Page 24 of It Takes a Thief
“I don’t know. Maybe.”
He’s very thorough, that’s for sure. I can’t help but wonder if he’s just as thorough in bed.
“How do you think the intruder got in?” I ask, still perplexed by the break-in, and trying to divert my thoughts from Linc in my bed.
“They must’ve taken the system offline. I wouldn’t be surprised if all the cams in the building went down. Don’t worry, I’m going to install some upgrades. No one is getting in here again. In the meantime, I’ll sleep down here.”
“On the couch? What’s wrong with the guest room?”
“I want to be between you and that elevator. I don’t like how it opens right into your place.”
“Do you think whoever it was might come back tonight?” I can hear the horror in my voice.
“You have nothing to worry about, sweetheart. I’ll keep you safe.”
I slowly nod, trying to shut down thoughts of a masked intruder, armed with a knife, sneaking through my home. Going into my bedroom. It’s beyond disconcerting. “Thank you.”
I also can’t help but wonder how in the world Linc is going to be comfortable on my small sofa when he’s so big and tall.
“Let me get you some sheets and a blanket,” I offer.
“Not necessary,” he grunts.
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.” He reaches for my elbow, guiding me over to the stairs. “I’ve slept in far worse places than a princess’s penthouse.”
He gives me a crooked smile and, I swear, my heart melts.
Once we’re upstairs, I open the linen closet and hand him a blanket, anyway. “In case you get cold,” I murmur.
I don’t share my hope that he wraps himself in it all night. Because I want his scent on it, so after this is all over and we go our separate ways, I can curl up in it and surround myself with his spice and musk scent. He comforts me. Makes me believe everything will be alright. And I’m going to need that more than ever when I return to Arcadia.
His big hands take the fluffy blanket, brushing against mine, and I shiver. Our gazes lock, and that heat I saw earlier in his dark eyes flickers to life. My heart thumps harder, my lips tingling with the memory of our kiss downstairs. I want him to kiss me again. I want it desperately.
“Thanks,” he rasps. “Goodnight.”
Before I can respond, he hurries away, practically jogging back downstairs.
“Damn,” I whisper, slumping against the closet door.So very close.He got me all revved up, then completely shut me down.So not acceptable.
Crossing my arms, I let out a soft sigh. Even though he’s doing his best to keep his distance, he caved in and kissed me once. And that gives me hope that maybe he’ll do it again.
Because I am not through with trying to coerce Lincoln Decker into giving me more of his steamy, mouthwatering kisses. Not even close. Gah, I could kiss that delicious man all night long.
Pushing off the door, I walk down to my room. He’s right, it was a crazy day, and as the adrenaline wears off, I realize how truly exhausted I am. After a quick shower, I snuggle down in my bed and an image of the knife sticking out of my pillow infiltrates my sleepy brain. Of course, the pillow and weapon are gone, taken as evidence, but that doesn’t make me feel any better.
Sorry I missed you, Princess.
Those words will always haunt me. Who would do such a thing? Was it just someone trying to scare me? Or did the intruder want to kill me?
Fear rushes over me, but then I remember Linc is downstairs. Big, strong, powerful Lincoln “Lights Out” Decker, former MMA fighter. My breathing evens out because I know he’s keeping guard. The man is vigilant and has a gun.
You’re safe, Mer.
Instead of thinking about the scary parts of tonight, I focus on the amazing parts—eating pizza together, and how he made sure to order my favorite toppings even though he’s probably more of a sausage and pepperoni kind of guy; walking down the street with him, our shoulders touching; the concern on his face and the way he held and consoled me after I found the knife. And my favorite memory of all, his mouth on mine, kissing me senseless.
I’ve been kissed before, but not like that. It felt like he wanted to consume me. At the same time, I knew he wasn’t allowing himself to fully give in to whatever was happeningbetween us. He restrained himself. Maybe because he’s so big and he was trying to be careful?Or is he still obsessing over his silly rules?I wonder. Other than his huge hand cupping my face, he didn’t touch me.
