A smile tugs at my mouth.

I even gave him an order.

That knocks free a little giggle and a burst of pride.

Trying to manage a man like Lincoln is like sneaking up on a mountain lion out in the woods, tweaking his tail, and jumping back, hoping you don’t get mauled.

Totally stupid. Definitely crazy. But completely exhilarating.

My better judgment has already rendered its opinion—stay far, far away. But the rest of me can’t abide by that decision.

My head flops sideways, and my attention catches on the stack of hotel stationery on the desk.

I still can’t believe I told him I wrote Ricky’s songs. Telling someone not related to me by blood felt good. The fact that Lincoln now knows that whatever Ricky told him before he threw me out of the cabin ten years ago was bullshit feels even better.

And seeing the rage on his face when he realized how badly Ricky had screwed me over? That was gratifying too.

I’ve never had someone in my life who was willing to go to war for me, other than my brother, and even then, he picked the battles. He didn’t let me have a say.

Lincoln actually reined himself in because I told him to. I wasn’t lying when I said I wasn’t interested in trying to challenge Ricky’s legacy. It would be a bloodbath, and it’s not worth the cost right now.

The last thing I need is more death threats like the ones I got in LA. And with the press already in Gable and targeting my family? Not a chance in hell.

I spend another hour wandering the rooms of the suite, stopping with every rotation to jot down lines on my last blank sheet of paper. When I run out of space, I replace the pen in the holder and stare at the phone.

On a whim, I punch the button for the spa. Within two minutes, I have an appointment to see Gabi in the next hour.

“You came back,” Gabi says as she wraps me in a hug. “I heard you were staying here, but I wasn’t sure if you’d come see me again.”

“I promised I would.”

She releases me with a crooked grin. “You should know, I heard that Lincoln Riscoff not only brought tacos to the front desk break room a little while ago, but word on the street is that he was joking and laughing. Pretty much everyone was speculating on his good mood.”

“Oh Lord. I’m sure the rumor mill is hard at work.”

“Honey, it’s been working overtime since you walked into town. Follow me, and I’ll catch you right up while I work on you.”

As she leads me to the treatment room, I tell her, “To be honest, I kind of thought if I made an appointment, we could just catch up. I really don’t need another facial. It’s only been a couple days.”