Fall: Rise & Fall Duet Book 2 (Shaken 4)

by Grahame Claire

  As much as conventional wisdom said it was wiser to face problems, I agreed that she needed a minute to cool off. Once she had, they could talk rationally.

  She stormed toward her bedroom and emerged a minute later wearing heels and a leather jacket and carrying her purse.

  “Call me if you need me.”

  She detoured and gave me a hug. “I will.”

  When she was gone, a heavy silence descended. I looked around the room. What did Lincoln see when he was in this space? What did he feel?

  There was a coldness to the apartment, yet the more time we spent here, the more warmth it had. I swiped a dog bone off the floor.

  It wasn’t quite so put together as it was the first time I’d been here. There was a hint of chaotic mess that made the apartment feel more lived in. Had he noticed that too? Did he hate it? Hate the chaos we’d brought into his life?

  I sat on the sofa. In this very spot, Lincoln had given me the space to talk when I needed and to just be silent too.

  He had people helping him solve his problems in ways I never could.

  Maybe he needed to know someone was there to listen or just be, no matter what.

  And I could do that.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Lexie

  “Is it too early to call it a day?”

  Lincoln stood in the doorway, back from walking the dogs about an hour later.

  “Nope.” I stood. “Eric already did and went in your office a while ago. You don’t mind if he sleeps in there, do you? He seems most comfortable there.”

  “I don’t mind.” He held out a hand to me.

  I took it and he led me down the hall. Millie detoured into Lincoln’s study, where Eric was still out. Muffy looked torn between following his friend or Lincoln.

  In the end, he decided Lincoln needed him more at the moment.

  We approached a set of closed double doors at the end of the hallway. Lincoln opened one and Muffy darted inside. Dim lights illuminated when we entered the room.

  It was massive and masculine and so much like Lincoln, from the rich wood tones to the dark leather fabrics. And the view from his wall of windows was more stunning than the one from the living room.

  The bed loomed in front of us. I’d never spent the night with a man, and the realization that I was about to do it with Lincoln had nerves taking flight.

  “Should we leave the door open? In case Eric needs us?”

  I threw my arms around his neck. He was thoughtful and kind and even his stubborn streak wasn’t so bad.

  He held me like he never wanted to let go, cradling me to his solid body. His hold was powerful and protective, yet tender at the same time. He smelled like Lincoln and a little bit dog . . . and it was perfect.

  “I don’t know what we would’ve done without you,” I confessed into his chest.

  “You don’t need me,” he said against my hair. “It is me who needs you.”

  Down, down, down I went. How had I gone from despising this man to—I swallowed hard—to whatever this madness was I felt whenever he was near.

  I kissed his jaw. “Scary, isn’t it?”

  He bored into me with that intense gaze. “Terrifying.”

  A smile threatened to break free. “At least we’re on the same page.”

  “There is that.” He brushed his lips across my forehead. “Make yourself at home. I need a shower.”

  I already had, hadn’t I?

  He released me and loosened his tie. I loved that sight.

  I threw decorative pillows off the bed to the floor, hesitating as he shrugged off his coat. “Which side do you sleep on?” If this show was going to continue, I needed to sit down.

  “That one.” He motioned to the windows. Of course. The side with the view.

  I quickly brushed my teeth before I turned down the covers and crawled underneath. The thick sheets had that freshly laundered feel and smelled of something crisp and clean.

  He disappeared into the closet and emerged a moment later with his socks and shoes now gone too and his white shirt hanging open.

  Whoa.

  “For an old guy, you’re ripped.”

  He scowled. “Is that supposed to be a compliment?”

  I grinned. “Most definitely.”

  “I’m not that old,” he grumbled, detouring by the bed to kiss the side of my head.

  Note to self: he’s prickly about his age.

  He vanished once more, and from the other room I heard the shower.

  Do not think about him naked. Do not think about him naked.

  How was I not supposed to? He was the most beautiful man I’d ever seen, inside and out. I was in his bed.

  Gah. I’m. In. His. Bed.

  The teenager in me that had never grown up began a minor freak-out. This was all so domesticated. So—I wouldn’t think the word.

  Normal.

  Too late.

  Lexie, you are ridiculous.

  I glanced down at my sweatshirt, which only solidified my observation. I was too hot. Too amped up. Too much of everything.

  I peeled off the sweatshirt, leaving me in a thin tank top.

  Breathe. In and out.

  I got in a bed every night. And slept most of them. This was just a different bed and instead of a pillow beside me, Lincoln would be there.

  I didn’t know the proper procedure for this.

  Since when are you worried about procedure?

  I was in a hospital unconscious yesterday at this time. Now, I faced the prospect of snuggling with Lincoln for an entire night. And I was fully awake to enjoy it.

  “Do I even want to know what you’re thinking?”

  I slapped my hand over my heart. “You’re like a panther. How long have you been standing there?”

  He leaned in the doorway to the bathroom with only a towel wrapped around his waist. His dark hair was damp and his body glistened from the shower.

  “Long enough.”

  Was it normal to find a man’s legs attractive? Because his most definitely were.

