Linc input Jordan’s parents’ address into his GPS and drove there, his heart pounding hard in his chest. He didn’t know if he had the right words to fix things between them. He only knew he had to find them or he would never be happy again and he’d lose the person who meant the most to him. Not to mention, he’d have to live with knowing he’d hurt her. And she was pregnant with his baby. So he had to undo the damage he’d done.
His cell rang, and with the buttons on his steering wheel, he took the call without checking who was on the other end. “Hello?”
“Linc? It’s Wallace.” The connection wasn’t solid, and static sounded in the background.
“Jesus, Wallace. What the fuck? How could you up and disappear?” He gripped the wheel and did his best to pay attention to the road and the signs.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know Kenneth would go to such extremes, and when I found out, I didn’t know what else to do.” The man’s voice trembled.
Linc shook his head. “Talk to me and start at the beginning.”
The other man let out a long, wailing sound and Linc cringed. “Your father was my best friend. I would have done anything for him, and when he got his diagnosis, he was devastated,” Wallace said.
“I wouldn’t know. He didn’t confide in me.” If anything, Kenneth had kept Linc at arm’s length, and since Linc never wanted to be close to him, he hadn’t cared.
The dementia had been a blow, but Linc never wanted his father to get sick or die.
“Your father knew how you felt about him. Hell, he even understood. You all put Melly first. He got that. But the business was Kenneth’s baby.” Wallace paused. “And as much as he wanted his oldest son, the only son who cared about Kingston Enterprises as much as he did, in the business? He was envious of your success and worried he’d be seen as weak once he began showing more signs of his illness.”
Linc put his signal on and took the next exit. “So what did you do?”
“Some creative accounting and I moved money around. I opened a separate account for Kenneth to use to make deals. It allowed him to feel in control and like the king of real estate he used to be. It let him avoid lenders and people who’d notice his diminishing abilities.”
Linc shook his head, surprised Wallace’s underlying rationale had been friendship, not greed. But Linc knew how much his father owed Beck, and even Kenneth had realized he’d needed collateral. So where was Wallace in all this?
“You have to believe me,” the other man said. “I never thought Kenneth would make a deal without my knowledge. Or be crazy enough to offer Beckett Daniels a piece of the company if he couldn’t come up with the money.”
Linc groaned. “So what’s your plan? To hide out in the Maldives for the rest of your life?”
“Unless you don’t plan on pressing charges. I don’t know what I’d be liable for but…” Wallace’s voice trailed off, giving Linc time to think.
Friendship. Wallace had done it all for friendship and to help Linc’s father retain his dignity. Under these circumstances, how could Linc hold him criminally responsible?
“I’m not pressing charges,” he said. “You took care of my father, albeit in an extremely stupid way.” But Linc couldn’t keep him on. Not when he couldn’t trust the man’s judgment or decision-making. “Just resign and we’ll call it even.”
“Thank you.” Relief suffused Wallace’s voice. “I can’t imagine not being able to easily see my boys.”
Linc knew his wife had passed away a couple of years ago, but he had adult children here in the States. “Wallace, just come home. I’ve got to go.”
“Goodbye, Lincoln. Thank you.”
Shaking his head, he disconnected the call. How his father had inspired such loyalty was beyond Linc’s understanding.
But business and his father were the last things Linc needed to be concentrating on. His focus should be on much more important matters. Like convincing Jordan of his feelings and sincerity.
As he drove, he considered everything he needed to say. Thirty minutes later, he pulled up in front of her parents’ modest home. He hadn’t been here before. Not because Jordan had been embarrassed, but they’d both decided it was better not to upset her mother by pushing their friendship in her face when she so clearly disapproved.
He climbed out and made his way up the walk and faced the doorbell with dread. Dealing with Tamara Greene wouldn’t be easy.
Before he lifted his hand to ring, he saw movement of the drapes on the side window, and then the door opened and Jordan’s mother stood in the entry. Obviously she’d seen him first.
Tamara wore a pair of jeans and a peach-colored blouse. With her blonde hair and blue eyes, she reminded him of a slightly harder version of her daughter.
