Page 23 of 40 and (No Longer) Fighting It
“It would’ve had to be done sooner or later. Might as well use it to your advantage.”
“Not my advantage. Yours,” JD said sourly.
Linc slapped him on the back. “Suck it up, old man.”
Clay shook his head, still chuckling. “You two enjoy yourself tonight.”
“Will do,” Linc said. “And I’d love to talk to you again.”
Clay got a surprised look, no doubt thinking about Linc’s arrogant reputation, but shook the hand Linc held out before heading into the back, to the kitchen.
“Nice guy. Knowledgeable,” Linc said to JD.
“He is. Lily and I are here most Thursdays. Her friend group had pretty much established this as pub night before I ever showed up. But I’ve gotten to know Clay over the past few months, and I appreciate the guy.”
Linc did too. When he’d said he’d be back to chat, he meant it.
The door to the pub opened, and Linc saw the women had arrived. Lily entered with her girlfriends—Erin he recognized, and a couple of the others with her, including Maria from the coffee shop and a blonde-haired woman with colored streaks in her hair that Linc thought was named after a color… Scarlett, that was it. A colorful name for a colorful woman. An editor, maybe? Author? Something like that. He had no more than a moment to consider the question before his gaze met Claire’s and everything else fell away. The woman took his breath just walking into the room.
Soft curls bounced at her shoulders, a few dangling in her eyes in a way that made him want to brush them back before he kissed her. She was wearing a thin, bright orange dress of some sleek material that conformed to her body, blatantly displaying all her curves and valleys. His mouth watered. He wanted to take that dress off her, starting at the hem that hit at midthigh. Drawing it up, up, up along her rounded hips, her soft stomach, the inward curves of her waist, then those round breasts… God. His fists clenched where they rested on the bar. The top of her dress had a deep vee that revealed the full inner curves of her breasts. As he watched her move closer, he could feel his cock getting hard and dropped a hand to adjust himself behind the bar. Tonight was going to be a case of blue balls for sure, damn it.
“Linc!” JD slapped him on the back, pulling him out of the trance of lust Claire had thrown over him. When he turned to look at his friend, JD grinned. “Tongue back in your mouth, buddy.”
Shit. He glared at JD.
JD laughed before turning toward Lily’s approach. Taking her in his arms, he gave her a kiss that had Linc moving his eyes away—to stare straight into Claire’s.
Her cheeks darkened. “Lincoln.”
He loved the way she said his full name. She never shortened it. He wasn’t sure why, but he wasn’t about to complain. “Claire. You look radiant.”
Claire glanced at Scarlett, and he noticed the other woman mouthing the wordradiantback at her. The amused gleam in her eyes seemed to approve.
Linc would take all the allies he could get. “Would you ladies like a drink?”
“Definitely.” Claire requested a pitcher of margaritas for the group, then, “How about I grab us a table?”
“Probably two,” Scarlett said. “Evan and the others will be here soon.”
Claire grinned. “Sound good to you, Lincoln?”
“Perfect. Save me a seat next to you.” He winked, chuckling when Claire’s cheeks darkened with a blush. He wanted to graze that color with his lips, see if it was as hot as he imagined it would be.
“Sure.”
Scarlett gave him a grin as she turned to follow Claire across the room. The others trailed in their wake, leaving JD and Linc to order. Along with the drinks, JD requested a boatload of wings.
Although Linc had been skeptical before the barbecue, now he had zero doubts about Clayton’s prowess on the grill. He’d gladly down his weight in wings if they were as good as he thought they would be.
Back at the table, he set the pitcher of margaritas and one of a summer ale JD had recommended on the table, then took his seat between Claire and Erin. Hyper-aware of her body brushing his, he prayed for patience as he began to pour drinks.
Erin accepted the mixed cocktail she’d requested from JD, then turned to Linc. “Your friend isn’t happy with our timetable, in case he hasn’t informed you yet.”
“Oh, he has.” JD grunted from the other side of the table. “I’ve been informed I need to suck it up. And that I’m old.” He glowered at Linc as their companions laughed.
Linc smirked. “You may be in charge of the rest of the house, but the kitchen is mine.”
“My question,” Erin put in, “is how will the chef manage while the most essential room in the house is out of commission.”
