Unexpected Eva (Triple Trouble #3)(82)

“Oh, fuck to the no. She won’t have me. Now I know why.”

“I am still in the room you know,” Eva says through pained words. “And I would never cheat on you, Knox. I can’t believe you would think that of me.”

Aw, shit.

“I’m sorry, Sunshine. I didn’t mean it. I wasn’t thinking.”

“Sunshine?” Lincoln frowns.

“Put some goddamn clothes on Lincoln, and we’ll meet you in the kitchen.” I go over to Eva, wrap my arm around her, and guide her out of the room.

Once out in the hallway, she opens her eyes.

“You thought I would cheat on you?” She looks sad. I’ve disappointed her. Disappointed myself.

“No, never. It was a heat of the moment, asshole thing to say. I have never doubted you. Not even for a minute. I’m sorry. Please forgive me.” I cup her face. I don’t want to lose her.

“I would nev—”

I cover her mouth with mine and kiss her tenderly, trying to pour my apology into her skin.

“Please forgive me.” I kiss her again. “Please don’t leave.” Another kiss. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it.” I kiss her urgently now.

She pulls back, her brilliant blue eyes twinkle in the low light. “I’m not leaving you, Knox.” Her voice is low and deliberate. “Whatever happened in your past is your past, but you can’t tar me with the same brush. And I would never sleep with your son. That’s low.”

“I’m an asshole.”

“You’re not. But you are damaged by your past, and it makes you insecure sometimes. You pretend to be this big, strong guy, but you’ve been hurt. It’s stuck with you and it takes time to heal. And I don’t know the full story between Olivia and you. But I am not leaving you, Knox. Because I’m a talker. I like to talk things through. And that’s exactly what we will do. It’s called being in a re-la-tionship. We work things out together. But after we’ve spoken to Lincoln.”

She knows me so well. Better than I know myself.

“He saw you. You’re practically naked.”

She pulls the cover up to hide her face. “How embarrassing. I need to change. I wanted to surprise you.”

“You did that, alright. You look sexy as fuck. Are you wearing handcuffs like a bangle?”

“I am.” She groans. “Lincoln saw everything.”

“He did. C’mon, Sunshine.” I scoop her bag off the floor. “Change in there.” I point to the master bathroom, turn on the light, and place her bag inside the door. “See you in the kitchen.”

“Okay. How did you not know I was here? My car is in the garage,” she asks, frowning.

“Lincoln picked up my car today from the body shop. I brought his car home and parked it outside his house. I haven’t been in the garage.”

“Why is he in your bed?”

“That I am yet to find out. Get dressed, Sunshine.”

What a fucking mess.





Lincoln enters the kitchen first in a pair of gray sweatpants and a white tee.

“So?”

“So,” I repeat back.

Opening the fridge, he grabs a bottle of water. Unscrewing the top, he downs half the bottle, then sits down at the breakfast bar.

Leaning back against the bar stool, he folds his arms, making his vast biceps expand.

I gear myself up for one of the most uncomfortable conversations I have ever had with my son.

I sit down next to him, unknot my tie, and lay it on the marble countertop.

Deep breath in, I begin. “Eva and I are—”

“Sleeping together. Yeah, memo received,” he says deadpan.

“It’s more than that.”

“Is it? Because I distinctly remember telling you I liked Eva. When was that? Three weeks ago?”

“Yes. It was the night of the auction. She came home with me that night.”

“Here?” He points downward, gesturing to the house.

“Yes. She stayed that entire weekend.”

He looks upward as if trying to recall.

“But I was here on Saturday morning, Dad. I sat in this exact spot. I asked you about Tabby. You said she was here. But you're telling me it wasn’t her?”

I shake my head.

“It was Eva?”

I nod.

“And it was her panties hanging on the door handle and her bag?”

“I’m not proud about lying to you, son.”

“You shouldn’t be. You’ve always brought me up to tell the truth. No lies. That has always been your biggest house rule.”

“I know. I am sorry. We were going to tell you after Ella and Fraser’s wedding that’s next weekend.”

“Why wait?”

“Because the Wallaces have lots going on right now and the last thing Charlie needs is me telling him I am seeing his daughter.”

“Oh, my God.” Lincoln's lips twist into a cynical smile. “Well, that’s going to go down like a fart in an elevator. You lied to me? I can’t believe you.” He pushes his chair back, preparing to leave.

“Please stay and talk to me, Linc.”

“I don’t want to.”

“Please, son.”