Page 230 of The Trouble With Bad Boys

Sometimes I have to pinch myself that Dad has put his prejudice aside to welcome Lincoln into our family. Over the last few months, I’ve often found them talking about their losses and how they each blame themselves—something I had no idea Dad did. My heart fractured when I overheard him explaining to Lincoln that if he hadn’t had an appointment with his publisher across town, we never would have been on that train.

After Lincoln shared the loss of his sister and the subsequent breakdown of his parent’s marriage as a result, Dad seems to have taken him under his wing. I think their budding relationship has been great for both of them, and Dad’s acceptance of my job and relationship with Lincoln has meant I haven’t had to sneak around.

“Okay, James. I want you to wash up while I start dinner.” He drops his sports bag on the floor and peels away from us. “Hey, take your bag with you so you can sort it out.”

He freezes and spins around. “Sorry, Mom. I’m starving and forgot.” He grabs his bag and disappears down the hallway.

Lincoln chuckles quietly behind me. “He’s a lot like me, thinking of his stomach.” He kisses the top of my head while he wraps his arm around my waist, and I sink into him, just as I do every time he’s near. “Hope you don’t mind, but I ordered Italian delivery because there’s something I need to show you.”

My stomach flips. “Any time I don’t have to make dinner, I’m happy.” I turn in his hold, press my hands to his pecs, and stand on my tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “What do you need to show me?”

He grabs my hand and turns to Dad. “Won’t be long.”

“Take your time. We’re not going anywhere.”

He drags me outside, excitement bubbling from him. He’s lighter than I’ve ever seen, and I love seeing this side of him. With Lincoln, I feel like I learn unique parts of him all the time. I giggle, swept up in his obvious joy as we leap down the front steps and he drags me across the road to the vacant house.

Confusion creeps in as we come to a stop in front of the sold sign. “What’s going on?”

He turns to face me, collecting my other hand, then inhales sharply and exhales a harsh breath. Worry has replaced some of his happiness. “I have something to ask you. Well, you and James, but I wanted to ask you first.” He glances at the house we’re standing in front of. “I know we started on shaky ground, but I realized pretty early on that I’d fallen for you. It … this …”—he waves his hand between us—“you were completely unexpected. You showed me everything I’d been missing because of my fears. I’ve learned to accept that I wasn’t responsible for what happened the day Beth went missing and even though I can’t guarantee that I won’t slip back into old thought patterns, I feel emotionally stronger and more capable of accepting that life comes with risks. And that’s thanks to you, Soph.”

I squeeze his hands and blink quickly to prevent the sting of tears from falling down my cheeks. I lose the battle as one breaks through, followed by another. My lips tremble as I try to smile.

He releases my hands to wipe my cheeks. “Don’t cry, Shortcake.”

“I can’t help it; I fell for you, too,” I whisper as he cups my cheeks.

He leans down and presses his lips softly to mine. “Good to know.” When he pulls away, he winks at me. “But I wanted to tell you I’ve fallen in love with you.” My heart gallops wildly, thumping around in my chest cavity and my knees turn to Jell-O and when I open my mouth, he shakes his head, pressing his thumb over my lips. “I was wondering if you and James would like to move in with me …here?” He tips his head toward the empty house.

My eyes blow wide and my mouth drops open. I glance at the house, then back to Lincoln in astonishment. “Are you serious?” That’s quite the turnaround for someone who didn’t want to have anything to do with a single mom.

“I’ve never been more serious.” He tilts my face up to his. “I’ve given it a lot of thought and I can’t picture a future without you and James in it. I don’t see the point of wasting time when I know what I want, and that’s for us to be a family. I want us to live together, to create a family home. When this house came onto the market, I thought it would be perfect because it means we can still help your Dad. James can come and go between the two houses after school. It seemed a perfect fit for us, even though it needs some work.”

I open and close my mouth. “I-I-I don’t know what to say.” I glance back at the house and then up at the man who consumes my every thought.

“Say yes!” Dad shouts from across the street and I snap my head around, finding him at the front gate, smiling widely.

Lincoln squeezes my hands, bringing my attention back to him. “Out of respect for your dad, I had to ask him if he was okay with this.”

I chuckle. “I’d say he’s on board with your plan.”

“The only person I really need to be on board with my plan is you. Please say yes, Soph.”

“As if I would say anything else. YES!” A startled laugh bursts out of me when he scoops me into his arms and spins me around, my legs flying out behind me.

Applause rings out from across the road as Lincoln slams his mouth onto mine and once I catch up to what’s happening, I tangle my fingers through his hair and return his kiss with enthusiasm. Opening my mouth, I stroke his tongue with mine as I wrap my legs around his hips. With every lick and sigh, I fall a little more in love. His hands drop to my ass, supporting me, and I’m mildly aware that we’re moving, but I don’t care where he takes me, as long as he never stops kissing me.

Loving me.

Shit, I haven’t told him I love him.

Using my grip on his hair, I drag his mouth away from mine and press my forehead to his. “I love you, Lincoln Kingsley. So much. I can’t wait to start our life together.”

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