Just One Night (The Kingston Family #1) - Carly Phillips Page 0,18
and she couldn’t lie by his side and stare at him any longer. Turning, she slid off the mattress, bending to grab her robe from the floor.
After wrapping the heavy material around herself, she forced herself to look at him. “We’re good,” she assured him, hoping saying the words out loud would make them true.
“You sure?” he asked, concern in both his voice and his expression.
She nodded. He’d stretched out on the mattress, and his gorgeous face and muscled body had arousal rising once more.
Nope. Not going to happen.
Shower time, she thought, and walked away, closing herself in the bathroom and locking the door behind her.
* * *
Son of a bitch. What had he been thinking? Linc thought in disgust. The answer was clear. He hadn’t been. One look at Jordan, her defenses down from sleep, looking so beautiful, the robe gaping and revealing her gorgeous body, and all rational thought fled. Gone was the man who’d been able to keep their relationship strictly in the friend zone. In its place was a heady desire he hadn’t been able to fight.
He knew they were in agreement about where things stood. Their professional relationship and friendship were more important than sexual need. But he hadn’t anticipated how good she would feel when he entered her. How perfect her body would mold to his, clasping him in tight, wet heat, cushioning his dick like she was made just for him.
Worse, he hadn’t counted on the rush of emotion that had filled him, either. He wasn’t supposed to have those kinds of feelings for his best friend.
Linc’s views on life and love were complicated. They’d started with his parents, who, to hear his mother tell it, had begun their courtship with love before things had gone wrong. Next came an experience in college that had left Linc bitter and feeling used. And now, becoming aware of his father’s affairs and discovering a half-sister courtesy of his dad’s cheating with his secretary… Linc shook his head. He was wary of it all.
He’d learned not to believe in the word love. To keep to himself except for the occasional need for release or a date to a party. And above all, he counted on his friendship with Jordan. He didn’t want anything to mess with their relationship, especially sex. No matter how intense the act between them had been. He hoped he hadn’t hurt her feelings by saying they couldn’t sleep together again.
He’d have a hard enough time living with his pronouncement.
Chapter Four
Pretending yesterday hadn’t happened wasn’t easy. After Jordan’s escape, Linc had disappeared into his room for a shower of his own. They met up in the sitting area, both dressed and ready to go for dinner as he’d mentioned. They went downstairs to Mr. Chow, where they ate their meal in uncomfortable silence. Never before had she experienced awkwardness around Linc, and it hurt.
Before she left her room for dinner, she’d called housekeeping and asked for her sheets and bedding to be changed prior to her return. She had no desire to torture herself with Linc’s scent while she tried to sleep. As it was, sleep hadn’t come easily, memories of Linc inside her and their time together torturing her over and over.
She didn’t know what today had in store, but she dressed for the Florida heat, putting on a sundress and a pair of strappy sandals. Before she headed to face Linc, she glanced out at the beautiful water and took solace in the deep blue crashing waves. She wished she could dive into the water and swim home. At least she wouldn’t have to deal with the morning after full of tense energy. But she couldn’t. And she wasn’t a coward.
Drawing a deep breath, she walked into the other room, determined to start the day off on a positive note. Linc stood facing the ocean, taking in the same view she’d been enjoying. He wore a pair of fitted jeans and a black shirt with white piping on the sleeves.
“Good morning. Please tell me there’s coffee here already? I could really use some,” she said in a forced happy tone.
He turned to face her and treated her to the same strained smile. “There is, along with yogurt and muffins. Your favorite.” He gestured to the food on the table in the corner.
“Perfect.” She strode over to the coffeepot and poured herself a cup, adding milk and sugar.
“How did you sleep?” he asked, concern in his voice.