Growing up, he’d always liked her. She’d been good to him, making sure he and his siblings had cookies and milk after school and even helping with homework if his mother wasn’t around. In fact, she hadn’t become gruff and abrupt with him until high school.
“Hello, Mrs. Greene.”
“Lincoln, it’s about time you showed up.” Instead of letting him inside, she stepped out to join him. “Now you listen to me, young man.”
He blinked, and since he wasn’t stupid, he did as she said and waited for her to speak.
“I always liked you. You were a good boy, respectful, and smart. It wasn’t until I realized my daughter had a crush on you that I knew I had to do something about your friendship. I couldn’t let her get hurt by … well, to be frank, people like your father and the country club crowd.”
Jordan had had a crush on him in high school? That was news to him, but he couldn’t deny the jolt of pleasure that hit him as he found out.
“I understand your feelings about my father,” he said. “But nobody else in my family has ever or will ever hurt Jordan.”
Tamara narrowed her gaze. “Except you.”
He winced because the truth stung. “I’m here to fix things.”
She settled her hands on her hips. “It had better be the right way, because no grandbaby of mine is going to be born without his parents being married. Not when they love each other like you and Jordan do.”
Shocked by her words, he cocked his head to the side. “How do you know how we feel?” Oh, Linc knew he loved Jordan. He’d had the entire ride here to put his feelings into words as he figured out what he would say to her, and love was at the center of his argument.
“Best friends, my ass,” Tamara muttered.
He bit back a laugh. He’d always liked her bluntness.
“Nobody spends the amount of time together you two do without having real feelings,” she went on. “Now I admit I’m still worried, but given the situation, I’ve decided to trust you. Now good luck getting my daughter to do the same.”
She stepped aside and gestured for him to come in, and he followed her into the small entryway.
“I’m going to convince her to hear you out. I suggest you figure out what you’re going to say,” Tamara said.
Linc stared at her retreating back, marveling at the woman’s honesty. She didn’t hold back and he respected that.
He made his way into the family room to his left and walked around, looking at the family photos on the mantel and the shelves while he waited for Jordan.
* * *
Jordan sat onthe bed in the room she’d shared with her sister, wearing an old tee shirt of her dad’s and a pair of her mother’s sweatpants. Her hair was wild from the spray she’d used to hold the waves she’d made last night for the concert. And despite having washed her face and used a ton of makeup remover, when she’d brushed her teeth, she’d noticed she still had black streaks beneath her eyes. Lovely.
But it wasn’t like she was going anywhere. She’d decided to stay here for a couple of days. Let Linc deal with a temp as his assistant and see how he liked being without her.
She lifted her knees and wrapped her arms around them, needing the pressure against her stomach because, of course, she was nauseous again. The male got a female pregnant, but it was the woman who had to suffer with all the side effects. So unfair.
Not to mention, she’d skipped breakfast and hoped she felt better soon, because despite how crappy she was feeling, she was also weirdly hungry.
A knock sounded on her door. “Come in.”
Her mother walked into the room and stood by her bed. “How are you feeling? Any better?” she asked, concern in her tone.
Jordan shook her head. “Not yet. I did get a few crackers down though.”
“Good.” Her mother smiled. “You have company.”
Jordan’s stomach did a complete flip, and she was lucky she didn’t throw up. “What? Who?”
“Don’t play dumb. Now get up and wash your face before you go downstairs. You can’t help being pale, but there’s no reason to look like a raccoon when you face Linc.”
Jordan narrowed her gaze. “What is with this sudden pushing me toward him? All you ever wanted was to keep us apart.”
Her mother shook her head. “Wrong. I wanted to protect you.” She lowered herself onto the bed beside Jordan’s bent legs. “Now tell me something and don’t even think of lying to your mother. Do you love him?”
Shocked by the question, Jordan looked everywhere but at her mom. “Will you judge me if I say I do?” Because she’d probably loved him for years.
Though, after the way he’d reacted to her being pregnant, it killed her to admit the truth. Considering Linc knew what she’d been through with Collin when she’d been pregnant, last night he’d still thrown that same shocked, horrified attitude in her face. Her stomach spun at the painful memory.
