Chapter Four
Jordan
Pretending yesterday didn’t happen isn’t easy.
After my escape, Linc disappeared into his room for a shower of his own.
We met up in the sitting area, both dressed and ready to go for dinner as he’d mentioned.
We went downstairs to Mr. Chow, where we ate our meal in uncomfortable silence.
Never before have I experienced awkwardness around Linc, and it hurt.
Before I left my room for dinner, I called housekeeping and asked for my sheets and bedding to be changed prior to my return.
I had no desire to torture myself with Linc’s scent while I tried to sleep.
As it was, sleep didn’t come easily, memories of Linc inside me and our time together torturing me over and over.
I don’t know what today has in store, but I dress for the Florida heat, putting on a sundress and a pair of strappy sandals.
Before I head to face Linc, I glance out at the beautiful water and take solace in the deep blue crashing waves.
I wish I could dive into the water and swim home.
At least I wouldn’t have to deal with the morning after full of tense energy. But I can’t. And I’m not a coward.
Drawing a deep breath, I walk into the other room, determined to start the day off on a positive note. Linc stands facing the ocean, taking in the same view I was enjoying. He wears a pair of fitted jeans and a black shirt with white piping on the sleeves.
“Good morning. Please tell me there’s coffee here already? I could really use some,” I say in a forced happy tone.
He turns to face me and treats me to the same strained smile. “There is, along with yogurt and muffins. Your favorite.” He gestures to the food on the table in the corner.
“Perfect.” I stride over to the coffeepot and pour myself a cup, adding milk and sugar.
“How did you sleep?” he asks, concern in his voice.
“Like a baby,” I lie, taking a sip. “You?”
He shrugs. “Just fine.”
I take another drink of my coffee and the tang is delicious. “Mmm.” Those first few sips are always satisfying, and I close my eyes and moan.
When I open them again, Linc is staring, his hot gaze one I recognize from yesterday, when he hovered over my naked body, his erection grazing my sex. I swallow another sigh that would sound much more erotic than the coffee-driven one.
“What are we doing today?” I ask instead, cup in hand.
“I’m hoping to hear from Austin Prescott.” He shoves his hands into his front pants pockets. “Maybe he’ll be decent and talk to Aurora quickly since I flew down here to meet her.”
But Austin doesn’t call.
I spend the day by the pool, Linc reluctantly joining me. He isn’t the type who likes to remain idle, and he definitely doesn’t appreciate being forced to wait when he wants something. And he wants to see his sister now.
We don’t talk much during the day, and I hope as time passes normalcy will return. Our clothing doesn’t help, me in a bikini, him in bathing trunks, his bare chest exposed.
His muscular body grows more tanned as the day goes on. I can’t stop staring, nor do I want to. But I have to admit he does a damned good job of keeping his eyes off of me. And I hate it.
By the time the long day ends and we make our way upstairs to the suite, he’s grumbling under his breath.
“Stay calm. Austin will call soon. I’m sure he needs to break the news to Aurora in the right way,” I say.
The elevator doors open and we step into the hall. Only two doors are on this penthouse floor, and we approach our suite.
“Yeah, but you’d think the arrogant bastard would know I’m waiting.
This isn’t some business deal where you play chicken and see who blinks first. This is people’s lives.
” Linc places the key card in front of the reader and moves it around.
When it doesn’t work, he tries again. “Son of a bitch!” His raised voice echoes in the hall.
I take my key from my pool bag and turn the correct side toward the reader, and it flashes green immediately. Without a word, he pushes the door open and holds it to let me inside.
Instead of listening to him complain or watching him brood, I head straight for my room and take a shower, washing the sunscreen off my body and shampooing my hair.
I deliberately let the conditioner sit for a while, taking my time.
Finally I step out and dry off, rubbing moisturizer over my arms, chest, and legs.
Since I don’t know our plans yet, I pull my damp hair back with a headband, slip on a tank dress, and head to the sitting room to find Linc pacing the floor, already showered.
Hair damp and slicked back from his face, his tanned skin and the light scruff of beard he left makes my heart jump. Stupid. He’s my boss and my friend. I have to forget last night.
“Hey.” I walk over to him.
“Hi.” His eyes rake over me briefly before catching himself and focusing on my face.
Ignoring my pounding pulse, I ask, “Are you hungry? We could order up, you know, in case Austin calls.”
He nods. “Good idea.”
“Okay, what are you in the mood for?”
