Billion Dollar Revenge (The Lincoln Brothers #2)

22. Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Chelsea

A few days later

“Do I look okay?” I ask, adjusting my outfit.

Evan’s blue eyes slide slowly and seductively down my body. “You look more than fine.”

Happiness fills me at his gravelly tone. “Thanks. We kinda match.”

He gives me a wolfish grin. “I hadn’t thought about that.”

Every day, my attraction for him deepens. Now it’s my chance to take in his handsome body. He’s wearing a navy button-up shirt, undone at the top, and his shirt isn’t tucked in. His blue jeans fit so well on his thick thighs, it has me salivating already to get them off. His dark boots make heavy sounds with each step, resonating through my bones. It’s a sexy swagger I can’t get enough of.

We walk the few steps to Evan’s gram’s house. Surprisingly, I’m not nervous. It’s probably because I met her over a year ago. But even if I was, he’s reassuring me with his touch. I squeeze his hand tighter. As he tilts his head, and I flash him a smile, and his lips turn up in response. He kisses my temple before ringing the doorbell. His affectionate ways have me on cloud nine. I wanted to feel loved and cherished, and now with Evan, I realize this is the first time I’m truly experiencing it.

There’s also peace in the fact I am meeting his gram. I’m meeting his family. This never happened with Bobby. I wasn’t good enough for that. With Evan, I’m good enough to be here on his arm. My heart sings with delight.

The door opens to reveal a woman with short dark hair. I notice the flecks of gray as the light hits it.

“Saylor,” says Evan, his gram’s housekeeper.

“Come in. Gram is out back in her garden,” she says, opening the door wide.

She looks at me with a warm smile, so I give her one back.

As we step into the house, it smells delicious. The waft of cake hits my nose. I can’t wait to taste whatever is baking.

We wander through the house toward the back door, and Evan opens it. Hearing sounds coming from the left, we walk down until we find Gram sitting in a chair, under the shade. The afternoon sun is gone, but her frail, thin skin still needs protection.

“Hey, Gram,” says Evan warmly.

She glances up, a smile stretching on her face. “Evan. Chelsea.”

“Hi,” I say as butterflies fill my stomach.

There’s a gleam in her eye. Evan releases my hand and leans forward to lay a kiss on her cheek.

She holds his cheeks in her hands.

“You good?” he asks.

“I’m good.” She pinches his cheeks, and he steps back to stand beside me again.

“What are you doing out here? Aren't you cold?” he asks.

I peer down and notice she’s in a short-sleeve pale green dress. Her hair is immaculately styled, but the gust of wind flattens it.

“Why don’t you go grab me a coat and flick the kettle on, and I’ll have a little chat with Chelsea.”

“Is that wise?” Evan asks, but there’s a softness to it.

She rolls her eyes and shoos him. “E, be a good boy and go.”

His gaze drops to me, waiting for my permission. “I’m fine. Listen to your gram and go on.”

A little flicker of heat deepens in his eyes.

I bite my bottom lip, watching him exhale a big breath and turn around to leave. Then I take the empty space next to her.

“How are you and Evan?”

She gets straight into it, doesn’t she?

“Wonderful. He's such a gentleman.”

My eyes lift from her assessing ones to the garden that is very well-kept. I bet she has a gardener every day. The yard reminds me of my parents' place. It allows my body to sink into the chair, relax and talk openly with her.

“He’s reserved, but he’s very sweet inside.”

A wrinkle forms between my eyebrows as I glance back at her. “Everyone keeps telling me he’s quiet, even he does. But I don’t get that from him.”

A soft, easy smile lifts on her lips. “He’s comfortable with you. I can see that.”

“You can?”

She nods slowly. “Yes, dear. When a man like Evan opens himself up, it means he feels safe.”

I take a minute to let her words sink in. “I guess I hadn’t thought of it that way. I just see this incredibly generous person.”

She reaches over and pats my hand. “You bring out the best in him. We can all see that.”

I smile, feeling a warmth spread through me. “Thank you. He brings out the best in me too.”

Leaning back, her gaze turns to the garden. “You know, when I met my husband, he was the same way. Quiet and reserved. But with time, he became my best friend. My son is also like that, so I’m not surprised one of my grandchildren turned out the same.”

I appreciate her sharing her story. It helps me understand the family and Evan on a deeper level.

Her eyes shift back to me, and I share what’s in my heart. “You give me hope for the future.”

She smiles softly. “I can see a very promising one for you and Evan. Just keep being yourself.”

Evan arrives back, cutting our conversation short. She excuses herself inside and encourages us to take a quick walk in the garden.

I admire the white flowers; they are the same ones from his balcony. “I love these.”

“Gardenias.”

“Oh, someone knows his flowers.” I poke his ribs playfully. He captures my finger, and he pulls me into his arms. I land into his strong, hard chest. His arms hug me, and I settle my head on his chest, staring at the gardenias.

