Handle With Care (Shacking Up 5)

“Nah, I’m supposed to spend the weekend with Wren, so I want to run it by her.”

“This sounds like it’s getting serious there, cuz.”

“I like her, but I still have projects out of the country lined up for the next year.” I rub my chest at the sudden twinge that thought brings with it. It’s too soon and we’re too new for me to start merging what I want and what she wants into something we could take on together. At least I think it is.

Griffin chuckles. “A lot of things can change in a few months.”

I avoid commenting on that, because he’s sure as hell not wrong. “Let me talk to Wren and see if she’d be interested in roughing it for a night.”

“Okay. We’re getting on the plane now, so just message and let me know.”

“Sounds good, safe travels, cuz.” I end the call and head back inside, peeking in the bedroom. Wren’s still sleeping, although, it’s early and a Saturday, so it’s understandable. Also, I kept her up pretty late last night.

I’m hoping I can convince her that a camping trip with my cousin and his girlfriend is a great idea.

I drag the sheet down—she’s naked underneath it—and watch goose bumps rise on her skin as I brush her hair away from her face. I look forward to waking up with her in my bed several days a week. I hate New York and my job less, and work isn’t painful when she’s in the office. She makes things better, brighter, more alive. She makes me believe that Moorehead Media could be something good with the right leadership.

I sit on the edge of the bed and bend to kiss her neck and then her shoulder. She hums in her sleep and rolls over onto her back, exposing her lush, full breasts. Her nipples peak in the cool air, so I circle one with a fingertip.

She slaps my hand away and covers her eyes with her arm. “What time is it?”

“Almost eight.”

She peeks out from under her arm. “We went to bed at two in the morning. You know I’m grumpy when I get less than seven hours.”

“Your nipples don’t look grumpy.” I lean down and suck the right one, flicking it with my tongue.

Her fingers slide into my hair and she arches. “If I’m bitchy later, it’s your fault.”

“You can take a nap later if your attitude is a problem for me.” I release her nipple long enough to pull my shirt over my head and drop my briefs on the floor. Then I latch back on as I fit myself between her legs.

Half an hour later, Wren is stretched out beside me, head resting on my chest. “How do you feel about camping?”

“In tents?” she asks.

“Or a trailer.”

“I was a Girl Scout, so I have some tent experience, and I’ve done the trailer thing a few times.” She props her chin on my chest and gets a faraway look in her eyes. “When I was little, my parents rented a huge RV and we went on a three-week camping trip. It was so much fun. We stopped wherever we wanted. It’s probably one of my favorite childhood memories.”

“That sounds like a great family trip.”

“It was. Did you ever go on family vacations?”

“Not with my parents, but me and my cousin Griffin have done a lot of traveling together. He and his girlfriend are flying in for the weekend, and he suggested we head upstate, get away from the city, and relax for a night. What do you say?”

Wren’s expression grows wary. “I don’t know if that’s such a great idea, Linc. How are you going to explain your handler tagging along?”

“Griffin knows what’s going on, Wren.”

She pushes off my chest, pulling the sheet around her. “I thought we agreed to keep this between us.”

This isn’t quite the response I was going for. “You haven’t even told your best friend about us? Dani?”

They spend a night every week binge-watching some show and drinking wine or whatever. All I know is Wren doesn’t sleep over that night.

She makes a face. “Well, yes, Dani knows we’re … involved.”

“And you trust her to keep it to herself, yes?”

“We’ve been friends since grade school.”

“Well, I got you beat. Griffin and I have been tight since our mothers were pregnant. He’s a fortress, and he knows to keep that information to himself. Come on, Wren. Let’s do something normal and coupley and fun. I want to share how awesome you are with the people I actually care about.”

“It’ll just be Griffin and his girlfriend? What’s her name again? Casey?”

“Cosy.”

“Like cozy up next to me? Or a tea cozy?”

“Either works, but the British spelling of the word.”

Wren’s nose wrinkles. “I think I like her already.”* * *A few hours later, after I firm up the details with Griffin, we stop at Wren’s place to pack a bag of camping-appropriate gear. While she tosses things in a bag, I check emails and sift through social media posts. It’s hot in her apartment, so I shed my hoodie and drape it over a chair, leaning on the counter as I scroll through my alerts.