Before he can answer, the phone in his pocket rings. He raises an eyebrow and pulls his cell out, glancing at the screen and nodding at her.
He answers the call. “Hello? Austin? Good to finally hear from you.”
I shoot Linc a pointed look and shake my head, silently telling him to be nice to the man.
He listens and begins to pace the floor. “Yes,” he says, then more listening. “She’s what?” He comes to a halt mid-stride. “And you didn’t think to mention it yesterday?”
Linc runs an agitated hand through his hair while I wonder what has him so upset.
“Okay. Yes. Of course I won’t judge her. Jesus. You just took me off guard. I know how to handle myself,” he says, getting worked up again because Austin seems to assume Linc would be a jerk to his new sister.
“And she knows my father … her father passed away?” he asks, then nods. “Good. When can I see her?” Silence and then, “I’ll be there in thirty minutes. Text me the address,” he says and pauses. “And thank you. I appreciate it.” He disconnects the call and lets out a low groan.
Unable to ignore his distress, I walk over and put a hand on his shoulder. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
He turns to face me. “Aurora is pregnant.”
I blink, surprise filling me. “Isn’t she only nineteen?” I feel for the young girl, knowing what being pregnant and alone feels like. But I’d had Linc … and now so would Aurora.
“Yes. Austin wanted to prepare me before I saw her. Apparently he worried I’d say something to upset or hurt her. Like I’m an asshole,” Linc mutters.
“He’s looking out for her. Isn’t it good that Austin has her best interest at heart?”
He nods. “It’s just hard to deal with the guy. He’s got an attitude.”
I can’t control the smirk lifting my lips. “And you don’t?”
He lets out a laugh, his first since sometime yesterday, breaking the lingering tension. “You’re right. I should be grateful to the man and his family.”
“What did he say about thirty minutes? Will she see you now?” I ask.
“Yes, and we have to get ready. It’s a twenty-minute car ride from here.”
He sounds excited and I’m happy for him, but I’m about to deflate his high. “Linc, this is a big deal. I think you need to see Aurora alone and not overwhelm her with people. I can meet her the next time you get together.”
He stills, his surprise obvious. “What? Why? Aren’t you here to be my backup? Or is this because of last night? I thought we were fine. I want you to come with me.”
Of course it’s about last night. I’ve spent the day reminding myself of the reasons we need to go back to the way things were between us before sex.
And going with him now, making myself seem like I’m a part of his family when I meet his sister, isn’t a good idea.
But I also meant what I said about not overwhelming the young woman.
I force a smile. “It’s about you and Aurora. You two need to meet and bond. No outside influences. I’ll be here when you get home and we can talk all about it.” I glance at him and know he understands.
“Okay. You’ve got a point,” he reluctantly admits. “I’m going to go get changed.”
And I’m going to order up dinner and wait for him to return so he can fill me in. Because that’s what best friends do.
* * *
Linc
I find myself in the parking lot of a garden apartment with catwalks overlooking parked cars. According to Austin, Aurora is staying with Willow James, his brother Braden’s girlfriend … sort of. I didn’t ask for an explanation.
I shut the engine, draw a deep breath, and head into the building, take the elevator upstairs, and walk to the apartment number.
Holding my breath, I ring the doorbell. Seconds later, a man whose resemblance to Austin can’t be mistaken opens the door. With his dark hair and indigo-blue eyes, he’s definitely a Prescott.
“Lincoln Kingston?” Braden asks.
I incline my head. “Braden Prescott?”
Braden nods, extends his hand, and we shake, each with a strong grip.
“Call me Linc,” I say.
“Come on in, Linc,” Braden says, stepping aside.
I enter, my gaze immediately finding my sister and not because her pregnant belly stands out, though it does. Her hair falls over her shoulders, blonde hair similar to Chloe’s, long and draping down her back. She wears a light blue maternity top and stares at me in awe.
Braden speaks, breaking our intense study of each other. “This is Willow James, my … the woman Aurora’s been living with recently.” Braden extends a hand toward Willow, and she gives me a smile and a wave.
I nod, grateful to her for taking Aurora in. “A pleasure to meet you,” I say.
“And this is your sister, Aurora Michaels.”
Aurora is still staring at me wide-eyed. No way I could miss the mix of wonder and fear in her eyes and expression.
As if drawn to her and the family resemblance, I walk over and place my hand beneath her chin. “You have our eyes,” I say and pull her into my arms for a brotherly hug.