My chest heaved as I took in her exposed body. She was so stunning I could hardly stand it. Without thought, I cupped her breast and squeezed. She ground her hips against mine as her fingernails dug into my skin.
“I want you to do it all.” There was a breathlessness and a confidence in her voice at once.
I brushed her cheek with my thumb. “I intend to do just that.”
Bark. Bark. Bark.
Her eyes widened as she looked over my shoulder. It took me a moment to crash back to reality.
Our bedroom door was now wide open. Muffy and Millie attacked Beau . . . who was wearing the same clothing as the night before.
“I know it’s been a while for both of you, but you might want to think about locking the door if you’re going to do that.” She smirked as she took Lexie’s tank top from Muffy’s mouth.
Lexie ducked and scrambled into her sweatshirt.
I stalked toward my sister. “Where have you been?”
She wagged her finger at me. “Uh-uh. You’re done asking me questions until you start answering some of mine.” She shoved Lexie’s shirt into my stomach.
Eric emerged from my study, stretching. “Did you fall asleep in your clothes, Beau?”
I lifted a brow and her face turned scarlet.
“Something like that.” She whistled and headed for the entry to the apartment. “Let’s go for a walk, pups.”
“Oh, can I go?” Eric asked hopefully.
“Sure thing. Grab your shoes, and I’ll meet you in the foyer.”
My sister hadn’t forgiven me, but at least the foul mood was only directed at me.
After a series of barks and I was sure disobeyed commands, the door slammed.
Lexie sat on the edge of the bed, looking down.
The bed dipped when I sat beside her. “I lost control,” I said hoarsely.
“Me too.” She spoke so softly, I barely heard it.
“I don’t do that.” I could barely comprehend the notion. I hadn’t thought, simply acted on instinct and desire. “Except with you.”
She’d always made me speak and act without thought. At first, I’d resented the effect she had on me. But it was interesting and frightening at the same time.
She dragged her gaze to mine. “Your version of good morning is best too.”
I put an arm around her and kissed the side of her head. “We hadn’t even gotten to the best part.”
She smacked me in the arm.
“What?” I squeezed her.
“I’m not sure if it was better before when you barely said anything.” She put her head on my shoulder.
“You prefer the strong, silent type.”
She smacked me again. “I guess I must’ve hit my head harder than I thought.”
I straightened immediately. “Did I hurt you?”
She grinned. “I like the talkative version of you.”
I exhaled. I’d been so consumed with need for her before, I hadn’t considered her health. That was unacceptable.
“Good. Because there won’t be any action until you’re healed.”
She put a hand to her forehead and groaned.
“And if you like, you can come along for deliveries this morning. Only a half day.” She needed rest. The selfish part of me wanted to have her close.
“Still bossy, I see.” She stood and wedged between my legs, grabbing my chin. “My business. My way.”
Her confidence was infuriating and inspiring. I loved that she was her own person, yet despised she wouldn’t listen to me when I was right.
“No one speaks this way to me.” There was a little bit of awe in my voice.
“Better get used to it, pal, if you’re going to be hanging around me.”
I gripped her hip. “Have you so easily forgotten what calling me pal led to earlier?” It made me want to show her just how much of her pal I wasn’t. Pulling her into my bed seemed as good a start as any.
Her smile was saucy. “Nope. I was hoping for that reaction again.”
Chapter Nineteen
Lexie
“Let’s stop by the apartment. I need the special equipment to make ice cream.”
Because you’re assuming you’re staying at Lincoln’s again, Lexie?
It didn’t seem that far-fetched. He’d driven us around all day. I’d snuggled in the back of the van with Muffy and Millie while directing our route and sequence of deliveries.
Half day? I didn’t think so.
I’d never admit it to Lincoln, but I was tired. My head throbbed, and I’d give anything for a sleeping mask and his comfy bed.
I drummed the pencil on my clipboard. When I didn’t feel well, usually I craved my own bed. The thought of it wasn’t nearly as appealing.
Do you think after one night, you’re moving in?
No. I just . . . liked being in his space. With him.
I had no business rocket-shipping a relationship, but with him it was so natural, any other way seemed odd.
“Are you doing that tonight?” Lincoln asked.
Huh? Oh, the ice cream.
“We probably won’t have time after we make the batch of dog food. Maybe tomorrow though.” We could all use a big bowl of homemade ice cream.
Lincoln’s jaw set as he stared at the road ahead. Unlike when I’d tried to get him to turn over in the back of the van, he was careful with each maneuver.
“Did I say something that displeases you, sir?”
Lincoln had done more than support me the past few days. He’d lifted some of the weight I carried. Driving to the deliveries wasn’t always exactly stressful . . . but it was nice to kick back for a day.
The only problem was that I’d unloaded more responsibility on him when he needed a break more than I did.
He just didn’t realize it. And if I hadn’t hit my head and been forced to stop for a minute, I wouldn’t have seen that I did either.
“You should rest.”
Eric turned around in his seat. “Are you sick?”
Discreetly, I poked Lincoln in the back of the driver’s seat with my elbow.
“Nah. But hasn’t it been nice having a chauffeur?” It was a pitiful deflection, but necessary.
“Hey! We could hire Lincoln. He’s good with directions.”
I nearly choked. The sweetness of the sentiment tugged at my heart. Eric didn’t know we couldn’t afford to hire anyone else yet. Especially not Lincoln. He’d probably been making money all day, even though he hadn’t been to work.
“Hmmm. I’m not sure he’d pass the interview.”
“He can get better at peeling the carrots,” Eric defended.
I snorted. “This doesn’t have anything to do with the fact that he’ll stop and get donuts whenever you ask, does it?”
Eric shook his head. “But that’s another bonus.”
Had I used that phrase before? Sometimes I wondered where he picked things up. We didn’t watch a lot of TV. There wasn’t time.
“He doesn’t talk much, so that’s another check in the bonus column.”
I snickered as Lincoln’s scowl deepened.
“See. He’s perfect!” Eric said. I shouldn’t have encouraged him, knowing Lincoln wasn’t going to work for us, but we were having fun.