Thieves 2 Lovers Page 7

  What is he doing?

  He’s now so close to me that I can smell his cologne, which makes my nipples perk. Bending down to meet me at eye level, he lifts his hand, and brings a donut up to my lips.

  Oh, God.

  This is not sexual.

  This is just a donut.

  I am just opening my mouth to take a bite. Of a donut.

  Focus, Reagan.

  My lips part as he places the mouthwatering old-fashioned glazed donut on my lips, allowing me to take a small bite. All harmless.

  Until I moan.

  His gaze darkens and drops to my mouth. “Perfect,” he says, his voice husky. “Right?”

  I have a feeling there is double meaning all over that comment. I take a step back. “Uh, yeah. They sure know how to glaze a donut.”

  His jaw clenches as he stares at me with heat-filled eyes for a moment longer than a best friend should. With a shake of his head, he sticks the donut in his mouth, taking a large bite, and turns back, grabbing the coffee before heading toward my back door. “We’re burning daylight, Rey. Let’s go get dirty.” And with that, he’s out the door.

  God, dirty doesn’t even describe my wrong, oh-so-wrong, brain right now.

  We are two hours into our garden day and I’m kicking myself for not setting up a secret video camera in my backyard and recording Lincoln Carter getting dirty. I’ve taken about a gazillion breaks to get water because I needed to cool off. As in cool my body temperature by fanning my darn lady parts. I’ve imagined jumping on him, tearing his pants off, clawing at his skin, using the garden hose in the crudest of ways and last, but not worst, having him shove me into our freshly tilled soil and getting me so dirty that I die of the best orgasm of my life.

  It’s settled.

  I have major issues, and it’s a good thing I’m moving to Antarctica.

  I do want to point out, for the record, that Linc is not so innocent. That bastard knows what he’s doing. He knew what he was doing when he took his shirt off, claiming he didn’t want to dirty himself any more than he’d planned to, and that my eyes would take interest in his bare chest. And he knew what he was doing when he asked me to stand in front of him to “block the sun,” because that was merely so I’d have a front-row view to his bulging muscles as he pushed the tiller through the soil. It was as if he was tempting me to lose my control and attack him. Some friend he was being.

  We took a break to eat lunch, where I made us some turkey sandwiches. We ate on the lawn while chatting about this and that. I commented on him having a different car, to which he explained he was just bored with it and wanted something different. I brought up him meeting with my brother, but he just brushed it off, saying it was nothing and if it turned into something I would be the first to know. Lastly, I tried prying into where he goes all day but he seemed less than willing to fork up that information. I told myself it was none of my business so I let it go.

  One day, I’m going to make him tell me everything.

  But since I’m carrying around my own little secrets, I can’t exactly demand he divulge all of his.

  Once we finish and clean up, it’s time to plant.

  “What the hell is all this shit, anyway?” Linc asks while picking up a tray of red peppers. “Are you planning to live off the land for the rest of your life?” He smirks at me. “Or are you just wanting to plant this crap so you can take a selfie and hashtag something eco-friendly for all your friends to know you love your earth? #CucumbersSaveLives.”

  I laugh and swat him with my hand held rototiller. “No, you nerd. Those are peppers and some are vegetables, some are fruits, and some are herbs. It’ll help save money and trips to the grocery store for one tomato or a tablespoon of basil.”

  He’s just staring at me like I’ve grown two heads. “Basil? For what? You don’t cook.”

  “Yes, I do!” I reply, shocked. “I love to cook.”

  “You’ve never cooked for me,” he says with a faux pout. “And pouring Fireball down my throat is not the same thing.” At that, he snorts with laughter.

  With my hands on my hips, I give him my best you don’t know what you’re talking about look. “Well maybe you never asked me,” I argue. “Tell me next time you’re hungry, and I will.”

  Sometimes I just want to stick my foot in my mouth. Because that just gave Linc the invitation to look me up and down, his eyes gleaming wickedly. “I’m hungry.”

  And I’m now as wet as a slip-n-slide.