  I slid down the bed and pulled the covers up to my chin. He smirked as if he knew I’d been appreciating his spectacular exterior.

  Judging by the lack of a T-shirt as he emerged from his closet again in only sweatpants, I was going to have to get used to the sight of his chest. Could anyone ever get used to that?

  “You own sweats?” I asked incredulously as he rounded the bed.

  “Yes.” He said the word as if he didn’t understand what the big deal was.

  “I kinda pictured you sleeping in a tie.”

  He paused with his hand on the mattress. “I suppose I could if you prefer.”

  I swatted at him with a pillow. “Nooo.”

  He climbed in beside me and scooped me into his side like we’d done this a thousand times.

  “You think I’m uptight.” He stretched and flicked a switch. Only the lights of the city remained.

  “You are uptight.”

  “And that displeases you?”

  I rolled over, draping my arm over his stomach. He smelled so good I wanted to take a deep breath, but controlled myself.

  “No. You should be who you are.” I pressed my cheek into his chest. “I’d prefer to keep the fact that you’re snuggly between us.”

  “Snuggly?”

  I twined a leg between his and burrowed deeper against him. “Yes. Snuggly.”

  He stroked my hair with one hand and laced his fingers with mine on top of his stomach. “Are you in pain?”

  “It’s more like a ballet troupe now instead of the tap dancers in my head.”

  He let out a dissatisfied rumble that vibrated against my cheek.

  “I’ve never done this before,” I admitted, not wanting to think about anything having to do with yesterday.

  “Neither have I.”

  I popped my head up, despite I could barely see his face. “I meant spent the night with someone.”

  “So did I.” Gently, he nudged my head bac
k to his chest.

  He hadn’t? “Why?” The question was out before I could stop it. Lincoln was desirable on every level. He’d probably had more women lined up for a shot with him than lived in this zip code.

  “I—” He was quiet for so long, I didn’t think he was going to answer. “I think I was waiting for you.”

  If I was uncertain before about the status of my feelings for him, he’d ripped the veil off now. I’d fallen. Hard. Because deep down, my heart had been waiting for Lincoln too.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Lincoln

  I slept six hours.

  I looked at the clock and then at Lexie, still out in my arms. She had to be the reason. Because I couldn’t remember sleeping that long ever since I was a child.

  And I wasn’t one to linger in bed. This morning, I had zero desire to get out.

  I expected a bit of awkwardness, waking up with someone else beside me. There wasn’t. This felt right.

  How I’d lived before this was what was wrong.

  She was soft, a contrast to my hardness. She was kind to my blunt nature. She was courageous where I did what was necessary to get by.

  And she made me see things as if the world were a brand-new place.

  It was as if I were waking up for the first time.

  Everything was the same.

  I was different.

  Paws landed on the side of the bed and a face appeared.

  You need to go out?

  See? Different. I was talking to a dog in my head so I didn’t wake up Lexie.

  He panted as if he’d read my thoughts.

  Reluctantly, I untangled from Lexie.

  “Sneaking out?” she asked when I had one leg out of the bed.

  “I never imagined I’d spend this much of my life taking a dog for a walk.” I twisted to face her. “I haven’t decided if he has to do his business or just wants a hot dog.”

  Muffy’s tail flew at the mention of the food that was quickly becoming his favorite.

  Lexie’s lips parted. “You feed him . . . hot dogs?”

  “Don’t tell Pepper. She’ll kill me.”

  She snickered. “Are you afraid she’ll take your foster dog back?”

  I guessed Lexie knew the dog situation wasn’t temporary just as my brother had.

  I patted Muffy’s head. “He doesn’t want to go back.”

  She gave me a yeah sure look. “You don’t want him to go back.”

  “Same difference.” I swung my other leg out of the bed. “Want to go for a walk?”

  “Are you talking to me or him?” Lexie pressed her lips together to keep from laughing.

  Seeing her in my bed and happy was a beautiful sight.

  “Both.”

  She hopped up and swiped that awful sweatshirt off the floor. “Will I embarrass you wearing this?” She dangled it from her finger.

  Actually, I couldn’t believe she would don it in public. She was always impeccable for the outside world.

  “You could never embarrass me.” I rounded the foot of the bed and grabbed her by the hips. “And I didn’t hear a proper good morning.”

  My lips twitched and it was an odd sensation. I shouldn’t feel this . . . carefree. But I was . . . in a stellar mood.

  She sniffed haughtily. “Oh, now you think you’re the greeting police. I don’t think so, pal.”

  I leaned closer, hardening my expression. “We are not pals.”

  Her brow furrowed. “My mistake. I thought we were friends.”

  “The hell you did.” Closer. Closer. Closer. She smelled of wildflowers and sweetness. “Tell me good morning.”

  “Good morning,” she said tartly.

  “The best version,” I growled, only millimeters from her mouth.

  “I don’t believe we’ve covered that.” She lifted her chin, which bumped her lips with mine.

  My restraint snapped. This was why I didn’t kiss Lexie goodnight last night. Because I knew it would be too much to resist. I fused our mouths together like I’d wanted to from the second I woke up. She sent a streak of something racing through my blood that burst into desire and need like I’d never felt.

