Page 10 of It Takes a Thief (Ring of Thieves #2)

I ’m not expecting Linc to kiss me, and, for a shocked moment, I freeze. His big hand cups the side of my face, and I think he’s waiting to see what I do. How I react to his lips on mine.

A desire like I’ve never known before spears through me, and my mouth opens, inviting him inside.

His hesitation disappears and he slides his tongue past my lips.

Exploring, caressing. Oh, God. My mind blasts into the stratosphere and every logical thought explodes into shimmering waves of desire, making everything a little hazy.

No one has ever kissed me like this. His mouth is firm, yet gentle, wreaking complete havoc on my lonely heart and body. I can tell he’s holding back, though. As if he’s not ready to release his full power on me.

Suddenly, it’s over before it really begins.

“Nooo,” I murmur when he pulls away. “Don’t stop.”

I can see the heat in his dark eyes before he douses it. “It’s late,” he says, voice deep and rumbly, “and you’ve been through a lot today.”

Even though I know he’s right, I could kiss him all night.

“C’mon, let’s get you up to bed.”

I reluctantly get up off the couch and watch as he checks the windows and alarm again.

“We’re fifty floors up. Do you really think someone is going to come through a window?”

“I don’t know. Maybe.”

He’s very thorough, that’s for sure. I can’t help but wonder if he’s just as thorough in bed.

“How do you think the intruder got in?” I ask, still perplexed by the break-in, and trying to divert my thoughts from Linc in my bed.

“They must’ve taken the system offline. I wouldn’t be surprised if all the cams in the building went down. Don’t worry, I’m going to install some upgrades. No one is getting in here again. In the meantime, I’ll sleep down here.”

“On the couch? What’s wrong with the guest room?”

“I want to be between you and that elevator. I don’t like how it opens right into your place.”

“Do you think whoever it was might come back tonight?” I can hear the horror in my voice.

“You have nothing to worry about, sweetheart. I’ll keep you safe.”

I slowly nod, trying to shut down thoughts of a masked intruder, armed with a knife, sneaking through my home. Going into my bedroom. It’s beyond disconcerting. “Thank you.”

I also can’t help but wonder how in the world Linc is going to be comfortable on my small sofa when he’s so big and tall.

“Let me get you some sheets and a blanket,” I offer.

“Not necessary,” he grunts.

“Are you sure?”

“Positive.” He reaches for my elbow, guiding me over to the stairs. “I’ve slept in far worse places than a princess’s penthouse.”

He gives me a crooked smile and, I swear, my heart melts.

Once we’re upstairs, I open the linen closet and hand him a blanket, anyway. “In case you get cold,” I murmur.

I don’t share my hope that he wraps himself in it all night.

Because I want his scent on it, so after this is all over and we go our separate ways, I can curl up in it and surround myself with his spice and musk scent.

He comforts me. Makes me believe everything will be alright.

And I’m going to need that more than ever when I return to Arcadia.

His big hands take the fluffy blanket, brushing against mine, and I shiver. Our gazes lock, and that heat I saw earlier in his dark eyes flickers to life. My heart thumps harder, my lips tingling with the memory of our kiss downstairs. I want him to kiss me again. I want it desperately.

“Thanks,” he rasps. “Goodnight.”

Before I can respond, he hurries away, practically jogging back downstairs.

“Damn,” I whisper, slumping against the closet door. So very close. He got me all revved up, then completely shut me down. So not acceptable.

Crossing my arms, I let out a soft sigh. Even though he’s doing his best to keep his distance, he caved in and kissed me once. And that gives me hope that maybe he’ll do it again.

Because I am not through with trying to coerce Lincoln Decker into giving me more of his steamy, mouthwatering kisses. Not even close. Gah, I could kiss that delicious man all night long.

Pushing off the door, I walk down to my room.

He’s right, it was a crazy day, and as the adrenaline wears off, I realize how truly exhausted I am.

After a quick shower, I snuggle down in my bed and an image of the knife sticking out of my pillow infiltrates my sleepy brain.

Of course, the pillow and weapon are gone, taken as evidence, but that doesn’t make me feel any better.

Sorry I missed you, Princess.

Those words will always haunt me. Who would do such a thing? Was it just someone trying to scare me? Or did the intruder want to kill me?

Fear rushes over me, but then I remember Linc is downstairs. Big, strong, powerful Lincoln “Lights Out” Decker, former MMA fighter. My breathing evens out because I know he’s keeping guard. The man is vigilant and has a gun.

You’re safe, Mer.

Instead of thinking about the scary parts of tonight, I focus on the amazing parts—eating pizza together, and how he made sure to order my favorite toppings even though he’s probably more of a sausage and pepperoni kind of guy; walking down the street with him, our shoulders touching; the concern on his face and the way he held and consoled me after I found the knife.

And my favorite memory of all, his mouth on mine, kissing me senseless.

I’ve been kissed before, but not like that.

It felt like he wanted to consume me. At the same time, I knew he wasn’t allowing himself to fully give in to whatever was happening between us.

He restrained himself. Maybe because he’s so big and he was trying to be careful?

Or is he still obsessing over his silly rules?

I wonder. Other than his huge hand cupping my face, he didn’t touch me.

Oh, God, I want him to touch me. I wish for those big hands to slide over my body and explore places no one has before. I move my hand beneath the sheet, slowly trailing it downward, and lightly touch myself. Images of Linc fill my head as I gently and intimately caress between my legs.

My breathing picks up and I slide my panties aside, running my fingers down my seam then up and around my throbbing clit.

