. Part of it might be me clinging to my upbringing and lifestyle. I stare up at Lincoln’s parents’ apartment.
With Lincoln’s hand on my lower back, we walk into the building. When we get into the elevator, he presses the button for floor five out of twelve.
“Not the penthouse?” I ask jokingly.
He chuckles stiffly. “No, that was a major argument when I got my penthouse. Can’t let the world know I make more money than they do.”
The elevator doors ping and open. So, there’s some jealousy his parents have of his success. That’s odd.
He grabs my hand and pulls me forward, straight to a large door that is propped open. Just walking in, I can see that appearances matter to these people. Everything in sight looks like it cost my entire year’s salary. The chandeliers, the wooden paneling, the furniture—it all screams money.
I glance down at my gray pencil skirt and white blouse. I’m so underdressed for this. All the women I see are in dazzling cocktail gowns with diamonds dripping off of them. One woman in particular has the most gorgeous blonde hair, curled to perfection, and is in a skintight nude dress with clear beading all over. Her tan is perfect, and her makeup looks like it was done just seconds before we walked through the door.
Her eyes look across the room, and she spots Lincoln. I see it in her eyes—the interest. Without hesitation, she excuses herself from the women she is talking to and walks through the crowd until she is right in front of us, though I don’t believe she notices me.
She leans forward and kisses his cheek, dangerously close to his lips. My hands ball into fists, squeezing so tightly that I might pierce my skin with my nails.
“Lincoln,” she says as her hands remain on his shoulders, “I was hoping I’d see you here.”
Lincoln offers a smile in return. “Kate. Nice to see you.”
“Oh, stop.” She smacks his chest. “No need to be so formal with me. We’re much too close for that.”
Yeah, they’ve slept together. She just made that crystal clear. I still stand off to the side like a moron with her clueless to my existence.
He looks past her and must spot someone because his demeanor changes. “I’m sorry, Kate. I need to go say hello to my parents. I’ll have to catch up with you later.”
She smiles up at him like he’s the most important person in this room. “You’d better come find me later.”
He turns to me and nods his head for me to follow him. We walk side by side up to a group of several older people talking and laughing. They all stop the moment we approach.
“Oh, hello, dear,” a slender woman, wearing a cream dress and draped in diamonds, says as she leans in and kisses his cheek.
“Mother,” he replies stiffly.
He nods his head at the man standing next to her. “Father.”
God, this is so uptight and uncomfortable. My skin itches with how weird all of this feels. Are these people always this fake?
“Nice to see you, Lincoln,” a tall man in the circle says. “Pretty impressive numbers you turned out last quarter.”
Lincoln’s mouth spreads into a thin-lipped smile. “Yes, they were. My staff has worked hard to make it happen.”
Everyone in the circle laughs.
“Oh, please. We all know staff can be worthless. It’s the leader’s vision that makes those numbers happen,” Lincoln’s father says. “You need to take the credit for that.”
I try to keep my jaw from hitting the floor at such despicable words.
“I’d like you to meet my assistant, Kylie,” he says as he turns to me with apologetic eyes.
I smile at his parents and extend my hand. “So lovely to meet you.” I shake his mother’s hand first, then his father’s.
“Oh, how nice to put a face to your voice,” his mother says. “Please, call me Delilah. This is my husband, Archer.”
“What are you doing, bringing your assistant to a family event?” his father asks suggestively, no subtlety in his implication.
“We are heading back to the office after this. I have some important deadlines. She’s here to keep me in line and make sure I stick to my schedule,” he replies with venom in his voice. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go find Jace.”
He grabs my hand and clutches it tightly. I don’t know what world I’ve been dropped into, but it feels backward and upside down. I knew the old-money type in the city had a certain way about them, but I honestly thought it was a bit exaggerated.
Instead of finding his brother, we end up at a bar station, situated in the corner of the room with a view of the city behind it.
“What can I get you?” the bartender asks.
Lincoln turns to me. “White wine?”
I nod my head in agreement.
“White wine and a whiskey on ice.”
After we get our drinks, he downs his whiskey in one sip, then places the glass down and asks for another. I look down at my wine, which I haven’t even taken a sip of yet.
“Lincoln,” a woman’s voice says behind me.
I turn around, and another bombshell woman—this one brunette—approaches and gives him a hug.
“Hey, Soph.”
“I didn’t think you’d come.” She pushes his chest.
He opens his arms. “Here I am.”
“Who is this?” she asks as she looks me up and down with a critical eye.
“This is my assistant, Kylie,” he says as he places his hand on my lower back.
“Hi, Kylie. I’m Sophia, Lincoln’s sister.”
“Oh,” I reply, trying to mask my surprise. I didn’t know he also had a sister. “Nice to meet you, Sophia.”
“I didn’t realize Lincoln brought his assistants to family events now,” she says mischievously.
Okay, this was obviously a bad idea. Who knew these people were going to be so forthcoming with their assumptions of the nature of our relationship. One thing is clear: Lincoln does not get along with his family. I can see why he wanted me here with him.
“You made it.” A man appears and slaps Lincoln on the back.
He looks just like Lincoln, but a bit shorter and without such sharp features. It must be Jace.
“Hey. Congratulations.” Lincoln shakes his hand and offers a hug. “I’m really happy for you and Danielle.”
“Thanks, man. It’s been a long time coming. She’s over the moon about planning the wedding,” he says proudly. “Her father already booked The Plaza.”
