Before he opens his eyes, I have the lights turned off and the curtains drawn. My cheeks, hell my whole body is flushed, thinking about what I just let him do. Every part of me is tingling, and there’s a low tug in my belly. My breath is coming in pants, and I’m looking around the dark room in a panic. I don’t grab a nightshirt or panties.
I climb into the bed, moving Muff to the side before I slide under the covers. I lie there, still not believing that what just happened really happened. My hand trails down my belly and between my thighs. I’m soaked, and my clit is swollen. I’m aroused just watching Lincoln get off. I can just imagine how good it would feel with his hands on me, pleasing me. I may have never done that before, but I know with Lincoln, it would be good. I lie as still as I possibly can in the bed. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, but a part of me is hoping that Lincoln is going to be knocking on my door soon.
3
Lincoln
After I cleaned up last night, I found myself standing in the driveway, debating with myself what to do. I wanted to go see her. I wanted to finish what I started, but a part of me was waiting for her to scream or for the sirens of the police to come and cart me off.
So instead, I went back into the house and thought of her all night long. Before the sun even came up, I was out of bed, pacing back and forth in the bedroom, watching for any movement next door.
Around midmorning, I’m on my porch talking on the phone to one of my buddies, and my eyes keep darting to the stairs of the garage next door. “Did you talk Emery into going with you tonight?”
“No,” I answer just as Avery opens her door. She’s carrying a bag of trash down the steps, and I meet her at the bottom. She’s watching me, and I don’t know if it’s the cold air or if she’s embarrassed is why her face is red.
Barry keeps talking, and I hold my free hand out to Avery. “Here, I’ll take it.”
She shakes her head. “I can get it.”
Not as long as I’m here you won’t. I don’t move, and she can’t get around me. “Here,” I say again.
She huffs and hands the bag over. “Look, Barry, I’ve got to go. I’ll figure out tonight one way or another. Merry Christmas, man.”
I listen to Barry say goodbye before I pocket the phone and walk the trash to the can around the side of the house. I look back, and Avery’s following me. “You okay?” she asks.
I shrug. I’m not okay, really. But I’m better now that she’s where I can see her. I put the trash in the can and turn back to her. “I’m okay.”
She crosses her arms over her chest. “You seem upset.”
“You really wanna know?”
She nods.
“Okay, well, I have to go to a client’s house for dinner tonight.”
“You have to work on Christmas Eve?”
I shrug. I’ve never minded working on Christmas Eve, but I do tonight. I can think of something else I’d much prefer doing right now. “I’m a real estate developer, and he’s a big client, and when he found out I didn’t have plans for tonight, he invited me for his family dinner party.”
She smiles, and I swear it about takes my breath away. “Well, that’s nice of him.”
I nod. “Yeah, well, he’s a great guy. But his wife, well, she’s a little handsy, if you know what I mean. Let’s just say I let her think I was married to ward her off.”
Avery’s stance shifts, and she averts her eyes. “Did it work?”
I put my hand on her back and guide her toward my porch. “No, not like I’d hoped. I think now it’s like a challenge for her.”
“Just tell her no.” Her voice is heated, and she’s shaking her head in disgust.
I grab on to her hand and thread our fingers together. I wait for her to pull away, and when she doesn’t, I shoot my shot. “You want to come play my wife?”
She blinks up at me. “Tonight?”
My hand tightens on hers. “You probably have plans.”
She’s shaking her head. “No, but I don’t really have anything to wear.”
“I can take you shopping.”
She starts to laugh. “You want to go shopping on Christmas Eve? Do you know how busy the stores will be?”
I pull her to me and breathe in her soft, sugary scent. I’d do anything right now if it meant I could spend more time with her. Even if it means spending time in a packed department store. “I don’t care. It could be fun.”
She scrunches her nose up, looks down at herself, and then back up at me. “Are you sure you want to go... with me?”