Chapter 4
TAYLOR
My mind was a mess all through book club, I can only imagine what these people must think of me.
All I kept thinking about was the feeling of being in Linc’s arms, and his scent—smoky and sweet.
It was very manly and rugged. I know nothing about him, but the way he is with his grandma and her friend, Bonnie, makes me think he’s one of the good ones.
The last few guys I dated were duds, hence, why I’m still single and cautious when it comes to the opposite sex.
I still don’t know what compelled me to waltz over to a stranger, a sexy as hell stranger, and do what I did.
But with his dark hair, hazel eyes, and lips that looked ohh so kissable, I was drawn to him like a good girl to a bad boy …
not that I’m getting bad boy vibes from this man.
When I told Asher I was going to do things that push my boundaries, I didn’t think I’d be doing anything like this.
But I have to say, pretty sure I smashed said boundaries.
She will never believe I did this, and I can imagine her now.
She’s going to say, “Photos or it didn’t happen.
” She’ll want proof, but how do I prove I fake dated a guy for all of fifteen seconds?
Book club has finished—and I think I had a great time—but Bonnie, Kelly, and a few other ladies are still discussing the FMC from this week’s book, and the way they are reacting to the possessive hero has me wanting to read it too.
Quickly logging into my book account, I download it so I can see what they are excitedly chatting about.
Pocketing my phone, I look up and see Eve still scowling at me.
She looks like she sucked a super sour lemon.
Clearly, she’s pissed Linc is with me. Going by the way she and her friend are animatedly talking, I’m guessing I’m the topic of conversation.
Mean girls piss me off, but then again, so do people who can’t take the hint.
Doesn’t matter if you’re male, female, or a penguin, no means no.
Linc garners my attention so I walk over to him. “It seems I’ve made an enemy of Eve.”
“I’m sorry about that.”
Shaking my head, I rest my hand on his arm and a spark jolts from him to me. My breath hitches in the back of my throat. That’s never happened before. “Don’t be sorry. I’m the one who initiated the pretend dating charade.”
“And I thank you from the bottom of my heart for that. I’ve been thwarting her advances for weeks now, but no matter how many times I say no, she just doesn’t get the hint.
” He opens his mouth to say more but stops himself.
A silence develops between us, but it’s interrupted when the she-devil herself walks over to join us.
“So, what are you two love birds up to after this?”
“I’m heading home for an early night,” Linc tells her. Then adds, “I’m going out of town tomorrow.”
Internally I deflate that he’s going away, but then I internally slap myself because what he does is none of my business. “I’m heading home too, I—”
But Eve interrupts me. “Linc, I can give you a lift to the airport, if you like?”
“Thanks, but I’ve got it sorted.” He turns his attention to me, alluding that it’s me sorting him. I know this is petty, but the incredulous look on Eve’s face at his dismissal is priceless. She’s genuinely shocked he turned her offer down. “Can I walk you out?” he asks me.
Nodding, I smile. “I’d love that.” Linking my arm through his, we bid a scowling Eve farewell and head toward the exit.
Pushing the door open, we step outside, and I look to the sky. The sun is just about to set and the sky is a kaleidoscope of color. “So pretty,” I mutter.
“I agree,” Linc says, and when I look over at him, he’s staring at me.
“Call me,” he says, breaking the silence.
“Maybe.”
“Well, how about I call you?”
Like before, I reply with a smile and a timid, “I’d love that.”
Handing me his phone, I enter my number and hand it back to him. “Have a good trip,” I tell him, and then I start walking backward.
“I’ll call you soon,” he sings out, and I smile at the gorgeous man as I back away.
Throwing him a wink, I spin around and head toward my car when my pocket begins to vibrate.
Pulling it out, I stare at the screen. I don’t recognize the number, but something is telling me to answer.
Hitting the green button, I bring the device to my ear. “Hello.”
“Hey, it’s Linc.”
Spinning back around, I stop and stare at my caller and can’t help but smile. “Ohh, hey, long time no speak.”
He laughs, and it’s a deep chuckle that vibrates through me. “So this is me calling you.”
“I see, and why are you calling me?”
“Well, since we’re fake dating, I was wondering if I could take you out on a date?”
“Would this date be of the fake kind?”
“It can be whatever kind you like.”
“And what if I want it to be real?” Waiting for him to answer is killing me, even though it’s literally only a few seconds.
“Then I guess it’ll be a real date.” Nodding at his words, I stare over at Linc, the phone still to my ear when he says, “I’ll pick you up Friday at seven.”
“You don’t know where I live?”
“Text your address to me and then I’ll know where you live.”
“What if you’re a serial killer?”
“I’m not,” he tries to assure me.
“That’s exactly what a serial killer would say.”
“Just text me your address.”
“So bossy,” I tease.
“You ain’t seen nothing yet, baby.”
“Mmmhmpf,” I reply but he’s right, I can’t wait to see what happens. Or just how bossy he is. This man oozes sex appeal. It’s no wonder skanky Eve was hitting on him.
“So, you gonna text me your address?”
“Maybe,” I throw back at him but before he can utter another word, I quickly add, “I’ll see you Friday at seven. Don’t be late.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.”
We disconnect our call, just as Kelly and Bonnie join him.
The two of them are talking loudly about penis piercings.
He takes their potty mouths in stride, and I have to say, he gives as good as he gets.
It must run in the family genes. For elderly ladies, those two sure are vivacious, and I hope—when I get to their age—I’m just as spritely and sexually adventurous.
Standing here, I watch Linc with his grandma and her friend. It’s adorable seeing him with them, especially when Bonnie asks him if he has a penis piercing. I can’t help but chuckle, but from where I’m standing, I can’t hear his response. Whatever he said, it has Bonnie doubling over in laughter.
My cheeks are hurting from grinning at the scene before me.
Just before Linc climbs into his SUV, he looks over his shoulder and winks at me.
I feel that little eye twitch deep in my soul and, for the first time ever, I have a feeling that I’ve met “the one.” I haven’t felt a connection like this ever before.
Linc and I may have only spoken for a few brief minutes when I rescued him from the clutches of Eve and on the phone just now, but I feel something—and it’s not the heebie-jeebie creepy feeling I usually get.
This is like something from the books I read and, dare I say it, I have Eve to thank.
Had she not cornered Linc and made him feel uncomfortable, I’m not sure I would have had the courage to speak to him.
But when I saw the look of fear in his eyes, I knew I had to act.
I’m glad I did because now I have a date on Friday.
Seems this move to LA has been good for me professionally and personally. The world is my oyster, and I cannot wait to see what happens next.