Her mother sighed. “There’s no accounting for love, so no, I won’t judge you. As hard as I tried to prevent your pain, here we are.” Her mother ran a soothing hand over Jordan’s arm. “I listened to you last night. I heard you. And I thought about how things played out between you and Linc.”
“Just what are you saying?”
“That when he heard you were pregnant, you shocked him. You didn’t have a chance to lay the groundwork and soften the blow. Imagine hearing the news in a room full of people and not expecting it.”
She hugged her legs tighter. “I know because I found out almost the same way.” Aurora had suggested it, and next thing Jordan knew, she was in a public bathroom stall, three pregnancy tests on the floor in front of her.
And she’d completely freaked out.
“I see you understand my point,” her mom said. “And despite how hard I’ve been on you two all these years, you’ve stood by his side. I have to believe it’s because you saw something special in him.”
“I did,” Jordan whispered.
“Well, I realize I was basing my feelings on his father’s attitude and behavior.” Her mother drew a deep breath. “And your father and I talked late into the night, and he helped me to see reason.”
Jordan blinked in surprise. “Dad knows I’m pregnant?” she asked in shock.
Her mother shot her a look. “Of course. We don’t keep secrets. He’d have talked to you this morning, but you were sleeping when he left on an emergency work call.”
With her head spinning and Linc downstairs, Jordan didn’t know whether to run to him for emotional support or hide under the covers until he went away. She knew what her heart wanted, and God, that scared her.
“Ask yourself why he’s here and don’t tell me you think he wants to pay you off.” Apparently her mother wasn’t finished with her newfound wisdom.
Jordan flinched because she never should have said those words to him. He’d been in shock, as her mother had said.
And she’d let the past dictate her reaction. “I can’t believe you, of all people, are trying to convince me to find the good in Linc,” Jordan muttered.
“I always saw the good in him. My concerns were never about him.” Her mother patted her knee. “Now go clean up and I’ll tell him you’ll be right down.”
“What about your concerns about me not fitting into his world?” Jordan asked, sliding out of bed.
Her mom let out a sigh as if the answer were obvious. But it wasn’t. Not to Jordan.
“Where have you been all these years?” her mom asked. “You’ve been by his side,” she said before Jordan could answer. “I simply didn’t see the truth staring me in the face. Linc Kingston has your back. Now ask yourself if you can forgive him for being a jerk, because take it from someone who knows. It won’t be the last time you’ll have to forgive him for stupid behavior.”
Her mother’s grin lightened the mood, and Jordan couldn’t help but smile back. “Only if he grovels nicely.”
Her mom laughed, then stood up and walked out the door.
Jordan glanced in the mirror above the dresser and groaned. She could wash the black eye makeup away, but there wasn’t much more she could do to fix her pale face. Linc would have to take her or leave her.
* * *
From the entryto the family room, Jordan watched Linc pace the carpeted floor. He wore a pair of dark jeans and a cream-colored Henley top, looking as sexy as ever. It wasn’t fair. She’d done her best to pull herself together, but she was still pale, her eyes red and puffy from crying, and her hair pulled into a messy bun on top of her head.
Here goes nothing, she thought. “Linc?”
He turned toward her, his face filled with relief at the sight of her. He took her in, consuming her, those eyes traveling from head to toe, and she couldn’t help but be self-conscious. With no desire to put last night’s tight outfit back on, she still wore her borrowed sweats and tee.
“I know, not my best look.” She gestured to her mismatched outfit. “But I came straight here last night, and I had to borrow something to wear.”
He shoved his hands into his pants pockets. “Actually I think you look cute.”
She did her best not to cringe at the description and folded her arms across her chest.
“Can we sit?” he asked.
She walked to the sofa and settled into the corner, well aware her body language and attitude gave off a keep-your-distance vibe.
Proving he knew her well, he sat one cushion away from her, providing her with the distance she needed as she waited in silence for him to speak.
He cleared his throat and looked into her eyes. “I didn’t handle things well last night and I’m sorry.”
He owned his actions, and she not only appreciated it, she knew what it said about his character. None of which meant she would let him off easily. A big part of her needed to express her feelings so he really understood what he’d done.
“Complete understatement,” she said with a hint of defiance in her tone. “Should we start with you asking me how it happened? Your angry tone of voice?” She snapped her fingers. “Oh, I know. How about when you said, shit? As if the worst thing in the world had happened to you?”
