Billion Dollar Revenge (The Lincoln Brothers #2)

21. Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Evan

Soft breaths fill the room as Chelsea snuggles up beside me. Her legs are resting on top of mine, her hand draped across my waist, and her head lays between my arm and chest.

If she were awake, she’d hear the heavy beats of my heart.

I dip my head and peer down to watch her face, softly sleeping. She looks as peaceful as I feel now.

In this moment, there's no worry or distrust, just pure freedom. It’s a weightless feeling I’ve never experienced before. And I fucking love it.

This is everything I've ever wanted but never allowed myself to hope for, not since I was betrayed.

As I replay the memories we’ve made together, I can honestly say she’s always been the same person since we met. When I think about our slow progression from meeting to last night, it’s been a mutual pining with no hidden agendas.

She doesn't want me because I'm rich. She wants me for me.

A guy who genuinely wants the best for her and encourages her to follow her dreams.

Being around her brings out a fun, youthful side out of me that I put away for so long. But with her around, I want to talk about everything and anything—a memory of our childhood, a dream, the future, or just our day at work.

I thought I loved my ex. But as I lie here with Chelsea in my arms, it’s evident that I didn’t, because I didn’t feel this soul-crushing need to be around her all the time. There’s still a fear that remains deep in my heart that she’ll wake up and realize she deserves better, though.

Only, my thoughts disappear the moment she twists in my arms.

“You’re watching me sleep. You creep.” She laughs, and I can’t help the deep rumble coming from my chest as she moves her hand across it.

How could someone as pretty as her like someone like me? A guy who never used to laugh, yet with her laughs all the time.

“I'm wondering if you're going to run away,” I say honestly.

“Not unless you want me to go.” Lifting her head, she gives me a playful smile.

I shake my head, tracing her skin with my fingers, enjoying the feel of her silky skin. “I don't want you to.”

“I don't want you to either.” She sighs, clearly enjoying the touch of my hand on her warm skin.

“Good.”

There’s something about the way her face pinches.

“What are you thinking about?” I ask, pressing a kiss to her head, and when I pull back, her eyes meet mine again.

I want to know what's in that pretty little head of hers.

“Sorry,” she says quietly. Her teeth tug her lip before she answers. “But I'm just wondering if this was a one-time thing for you?”

I shake my head again before she’s even finished. “No, I can't do casual. I wouldn't have let you in if I wasn’t serious about you.” There’s no question about that, but then what made her think that?

“Did I say something that made you think I wanted something casual?” I ask, searching her eyes.

She sucks in a deep breath and lowers her head gently against my chest. “No, I just assumed. So there’s no more fake relationship?”

I move my fingers from her back to her hair, enjoying her dark locks against her skin. “Well, let me make this clear. I want you, Shell. Nothing has been fake. I was kidding myself thinking it could be. Everything I felt for you was real.”

I’m sure she can feel my heart racing against her chest. But I don't plan to do anything with her. I want to show her that this is more than just sex, that my heart belongs to her and, fuck, she has the power to break it.

“I want you too, and it was never fake for me either.” The desperation in her voice makes me reach out and bring her face to mine, sealing our words with a kiss.

Reluctantly, I pull back, and we simply stare at each other in silence. It's as if we're just in a lust bubble. The room is quiet except for our heavy breathing.

I don't want to leave at this moment, but I know we can't stay here all day.

I tug her to me and hold her tight again, relieved almost everything is out in the open. I’ve never slept so well in my life. There’s something about holding her in my arms as I slept that made me drift into a heavier sleep. I never want to change my sheets again, wondering if they’ll keep bringing me good rest. The shades on the windows are down, blocking out the sunlight. Leaving us to question what time it is.

But when her stomach rumbles, I realize it must be breakfast time. My cheek pulls up on one side, remembering the time at the sandwich place when her stomach did the same thing. I love these moments alone.

“Let me make you some breakfast.”

Her head lifts to look up at me as she asks, “Do you mind if I cook?”

“Mind? No. Feel bad? Yeah…”

Her cheeks flush pink as she shakes her head. “Don’t. I enjoy it.”

My stomach rumbles loudly, interrupting us.

Another deep chuckle leaves my chest, and I shake my head. “I've never laughed this much before.”

The corner of her mouth tips up. “I'd say I'm sorry, but I think it's a good thing.”

“It’s definitely a good thing.” I wink at her playfully.

Looking down bashfully, she peels herself away from me. I mourn the loss of her body against mine.

She surprises me with a kiss, tender and loving. I love her kisses. I love the feel of her lips on mine. And I groan into it.

She pulls back with a laugh. “Let’s go make some breakfast.”

There’s not much to choose from. Most mornings, I'm at work very early, so all I have is eggs and toast.

