Page 65 of Linc
“Are you almost ready?”I hear Linc call out from the living room.
It’s been a month since I came home from staying with Dad and Linc and I have seen each other almost every day since.Dad stayed a few days to make sure I was settled in but left after the three of us went to dinner.Linc and Dad got along well and it was nice to see that since I know things got pretty heated when I was in the hospital.
“Mr.Bryant, it’s nice to see you again,” Linc stood from the table and reached out his hand for Dad to shake.
“Call me Tommy,” Dad told him as they shook.
The evening was great and they both discussed his military career as Linc opened up about what happened to his parents and little sister when he was young.We talked about visiting Dad for a few weeks at the end of summer and he was thrilled that Linc was wanting to go fishing out on the lake.
Something else that both Dad and Linc bonded over was my new security man, Sonny.The man is as big as a house but is quick like a puma.Linc made sure to include Dad on the interviews and selection, which I’m sure added more brownie points in his favor.
“Five more minutes,” I yell out as I curl the last few locks of hair.
The reflection in the mirror doesn’t look like the woman I was two months ago.I’m not beaten or bruised.I’ve got my glow back and I look just as happy as I was.I still have some aches with my arm but physical therapy is pushing me to be stronger every day.
“You are so gorgeous,” I hear and see Linc come into the bathroom of his place.
“Thank you,” I reply.“You don’t look half bad yourself.”
I finish the last curl, and grab for the spray to keep them all in place and then unplug the curling iron I have stored here.I spritz a light layer of perfume, across my body before following Linc out of the bedroom and into the living room.I notice a set of balloons on the counter with an envelope.
“Come here for a sec,” Linc tells me from across the room.
I walk over as I start to hear soft music playing in the background.
“What’s going on?”I ask, then try to wrack my brain thinking I’ve forgotten an important date or birthday.
“I know that you aren’t ready for me to get on one knee yet but I was hoping we could maybe take this next step together and see where it’ll lead us.”He picks up the envelope and hands it to me.
Over the last month, Linc has made sure that I receive a special gift each week.It’s either delivered to me at work, my apartment, or here at his place.Throughout the day, he’ll take time to send me texts, letting me know he is thinking of me.
I hold the gift in my hand very delicately.Each gift is so special and you can tell a lot of thought is put into each one.I turn it over and slide my finger under the flap, opening it up.Inside is a keycard and a physical key.I turn them both over thinking that there is something written on them.When I find nothing, I look back up at Linc.
“These are the keys to the penthouse and garage,” he says.
“Okay, thank you Linc,” I tell him.He tried to give them to me before I was attacked but I told him it was too soon to be sharing something like that.
“I want you to use them every day and not have our doorman letting you in.”He moves in closer and circles his arms around my waist, drawing me in close to his body.I place my hands up on his chest.“I want you to move in with me.”
I gasp, “Linc.”
“I know we wanted to take things slow this round but I hate when you or I leave for the evening, to go back to an empty place.I want you with me all the time.I want to come home and see your naked body laid out on the couch.Or shower together every morning before we go into work.I just want you here.”
I look up into his blue eyes and smile.
“I want that too,” I say and watch as his eyes widen in shock.I can tell he was expecting me to put up a fight and that he’d try and negotiate a timeframe.
“Really?”he asks, making sure he heard me correctly.
“Really,” I say.
He leans down and captures my lips to his.His tongue caresses the seam of my lips and I open as he swipes his tongue against mine.Using his hands, he pulls me snug, and then even closer with his hands at my back.Only when we’re breathless does he pull back.
“Thought I was gonna have to pull the big guns out to persuade you to live with me.I’ve been practicing all day,” he snorts with a smile.
“And what would you have used if I said no?”I ask.
“Let me show you,” he says, then he carefully lifts me beneath my underarms and sets me down on the kitchen island.
