CHAPTER SEVEN
Everly
W arning Bells!! Red Flags!!
What am I doing? I should just walk out of here and not look back. I knew things were too good to be true. And to think I just endured getting my own flesh being ripped off my body to cleanse itself from unwanted hair.
Could she be just a client? She looks so familiar, but I can’t quite put my finger on it.
It would be right to give him the benefit of the doubt but after the little stunt Linley just pulled, I’m hesitant.
She seemed a little too familiar with Linc to just be a client, but I guess I’ll find out over lunch.
We walk together with our hands entwined, because Linc refuses to release his hold on me, through the revolving glass doors of his building and out in the LA sun. It’s a beautiful day out and I’m hoping that it wasn’t just ruined.
“Where would you like to eat lunch?” He asks, placing sunglasses on to shield his eyes.
He looks amazing in a fitted dark gray suit and tight black shirt underneath. He’s got a slight stubble on his face that makes him even more handsome.
“I guess that depends on how much time you’ve got to eat,” I offer as we stand on the curb as people stroll by us.
“The rest of the day is all yours, angel. I’m at your mercy.” He bends down a touch like he’s bowing to royalty, and I can’t help the laugh that escapes my lips. He really is funny sometimes.
“I hope you’re adventurous when it comes to eating.”
“I’ve got a stomach of steel!” He pats his belly then grabs for my fingers again. “Lead the way.”
We walk down a few blocks to the small park where the parking lot is full of people on their lunch break.
Linc has taken off his suit jacket and rolled up his sleeves, bearing his muscled forearms. I’ve touched over almost every inch of this man’s body and have each part of his glorious frame memorized after Saturday’s massage.
As we approach the park, Linc is still looking around trying to figure out which restaurant we’re going to, and I hope he’s not too disappointed in my choice.
I know he’s used to the finer dining and mainstream eating establishments and there’s nothing wrong with that; it’s just sometimes your body needs some hearty junk.
“Well, are you in the mood for tacos, waffles or maybe turkey legs?”
Linc’s eyebrows crease as he ponders over my selections.
“Are we headed to a carnival?” he questions, and it makes me laugh.
I wave my hand over to the food trucks at the park and his mouth drops open, then closes like a fish.
“I… we… ah,” I think for the first time ever I’ve just shocked him speechless.
“Ever eaten off a food truck before?”
“Is it even safe to eat that food? Aren’t there like rules and regulations about this?” He continues to stare over at the truck, completely missing the line of people who enjoy this every day.
“It’s not as bad as you think,” I coax. “And I thought you said you liked to do adventurous things?”
“Not as bad? Don’t people get food poisoning from these places? I can see the growing number of lawsuits as we watch them stuff their faces, Everly,” he says so matter of fact.
Now I do erupt in laughter that makes others turn towards us.
“Don’t knock it, till you’ve tried it. Come on, don’t be so judgmental, food trucks are under health code regulations too.”
I’m dragging Linc across the parking lot, getting in line at the taco truck. Saylor and I come here and eat when we can, they have the best tacos. Once we’ve made it to the front of the line, I order four tacos and two waters.
“I’m not looking forward to getting my stomach pumped in a few hours,” Linc grumbles, snagging some napkins.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be right by your side holding your hand if you do,” I say and nudge the taco towards his mouth as we sit under a shade tree having a makeshift picnic.
As the first bite is chewed and swallowed, Linc seems to finally come around. His eyes roll back as he hums his appreciation for them.
“Oh my God, that’s good. That’s really good.” He continues to stuff his face and hum after every bite. “How did I ever think this was horrible?”
“Sometimes you’ve got to take a chance,” I respond and wipe my mouth with a napkin.
Linc pauses for a second with a taco midair and has a twinkle in his soft blue eyes.
“I couldn’t agree with you more.” He smirks then demolishes the other taco.
Linc takes the trash and tosses it in the bin then comes back to sit down, pulling me into his lap. He kisses me on the temple, and I think it’s time for that explanation from earlier.
“So, are we going to talk about what happened in the lobby, or what?”
He releases a long breath before turning me to face him.
“Linley is a model who I met through an acquaintance, who happens to be another client, and took to a few functions. I needed a date, and she loved being photographed in public on the arm of a public figure.”
“Huh.” Is the only thing I can think of at the moment as I take in what he’s just told me. If he’s used to dating models then what in the hell is he doing with me? “So how long were you two dating?”
“Dating? No, we never dated. We went to four functions over the course of two months and that was it. We never went on a sit down, isolated date. You’ll never see any photos of us walking in the park or coming out of a restaurant or shopping together.
We only did functions, then went our separate ways.
I haven’t even seen her in over a month. ”
“So, she’s like rent-a-date or something? I’m confused as to why someone would want to have an arrangement like this.”
Linc stares blankly at me for a minute and then tosses back the rest of his water.
“I’m not sure why she reacted the way she did.
I can assure you that there is no comparison to what I’ve felt with you, to anyone else I’ve ever had in my life Everly.
No one. She’s not, nor has she ever been, my girlfriend.
In fact, the last time I had a girlfriend was like freshman year of college, fifteen years ago. ”
I’m sure he can see my wheels turning, trying to process his words.
“I promise, Everly, you are the only woman in my life and the only woman I want in it.”
“Okay,” I say and let the rest go, even though Linley’s reaction was saying something totally different.
He’s given me no reason not to trust him at this point and until then I have to trust that what he’s saying is the truth.
There still seems to be more to this Linley situation but now is not the time to delve into it.
Why ruin a perfectly good day on the past, right?
He leans in and captures my lips to his in a soft but needy kiss. Almost like we’re sealing the deal on something. We only pull away when we hear the voice of a tiny person.
“Gross, ew! You’re gonna get cooties from that!” a little boy says as he grabs the soccer ball that’s rolled next to us on the grass. He couldn’t be more than five years old.
“Trust me kid, in ten years you’re going to love swapping spit with girls,” Linc says deadpan and I try to hide my belly laugh.
The little boy scrunches his face then takes off running with his ball in his arms.
“You probably just scarred the poor boy for the rest of his childhood.” I laugh and lean in to kiss him again, only to stop right before our lips connect.
“Wait, what if he’s right and you have cooties?
” I start to back away in a dramatic manner, but Linc is right there to hold me in place with his fingers threaded through my locks.
“Then that’s something we’ll have to deal with together.”
Linc shifts his hands in my hair and guides my face to his, never losing eye contact. Once we’re nose to nose, he presses our lips together and I get lost once again in his soft touch.
“Now, what else did you have planned for the rest of the day for us?” Linc asks when we pull away leaving me breathless.
“Oh, well, I thought you had to get back to work so this was pretty much it.”
Most people can’t just leave in the middle of a Monday, so I didn’t have anything else in mind.
Linc reaches into his jacket, pulling out his phone and starts typing something while smiling the entire time.
“I think I’ve got just the thing for us to do.”