Page 34 of Not Like Christmas At All
Should I introduce her to Lincoln?
Oh my God, Genesis, she’s a dog!
I’m mentally battling myself on when is the appropriate timeframe to introduce a new…suitor…to a pet, when Lincoln drops back onto the blanket next to me, handing me a to-go cup. A stream of peppermint-scented steam wafts in front of me, and I take a long, delicious sip.
“So, queen of the elves, what’s on the agenda for our belated Christmas adventure today?” He nudges my shoulder with his, then brings his cup to his lips.
“How do you take your coffee?” I blurt, wanting to know so I can catalogue it for the next time we have coffee together.
I want to know everything about him, but I’ll start with the simple things.
“Black, mostly. Sometimes if I’m feeling spicy, I’ll add half and half and a dash of cinnamon.”
I thought I caught faint notes of cinnamon on him. “Feeling spicy today?”
A mischievous glint sparks in his eyes. “A bit.”
Leaning forward, he nips at my neck, dropping playful kisses and teasing bites along the column. A content sigh slips from me as I lean into him, but then I give his chest a small shove, remembering I’m supposed to be telling him about our day.
I can’t be trusted around him anymore, not after last night at the holiday party. It’s been on constant replay in my mind—I’ve never had sex in public, and even though we technically were alone, it could have taken a split second for that to change.
It was exhilarating, and as I look around the beach, I briefly wonder if we could get away with doing it here.Brieflybeing thekey word as I shake the thought. Even with less than half a dozen families around, privacy is nonexistent.
Picking up my concha again, I feed him a bite. “Have you ever been to Safari Park?” I ask innocently, like I don’t have the next several hours planned out. “Their Christmas tree is amazing.”
Lincoln shakes his head, his mouth too full to speak.
Grinning, I pull the second pair of reindeer glasses out of the bag and slip them onto his face. “Good! That’s stop two.”
Chapter Fourteen
I’m giddy as I pull into the staff lot ten minutes early for my scheduled shift at the hospital.
Yesterday was a fairytale. Our Christmas adventure was the perfect first date, and ending the night with the sparkling displays of lights in Escondido was everything I didn’t know I needed. Unfortunately, we said goodbye when he brought me home—he had to be up early to be at the hospital—but the kiss he left me with…
I fear my toes are permanently curled.
By now, Lincoln’s likely on his first break of the day, and I can’t help but wonder if I’ll catch a glimpse of him before I check in for my rotations.
I can’t believe that in less than forty-eight hours I’ve turned into a lust-sick puppy, clinging onto his every word and craving his presence like it’s the air I breathe.
I guess this is what they call the honeymoon phase—the beginning of a blooming relationship, shiny and new.
Except Lincoln and I haven’t had the relationship talk, yet. In fact, there’s been no mention of whether this thing between us is casual and fun, or if it has the potential to grow into more.He openly told me one of the reasons for him avoiding me was because he was afraid if we didn’t work out, it would affect Miller and Zee’s relationship, and while I completely understand his hesitation, I hope he won’t let it continue to drive his choices.
He and I could develop into something beautiful, but it takes two people to want to share a relationship, and if he doesn’t…well, that’s a reality I’ll have to accept.
Stepping off the elevator, I head to the nurses’ station to check in and grab my rotation schedule for the day. The desk is quiet, but as I flip through a patient's chart, the air shifts—electrifies—as the sound of footsteps approaches.
Glancing over my shoulder, I bite my lip when I see Lincoln sauntering up behind me in his white doctor’s coat and blue scrubs, looking cool as a cucumber with his hands in his pockets.
“Good morning, Nurse Nikolaou.” He looks up and down the hall before wrapping his arms around my waist, pulling me flush against him. “You’ve been on my mind.” His lips trail soft kisses down my neck.
My breathing hitches, and I rest my hand over his, leaning my head against his shoulder. “I could say the same.”
“Spend the night tonight.” It’s not a question—it’s a command. Just the thought of spending another night in his bed spikes my pulse.
But I can’t leave Pebbles again.
