“You shouldn’t have taken me there to begin with. I don’t know what you were trying to prove, but it didn’t work.”

“I was trying to prove that I care about you, and I don’t give a damn what anyone else thinks.”

I nodded, holding back tears. “Are you sure? Because it felt like you were trying to rub it in your family’s face that you don’t give a damn what they think.”

He turned toward me. “So what if I am? Isn’t that what you want me to do? Pick you over them?”

“No! I don’t want any part in your family’s battles. I don’t want to wonder if you only want me because I’m the girl you’re not supposed to have.” I spun around and headed for the door, but Lincoln gripped my hand before I could touch the handle.

“I wanted you from the very first fucking second I saw you. I didn’t know your name. Didn’t give a damn who you were. I still don’t. That’s what I’m trying to show you.” His breath brushed my ear, and my entire body heated instantly. “Just let me show you, Blue.”

His tone was so soft and tempting, I melted against his chest.

“I don’t know how to do this. It’s too much,” I whispered.

He turned me around in his arms and buried his hand in my hair. “Then fuck everything else and just be with me tonight. I need you.”

He pressed the bulge in his pants against me, and I knew it was pointless to pretend I didn’t need him too.

Just one last time.

“I need you more.”

Thirty-Six

Whitney

Present day

Lincoln’s gaze leaves trails of heat down my back as I go snatch up my towel. I know I look different than I did at twenty-one, but that’s the least of my worries right now.

My biggest concern? How easily my body responds to his presence. The fact that my nipples are hard has nothing to do with the cool air in the shed, and everything to do with the fact that he was the best I’ve ever had—which isn’t something I’ll ever admit.

I wrap the scratchy towel around me before spinning to face him.

Except he’s not where I left him. He’s right here. Only a foot away. He moved so silently, I didn’t have any warning.

And the intensity blazing in those hazel eyes is the kind that has haunted me for a decade.

“You’re so fucking beautiful.”

I swallow, tugging the towel tighter. “You should go.”

“Not before we—”

I have no idea what was going to come out of his mouth because Karma’s voice interrupts.

“Wow. Didn’t know you were going for a blast-from-the-past fuck, cuz.”

“Karma—”

“What? If you’re okay with being a Riscoff’s whore after everything that happened, you should be able to handle the talk about it. This should be fun.”

“Call her a whore again and I’ll make you regret it.” Lincoln’s threat slices out like a whip, and Karma’s lips pinch together.