Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-Two
Britt was staring at the ceiling above the bed, tracking the shadows created from the glow of the bedside lamp as they danced around when Linc approached. He’d pulled on some loose gym shorts. His chest was bare, since she was wearing his T-shirt.
The bed dipped when he sat down. “I’m back. Thanks for not running away.”
No wonder his morning show was number one. He had the sexiest voice. The number of people who got off listening to him on the radio was probably astronomical. She should know, she was one of them, though she’d never admit it.
“Does that happen often?” Only an idiot would sneak out after Linc did to them what he’d just done to her.
And why did thinking about him doing it to someone else make her jealous?
No, that was wrong. She couldn’t be jealous.
He was her best friend… apparently now with benefits, but still not her boyfriend.
Just my husband.
He brushed off the question with, “There’s always a first.” He lifted the glass of ice water like he was toasting her. “I put some ice in it.”
That’s right. He’d gotten her water earlier, then had distracted her in the best possible way before she’d even taken a sip. She’d risk dehydration any time if that was the trade-off. “Thanks.”
He held out the glass. She didn’t budge or attempt to take it.
“Do you have a straw? I can’t move.”
“Drama queen.” Setting the glass on his nightstand, he lifted up the covers to get in. “Scooch over.”
“What part of I can’t move don’t you understand?”
“Move your sweet ass, Zan.”
With a pout, she wiggled to her right. Instead of sliding in, he lifted up her shoulders and settled behind her. Leaning back against his bare chest, his strong thighs bracketing her, she’d never felt more content in her life.
Retrieving the glass from the nightstand, he brought it to her lips. “Drink, oh boneless one.”
She snickered before taking a sip. The cool liquid soothed her parched throat. Apparently, moaning incessantly makes your mouth dry. “You’re the one who deboned me.”
“I think you’ve got that backwards, Zan. Pretty sure I actually boned you.”
Oh, he definitely had. More than once. And she’d be feeling it tomorrow, that was for sure.
“Not that I’m not happy you’re here,” he began, “because I’m really fucking happy you’re here, but aren’t you supposed to be at the restaurant? It’s Saturday night.”
“Right.”
How do I tell him I called in sick because I decided to seduce him?
“I called in sick so I could seduce you.”
Huh. Just like that, I guess.
Linc nuzzled her neck. “You did a bang-up job.”
“Pun intended?”
“Always.” He set the water glass back on the nightstand, gripped her chin with his thumb and forefinger, and turned her head to kiss her.
Britt found herself leaning back against his left thigh as Linc took his time exploring her mouth. The tenderness of his touch when his fingers brushed her jaw… the slow, deliberate strokes of his tongue… the way he hummed softly when their lips parted… she’d never felt more cherished in her life.
It hit her suddenly that fooling herself into believing she didn’t feel anything beyond friendship for him was no longer an option. She honestly wasn’t certain it ever had been.
“Would you rather,” he whispered when their lips parted, “go home and sleep in your own bed…?”
“Option two,” she said without hesitation.
A couple of crease lines appeared between his brows when they pulled together. “You don’t know what I was going to say.”
She snuggled against his chest. He smelled like the woods after a rain with a touch of citrus. “Will you be there for option two?”
“When you get your head shaved? Wouldn’t miss it.”
A surprised laugh burst out of her. She slapped his chest. “Linc!”
“Not my fault you’re impatient,” he said with a smirk.
“Are you sure that’s option two? Because that would entail me putting my underwear back on and leaving the house.”
His gaze heated. “Forget I asked the question,” he ordered, sliding a hand between her thighs.
She moaned and arched back into his chest. “You asked a question?”
“Not a one.”