Ducking his head, he admitted, “None of them were my finest moment.”
Although she gave him credit. He didn’t use him being caught off guard as an excuse. But she was well aware that how he’d found out she was pregnant factored into his negative reaction, something her mother had forced her to face.
Jordan blew out a long breath and sighed. “Look, I know you were in shock. You overheard Aurora and it was the last thing you expected to hear.”
“That doesn’t make it right,” he muttered.
She nodded in agreement. “No, it doesn’t. But I shouldn’t have lumped you in with your father and Collin, either.”
His wince told her how hard the comparison had hit him, and she couldn’t help but feel bad.
“I know I wasn’t fair. You’d never throw a check at a problem like this.” She’d hurled the accusation as a means of self-protection, before he could treat her the way Collin had.
The amazing thing was, Linc’s silence and lack of emotion had sliced through her worse than her ex’s financial solution.
Linc’s body stiffened. “Jordan, you are not a problem and neither is our baby.” As he said the word, his entire expression softened. “We’re having a baby,” he repeated in awe, almost as if he’d just now realized what her being pregnant meant, and he was now happy about it.
“I don’t understand.” She shook her head, confused. “We both know you were against having kids.” Her stomach churned at the reminder. “You said you didn’t want them to relive your childhood in any way.”
“And they won’t,” he said, his tone full of certainty. “No baby of ours will relive the kind of upbringing I had. Not with us as parents.”
She blinked back tears and trembled at the swell of emotion rushing through her. Reaching out, he rubbed his thumb over her bottom lip, and it was all she could do not to wrap her body around him and put last night behind her.
Could she?
Should she trust his change of heart?
“I want you to listen carefully and hear everything I’m about to say. Now, are you paying attention?” His firm tone had her sitting up straighter and focusing.
He slid closer, picking up her hand and holding it in his. “When I said I didn’t want children, I imagined marrying and having them with someone like Angelica, who I couldn’t see ever getting along with long-term. Those were the kind of women who came and went, but I didn’t let any of them in, and none stayed for long.”
“I know,” she whispered.
“But I finally understand why. I was so insistent on not wanting to lose what we shared that I was blind to what we actually were. To what we are.” His blue eyes were dark, his voice laced with sincerity, his gaze warm and full of what she thought was hope.
“And what is that?” she asked, her voice thick. Her heart rate picked up speed, and she felt the rapid beat in her chest.
His dizzying smile nearly brought her to her knees.
“We’re best friends.” He cupped her face in his hands and held her gaze with his. “Soul mates.” He brushed his lips gently over hers. “And very much in love,” he said, sealing their mouths together.
She kissed him, falling into their desire. He smelled so good, and now she did push herself up and settle in his lap, facing him and wrapping herself around him like she’d been dying to do earlier. His erection settled against her sex, and she moaned, their tongues sliding against each other, the kiss going on for a long while, until she broke their connection.
They still had more to discuss. “You’re saying you love me.”
“Yes, Jordan. I love you,” he said in a deep, honest voice.
She bit down on her damp bottom lip, then asked, “And what if I wasn’t pregnant?”
He grinned. “Then I’d knock you up as soon as possible. Now isn’t there something you want to tell me?”
Although she loved his answer, they had one more thing to talk about. “Not yet.” She cleared her throat. “We both know I have issues with how I fit into your world. Things my mother said, that Angelica said, and how people at that club look at me.” She shook her head. “I’ve always been able to handle it because I was an outsider, but I don’t want to put you in the middle. Not to mention, what will your mother say? She’s always been nice to me as your friend, but as your girlfriend?”
His unexpected laughter had her stiffening.
“Relax,” he said. “I’m not laughing at you. I had a long talk with my mother already, and she had the perfect way to help me convince you that you are one of us. And to hell with what anyone else says or thinks.”
He shifted her up and slid his hand into his front jeans pocket, fishing around and returning with something in his closed hand.
“Do you remember my grandmother Cecile?” he asked.
She nodded. “Your father’s mother. Of course. She was your favorite grandparent.” Jordan recalled the times he’d spend with his grandma and tell her all about their talks whenever she saw him next.