We head to the kitchen, where she moves around my house effortlessly. Her wearing my blue shirt is distracting. Needing something to do with my hands, I start on the eggs, trying to focus on stirring them into a scramble. But my mind drifts to how I've never felt like this with any other woman. It’s deeper than attraction. Feeling this connected to another person is scary, but I feel safe enough to open myself up to Chelsea and let my insecurities go. For the first time in a very long time, I bring down my walls and welcome trust back in. I never thought it would happen, but Chelsea is genuinely into me. She sees me without judgement, with an understanding that’s both patient and kind. It didn’t happen overnight; the attraction was always there, but she never pushed. She just stayed, waiting until I was ready to trust again. I’m not afraid she’ll break my heart, as she’s shown time and time again, she’s honest and loyal.

“Are you working today?” I ask, wondering how much time we have together.

She nods, but keeps her eyes on cooking. “I want to set up an online booking system.”

I love her determination. “I'm happy to help.”

I'm not very tech-savvy, so it's going to test me, but I’m determined to figure it out if she needs me.

Her head lifts to look at me. “You mean you’ll hire someone?”

She’s teasing me. But I love it. And it’s not like I wouldn’t do that for her if she wanted. “Hey. I can actually help.”

“Don’t you need to work?” she says, as if I need reminding.

“I'm the CEO, whose office happens to be a few floors up from yours.” I wink, offering to blur the line between work and play. Something I never would have thought I’d do. But with her, I’d do anything.

“Does this mean I get to take advantage of you?” Her teeth sink into her bottom lip as she holds back a smile.

Fucking hell, that seductive look she throws me makes me hard. If she didn’t need to eat and I wasn’t cooking, I’d lift her on my counter and have my way with her.

“I wouldn’t turn that down,” I hiss, trying to restrain myself.

She doesn’t say it, but she looks happy with my reply, as she comes beside me, holding onto my arm.

Just a simple touch, but it’s enough to show me how much she cares about me.

I turn the burner off and look down at her.

She screws her nose up. “I’ll make the toast.” Spinning around, she grabs the bread.

“I'll set up the table.” I move to the kitchen drawer, where I keep the placemats.

She throws out a hand and shakes her head, pointing at the counter stools. “You don't need to set the table for me. I'm happy to sit at the island counter.”

As much as her easy-going attitude is appealing, I continue moving through the kitchen, grabbing the placements. “You deserve to sit at the table.”

Her mouth parts slightly, like she’s at a loss for words. I love seeing her stunned by simple gestures that my gram ingrained in me.

I grab silverware and glasses. “Tell me more about the online system, and maybe we can brainstorm some ideas.”

She blinks at me, pausing mid-task.

“What?” I stiffen, wondering if I said something wrong.

Her face softens and her lips twist up. “You’ve been a nice surprise and someone I didn't know I needed, but I'm very grateful you’re in my life.”

It’s exactly how I feel about her.

“Likewise,” I agree, feeling the weight of our admissions.

She turns and moves toward the toaster, and I shake my head, returning to serving up our food. I try not to get too lost in her, but everything about her distracts me.

We sit at the table beside each other. Neither one of us wants to be apart, even if we don’t say it.

Grabbing the ketchup, she drowns her eggs in it.

My face scrunches up at her food on her plate. “I don't think there are eggs left.”

“Don’t knock it until you try it.” She shifts her egg-sauce combo to my lips.

I shake my head, my response fast and firm. “I'll pass.”

“Your loss.” She shrugs and dives into her food.

I stare at her, loving how much she eats. Not self-conscious at all. But I guess she needs it to fuel her body. Especially prior to that awful, torturous class that she calls Pilates.

“I'm surprised your phone isn’t constantly ringing.” Her words pull my gaze up to her face, wondering where that came from.

“I switched it off.”

“He switches it off,” she mumbles under her breath. Not missing the way her eyes narrow to her plate.

“When I’m with you, I don’t want anyone to distract me. I want you all to myself,” I reply boldly, lowering my silverware and sitting back in my chair and watching as her head lifts.

Her eyes find mine, and I find them glassy.

“Work is not a priority,” I add, leaning my arms on the table so I’m closer to her, knowing she needs to hear it.

“It's not a priority,” she repeats, nodding to herself.

She’s thinking about Bobby. We’re two different people. Because when she’s with me, I don't want to be consumed by work. I've built my business where it should run efficiently. I hired the best staff I could find. Hence why I would love to get rid of Bobby, but unfair dismissal won’t let me do it.

If I want to be with her, I can be with her. I've given up so much for work. It was my choice. And now, it’s like I am ready. Healed and open to a relationship. It’s all thanks to the strong friendship we built first and how we grew from there. I never thought I'd be here, so yes, she deserves my undivided attention. It’s a simple but important thing for her.

“You ready to drop me off at home? I need to get ready for work.”

I lean in close to her soft, delicate skin, enjoying the mix of her faded perfume and my cologne as I lay a kiss and whisper, “Are you sure I can’t change your mind?”

“No, mister. Stop distracting me, otherwise you’ll make us both late.”

“I don’t see the problem with that. Isn’t that the perk of being the CEO?” I rasp against her skin.