I’m soaked and aching. It doesn’t take long to bring myself to release, but the entire time I’m wishing it were Linc’s fingers.

His big, thick, long fingers sinking deep inside me…

A soft moan escapes my mouth and my other hand curls into the sheets. When sleep finally comes, I don’t have nightmares. I’m too busy dreaming about Linc and all the wicked things I want him to do to me.

∞∞∞

Morning arrives and I stretch, glance over at the sun shining between the parted curtains and remember the big man downstairs.

My bodyguard. I also think over all the events of yesterday and make a decision—I can’t be cooped up in here for the next two weeks.

I need to get out and enjoy the city before I have to leave it.

Do something fun and exciting. Because, at this point, I’ve pretty much come to accept I won’t be meeting Mr. Right before I have to leave NYC.

My mind drifts to Mr. Right Now, though, and I know exactly what I want to do. I just hope I can convince Linc.

After washing up in my bathroom, I pull a comfy robe over my short nightgown, step into my fluffy slippers and head downstairs.

The smell of coffee fills the air, which is unexpected considering my machine has been broken for months.

I head straight to the kitchen, wondering if he ran out to a coffee shop.

Linc sits at the small table, sipping coffee from a mug.

I glance over at my formerly dead Nespresso machine, cocking my head. “You fixed it?”

“Sure did. Gotta have my caffeine. And since I wasn’t leaving you, and you clearly like to sleep in, I fixed it. This is my third cup.”

The clock on the stove shows it’s not quite eight AM. “Sleep in?” I echo and make my way over to the counter. “It was still dark ten minutes ago.”

He chuckles. “I get up at dawn.”

“Why?” I don’t mean to sound so horrified, but I’m not sure why anyone in their right mind would choose to get up that early.

“Old habits die hard. I used to get up at four to train.”

“Four AM? ” I squeal.

“I don’t need much sleep.” He shrugs a shoulder. “I like to work out early then drink my first cup of coffee outside on my patio. Enjoy my view of the mountains and the peace and quiet before the world wakes up.”

I pop a pod into the machine, considering his words. “As nice as that sounds, I can’t come to terms with getting up that early every day.”

He smirks. “It’s not for everyone.”

“Thank you for fixing this. I’ve been walking down to the corner coffee shop every morning.”

“No problem.”

Once my frothy caffeine goodness finishes brewing, I walk over and sit down at the table.

I don’t want to start the morning off on the wrong foot, but I need to make my wishes clear.

“As you know, I have thirteen days left in New York. I’ve come to terms with the sad truth that I’m not going to be in an instalove story.

But I don’t plan on spending it locked up in here either. ”

When he doesn’t comment, I lift my chin.

“I will be going out and doing things.”

No response.

“I understand you’ll be with me—as my bodyguard,” I add quickly. “So, I’m not worried.”

He takes a long drink of his coffee, and I shift in my seat. Why isn’t he fighting me on this? Or saying anything?

“I’ll go crazy sitting here all day.”

“I get it,” he finally says, eyeing me closely. Intently.

“You do?” I seriously thought he was going to keep me locked up in this tower like Rapunzel.

“I’m not a completely unemotional bastard.” He hesitates, circling a finger on his mug. “I’m hoping I don’t regret this, but I thought it might be fun to go to the fight tonight.”

“Really?” I exclaim, sitting up straighter. I’m pleasantly surprised because I was going to suggest the same thing. “I’d love that.”

“I had a feeling you’d want to get out, and nothing short of tying you up would keep you here.”

My lips part and heat suffuses my cheeks. Maybe Linc tying me up wouldn’t be too awful, especially if we were both naked.

He coughs, clears his throat and looks away. “Anyway, if you promise to be good and hang out here while I upgrade your security system and check in with contacts about your case, then we can go to the fight later.”

“Deal.”

The day goes by surprisingly fast. I spend a lot of it chatting to Linc while he fiddles around with the security stuff. He even installs new locks on my windows, which I think is completely unnecessary since I live in a high rise. But he insists.

I make grilled cheeses for lunch since I know he likes the basics, and how much more basic can cheese and bread be? Although, I do add my secret ingredient, which makes him pause mid-chew.

“What’s on this?” he asks, studying it suspiciously.

“Miracle Whip. I’m sorry, maybe I shouldn’t have put it on yours.”

“No, I like it.”

“It gives it a little tang, don’t you think? My mom always adds it, so I do, too.”

“It’s good.”

I can’t help but smile as he devours it. After eating, we talk more, and there’s a level of ease with him I’ve never experienced with a man before. He listens when I speak, asks all the right questions and makes me comfortable. It’s crazy to think we haven’t known each other longer.

Plus, there’s the overwhelming attraction that is growing stronger. Not just on my side. I’ve caught him staring at me quite a few times. And not just at my face. The last time I turned around, his heated gaze was glued to my ass.

“So, what does one wear to an underground fight?” I ask.

He’s testing the new system and pauses. “Nothing fancy. Do you have jeans?”

I laugh. “Of course, I have jeans.”

“I don’t know. You’re a princess, and you seem to wear a lot of dresses.”

“Is that all you see? A princess? I’m a woman first, Linc.” My voice comes out far huskier than I intend, but it’s the truth. And I want him to be as aware of me as I am of him—his body, his scent, his heat. Everything.

He visibly swallows. “Yeah, I’ve noticed.”

The words come out low, kind of sexy and scratchy, and I send him a mischievous smile before hopping off the couch. “Good,” I say lightly.

“Where are you going?” he asks.

“To get ready for the fight.” And to dig out those jeans I rarely wear.