“What’s going on with Bethany and Angelo?” I immediately ambush Lincoln as he walks through the door that evening.

He steps closer to me, pulling me into his arms and kissing me hard before he speaks. “Hello, beautiful,” he says, gazing into my eyes. “What’s this about Bethany and Angelo?”

I snap back quickly, “That’s what I want to know. What’s going on with Bethany and Angelo?”

Lincoln takes my hand, walking us toward the sofa. He sits, pulling me into his lap. “You know he’s her bodyguard, Lillian.” He nuzzles his face into my neck, kissing just below my ear.

I quickly push him away. “He didn’t seem like her bodyguard today, Lincoln. They came into my office today with Peanut. It seemed all too domestic for him to be just a bodyguard.”

Lincoln pushes me from his lap and stands. I immediately feel the loss of the loving and carefree man whose arms I was just in seconds ago. When he speaks, his tone is harsh and demanding. “We’ll discuss my sister and Angelo in a second, Lillian, but first I want to know why you are so upset at the possibility of there being anything more than professional going on. Do you still have feelings for Angelo? More than what you’ve told me about?”

“No,” I immediately respond. “I told you I’ll always feel some sort of love for him, but I’m not in love with him. Not in the way you’re implying.”

Lincoln walks to the bar and pours himself two fingers of whiskey. “Are you sure, Lillian? Because your tone is not that of a dear friend. No, it’s more that of a jealous lover. If you still have feelings for him, you need to let me know now. I love you, Lillian. I’ve told you that. You’re the only woman I’ve ever considered spending the rest of my life with. If you’re not in this with me wholeheartedly, then we need to address this now.”

I stand there staring at Lincoln. Examining my feelings for what they really are. Do I have feelings for Angelo? More than what I’ve said I have? Have I been kidding myself? I see the concern and hurt in Lincoln’s eyes, and I know at that moment that I don’t feel the same for Angelo as I do for Lincoln. No, I truly am in love with Linc. The thought of ever losing him sickens me. I run to him, throwing myself into his arms. “No, Linc, I’m not in love with Angelo. I love you. I promise you on my father’s grave. It’s you and only you.”

Lincoln sweeps me into his arms, lifting me off the ground. Swiftly, he makes his way down the hall, pushing his way into our bedroom. I feel myself leave his arms as I soar through the air, landing on the mattress with a plonk. Quickly, Lincoln undresses. He stands before me naked. His cock is hard, already leaking precum from the tip. “Strip,” he growls at me. His eye glare at me as I sit up, pull my shirt over my head, and throw it on the floor. I lie back on the bed, lifting my ass, so I have just enough room to slide my jeans down my legs. My legs are kicking, trying to free my ankles from the last bit of my jeans. Lincoln pulls the remaining fabric from my legs with one hand. When I’m finally free, his hands wrap around my ankles, pulling me to the edge of the bed. My eyes linger on his erection, watching as he kneels between my legs. The swipe of his tongue across my center sends me spiraling into ecstasy.

“Say it, Lillian. Tell me what I want to hear.”

“I want you, Lincoln.” His hands push my thighs apart further. I cry out in pleasure when he sucks my clit into his mouth. “Oh God.”

“God has nothing to do with this, Lillian. It's all me.” I feel Lincoln’s teeth nibble at my sensitive nub. “Now, tell me what I want to hear, or I’m going to quit.”

“Yes.” I moan again at the feel of his touch. “I said it. I want you, Lincoln.” My hand presses his head tighter against my core.

His words are muffled. “That’s not what I want to hear, Lillian. Tell me how you feel about me.”

“Oh Christ.” His tongue plunges inside me. “You,” I cry out. “I’m in love with you. Only you.” I ride his tongue, claiming every bit of gratification I can. My legs begin to shake. I feel my orgasm building, finally sending me over the edge.

Lincoln stands, lifting my legs with him and holding them tight against his chest. His cock plunges inside me fast and furious. I beg for more. “Harder. Faster.”

Lincoln gives me what I’m begging for. He’s claiming me, marking me as his when he pulls out, releasing himself on my chest. He strokes himself once more, muttering dirty words as his final release jets through the air and lands on my neck.

We both stare at each other, embracing the moment, until the sound of Lincoln’s phone ringing fills the room. We both try to ignore it, but it rings again. Lincoln reaches for my shirt on the floor, using it to wipe away the remnants of his release. His phone beeps, indicating whoever just called left a message. I expect him to reach for his phone, but he doesn’t. Instead, he climbs onto the bed to lie next to me. He strokes his hand up and down my side as I lie facing him. “I love you, Lillian,” he whispers before he claims my mouth, pushing me onto my back in preparation for round two.