Page 45 of It Takes a Thief
“My beautiful princess, all spread out before me. I’m going to worship you.” I take a moment to admire the tantalizing view. Then I grasp her hips, pull her closer and sink my mouth right where it’s dying to go. My fingers find their way to her front and start playing with her clit.
She begins panting then lets out a moan and cries, “Harder!”
I can’t help but smile.
We’re going to have so much fun.
Chapter Seventeen: Merritt
Sitting up straight, hands fidgeting, I try to remain composed as we soar above the clouds. But every mile we fly brings me that much closer to Arcadia and a future I’ve been trying so hard to avoid. The last twelve days have been heaven with Linc, and now it’s all slipping away.
Even though it’s impossible, I want Lincoln Decker with every fiber of my being. And I’d give up my crown and everything that comes with it in order to spend the rest of my life with him.
Don’t be foolish, Mer, I scold myself.
Linc never said he wanted anything more with me than the time we spent together. It’s not like he confessed his undying love or proposed or even talked about a possible future together. Yes, we had mind-blowing sex. Over and over. But our time together was too short, and to think something more can come from it is only going to lead to heartbreak. My heartbreak.
Yet, I can’t stop thinking about how well we got to know each other in that short span of time. We didn’t spend all of it between the sheets, and he was kind enough to realize I wanted to say goodbye to the city I’d grown so fond of over the past five years. One morning, we visited my favorite café, got coffee and cronuts, then strolled through Central Park. Another day,I mentioned how much I love the New York Public Library. I’d discovered Linc is a voracious reader, and he’d suggested a trip. We spent the entire afternoon roaming through stacks of books, wandering from one beautiful room to the next. I know it’s a memory I’ll always cherish.
Linc even encouraged me to invite Charity over. We’d ended up cooking dinner, demolishing a bottle of wine and watching a romantic comedy. Call me crazy, but even though it wasn’t a martial arts flick, I think Linc liked it. He definitely laughed a couple times.
We also spent quiet moments together, reading and watching TV. Moments that inevitably led to the most intense, most incredible sex I could possibly imagine. Despite his initial warning about being rough and emotionally unavailable, the man I got to know on every level was kind, tender, considerate and a consummate lover. I think waking up in Linc’s arms is what I’m going to miss most. I’d let myself forget—conveniently ignore?—that our time together was only temporary. Even the threats stopped, and we were allowed to enjoy each other fully.
So many emotions pummel me, and I sneak a glance over at him. He’s studying me closely, as though he can hear the thoughts tumbling around in my head.
“Are you alright?” he asks, voice low and concerned.
I force a nod. “I will be.” I try to infuse as much confidence as I can into the words, but they seem to fall flat. I’ve never been a very good actress and tend to wear my heart on my sleeve.
We share a look, and he must know I’m starting to crumble inside. Our hands reach out and we lace fingers. He’s holding my hand just as tightly as I’m holding his, and we don’t let go for the rest of the flight.
∞∞∞
The scent of jasmine and the salty Mediterranean Sea welcomes me home from the moment we step off the jet and, right away, the whirlwind begins. A large crowd is gathered, holding signs. They cheer and wave, calling out, “Princesse! Bienvenue à la maison, Princesse!”
Linc tries to usher me straight to the waiting car, but I pause and look over at all the people waiting. “I need to say hello,” I tell him.
“That’s not a good idea.”
“I have to,” I insist, and he scowls. “Or rather, I want to.”
I have no idea how long they’ve been waiting here, and the least I can do is say hello.
“I don’t like you being out in the open with this crowd,” he growls, moving closer. “Let’s make it quick.”
“Relax, my big, bad bodyguard,” I tease.
“Not gonna happen.”
I chuckle and we walk over to the barricade. Breathing the salty air deep into my lungs, I don what I call my princess façade. People reach for me, and I shake hands, touch elbows and smile until my cheeks hurt. I thank every single person I come into contact with, and by the time I make my way to the end of the line, my arms are full of flowers and Linc is holding several small gifts, including a teddy bear.
“We can go,” I tell him, and he grunts, escorting me to the car.
Leo has already loaded our luggage into the trunk, and I set the flowers down on the back seat and give him a big hug.
“Welcome home, Princess,” he says.
“Thank you, Leo.” I wish I could say it’s good to be back, but my heart isn’t quite there. Looking over at Linc’s larger than life presence, I don’t think it ever will be either. Because I know he’s going to take a huge part of it with him when he leaves.