“I’ll tell you a secret. I used to help Gram in the garden. It was our time.”

He rests his head on mine as my chest warms, imagining all the time he’s spent with his gram.

“What’s your favorite flower?”

“I don’t have one. I’m more of a tree guy.”

I snort. “What type of tree?”

“White oak.”

I frown as my eyes search the garden. “There isn’t one here.”

“I know, but my parents had one in our backyard when I was little. They were so big and beautiful.”

“Like you.”

His head lifts, and he’s staring longingly into my eyes. Something passes between us.

“The only beautiful thing I know is you.”

I peer down briefly before batting my lashes at his compliment.

“Th?”

His lips capture mine, and I sink into his body. Our kiss is slow and all-consuming, so much so, my toes curl inside my shoes.

He breaks our kiss, leaving me panting.

“We better get inside before Gram gets upset.” He winks.

“I’ve heard her desserts are amazing.”

I’m ready to taste her baking. Nova hasn’t stopped raving about it.

He nods. “The best.”

We turn and begin walking back through the garden.

My fingers graze something, and a sharp sting hits my forefinger.

“Ow.”

I look at my bleeding finger and suck on it.

“Let me look,” he says, turning me to face him.

“No.”

“You’re bleeding.”

“It’s fine. Don’t worry about it. Just a scratch.” I try to wave it off.

“No, come, let me fix it.”

My lips lift into a smile at his gruff command. I don’t bother arguing because Evan will get his way and, honestly, I like this nurturing side of him. It’s foreign and endearing.

He takes me to the bathroom and turns on the water, guiding my finger underneath it. His focus is on my finger, but my focus is on his side profile. The strong jaw, crooked nose, and dusting of a five o’clock shadow make me ache.

“I shouldn’t have taken you out there,” he grumbles.

“It’s a garden. It’s my fault for not paying attention.”

“Next time be careful.”

“Do you know how sexy it is when you get this worried about me?” I whisper.

He stops the water and grabs a bandage from under the sink, putting it on and adding pressure.

Stepping in front of me, his eyes hold mine, backing me so my ass hits the sink, causing my pulse to skyrocket.

“I more than worry about you.” He leans forward and runs his nose along my neck, and my skin prickles with goosebumps. “I like you.”

“I like you too.” My voice is breathy, giving away just how much I want him.

“You're a bad girl right now.”

I nod slowly. There’s no denying my desire for him.

He brings his fingers to my neck, gently squeezes, and whispers, “Later. I’ll show you just how much I like you.”

The promise in his voice leaves me shuddering. He steps back, and I close my parted lips, swallowing a whine. Without another word, he finishes dressing my cut, leaving our tension surrounding us.

“Now it won’t get infected.”

“Thanks.”

“Better?” He quirks an eyebrow, but it’s the grin on his face that tells me he’s teasing me. And I want to tease him back.

“You know what will be better?” I breathe.

His head tilts to the side. “What's that?”

I move my lips to his ear and whisper, “If you could make me come now.” Pulling my head back, I bite back a grin.

His eyes widen, and he grips my chin, laying a bruising kiss to my lips before he pants on my lips, “Fuck, Shell. As much as I want to, I fucking can’t.”

“I know. I’m teasing.”

He shakes his head and grunts. “Naughty girl. I’m going to make you pay for that tonight.”

There’s no playfulness in his tone; he’s serious and that makes me giddy for what’s to come later.

I turn and grab the door handle, pushing the door open and welcoming the fresh air that hits my lungs. In that space, all I could inhale was his spicy scent, and I was drowning.

We move to the kitchen area and see Gram sitting at the table, nursing a cup of tea.

“Sit, and I’ll make you a tea,” Evan says as his hand grazes my lower back. My gaze drops to his lips. He licks them, knowing I’m transfixed, before he removes his hand and strides away. Taking a breath, I turn to sit down. My heart drops when I see Gram watching us.

I hope she didn’t hear or witness anything inappropriate.

I slowly slide into the seat. She sips her drink and then lowers it, her silence killing me.

She leans forward. “He’s falling for you.”

I don’t hesitate to answer her. “I’m falling for him too.”

The corners of her lips lift. “I can see that.”

My eyes drift where he left, expecting him to walk in any moment.

“Just be patient with him.”

I’m about to ask what she means when he walks back in, holding two cups. He lowers one in front of me. “There you go.”

“Thanks.”

He takes the seat next to me.

“What were you two talking about?”

“Just how you two are in love.”

“Jes?”

He stops himself before he swears. Nova warned me that Gram is strict.

“What happened to your finger out there?” she asks, changing the subject.

I smile. “I had a fight with a rose thorn.”

Gram laughs. “You're funny.”

