Page 47 of Losing Ansley

"It took you fifteen minutes to look like that." She motions to herself. "It took me a good hour before you got here to look like this and then another thirty minutes after our adventure to look like this." She complains. I bite my lip, grinning at her; pushing away from the door jam, I stalk toward her.

The pulse in her neck begins to beat rapidly, making me want to bite her again. Stopping in front of her, I put my hands on either side of her caging her in.

"You know I always appreciate your effort to look like this. I also love how you look in pajamas, a tank top, and no makeup on. Whether you're all dolled up or not, you'll always be the most beautiful woman in the room. Always." I lean in and kiss her just below her ear.

"I'd kiss you on those pouty lips, but I don't want to ruin all the work you just went through putting your lipstick on." Her hands come up to grab at my hips, and she melts into me.

"Linc, you could mess up my lipstick anytime you wanted, and I'd never complain." She utters. I wrap my hand around her waist and pull her into me, slowly rubbing it up her spine and into her hair. I pull her head back so she's looking at me.

"I plan on messing up your lipstick later when you're on your knees for me, baby." Her eyes widen, and her nipples harden just the response I was looking for. I kiss her on her forehead and then pull away from her grabbing her hand and pulling her to the door so that we can leave. We'll arrive late, but at least everyone will see my girl is taken.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

ANSLEY

I LOVEwalking onto the rooftop bar on Lincoln's arm. Knowing I'm his and he's mine causes the insecurities I was experiencing to leave. His hand rests on the small of my back as he guides me through the crowd. As soon as Leslie spots me, she jumps up and skips over to us.

"You came!" She says excitedly as she hugs me. She's a lot shorter than me, so I must lean down to return her hug. She has silver blond hair that is cut into a long bob. She's wearing all black, her usual go-to color, but it works for her, and bright red lipstick. She eyes Lincoln. I'm about to introduce them when Chad walks over, and I stiffen.

Lincoln pulls me in to him as he watches him closer. Chad scoffs.

"You came." He moves in for a hug, but I sidestep him. I don't want him touching me. Lincoln darts his arm out to shake his hand.

"I'm Lincoln. Ansley's boyfriend." Chad's eyes narrow, but he places his hand in Lincoln's, and they shake.

"You're Ansley's boyfriend?" Leslie exclaims. "She told us all about you!" She says, and I feel my cheeks heat. Lincoln looks at me and grins. Leaning in, he kisses me on my jaw.

"Good. I want people to know she's taken." He says. He's saying it for Chad's benefit, but it causes butterflies in my stomach.

"I make sure people know I'm taken too." He says, and I turn to look at him. The look in his eyes makes me want to drop to my knees for him. He smirks like he knows what I'm thinking. Chad opens his mouth like he's about to say something else, but one of the producers calls out for everyone's attention.

Chad saunters off, and Lincoln guides me to the other side of the bar. He leans against a stool and pulls me between his legs. His hands rest on my upper thighs possessively, and I love every second of it. After everyone gives their speech, people begin to mingle again. Leslie comes over, and we go to the buffet that's been set up. We grab a plate and load it up.

"Chad is coming over this way," Leslie tells us. "I swear he creeps me out," Leslie says, and I look at Lincoln with an, I told you so, look. Lincoln turns and blocks Chad from approaching us.

"Why didn't you tell me about Chad sooner?" Lincoln asks me in a stern voice. I look up from my plate to him, guilt stirring in my stomach. I look at Leslie, and she arches an eyebrow. She walks down the line giving us a moment of privacy.

"I did tell you," I tell him, and he shakes his head, dissatisfaction showing on his face.

"You told me last week. You've been in Atlanta for weeks." He replies, and my mouth drops open.

"Lincoln. We haven't been on the best terms." I huff out, and he shakes his head.

"Did you tell Dylan? Or Caroline and Liv?" He asks, and I bite the inside of my cheek. Heat crawls up my neck as I shake my head. I hate feeling his disappointment. Being a brat is one thing, but this is different. I glance down, trying to avoid his gaze, but he tips my chin with his finger.

"I know we weren't speaking. I know we weren't on the best terms. But there is something not right about that guy. I've known him for thirty minutes, and I can tell. You should have told somebody. Even if it wasn't me." I stare at him as guilt takes root in my stomach. I look over his shoulder and see Chad watching us. Stepping closer to Lincoln, I swallow.

"I'm sorry," I tell him as I lean in and rub my lips along his jaw. "He's watching us," I whisper, and he stiffens. He nods once and takes the plate from my hand. We walk to a booth that Leslie is at. We sit next to each other, and Leslie sits at the edge to discourage Chad from coming over. She glances at the two of us.

"Everything okay?" She asks as she pops a shrimp in her mouth. We both nod, and she smiles. Her eyes dart around, and then she leans forward. "Chad makes you uncomfortable too." It's a statement, not a question. Leslie knows Chad makes me as uncomfortable as he makes her. Lincoln's hand comes down on my thigh under the table, and I lean forward.

"Yes. I've wanted to ask you about him, but he won't leave us alone long enough at work for me to ask you." I tell her. She pops another shrimp in her mouth and takes a sip of her cocktail.

"Rumor is he moved here from California." I wait for her to continue as I push some food around my plate. "Apparently, he's had several accusations against him from women he's previously worked with." I have a grape halfway to my mouth when she says that, and I pause before slowly putting it in my mouth and chewing.

"What kind of accusations?" I ask, even though I'm sure I already know. Lincoln is like a statue next to me.

"Sexual assault. One came forward, and then several came forward after she did." She whispers like anyone can hear her over the noise in this bar. My skin breaks into a cold clamminess at her revelation, and I turn to Lincoln. His jaw is ticking. He's either pissed or worried or both.

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