Chapter 24
24
VIOLET
“You stay here today and rest.” I sit on the edge of the bed and give Lincoln a kiss. “Lots of water. No driving and absolutely no chili.”
His eyes sparkle with laughter at my chili joke. He knows I’m never going to let it go. He finally says, “I’m fine.”
“You are not fine. You were dizzy when you stood up earlier and you have a headache. Nurse West says, stay in bed today.”
“I would feel so much better if you had a PVC nurse’s outfit on, Nurse West.” He dramatically pouts.
“Oh yeah. Let me just pull one out of my magician’s hat for you.”
“Fantastic. I’ll lie here while you get changed into it.” He lets out a sigh. He is still teasing today but he is not his usual quick, smart-ass self I’ve come to know and adore.
“If you are well in a few days, you can come to the gym with me, but today I am giving you strict orders to watch a series on television. I have made your lunch. I put it in the fridge and you need to rest. No strenuous tasks for you today and Pom-pom doesn’t need a walk; he’s done several laps of my swimming- pool-sized bed today already.” I laugh when Lincoln sits Pom-pom on top of his head.
“He can heal my head today.”
“Good plan. He’s a good therapy dog.”
With his giant hand, Lincoln removes his little white fluffy body from his dark locks and places him on his lap on top of the bedcovers.
“Are you okay with me staying in your house all day by myself? You barely know me.” He leisurely strokes Pom-pom.
“Oh, I know you, Lincoln. I’ve spent more time with you in these past few days and found out things about you I never even came close to with my last boyfriend. I trust you. However, I hid my great-great-great-aunt Brenda’s sapphire engagement ring just in case.”
“Wise decision.” He props himself up against the bed pillows. “Thank you.”
“For?”
“Looking after me last night. I know you got little sleep because of worrying about me and that you have a busy today ahead, but I’m very grateful.”
I run my fingers down his cheek and stare into his big brown eyes.
He’s worth it.
“Just promise me you will rest today.”
“Okay, Mom.”
Not knowing if this is the right time or not, I figure there is never a right time for this type of conversation, so I say, “Speaking of moms. Last night when I couldn’t sleep, I did a bit of research online and discovered a UK agency who can find long-lost family members.”
He pulls his head back slightly. “You did that for me?”
I nod my head. “I’m not saying you should go searching, but I wanted you to know that you can if you want to, that’s all. It’s a possibility.” I dip my gaze and play with my pastel-colored abstract floral bedding. “I just thought maybe you would like to find that missing part of you that’s out there somewhere when you are ready.”
He tips my chin up. “I think I might have already found it.”
“You’re clearly concussed.”
“I’m not. You look beautiful today.” His lips curl slowly into a smile.
“Definitely delirious,” I whisper.
He leans forward and kisses me with such heartfelt emotion. It’s a soft ghost of a kiss, barely a kiss at all, but it sets off a tornado of sparks swirling in my lower belly. Not ideal before heading into a full day of work, but the things this man does to me.
“Can you send me the details so I can at least have a look?” He kisses my cheek. “I kind of made my decision in my head yesterday that I wouldn’t go searching.” He kisses my forehead. “Because I think I’m starting to see the full picture.” He kisses my temple before he leans back. “Right there.” He closes one eye, then makes a picture frame with his fingers, framing my face as if he’s a photographer. “Perfect.”
A feeling I can’t describe hits my chest and whatever he asks of me, I’m in. All in.
I’m completely smitten.
He smiles back at me, knowing I can’t form words. “You need to go to work or you’ll never make it in time to meet the contractors this morning. Traffic in that part of the city is horrific, especially if you don’t leave…” He checks the time on his phone. “Now.”
I don’t want to go. I want to stay here with him.
“You be good for Lincoln today, my happy canine cloud.” I bend to kiss Pom-pom, but he doesn’t move. Lincoln is his new best friend. Traitor.
“We’ll be fine. Now go before the traffic takes on a new meaning to ‘frozen in time’.”
Reluctantly, I remove myself from the edge of the bed. “Text me if you need anything.” I smooth my dress over my hips. “Okay. I need to go.” I stand by the bed.
Lincoln reaches out and takes my hand. “You don’t want to go today, do you?”
I let out a long sigh. “I’ve been feeling more and more like that recently.”
“I’ll be here waiting for you when you come home.” He pulls my hand to his mouth and kisses my fingers.
I bob my head. “Right.” It takes everything within me not to jump back into bed with him. I let go of his hand unwillingly. “Unfortunately, I am meeting my father for dinner after work today, so order food for yourself. I’ve been summoned to meet his new girlfriend. I arranged it last week and I can’t change it. My dad does not like anyone messing with his schedule.”
“Sounds like fun.”
“Girlfriend number seven so far this year.”
“He’s had seven girlfriends in seven months?” Lincoln’s mouth hangs open.
“It’s exhausting and every one of them is the one .”
“ He must be exhausted. What a stud.”
I screw my face up. I don’t want to think about him in that way.
Squeezing my toes into my black patent heels, I make my way to the elevator, then sling my purse over my shoulder and push the call button, instructing the doors to open.
“Use this today. Do not use the stairs. Promise?” I stall in the doorway of the stainless-steel box .
“Promise.”
Removing my foot to allow the doors to finally close, the last thing I see is Lincoln’s bronzed body lying in my bed as he pets Pom-pom. I hold my hand up and give him a finger-wave.
“Think of me.” The words fade on his lips when the doors close.
I can’t stop thinking about you, Lincoln.