Page 53 of Wild Promises

Lincoln stood and followed me out.

I offered my hand. "It was nice meeting you, Lincoln."

At the end of the day, I sat at my desk, rubbing circles on my temples. I'd had a low-level headache ever since I met with Lincoln. I knew selling to him was the right thing to do. He wouldn't drastically change the practice, but he couldn't hire me. I understood his caution. Owning a business was a big deal. He wanted to get his bearings first. But what did that mean for me?

Dad came in and sat across from me. "Well, what did you think of Lincoln?"

"He was perfect, Dad."

Dad grinned. "I thought so too. I still want to meet with other potential buyers. I want to make the right decision."

"You will." I didn't have the heart to tell him what Lincoln had said to me, that I wasn't going to be offered a job. I had to figure out what I was going to do if Lincoln got the practice. I'd need to find a new job somewhere else. Dad wouldn't want me to interfere, and I didn't want to disappoint my father anymore than I already had.

15

XANDER

Ifelt so good after our lunch the other day, and we'd promised to practice kissing that evening. When Tori got home, she'd gone to her room, complaining of a headache. I think it had something to do with the doctor she had met, but she hadn't shared any more information.

So I'd met with a realtor, giving her my criteria for my ideal house, and we were supposed to go look at places when she found some that ticked all the boxes. But first, we had the ball on Saturday. I'd told my brothers I was coming with Tori, and I hoped she hadn't changed her mind about our fake relationship. I needed her to prove to my brothers that I'd changed.

Eli was thrilled about the holiday lights trail, as we were now calling it. He'd advertised it on social media and asked that it be included on the town's website on the list of holiday outings. We were getting an uptick of guests who'd come just to ski that trail.

I was happy that something I'd created was important for the business. I never thought of myself as business savvy, but maybe I had a few skills I didn't give myself credit for.

I got dressed in my room, my hands shaking as I attempted to wrangle the bow tie. I intended to go outside and knock on thedoor like this was a real date. I even had flowers for her. But I couldn't get the bow to bend to my will.

When there was a soft knock, I said, "Come in."

Tori opened the door and stepped inside. She wore an emerald-green dress that cupped her breasts, lifting them as if offering them to me on a silver platter. The material dipped at the waist and flared out slightly at the hips.

"Do you need help?" Tori asked, already moving in my direction, but all I could clock was the slit on her leg that gave me a peekaboo of bare skin as she walked.

Before I could respond, she stood in front of me, her hands on the tie and a slight smile on her face. "Why didn't you say you needed help?"

My mouth was dry and my heart hammering. "I thought I could do it."

Tori laughed, and it was the sweetest sound I'd ever heard. "Typical man."

"You look gorgeous."

Tori finished the tie and patted it with a satisfied smile. "And you're handsome."

The collar felt tight. Too tight. My hand landed on her hip, and I pulled her into my body. "Weren't we supposed to practice something the other night?"

All my good sense had flown out the window. All I could think about was how good she looked and felt. Her scent was swirling around me, luring me into her world.

Her tongue darted out and licked her lower lip. "Kissing?"

I gripped her hip more tightly. "You were going to kiss me." That wasn't exactly the truth, but I needed her to make the first move. I felt like a cave man, touching her like this and making demands.

"Was I now?" Her voice was soft, sultry.

What was happening? I was the one that was supposed to be in control, but I was quickly spiraling, getting lost in her seduction. "Yes, you were."

Her hand curled around my neck, playing with the hair at the base, sending tingles down my spine. Then she lifted onto tiptoes and pulled me down to meet her. Her touch was tentative, as if she was asking permission, but when I opened my mouth for her tongue, she dove in, licking, tasting, and exploring.

I pressed her tight to my body as I angled her head to the perfect position. I wanted more. I needed more. I ground my erection into her belly, needing her to know how she affected me.

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