Page 54 of The Auction
“Yes, it’s not my hearing I have a problem with, it’s the words out of your mouth.”
“You don’t believe me?”
His statement makes my mouth gape as irritation works its way up my spine. “I’m not playing this game with you, Linc. I just came here to make sure you’d be at Eric’s Little League game tonight. He has it in his head that you will be. I tried to tell him he was mistaken and that you’re a very busy man, but he was adamant you said you’d be there.”
“Yes, I will. It’s at six, right? At the sports field behind his school?”
I pause momentarily stunned that he knows all this information, then I’m angry as I try to understand the game he’s playing. “Yes, but I’d prefer it if you didn’t come.”
Linc frowns and pushes off the desk moving towards me, stopping when he’s just inches from my body. Like a magnet, I feel sucked toward him and fight the need to just lean in and rest my head on his chest. To let him take the reins from me for just a little while. Stiffening my spine, I tilt my head to meet his gaze.
“And why is that, Lottie? Just a second ago you were here to demand I be there and not let Eric down. Now you want me to break that promise to him.”
I folded my arms across my chest to hide the way my nipples respond to the deep timbre of his voice. “I won’t have him dragged into whatever game you’re playing. He’s a child and he’s been through enough.”
Linc flinches like I’ve struck him in some way, but I know I’m mistaken. He’s heartless, and men like him can’t be hurt.
“You think I’d toy with a child’s emotions?”
“I don’t know, Linc. I don’t know you.”
“Bullshit, you know me.” His words are harsh and short, and he seems angry, but he tamps it down.
I blow out a short breath. “I knew you once, but that was a long time ago and the boy I knew would never treat someone like you’ve treated me.”
His hand lifts quickly and I flinch away, not wanting his touch on me, because I know I’ll crumble. I’m helpless when he touches me, and my emotions are too close to the surface today. His hand drops and he sighs as he moves to the other side of the desk.
“You’re angry with me.”
I’m so much more than angry, I’m hurt, I’m humiliated, and yes, furious but not with him so much as myself for allowing him the means to cause me pain with my stupid hope.
“No, I’m not angry, Linc.”
“You are and you have a right to be. I was an asshole the other night and I should never have spoken to you the way I did. I apologize.”
My chest seems to tighten at his words and the sincerity in them. I didn’t expect his apologies or want them. My anger keeps me safe from falling in love with him all over again. Of thinking this is more when we’re just pawns in each other’s games. Truthfully it hadn’t been the words he’d spoken when we fucked, it had been the cold way he’d rejected me straight after and the doubt he’d made me feel about myself.
I’m far from experienced. He was the first man to kiss me, to touch me, to fuck me, and even in between that I’d only had a few boyfriends that had never gotten past second base. Not because I hadn’t wanted it, I had but because I’d constantly looked for the way Linc had made me feel when we were together the first time, and never found that rush of excitement and nerves he’d given me.
I didn’t say any of that though, I’ll never tell him how weak he makes me, and never allow him that power again. “It’s fine, Linc.”
“No, it’s not and despite the rocky start we’ve had, I’d like us to be friends.”
“Friends?”
I walk toward him, wanting to understand how one man could be such a different person from one day to the next. He keeps showing me glimpses, albeit small, of the boy I’d worshiped and then the next moment, he’s the asshole who demands I bow to his needs.
Linc closes the distance between us and I can’t seem to find it in me to move away. His pull is so strong, and as he takes my hand in his and runs his fingers over my wrists, stroking the delicate skin, I soften.
“I’d like us to start again. To be friends so that this year isn’t fraught with fighting and resentment. We were friends once and I think we could be again. It will make life easier for all of us living under one roof if we’re at least amenable to one another.”
“Friends who have sex?” I question, wondering if he’ll let that part go and not knowing if I want him to give in and release me from the yearlong pleasure he’s shown me or not.
His lips quirk as he lifts my wrist to his lips, placing a kiss on the pulse point that makes my pussy flood with heat.
“We’ve both agreed to this contract, Lottie, and if you think for one second I’m going to give up that sweet pussy for even a second, then you’re sadly mistaken.”
I shiver as Linc nips his way up my arm, pulling me closer as he does, and I go willingly. When I’m within the bounds of his arms, his hands resting on my lower back, my front pressed against his heat, he drops a light kiss on my lips.