  She whimpered and pushed onto her toes, tangling her fingers in my hair. The tug sent a bite of pain that only intensified the deep craving I had to show her the ultimate good morning.

  She slipped her tongue in my mouth and pressed her slender body against mine. It was impossible for her to get any closer, yet I longed to try.

  Lexie held me as if she knew what she wanted and was unafraid to pursue it, yet melted into me like I was her support. Her protector.

  A surge of some other unknown feeling streaked through me. All I recognized was that I didn’t want it to stop.

  I backed her against the closet door.

  She hooked her leg onto my hip. “We should create a new version of good morning,” she panted against my mouth.

  My desire was as rampant as a teenage boy. I’d suppressed those urges for most of my life. Now, I couldn’t.

  I thrust my hips against hers. Allowed her to feel just what she did to me. How out of control I was when it came to her.

  I pressed her against the solid wood of the door and clamped a hand on her leg to keep her in place.

  She yanked the back of my neck and kissed me like a savage.

  I shoved the strap of her tank top down, exposing that delicate soft skin. With my mouth, I claimed it. These were no gentle, feathering kisses. They were bruising, erratic . . . wild.

  “Lincoln,” she breathed.

  “You can’t say my name like that,” I growled, “unless you want me to do this.” I fisted the hem of her top and yanked it over her head. I tossed it and faintly heard the click of Muffy’s paws chasing after it.

  My chest heaved as I took in her exposed body. She was so stunning I could hardly stand it. Without thought, I cupped her breast and squeezed. She ground her hips against mine as her fingernails dug into my skin.

  “I want you to do it all.” There was a breathlessness and a confidence in her voice at once.

  I brushed her cheek with my thumb. “I intend to do just that.”

  Bark. Bark. Bark.

  Her eyes widened as she looked over my shoulder. It took me a moment to crash back to reality.

  Our bedroom door was now wide open. Muffy and Millie attacked Beau . . . who was wearing the same clothing as the night before.

  “I know it’s been a while for both of you, but you might want to think about locking the door if you’re going to do that.” She smirked as she took Lexie’s tank top from Muffy’s mouth.

  Lexie ducked and scrambled into her sweatshirt.

  I stalked toward my sister. “Where have you been?”

  She wagged her finger at me. “Uh-uh. You’re done asking me questions until you start answering some of mine.” She shoved Lexie’s shirt into my stomach.

  Eric emerged from my study, stretching. “Did you fall asleep in your clothes, Beau?”

  I lifted a brow and her face turned scarlet.

  “Something like that.” She whistled and headed for the entry to the apartment. “Let’s go for a walk, pups.”

  “Oh, can I go?” Eric asked hopefully.

  “Sure thing. Grab your shoes, and I’ll meet you in the foyer.”

  My sister hadn’t forgiven me, but at least the foul mood was only directed at me.

  After a series of barks and I was sure disobeyed commands, the door slammed.

  Lexie sat on the edge of the bed, looking down.

  The bed dipped when I sat beside her. “I lost control,” I said hoarsely.

  “Me too.” She spoke so softly, I barely heard it.

  “I don’t do that.” I could barely comprehend the notion. I hadn’t thought, simply acted on instinct and desire. “Except with you.”

  She’d always made me speak and act without thought. At first, I’d resented the effect she had on me. But it was interesting and frightening at the same time.

&nb
sp; She dragged her gaze to mine. “Your version of good morning is best too.”

  I put an arm around her and kissed the side of her head. “We hadn’t even gotten to the best part.”

  She smacked me in the arm.

  “What?” I squeezed her.

  “I’m not sure if it was better before when you barely said anything.” She put her head on my shoulder.

  “You prefer the strong, silent type.”

  She smacked me again. “I guess I must’ve hit my head harder than I thought.”

  I straightened immediately. “Did I hurt you?”

  She grinned. “I like the talkative version of you.”

  I exhaled. I’d been so consumed with need for her before, I hadn’t considered her health. That was unacceptable.

  “Good. Because there won’t be any action until you’re healed.”

  She put a hand to her forehead and groaned.

  “And if you like, you can come along for deliveries this morning. Only a half day.” She needed rest. The selfish part of me wanted to have her close.

  “Still bossy, I see.” She stood and wedged between my legs, grabbing my chin. “My business. My way.”

  Her confidence was infuriating and inspiring. I loved that she was her own person, yet despised she wouldn’t listen to me when I was right.

  “No one speaks this way to me.” There was a little bit of awe in my voice.

  “Better get used to it, pal, if you’re going to be hanging around me.”

  I gripped her hip. “Have you so easily forgotten what calling me pal led to earlier?” It made me want to show her just how much of her pal I wasn’t. Pulling her into my bed seemed as good a start as any.

  Her smile was saucy. “Nope. I was hoping for that reaction again.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Lexie

  “Let’s stop by the apartment. I need the special equipment to make ice cream.”

  Because you’re assuming you’re staying at Lincoln’s again, Lexie?

  It didn’t seem that far-fetched. He’d driven us around all day. I’d snuggled in the back of the van with Muffy and Millie while directing our route and sequence of deliveries.