Just then, a tiny blonde inserts herself in between Sophia and Jace. “Did I hear The Plaza?”
“Danielle.” Lincoln leans forward and kisses her on the cheek. Apparently, a kiss on the cheek is something wealthy people do. “Congratulations, soon-to-be sister.”
“I’m so excited. I hear Jace told you my dad was able to book The Plaza,” she starts up. “It’s like a dream.”
“I wish you two all the happiness,” Lincoln replies as he holds up his glass.
“Who is this?” Jace looks in my direction with interest.
Here we go.
“This is my assistant, Kylie. We actually have to head out soon and get back to work.”
“Nice to meet you, Kylie. I’m sure you live quite the stressful life if you’re this man’s assistant.”
I laugh softly. “I guess you could say that. He keeps me on my toes,” I say as I look up at Lincoln.
He looks down at me with the first honest smile of the evening. Those creases at the corners of his eyes—I could just kiss them.
“I’m not that bad, am I?”
“Have you found Mom and Dad?” Jace asks. “You know how Mom hates it if you dodge her and don’t say hello.”
That instantly takes away Lincoln’s smile. “Yes, I’ve seen her.”
“Kylie, come with me.” Sophia extends her hand. “Let’s get some food and let these two catch up.”
“You don’t have to,” Lincoln interjects.
“Oh, stop acting like I’m bullying her. I’m just trying to give her a chance to breathe from all the stuffiness in the room.”
“I’m all right. Don’t worry,” I tell him.
Sophia pulls me toward a table filled with small bites of food. I would need fifty of these to fill me up. We grab a plate, and I follow her lead.
“Ugh, these all look so good. I’m going to be bad and fill my plate.”
I’m all on board for this, but I’m shocked when I see her put six on her plate. I really am in an entirely different world if eating six mouthfuls of food is being bad. I already stand out in the crowd with my business attire. I’m not going to make it worse by being the woman who eats all the food, so I put the same amount on my plate.
I get a chance to stand and talk with Sophia for a little while. She’s nice enough. I can tell she’s trying to size me up, trying to figure out who I am and just how close I am to her brother. I don’t totally trust her, so I keep my answers short and never insinuate there is anything going on with Lincoln and me.
“Oh, there you are.” Delilah joins us. “I was just talking to Pam about you. Her son, Henry, just broke off his engagement. I told her that he should give you a call. You know how much that family is worth,” she whispers, leaning in.
Sophia’s eyes open wide. “He’s good-looking too.”
I stand quietly, not sure if I should walk away. But her eyes focus on me next.
“Kylie, it’s so good to have you here. I must say, I’m a little surprised. Lincoln never brings his assistants. But I’m so happy he found someone he trusts, whatever your relationship is.”
“Oh, um, we aren’t—” I start, but she cuts me off.
“Don’t worry. I’m not asking you about the nature of your relationship. You know, he just had such a rough childhood. We were so worried about him for so long. But to see him out in the world, succeeding the way he is, despite his issues?—”
“We’re leaving,” Lincoln’s voice demands sternly as his hand takes my elbow. “Goodbye.”
He doesn’t speak a word the entire ride down the elevator, but the tension is palpable. When we get outside, he pulls out his phone.
“I’ll text George. He’s just around the block,” he says curtly.
“What’s wrong? Did something happen up there?” I ask, stepping closer.
He shakes his head. “I can’t believe she was going to tell you. She was going to just blurt out …” he says, then stops and blows out a breath. “Forget it. It’s just … it was stupid to bring you here. I’m sorry.”
We stand in awkward silence while we wait for George. The car pulls up a minute later. Lincoln opens the door, and I hop in first.
“Drop Kylie off, then head to my place,” he instructs George, then lets the divider roll up.
Instead of looking at me, talking to me, he just stares out the window. There’s a layer to this man—a wounded layer that he doesn’t know how to face.
Am I annoyed with this side of him? Yes.
But I also care about him, and I hate seeing him so tortured. I’ll deal with his secrets and attitude later. Right now, I’m going to take away the pain, even if just for a moment.
I lift my skirt up to my waist and straddle him.
“What are you doing?” he asks, eyes lost and far away.
“Forget about tonight,” I whisper as I ground down on his lap.
His breath hitches.
“Forget all of it. Use me instead.”
His hands find my hips, and he squeezes them tightly. There is hesitation in his eyes. I can see his need for control and to escape his thoughts.
I lean forward and brush my lips over his. “I mean it. Take what you need.”
With that, the dam breaks, and his tongue is in my mouth, taking what he wants—what he needs. It’s an all-consuming kiss that holds so much hurt and pain. I scrape my fingers through his hair and move my body against his.
He works to free himself from his pants, and I pull my underwear to the side. When he lines himself up at my entrance, I sink down as quickly as I can take him. The look of pure relief on his face is exactly what I wanted.
“Ride me, Kylie,” he says in a dark voice. “Show me how you can take it all away.”
That’s what I do. I use the handle on the ceiling of the car for leverage and move myself up and down, back and forth, loving the feeling of being in charge. It’s freeing to be in control of both of our orgasms.
He throws his head back on the seat when he’s coming and curses his satisfaction, sending me spiraling into my own release. Then I fall forward and rest my body on top of his, his dick still inside of me. We stay like this the rest of the drive to my place. No words needed.