  “Well…n-no food until you finish.” I break eye contact and bend over to pick up a tray of cherry tomatoes. I won’t deny that it may have accidently given Linc a peep show down the front of my dress. I hand him the row and he grabs for it purposely brushing his fingers along mine.

  Okay!

  “I think I need a water break. I’ll be right back.” I drop the empty container and start hurrying towards my back door. It’s then I feel the rigid coldness slam at my back. I screech as I turn. Linc is holding the hose spraying me. “What the hell!?”

  “You said you needed a water break. I wanted to save you the trouble of having to go all the way inside. It’s like the thirty-seventh time you’ve done that. It leaves me all alone, and I miss you.”

  My mouth is still in the O-shape from the shock of his move. I can’t believe he would—

  Another attack hits me when he sprays me directly in the chest, soaking my dress. “Linc!”

  “Yes?”

  “That’s cold!” I bark, stomping toward him.

  “Then it’s doing its job,” he says, his tone matter-of-fact. “Do you feel cool yet?” He sprays me again, but this time in the face. I scream, trying to block the spray, while I sprint toward him. He must forget that I was raised with two older brothers. I make it to him and jump. I tackle him, and he bursts out laughing in shock. My bold move manages to distract him into dropping the hose. It also manages to make him slide in the now-soaked soil and slip. We both go down, him turning so he takes the brunt of the fall. Once in the soiled garden, he flips us so I’m now in the mud, pinning my hands down so I don’t try and harm him.

  Our eyes meet for a heated moment.

  Even the icy cold water can’t cool me down.

  “Good thing you wore that old dress. Would have hated to get such a pretty new thing so muddy,” he says, his voice a little bit hoarse. My voice is stuck in my throat, unable to find any comeback. I can’t stop thinking about how good his hard body feels on top of mine. And it’s impossible not to acknowledge the hardness resting on my hip.

  With nothing coming out of our mouths, it leaves us silent—with only our eyes doing the talking.

  I want him to kiss me. I want with every fiber in my soul for him to place his lips on mine. I know he wants to. His eyes are on fire and they’re blazing with need.

  “Linc…” I say breathlessly. Out of warning or need, I’m not sure. I want this. Him. But I want it to be right. I don’t want it to be while I’m not available, fully. “You’re lying on my freshly planted peppers.”

  And our connection breaks.

  He must have seen the battle in my eyes. I’m thankful and disappointed at the same time. He lifts his finger and slowly wipes a chunk of mud off my cheek. When he does the same to the other side, I realize what he’s doing.

  “Linc…” I say his name again, this time in warning.

  “What? You’d make a good warrior. Princess Pepper Destroyer.” His laugh fills my entire backyard as I lift my hand and sucker punch him in the ribs. He rolls off me, lying on his back in the mud, not giving a care about getting dirty.

  I sit up looking around us.

  “We’re a mess.” Literally and figuratively.

  Linc turns his head to me. “Did you want me to spray you off?”

  I give him an eye roll and stand. He laughs and joins me.

  We silently plant the rest of the garden until the last tray of mint and basil are underground. I don’t know where his mind is but mine is completely on him.

>   “It looks perfect.” I slap my hands together, discarding the soil buildup on my hands. We’re standing next to each other, observing our masterpiece.

  Linc throws the shovel and swipes a layer of sweat off his brow. “We’re not done yet.”

  I look around, not seeing anything else to plant. I’m about to ask him what we missed when he takes off, returning with a handful of items.

  My smile explodes across my face as I begin shaking my head.

  “Don’t shake your head at me, woman. Hold these.” He hands me Roman’s statue, the razor, and a few other random items he’s seemed to steal from my brother along the way. Bending down, he takes Roman’s nine iron and jams it into the soil. I begin handing him each item, and with each one, he places it sporadically throughout the garden.

  I can’t help but cover my mouth and giggle the whole time, until the last item is placed. Once complete, Linc stands wiping off his hands, and turns to me. “Now it’s done. Garden of Thievery we shall call it.”

  I smile and nod, because I think it’s perfect.

