Page 29 of Too Hot To Touch

HER TOUCH

*

Adeline Monroe is ready for more.

Her life has been on pause but not anymore. She wants to experience things. She wants a new routine.

She wants to find her happily ever after.

Lincoln Hook is ready for love.

One look at Adeline and he’s hooked. He craves her spirit, enthusiasm, and love.

Now he just needs to convince Adeline that they’re meant to be.

He’s willing to do anything to make her his but it might just take a miracle.

*Warning! This book alpha is over-the-top, head over heels in love with his girl. If you’re looking for a steamy insta-love story then this book is for you!

CHAPTER 1

Adeline

I laugh as Ryan,Flynn’s younger brother, finishes with his story. We’re at Aspen’s wedding reception and I’m seated across from Aspen and her new husbands. I look over at my friend, my sister, who is sandwiched between her men. Aspen is grinning from ear to ear as she looks between Roman and Flynn. They each have an arm draped over the back of her chair as they gaze down with so much love shining from their eyes that I have to look away. Don’t get me wrong, I’m so happy for my friend. She’s been through so much and she deserves all of the love and happiness that I know Roman and Flynn will give her.

Losing my parents when I was seven was a rough thing to go through. They were murdered in a home invasion while I was at a friend’s house for a sleepover. My parents were both only children and I didn’t have any other relatives so I was put in the foster care system. That can be an even rougher time and if I hadn’t met Aspen when I went to the group home, then I’m not sure that I would be here today. Even if I was, I would still probably be all alone.

I would do anything for Aspen. We’ve been close since the day we first met and that bond has only grown stronger over the years. When we both turned 18, we left the home and got an apartment together in New York City. Sure, it was a complete dump, but it was ours. No more sharing bathrooms and bedrooms with a dozen other people.

To be fair, our old apartment was really just one big room with barely enough room for the two of us to move around in. We dragged furniture and appliances off the street and furnished our apartment that way. We never did find a bed so the two of us slept on an old mattress on the floor.

When Aspen met Roman and Flynn, we traded our crappy apartment for an Upper East Side townhouse. I figure that once Aspen and the guys get back from their honeymoon I’ll move out. I told them a couple of days ago that I was looking for someplace new but they didn’t really take it well. Roman and Flynn offered to buy me a place nearby so that I could stay close to Aspen, and while the idea of being close to her is tempting, I don’t want to take advantage of them. They told me I could stay and I know they’re nervous about me being on my own, but they need their own space right now too. I’m going to stay there while they’re on their honeymoon and keep an eye on the place. Once they’re back, I’ll find a new place and then I’ll move out.

I had brain surgery about a month and a half ago and I’m still taking it easy. Truth is, I’m lucky to be alive. A miracle, the doctors called it. I’m sure I gave Aspen quite the scare when she came home from her night with Roman and Flynn and found me unconscious. I don’t really remember much from that day and I know that she doesn’t like to talk about it.

I had a tumor pushing on my frontal lobe and was close to dying when Aspen made a deal with Roman and Flynn. One night with her and they would pay all of my medical bills. I owe Aspen my life, but it also got her Roman and Flynn, so she says that we’re even.

For the most part, I’m all healed from the surgery. I still get tired easily, but I’m getting stronger every day. I’m back to my job at the animal shelter and my last doctor appointment showed that the tumor hadn’t returned.

I look back to Aspen as Flynn leans in and whispers something in her ear. She throws her head back, laughing freely at whatever he said and I watch as Roman looks over at the sound and smiles. That’s the kind of love that I want and a pang of jealousy hits me as I watch them. Don’t get me wrong, I’m over the moon happy for Aspen. I just wish that I had that too.

I look away from the happy trio and my eyes meet the man seated on my left. Lincoln Hook. He introduced himself to me when he first sat down. He almost tripped over his feet to get to the chair next to me. He hasn’t said much since we sat down but he has been growling anytime anyone pulls my attention away from him.

I’ve been trying to study him in little bits out of the corner of my eye. He’s got dirty blonde hair that keeps falling into his face. It has a bit of a curl to it and when he pushes it back it curls upward. I can see more of the curl where it hangs around his ears. His moss-green eyes have been glued to me all night and his lips curl upwards every time he catches me looking at him.

It’d be impossible for him not to catch me looking at him. He’s been staring at me all night. I can feel his eyes on me even know. Every time I looked over during the wedding, his eyes were on me instead of the happy newlyweds. I could feel him watching me as I mingled with Roman and Flynn’s families and friends. He only seems to get upset when I’m around young single guys. I’ve seen him shooting glares over my head at Ryan every time he says something to me.

Ryan leans in to make a joke about someone further down the table when I hear Lincoln’s chair scoot along the floor, closer to mine. I go to turn in his direction when Ryan leans in again. I can feel Lincoln’s glare from behind me and a part of me is giddy over his obvious interest. That happiness turns to shock when a hand lands on the back of my chair and I’m dragged to the left.

Who is this man?

My eyes snap to Aspen’s across the table and I silently ask her what the hell just happened. Aspen just shrugs but she has the biggest smile on her face. I peer over at Lincoln, wondering what his problem is but he simply smiles at me and hands me a menu, draping his arm over the back of my chair where it sits right next to his. I’ve been hit on before but never by someone so possessive and obviously interested in me.

“What looks good, my love?” He asks in his deep, smooth, voice.

I don’t know if it’s the term of endearment or the rumble of his voice as it skitters across my skin, but a shiver makes its way down my spine. I pretend to study my menu and act like I didn’t hear his question. He scoots his body closer and now our thighs are pressed together under the table and I’m tucked under his arm. He’s got me practically glued to his side. My body feels flushed and I’m sure my face is beet red.

My thoughts are interrupted when the man plastered to my side, leans in and whispers in my ear.

---