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I shot him a sharp look. “You’re not worried?”
“If some slob wants to ogle me, I don’t care,” he said, shrugging it off.
“You should care that some slob wants to ogle me,” I retorted, turning and striding towards the house.
“Erika?” Lincoln called after me.
Ignoring him, I pushed open the sliding door and shut it firmly behind me. My annoyance flared, mingling with lingering embarrassment. Lincoln’s nonchalance about our situation only fueled my frustration as I stalked through the house, determined to find some privacy.
“You’re angry, I get it,” Lincoln said as he stepped out of the bathroom, towel in hand, drying his damp hair. His footsteps were slow and measured as he entered the room, finding me sitting on the bed, engrossed in my phone. I was clad in nothing but hot pink panties and a short t-shirt, absorbed in checking my emails.
“Did you know someone was there?” I asked, not looking up.
“I swear I didn’t,” he replied, his voice tinged with frustration.
“I don’t believe you,” I shot back.
He sighed deeply. “What do I have to do to make you believe me?”
“Nothing,” I said, dismissively returning to my phone. I heard him rummaging through his bag, muttering about searching for a pair of shorts. Despite my irritation, I couldn’t help but sneak glances at his naked form. He had a way of driving me mad and still making me want him at the same time.
Lincoln finally found a pair of black shorts, sliding them on before sitting down beside me. His hand brushed gently down my bare leg. “I’m sorry,” he said softly. “I didn’t know. I would never expose you.”
“I’m not an exhibitionist,” I replied, turning my phone screen off.
“I know you aren’t. Can we just forget this and move on? I’d like to take you out on my boat.”
Despite my annoyance, a flicker of interest sparked. “You have a boat?”
“It’s docked at the marina not far from here.”
“Can we go swimming in the ocean?” I asked, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips.
“Of course. We could pack a lunch and spend the day on the water.”
“That sounds like fun. Let’s do it,” I said, a genuine enthusiasm in my voice.
“Do it?” Lincoln echoed, a suggestive grin spreading across his face.
I reached out, running my fingers over the blond scruff on his face. “Is that all you think about?”
“It used to be, but all I think about now is you,” he said, his gaze tender.
“Uh-huh, that and sex and money. All the evils of the world.”
“That would group you into being one of those evils,” he teased.
“Maybe I am,” I countered with a playful smirk.
“Ah, sweet Erika,” he said, his tone softening. “There’s no way you could be grouped with the evils of the world.”
“You’re corny,” I said, shaking my head.
“But I love you,” he said, his voice full of affection. “Let’s get something to eat.”
Lincoln surprised me with a delectable early dinner of fettuccini carbonara. I was impressed, not realizing he had such culinary skills. For dessert, we enjoyed rich red velvet cake and fruity white wine. The day, fueled by our earlier passion, ended with us falling asleep wrapped in each other’s arms, the weight of the day’s events melting away as we drifted off together.
CHAPTER 17