  “Well, it’s getting late and I’m hungry,” he says, mischief dancing in his eyes as he rubs his dirty, sculpted abs. “I’m pretty sure you said all I had to do was tell you and you would feed me.”

  I smile at his obvious antics. “You’re correct. For all your hard work, I’ll feed you. Anything you want.” Ugh, foot in mouth, again. “You grocery shop, I cook. Deal?” I try and save myself, which I do. I stick my hand out and we shake on it. His hand is warm in mine, and I don’t want to let go.

  But I do.

  I always let him go.

  We go inside and take our showers, separately of course, and when I make a grocery list filled with ingredients for the fettuccini Alfredo with sausage meatballs and spinach with grated Parmesan cheese he requested, I hand him my list and he’s off.

  After blow drying my hair and slipping into a pair of tight black yoga pants and a flimsy bright yellow tank top, I play around in my kitchen, pulling out pots and pans, searching for dry herbs and any random items I’ll need for Linc’s over-the top-meal. I get a good look out my kitchen window which overlooks the backyard and laugh at the golf club sticking out of the ground. “Roman is going to kill me when he sees that.”

  But for some reason, I don’t care. It’s worth it. I can’t stop smiling at each and every memory of today. My cheeks burn thinking about the parts of Linc that shouldn’t be on my mind. As I pull down the strainer from a cabinet, there’s one thought that’s playing on repeat in my mind.

  Lincoln makes me happy.

  The happy that everyone wishes for.

  He’s the first face I see when I have something important to share. Who I want to confide in. He’s the person I want to spend my time with, laugh with, be with. I want to be with Linc. I know it and feel it so deep in my bones. If he feels differently, then so be it. But I can’t continue living this lie. The one where I pretend not to be in love with my best friend. I hear my front door open and close. It’s too soon for Linc to be back.

  “Did you forget something?” I call out.

  I turn and see Chase storm into my kitchen all decked out in his golfer garb. “Where the hell were you today?”

  His tone startles me, causing me to retreat a few steps back. Chase’s normally calm features are contorted into an expression of rage. His face is bright red and his chest heaves with his breaths.

  “I-I was here,” I stammer. I’m completely caught off-guard by his intrusion. “I told you, I had stuff to do around the—”

  “You had to be with me today,” he snarls. “You stood me up in front of your entire family!” He raises his voice and his eyes darken. I’m reminded quickly of the Chase I saw in his office earlier this week and it begins to unnerve me.

  “I’m sorry but I told you—”

  My words get caught in my throat when he seizes me, both hands gripping my throat. Rather forcefully, he pushes me against the wall. He isn’t easy on me. His fingers digging into my skin will undoubtedly result in bruising. “I did all this for you. You think I enjoyed carting your family around? You were supposed to be there. Showing your family how devoted you are to me!” he seethes, spittle spraying my face.

  “Ch-Chase, let me go,” I choke out. “You’re hurting me.”

  His grip tightens to the point where I’m having trouble breathing. I claw at his fingers. “Good,” he snaps. “Maybe then you’ll understand that standing me up was selfish. You looked like such a child. A stubborn, petulant child.” He takes my body and slams me against the wall. “Is that what you’ve become? A child?” Again, another slam. With each shove, he threatens to knock the wind out of me. I begin fighting in his grip. “Need someone to teach you how to behave?”

  My breath hisses from me as I struggle to say my words that are filled with venom. “Let me go, you asshole.”

  He laughs but it’s far from funny. His rage has intensified with each passing second. “The mouth on you now, Pet. Did you pick that up from your stray dog? Is he teaching you his filth?” He slams me once more against the wall, this time causing me to gasp for air because it feels as though he crushes my windpipe.

  When he loosens his grip, I rasp out my words. “That stray dog is a billion times more of a man than you will ever be, you fucking piece of—”

  His free hand raises and thrashes across my face, his knuckles cracking against my mouth. I wince at the searing pain in my lip, automatically feeling the wetness of blood as it runs down my chin. My knees buckle beneath me as stars dance around me.

