Page 48 of Outlaw

“Fuck.” Linc’s voice was laced with pain.

I knew. He didn’t have to tell me; I knew it.

My daddy was never going to get up. Linc’s arms tightened around me as he rocked me back and forth. He didn’t lie to me and say it was going to be okay, like Kenneth had. He said nothing, just let me cry. While the grief engulfed me, Linc kept me from going under with it.

Twenty-Three

Branwen

Present Day

Leave it to Stevie to fall asleep after eating all that sugar. I had been sure she’d stay awake until the movie ended. One hour in, and her eyes had closed.

I knew Linc was watching me and not the movie. If he was trying to rattle me, he had already succeeded at that.

“Unless you want to be sure that Moana returns the heart of Te Fiti, I think we can call it a night,” I said, glancing from Stevie up to him.

“I’ll carry her,” he said, standing.

I didn’t argue. I was used to carrying her to bed after she fell asleep on the sofa, but not that far and not upstairs. I just hoped he laid her in bed, then left. There was so much of this house I hadn’t seen or been to, and I wasn’t sure where Linc’s bedroom was located. I imagined it was on the opposite end though. Ididn’t think he would want his privacy invaded completely.

He scooped her up in his arms effortlessly, and I stood up to follow them. The ice cream bar was still sitting out, and I wondered if it would be out all night or if Jayda was coming to put it away. I started to ask, but stopped myself. I didn’t know where anything went, and being down here alone, where he could come back and try to discuss my not telling him who I was, was a risk I didn’t want to take.

There were also going to be a few missed calls and texts from Hudson. My phone had vibrated several times. Dealing with him felt exhausting. I wanted a bubble bath and to crawl into bed. Tomorrow would be another day to face.

Linc’s shirt was stretched tight across his back, making it easy to see every flex of his muscles as he walked up the stairs with Stevie. My eyes drifted down to his butt, and I wished I could stop looking at this man. It would make my life so much easier. Ignoring him was impossible.

Tonight, the distance from the great room to our bedrooms seemed to have become extended. Never-ending. Or it was because I was being taunted by Linc’s body after what he’d done to me outside today.

Finally, we were outside Stevie’s bedroom, and I wanted to sigh in relief. Now, he could go, and I could get alone time. Much-needed alone time. Some I had needed since he’d left me aching. I didn’t need his fingers when I had my trusty, faithful vibrator. It had never failed to get me there.

Standing back, I waited until he was done before I went to tuck her in properly, but he began doing it after laying her down. She curled into the covers and buried her nose in the pillow. Linc stood over her, watching, and the stupid emotions that came from the sight of that were unwanted. I pushed them back.

He glanced back at me, and the corners of his mouth quirked. “She looks exactly like you did.”

I knew that. I’d shown her pictures of me as a child, and she’d been convinced it was her. I had proven it wasn’t by pointing out her eye color.

I just nodded, saying nothing. Glancing at Stevie one more time to make sure she was good for the night, I then headed for the door. If Linc wanted to watch her sleep, then he could do so. I’d done it plenty of times in her life, so I understood it.

Turning the knob on my door, I heard the one behind me close. I pushed mine open, ready to escape. I hurried inside then started to shut it when Linc’s hand reached out, and his palm hit the door with a solid thud, stopping my effort to get away from him. My eyes went from his hand to meet his gaze, and he smirked at me.

“Not even a good night, Ringlets?” he drawled.

“Don’t call me that,” I snapped.

He pushed the door open further and stepped closer to me. “Why not? I thought you liked that nickname.”

I moved back two steps, not liking that I could smell him. “Because I am not that little girl anymore,” I said angrily.

His eyes drifted down my body, and I hated the warmth that started stirring in my belly.

“No, you definitely are not.” His voice deepened. “I knew you were gonna be a beauty, but, damn, I had no idea you’d turn into this.”

I didn’t need him to tell me that “this” was a compliment. His eyes said it for him as he eyed me hungrily.

Slowly, his gaze traveled back up to my face.

“If you’re done, I want to go to bed,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest to hide my hardening nipples.

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