Page 37 of Dancing With Temptation

“I know, Lincoln, but let’s not talk about that right now, please? Let me just be your Loly for now, okay? I like being Loly.” She smiled and wiped at her face with a towel he handed to her.

“I can do that.” He got up to go to the bar fridge, took out two small bottles of bourbon and a can of Coca-Cola. “Here, have a drink with me.”

He mixed the contents of the bottles and the can in two glasses on a tray and brought them to her. “Cheers.”

“Yeah, thanks.” She took the drink and sipped it, her eyes back on the city outside. “I guess I need to stop whining and get ready for the hell you’re about to put me through over the next few days.”

“It’s not something I look forward to either, but we can do it.” He sipped at his drink and sat back in the chair opposite hers. “What are you going to do when we get back?”

“Sleep. For a week.” She looked down at her chipped and pitted nails and frowned. “And get a manicure.”

“Mm, there’s the Roxie I know.” He grinned at her and looked away. “I need a haircut and a week of sleep myself.”

“We’re a pair, aren’t we?” She snickered and sipped her drink.

“It seems so, yes.” He replied softly. “But, I’m going to shower now and get to bed.”

He put his empty glass on the table and looked at her. “Care to join me?”

“I think I’ll finish my drink and see what’s on TV.” She looked at the bed, almost too big for them, and missed her tiny bed in the village. “I’ll be waiting for you, though.”

“Alright.” Lincoln nodded and went into the bathroom.

She was a little embarrassed that she’d lost control like that, and a little ashamed that she’d cried. She needed a moment to regain her equilibrium, but something told her that wouldn’t happen until she was back home and into the swing of her old life. She didn’t want to think about that, about how easy it would be to slip back into her old self.

For a little while longer, she wanted to retain the person she’d been in that village. A person that had hope, who was carefree and laughed easily. There was no doubt in her mind that the minute she stepped back onto American soil she’d have to start looking over her shoulder. Since her parents had died she’d done that every single day.

She’d never known quite what happened, but she’d put together the knowledge that those men had beat up her dad and were there the night of the fire. That meant the fire hadn’t been an accident. There’d always been the question of whether her father set the fire or those men, but to Roxie the answer was obvious, those men had meant to kill her parents. The reason she always looked over her shoulder was clear; they’d meant to kill her as well. Since they hadn’t accomplished that, she assumed she was a target and had hidden who she used to be, who she was now, with great care.

Until Lincoln came along, that is.

The problem was compounded by the fact that Lincoln’s family would recognize her. His mother, his siblings, all of them would know who she was. Which meant she couldn’t have a real relationship with him.

She smiled, thinking of her teenage crush on his half-brother Liam. She still had one of his letters, hidden away back at her apartment. They’d exchanged those letters, hidden in a birdhouse, for months. Strange how it was Lincoln that she’d ended up sleeping with, losing her virginity to him that awful night. How it was Lincoln she was with now.

He came out of the shower, his hips wrapped in a towel, and she held her arms out to him, needing his strength the moment she saw him. He didn’t say anything, didn’t ask anything, he just came to her and gave her what she needed. She didn’t speak either, she just took what he offered her and drank in his attention. Maybe even his love.

But she knew he didn’t believe in love. She wasn’t so sure she did either, but her memory always prodded her with images of her parents, how they looked at each other, and always found ways to touch. Was that love? She wondered as he took her breath away, his mouth intimately pressed into her center. Was this need to always be near him, love?

It couldn’t be, but she wished it was as her brain exploded with the many hues of pleasure he worked to give her. He was a magnificent man, even if he could be an asshole when he wanted to be. If only he could keep his mouth shut about who she was, keep her secret for her, they might be able to make this something more than a contract.

If he could keep her secret then she wouldn’t turn down whatever came next. Their contract was almost over. Somewhere during the hectic hours of getting back to Myrtle Beach, the contract would end. What came next was up to Lincoln.

If he wanted to keep her in his life, he’d do what needed to be done. He’d respect her need for privacy, secrecy, and make sure he protected her at all times. The way he sank into her with a sigh of pure bliss told her he would do just that. What man could turn away from someone who made him feel like that?

She held him close, urged him on, hoping that whatever came next, whatever happened to her, that she could hold him like this for a little while longer. For only a little while longer.

19

Lincoln

Conflict in his personal life was something Lincoln had always hated. If that conflict came from his business dealings he’d relish the fight, do whatever it took to win, but in his personal life? No, he only wanted peace there. Which was one reason he didn’t mind moving so far away from his mother and siblings.

His mother could never settle with one man, showing him that love was not real between spouses. She’d changed marriages and homes like other women changed clothes, without regret and no looking back. After her divorce from Dr. Bennet all those years ago, he’d stopped getting to know her new men. They never lasted and walking away from a father figure was a hard thing to do.

He understood his real father had been a bastard to her, and he suspected her own mother had taught her some hard lessons about life, but he’d only ever wanted a steady, peaceful home. He’d almost started to think he could have that here in Myrtle Beach, away from the hectic life in New York City, away from his family.

Life with Roxie in Cambodia had been the most peaceful time in his life. Sure, he’d been literally hit by a bus, and there’d been the quick trip to Singapore, but the nights with her had been…perfect.