  At seeing his handy work, he quickly releases me and steps back. I grab at my neck, trying to suck in as much air as I can while trying not to collapse.

  “Y-You do this to me,” he stammers out as he spears his fingers through his hair, messing it up. His crazed eyes meet mine. “You make me do this.”

  I’m starting to shake. I wipe my chin and pull my hand away to find it covered in blood. When my eyes meet his, I shoot him the most hateful glare I can muster. Be brave, Reagan. You deserve better. “Get out of my house,” I rasp out. “We’re done. And if you’re smart, you’ll put in your notice before my brothers get wind of this.” I stand my ground despite the trembling that overtakes me, hoping he backs down before I do.

  He stares blankly at me as if he’s still trying to process what just happened.

  “I said GET OUT!” I choke out tearfully and point toward the door.

  His brows furrow together. “We’re not done here.”

  I glare at him until he turns and leaves.

  The moment I hear my front door slam, my body begins to shake uncontrollably. I slide down the wall, collapsing onto the floor before breaking down in sobs.

  I need my best friend.

  I need Linc.

  An Eternity of Not Enough

  I STARE IN THE REARVIEW mirror as I drive from the grocery store back to Reagan’s. The same black Chevy Impala has been following me since I pulled out of the parking lot. It isn’t Louie’s usual ride, but I don’t put anything past him. I’m tired of these fuckers infesting my damn town.

  Speeding up, I weave in and out of traffic before quickly turning down a side road into a neighborhood. I whip down the street and double back the way I came. When I’m finally sure I lost the fucker, I hurry back to Reagan’s.

  Today has been perfect.

  Just the two of us. Alone.

  No stupid fucking Chase.

  And despite her words, her expressions and actions spoke volumes. Reagan is affected by me. Whenever she looks at me, heat flickers in her eyes. I know the way I feel deep down about her isn’t unrequited.

  She wants me just as much as I want her.

  One day soon, she will see it.

  I’ll be able to convince her we’d be good together.

  I’m just so damn sure of it.

  A smile plays at my lips as I plan on ways to flirt with her while she cooks for me. But as soon as I pull into the driveway, it’s wiped right
from my face. Chase comes storming out of the house, his face bright red and angry.

  What the fuck?

  I throw the car in park beside his and jump out, snagging my two sacks quickly. After I kick the door shut, I stalk his way.

  “She’s all yours,” he sneers as his shoulder clips mine when he walks past me. “That is, until she stops throwing her temper tantrum.”

  I set the bags on the bottom step and storm over to him. He slings his car door open, but I grip the top before he can close it. “The fuck you say?” I demand, glowering at him.

  He tries and fails to close the door. “I said she’s all yours,” he bites out. “Pet needs a pet. A dirty little stray like yourself.”

  “It’s a good thing we’re roommates then,” I snarl, my tone mocking. “I like when she scratches behind my ears each night. Makes me want to lick her.”

  With a fury I’ve never seen before, he slams his fist on his steering wheel. “I fucking knew it! Not only is she a child, she’s also a cheating whore!”

  I’m so pissed that I nearly send my fist through the window, but a black Impala slowly drives by at that exact moment. I stare at the vehicle, trying desperately to see in the tinted windows, when Chase manages to yank the door out of my grip. He’s already pulling out of the driveway before I can stop him.

  He squeals off down the street, and I have half a mind to go after him. But right now, I need to see how Reagan’s feeling after their obvious blowout. Chase is such a pussy. He better not have said anything mean to her, like he spewed at me. She doesn’t deserve that.

  I snag up the bags and stalk inside. I’m not sure who was in the Impala but I’m certain if it were Louie, my ass would be dead. Louie doesn’t simply drive by. No, this was someone else.

  “Rey,” I call out. “Everything okay? I just saw that douchebag and—”

  The first thing that reaches my ears is the sound of her sniffling. When I step into the kitchen, I have trouble processing the scene in front of me. Reagan lies sprawled out in the middle of the floor, sobbing as she clutches her neck. I slam the bags on the counter and drop to my knees beside her.