Page 38 of Succumbed

“It’s a ridiculous assertion.”

“Do I even need to be here?” I look around. “Seems like you’re carrying this conversation all by yourself.”

He flops his forehead against his hand, still braced above the hole in the wall. “You’re an ass.”

“Sometimes,” I agree with a bemused smile. “So are you.”

He scoffs and straightens, meeting my gaze briefly. “You’re not wrong.”

I step up beside him and knock my shoulder into his. “Go easy on Lincoln, yeah? He’s trying, and he’s not the source of your frustration.”

Declan takes a long, slow breath. “I know.”

Nodding, I clap him on the shoulder as I turn away. “Come up when you’re ready to be civil.”

“I’m always civil!”

I snort at the claim and head for the stairs.

Chapter 12

Lex

As I pull up to the house the guys of Solum Technologies share, one week after my night with Linc, I can’t help but think it’s not what I expected. After touring their facilities and spending what limited time I had with them, I envisioned something modern and sleek. The stunning Mediterranean-style cottage before me is the exact opposite, stately and dripping with old-world charm.

Shane emerges from the front door as I park, barefoot in a fitted white henley with worn jeans sitting low on his hips. Fucking hell, he has no right to look that edible. He’s tall, lean, and cut–I can see the definition of his abs through the clingy material. A soft smile plays on his lips as he raises a hand in greeting and jogs down the steps to meet me.

“Welcome.” He saunters up and tucks both hands into his pockets. “You find it okay?”

“Sure did.”

“Lucky us. Come on, the guys are inside.”

I follow as he turns toward the door. “Thanks for accommodating the late meeting this week.”

He glances over his shoulder, those piercing blue eyes searing my soul. “It’s our pleasure, really. Dec will take any opportunity to show this place off.”

I look up to appreciate the ivy-covered stucco. “It’s gorgeous.”

“Yeah, he’d agree with you.” He follows my gaze. “The compliments are wasted on me.”

“Not a real estate person?”

He pauses as we reach the door, treating me to the full force of his gaze. “Real estate is fine, but home is about people. I’d happily live in a double-wide if I was with those I loved.”

My lips part in surprise at his candor, and his eyes track the movement. There’s a fierce glint in his gaze when it returns to mine.

“How about you? Real estate your thing?”

I blink, distracted by the heat I thought I saw, then give myself a shake. “Not so much real estate as architecture and design. I’m an art lover, so I appreciate good lines.”

“Plenty of those here.” He smirks and opens the front door.

As I step over the threshold, I’m struck by the cozy feel of the place. It’s warm and intimate, as though I’ve stepped into their lives, not just their home. Linc grins as he spots me from the kitchen, hurrying over as I remove my heels. He glances down at them and smirks, no doubt recognizing them from the week prior.

“Hey, beautiful,” he murmurs, wrapping his arms around me.

My chest warms at the nickname, and I melt into him. His brief embraces, stolen before and after our runs, were quickly becoming highlights of my week. There’s something about being in Lincoln’s arms that both comforts and strengthens me.

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