Page 26 of It Takes a Thief
“Really?” I exclaim, sitting up straighter. I’m pleasantly surprised because I was going to suggest the same thing. “I’d love that.”
“I had a feeling you’d want to get out, and nothing short of tying you up would keep you here.”
My lips part and heat suffuses my cheeks. Maybe Linc tying me up wouldn’t be too awful, especially if we were both naked.
He coughs, clears his throat and looks away. “Anyway, if you promise to be good and hang out here while I upgrade your security system and check in with contacts about your case, then we can go to the fight later.”
“Deal.”
The day goes by surprisingly fast. I spend a lot of it chatting to Linc while he fiddles around with the security stuff. He even installs new locks on my windows, which I think is completely unnecessary since I live in a high rise. But he insists.
I make grilled cheeses for lunch since I know he likes the basics, and how much more basic can cheese and bread be? Although, I do add my secret ingredient, which makes him pause mid-chew.
“What’s on this?” he asks, studying it suspiciously.
“Miracle Whip. I’m sorry, maybe I shouldn’t have put it on yours.”
“No, I like it.”
“It gives it a little tang, don’t you think? My mom always adds it, so I do, too.”
“It’s good.”
I can’t help but smile as he devours it. After eating, we talk more, and there’s a level of ease with him I’ve never experienced with a man before. He listens when I speak, asks all the right questions and makes me comfortable. It’s crazy to think we haven’t known each other longer.
Plus, there’s the overwhelming attraction that is growing stronger. Not just on my side. I’ve caught him staring at me quite a few times. And not just at my face. The last time I turned around, his heated gaze was glued to my ass.
“So, what does one wear to an underground fight?” I ask.
He’s testing the new system and pauses. “Nothing fancy. Do you have jeans?”
I laugh. “Of course, I have jeans.”
“I don’t know. You’re a princess, and you seem to wear a lot of dresses.”
“Is that all you see? A princess? I’m a woman first, Linc.” My voice comes out far huskier than I intend, but it’s the truth. And I want him to be as aware of me as I am of him—his body, his scent, his heat. Everything.
He visibly swallows. “Yeah, I’ve noticed.”
The words come out low, kind of sexy and scratchy, and I send him a mischievous smile before hopping off the couch. “Good,” I say lightly.
“Where are you going?” he asks.
“To get ready for the fight.” And to dig out those jeans I rarely wear.
Chapter Ten: Linc
Maybe I’m crazy for wanting to take Merritt to an underground fight, but a part of me wants to share it with her. To give her a little glimpse into what I did and what I love. I may not be in the cage anymore, but fighting is in my blood.
Plus, she’ll be with me, so I know she’ll be safe. Not to be arrogant, but I’m a bit of a local celebrity back in the old neighborhood. No one will dare bother Merritt if she walks in on my arm. And if someone is stupid enough to try, I’ll have an army of some of the most brutal fighters at my back.
I’ve fixed all the holes in her security system and even got my hands on the footage of the building’s CCTV, courtesy of Ryder. Conveniently, the entire thing went offline during the time an intruder broke into Mer’s place. Am I surprised? No, not really. It just tells me someone knows exactly what he’s doing.
Glancing down at my watch, I wonder whatshe’sdoing? She’s been upstairs for a while now. How long does it take to put on a pair of jeans? Then again, women always take forever. They have to put on makeup, play with their hair, and generally fart around in front of the mirror doing God-knows-what.
Kind of a waste of time, if you ask me. Mer is beautiful without any of that extra primping. She possesses a natural beauty that would make anyone stop in their tracks.
As I jog up the steps, I abruptly jerk to a stop. When the hell did I start calling her Mer?
