Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 92167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Emma bristled and nearly whirled to face him. Why did this man feel he had the right to say such a thing? And really, what did it matter what this man thought?
Linc tugged her by her shirt until she was against his torso, then he wrapped an arm around her. His thick forearm brushed along the underside of her breast and she did her best not to think about how damn good it felt, or how her nipples were tightening.
Didn’t work, but she gave it a try. The phrase may have been “the old college try” and she still attempted, even though the closest she’d gotten to college was walking by a campus.
“Emma is all I could ever want, and Greer, well, when you meet her, you’ll see how amazing and incredible she is.”
Protective mama bear was soothed a tiny bit by his words. Scam or not, there wasn’t any way she was going to let her girl be part of this to get hurt. Seeing Dawson and Tully walking toward them, she tried to get out of Linc’s embrace without looking as if that was exactly what she was trying to do. He flexed his arm, effectively keeping her glued to him. Like he knew what she was trying to do and wasn’t letting it happen.
Dawson smiled at her even as her gaze darted down to where Linc held her. “Greer played a great game,” she said.
Emma’s responding smile wasn’t strained or forced. She truly liked her tenant and had lucked out when Dawson had moved in over the garage.
Tully was speaking with Linc and she took advantage to step closer to Dawson, who looked smashing in her outfit. As always. She had on a shirt with an eagle on the front. Red tips of the wings, blue then white on the head. Emma hid her smile. It was one of Tully’s old shirts, for it was the professional team he’d played for.
Eyebrows waggling, Dawson grinned. “Something going on I should know about?”
“Apparently, Linc and I are engaged.”
Dawson bit her lower lip even as her eyes sparkled. “It was the vibrator comment at the bar, wasn’t it? I saw him almost stumble when you mentioned how many batteries you go through.”
Emma flushed and scrubbed her neck, wishing she wasn’t so pale and didn’t showcase the red of her embarrassment as much. “This is serious, Dawson. He even told my boss today that I quit.”
She sobered. “I heard about that part. But good, your old boss is a fucking asshole. You need to be gone from that place. Work for your fiancé. I hear working for the boss can have perks.”
“He doesn’t actually want me as his fiancée. He only chose me because I was convenient at the time.”
Dawson pursed her lips. “Not buying that for a second. Especially with the way he’s looking at you right now. We will talk about this later tonight. I’ll bring the wine. You bring the story. Right now, I’m going to have Tully move Greer’s booster seat into Linc’s truck so you can take her home safely.”
Holy shit. I completely forgot about that. What kind of mother am I?
Dawson stepped closer and hugged her, mouth by her ear. “I know he’s been the unattainable fantasy of yours since school. Here’s your chance. Learn more about the man than everyone sees. Touch. Hold. Kiss. Fuck. Enjoy him. Who knows what this can turn into?” She ended the hug and stepped back. “Tully, get Linc’s keys so we can get that booster seat to the truck without them having to leave the game.”
Dawson and Tully left them talking with Mr. Stevenson. Linc reached for her hand and she took it, trying not to read too much into something as simplistic as a hand hold.
Another fail.
Mr. Stevenson smiled. “I know you have another game to watch. I’ll be by the center tomorrow to see how it operates. Looking forward to seeing you both again. I’ll have my wife with me and we’ll do lunch. Or supper. Perhaps both.” He held out his hand to Linc. “Good to meet you.”
“Thank you, sir. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow and meeting your wife.”
The man grinned. “Well, I’m much more comfortable having you meet her now, especially knowing you have a fiancée. She is such a huge fan of yours.” He looked at Emma. “You’re a delight, my dear. See you tomorrow.”
Mr. Stevenson strode off through the crowd.
She thought Linc would let go of her hand but he didn’t. In fact, neither did he stop stroking the side of her hand with his thumb as he held on.
“You can let go now.”
“He’s still watching. Try to act like you are madly in love with me.” Amusement tinged his tone.
Looking up at him, she narrowed her eyes. “Why don’t you act like it? You know, pretend until you get someone you actually want to be with. Not a single mother who looks like me.”