That Girl (That Girl, #1)(37)

The sensation is overwhelming, and I’m about to implode. I’ve never felt anything like this in my life. I can’t catch my breath and have to pull away from his lips to get an ounce of air. With my head tilted to the side, Lincoln bites my exposed neck, sending my whole being sailing off a cliff without a worry in the world. Every tissue within me tingles with euphoria, and I scream as I fall back down to earth.

Lincoln collapses on me.

“That’s what I wanted to give you, baby girl,” he whispers into my ear.

“It was perfect,” I reply breathlessly.

His phone goes off, and it’s the ringtone of Coach Uni.

“Shit, I gotta get this.”

Lincoln climbs out of bed clothed only in his boxers, and grabs his phone while running his fingers through his messy hair. I love his hair all shaggy and ruffled. A ball cap typically hides the beautiful mess.

“I’ll be there in thirty. Thanks, Coach,” he says, hanging up his phone.

“Everything okay?” I ask.

“Perfect,” he replies, standing in front of me.

I notice his very tented boxers and suddenly feel like a piece of shit. I may not know a bunch about sex, but I do know the man isn’t supposed to be left with a raging erection.

“What about that?” I ask, pointing to his crotch.

“Baby, don’t worry about me. All in time, we’ll get there.”

“Thank you,” I murmur, realizing I can’t quit repeating those two words to him.

“I’m going to jump in the shower. Okay?”

“Okay. Want a bowl of cereal? It’s all I have to offer.”

“Hell yes, I do. I hear you can mix up one hell of a bowl of cereal,” he says, kissing me and heading for the tiny shower.

Like I said, I don’t know much about sexuality and the ways it all can go down, but I do know the man needs to be relieved of pressure, and I’ve heard the shower is a great place. If only I could be a fly on the wall to watch. The thought of Lincoln pleasuring himself and seeing his completely naked body instantly turns me on, and I want his hands all over me again.

Focus, focus on cereal, that is.

Lincoln showers, we share a couple bowls of cereal, and our time is up.

“I’ve have to go.”

“I know,” I sigh.

“Come here,” he says pulling me into his lap, “I’m going to miss you today, but I’ll be over for dinner. I won’t be able to stay the night again, but I’ll be here as long as I can. This week is going to be crazy with our first big game on Saturday.”

“Okay.”

I soak in his words while fiddling with a button on his shirt to avoid making eye contact. I want to be selfish and beg him to stay. The fact is his life is on campus with his teammates and friends, and my life is surviving to make it by working three jobs.

“Oh shit,” I blurt.

“What?”

“I have to work until seven tonight at the diner.”

“My curfew is at ten. I’ll pick you up at work.”

“Okay.”

After a pause, he says, “Quit the diner.”

“What? I can’t.”

“You can,” he insists.

“Maybe,” I reply in a thoughtful tone.

Really, the third job has always been useful to distract me from having so much free time on my hands, and now I’m scrambling for free time to be with him. I just wish he had more free time to match up with mine.

“Why are you so sad?” he asks snapping me back to real time.

Shrugging, I don’t respond.

“Knock it off,” he says. “I know what you’re doing. We’re going to make this work.”

“Just kiss me,” I say.

Lincoln leans down, meeting my lips. It’s short and sweet.

“I have to go,” he says, pulling away.

“I know.”

We both walk to the door, and I follow him to his truck. I can tell he’s having a hard time leaving me, so I decide to make it easier.

“Get on with your bad self.” I add a swat to his ass for emphasis.

He chuckles and finally climbs up into his truck, flashing me a quick wink.

“I love you,” he says out his window.

Waving, I watch him back out of the parking lot, and a dreadful tingling takes over my body. The kind of sensation that preempts a panic attack, and I realize I’ve fallen way too hard for Lincoln Wilks.

He slams his truck into park before hitting the pavement, causing a dust storm to engulf the black vehicle. I hear his door slam, and then see him running toward me with that damn ball cap on backward.

“What are you doing?” I squeal.

“I bought this for you. I forgot to give it to you last night. Love you, Oakley.”

He puts something in my hands and bends down, leaving me with one tender kiss, and then jogs back to his truck with his shorts bouncing up and down. The man is completely adorable.

He left me with a package wrapped in red paper. With my curiosity peaked, I tear away the shiny paper and hear a little jingle go off before opening the box. Turning to see who is standing behind me, I see no one. I must be hearing things. I try opening the corner of the brown box when I hear the jingle again. Then I hear the song Hanging by a Moment start to play and realize it’s all coming from the box. My hands work faster to tear it open. Lincoln’s face with ball cap on backward and light stubble fills the screen of an iPhone. It takes a few moments before I realize he gave me a phone and is now calling me. With shaky fingers, I slide the bar across to answer it.