Instead of sliding into the booth, he asked if I wanted to dance.
We headed to the dance floor.
At first, we danced close but separately. Other than Asher, I’d never danced with a guy. Jamie and I hadn’t been the clubbing types. But Lincoln could move, and he made it easy. Soon, however, he was gently pulling me against him, his big hands on my hips. Keeping up the flirt, I put my arms around his neck, which drew us closer, and the dancing turned a little more sensual. Concentrating on the movement of our hips, it was easier for me to keep up the ruse, if I didn’t look into Lincoln’s eyes. I hated the lie. And it was difficult to stop myself from tensing up.
Especially when I felt a prickle over my skin.
While the feel of Lincoln’s hard body against mine did nothing but incite guilt, sensing Jamie’s eyes on us made my breath hitch.
I didn’t understand how I knew he was there, watching. I just did.
My heart raced, sweat dampened my skin, and my body relaxed as the thought of him watching me melted my insides.
It was Jamie I was dancing with in my imagination, his hips rolling gently against mine, his hands gripping tight to my hips, and his hot breath on my cheek as he bent his head toward me.
But he tensed suddenly.
“Hey, your phone is vibrating.” Lincoln’s deep rumble caused goose bumps behind my ear.
It jolted me out of my fantasy, and I flushed.
Realizing my clutch, still gripped in my hand, was resting against Lincoln’s shoulder blade and thus he’d felt my phone’s vibration, I released him.
He reluctantly let go of my hips, caressing my waist as his hands slowly dropped away.
Pulling out my cell and shielding the screen from Lincoln, I stiffened at Jamie’s text.
We’re done here. Meet me at the car.
I slid my cell back into my purse and gave Lincoln a regretful sigh. “It was my alarm,” I called over the music. “I set it to remind me when I needed to leave. I have an early appointment tomorrow.”
He nodded but stepped into my personal space, forcing my head back to meet his eyes. “Can I get your number? I’d like to take you out for dinner.”
Smiling through my guilt, I nodded. “Of course.”
He pulled his phone out of his back pocket and I gave him my real number. “I’ll call you,” he promised. “Let me walk you out.”
“Oh, that’s okay. My car’s just down the street.”
“Then I’m walking you to your car. It’s not safe to walk out there alone.” Lincoln wasn’t taking no for an answer.
As he walked ahead to make space for me through the crowd, I quickly texted Jamie the situation.
By the time we got to the Porsche, Jamie was nowhere to be seen, but I knew he was around because he’d left the car open for me.
I opened the driver’s side door. “Keyless entry,” I explained.
Lincoln raised an eyebrow as he took in the car. “You must sell a lot of paintings.”
I gave him a modest shrug.
He smiled down at me. “I had a great time tonight, Jane.”
“Me too.” And I did. In another life, I’d go out on a real date with Lincoln Gaines. “Call me?”
“Absolutely.” Lincoln pressed a soft, sweet kiss to my cheek. Remorse was a swift kick to the gut as he retreated onto the sidewalk. “I’m not leaving until I see you drive off.”
I couldn’t do this.
He was too nice.
And let’s not forget he’s a cop.
With a little wave of my fingers, I got into the car and took off seconds later. I didn’t go far though. I turned the corner out of sight and stopped. Getting out, I rounded the hood and let myself into the passenger side.
Minutes later, the driver’s side opened, and Jamie slid in, slamming the door shut behind him.
Just like that, it was as if all the air in the car had been sucked out.
My skin buzzed, and there was a hot tension in my belly, a slick heat between my legs.
For a moment, he just sat there, not saying a word.
But this energy blazed from him. I wanted to ask about Wright. What he’d seen. Instead, I told him, “Lincoln’s a nice guy. We shouldn’t do this to him.”
“You can back out any time.” Jamie’s tone was cold. Flat.
I shivered and pulled on my seat belt. “No.” As much as I hated involving Lincoln Gaines in this, I hated the idea of leaving Jamie