I take that as a compliment because I don’t see myself as a funny person.

“Your grandson made it better, though.” I offer him a knowing smirk as he sips his coffee.

Her house is large, but with Evan, he makes the room feel small. He takes over every sense.

I sip my tea and let Gram talk about her garden.

“Which was your favorite?” she asks.

“Your white gardenias.”

I jerk when his hand reaches onto my lap and settles there. It’s sitting mid-thigh, and I’m growing hot. I hope he doesn’t try to make me pay for my comments because I’d say sorry if I have to.

Gram has moved on from talking about the garden to her daytime soap, and I know the one she’s talking about. Evan grumbles beside me and inches his hand up higher. My body freezes, and I keep my hands above the table so she doesn’t think there’s anything going on. I have no idea if she can see Evan’s hand, but I want him to quit teasing. Thankfully, we’re interrupted by Saylor.

The famous dessert is a chocolate sponge cake, and it looks mouth-watering. She's popped sprinkles on top.

I take a picture of Evan and the cake, then upload it to my social media pages.

Picking up my fork, I stab a piece, unable to wait any longer for a bite. But I lose my appetite the moment Bobby sends me a text.

Bobby: I should have known you were an untrustworthy slut but why did you have to choose my boss and one-up me?

My heart lurches to my throat as his words break me momentarily. But as much as the desire screams at me to text him back and say, fuck you, leave me alone, I do what I should have done but forgot to do…I block his ass via text and all social channels and then refocus on the cake. I don’t want Gram or Evan to realize Bobby has bothered me. Instead, I choose to ignore his insults and stay strong.

The pillowy cake is incredible. Gram is a great cook. The cake is not too sweet and not too bland. It’s the perfect mix.

Evan finishes his slice in four bites. He even managed to do it one-handed. That's right, he refused to move his hand from my leg. Not that I’m totally complaining, because it’s like he doesn’t want to let me go. Keeping me within reach because he wants to, and I revel in it.

I feel full and like I could be rolled out of here. Drinking my tea, I drag my chair out so I can clean up.

“No, dear. Leave it. Saylor will do it,” Gram says.

I don’t want to argue with her, so I remove my hand and sit back down. But I notice Evan starts cleaning up with Saylor and it makes my heart swell.

As much as I’ve enjoyed being here tonight, I’m ready to head home. Ready for him to finish what we started in the bathroom.

As if Evan can read my mind, his hand reaches for mine. “We should get going, Gram.”

She looks at her dainty gold watch on her wrist. “Yeah, it’s getting late.”

I stand, and Gram brings her walker with her.

“Gram, you can go sit down. We can see ourselves out.”

“No, I’ve got my walker, I can do it,” she says, as she walks us to the door.

We follow closely behind. Evan looks like he’s ready to catch her when she falls. I think my heart melted a little more. Is there anything more beautiful than your man doting over his gram?

Evan pulls the door open. He kisses and hugs her before stepping into the doorway.

I copy him, giving her a kiss and briefly hugging her. I touch her bony shoulder; having noticed her smaller frame when I first met her. Nova told me all about her cancer. It’s awful, and I worry who Evan will become if he ever loses her. Will he withdraw further into himself? Or fill the void with work? What would he do?

Shaking off those dark thoughts, I smile at her. “It was lovely to meet you.”

“Same, dear. Now go make some babies.”

Evan fires back fast with a grimace. “Grams, please.”

“Well, practice then.” She winks, which makes me chuckle. “You know what they say, practice makes perfect.” Gram’s eyes move to mine.

I don’t know how to respond, so I just remain silent. Luckily for me, Evan speaks.

“Alright, goodnight, Gram, I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Goodnight, Evan and Chelsea.”

I wave and take a few steps down, returning to Evan’s car.

Reaching his car, I expect him to do what he always does and open the door for me. But tonight, he pushes me against the car. His hands on my hips as he presses his body against mine. My body has memorized his so it already softens beneath him, succumbing to him, like it knows he will give it the pleasure it’s seeking.

“You killed it in there.”

“I did?” Nothing I said or did stands out. I’m lost.

“You just fit in so easily.”

I blink up at him, trying to understand why that’s so special. “She’s so easy to get along with.”

“She means the world to all of us.”

“I can tell she’s special,” I breathe out as he leans in and kisses my cheek.

“She is, but so are you.” He kisses my lips briefly before saying, “Now good girls should be rewarded.”

“I thought I was naughty.” I lift my eyebrow in a silent challenge.

“Get in that car before I do something that will cause my gram to whip me with her wooden spoon.”

I laugh. “You guys are petrified of her.”

“You have no idea. Growing up, she was the boss.”

She still is , I want to say, but instead, I keep it light.

“Get me back to yours so you can show me who’s the boss.”

A sexy smirk settles on his lips. “Now we’re talking.”