“Well, she gave my father a diamond to set into an engagement ring for my mother. And unlike their marriage being awful, my grandparents loved each other very much. I forgot about them in light of my father’s behavior and my mother’s misery. But from now on, I choose to focus on the good this ring caused, and my mother offered it to me to give to you.”
He opened his hand and revealed a large diamond ring Jordan used to see on his mother’s finger, and she let out a gasp. “Linc!”
“We will have this reset especially for you, but first…” He lifted her by her waist and slid her to the sofa.
Taking her by surprise, he lowered himself to one knee. “Jordan Marie Greene, will you marry me?”
He’d apologized and proved himself in all the ways that mattered to her. And there was nothing she wanted more than to spend the rest of her life with this man who was, as he’d said, her best friend and soul mate.
“Yes. Yes!” she squealed, laughing.
“Sorry but I’m not putting this setting on your finger. We’re starting out with good juju. As soon as we can, we’ll have it reset.” He rose to his feet and slid the ring back into his pocket.
Jordan had no problem with his plan.
“By the way, I would have asked for your parents’ permission, but your mother already told me no grandchild of hers would be born without us being married. And while you were getting ready, she told me your father would approve.”
Jordan groaned. “If you hadn’t already come here with the ring in your pocket, I’d kill her.”
“I heard that!” her mother called out from way too close by.
Both Jordan and Linc laughed.
“She really did a one-eighty about me,” he said, speaking low.
Jordan sighed. “She wasn’t able to keep us apart all these years. When she heard I was pregnant, her blinders came off.”
“Well, I’m glad. I’d rather have her on our side. Now can we go? I’d really like to consummate this engagement,” he whispered.
Popping up from the couch, she stood and grasped his hand. “Take me home. Now.”
“Anything you want,” he said and she knew he meant it.
* * *
In the lasttwo weeks, Jordan’s life had changed. She accepted her place in Linc’s life and let go of old insecurities, while he embraced their relationship publicly and enthusiastically, including the fact that he would become a father. Though Jordan worried about miscarrying, a trip to the obstetrician assured her she was healthy and there was no reason to anticipate a problem.
Now she sat in Linc’s SUV with a scarf wrapped around her eyes as they headed … somewhere he didn’t want her to see.
“Come on, give me a hint?” she asked after who knows how long listening to the radio, him humming, refusing to talk, and keeping her in suspense.
“Nope.” But the car came to a stop and he shut the engine. “But you can take off the blindfold now.”
She eagerly pulled off the silk scarf and blinked as she adjusted to the sunlight. When she gazed out her side window, a brand-new house set back on a massive plot of land came into view. It was a gorgeous brick Georgian-style manor home that rivaled the Kingston Estate in size and surrounding property.
“Where are we?” she asked, her mouth going dry.
“Ready to go in and take a look?” he asked, restarting the engine.
“That’s not an answer,” she informed him.
“It’s a house.”
She shook her head. “It’s more like a mansion or an estate that five families could live in,” she said, panicking as she realized what was happening.
He shrugged, taking it all in stride. The massive house, the acres of land. This was all normal to him.
“We’re having a baby. We need the room.” He put the car in drive and headed down a tree-lined road before turning onto a long driveway leading to the house.
Overwhelmed, Jordan curled a knee under her and twisted toward him. “Linc! You’re going crazy. In the last two weeks, you moved me into your place, got me out of my lease, pulled off a huge dinner for both of our families, and bought and demanded my ring be sized and ready in twenty-four hours! Now we’re looking at this massive house for sale? No. Just no!” she said, her voice rising.
He placed a calming hand on her knee. “Okay, I thought you might hyperventilate when you got a look at this place.” He reached into the side of his seat and pulled out papers. “What about any of these?” he asked in a soothing voice. “They’re more reasonable. We can work up to the estate.”
Rolling her eyes, she accepted the Realtor pages and used them to slap him on the arm before looking through the contents and relaxing at the more realistic places for them to live.
“I agree we need more space,” she said. “But no more giving heart attacks, okay?” It was one thing to adjust to becoming a Kingston, another to buy this land and house.
Thank goodness he’d anticipated her reaction and had given her options. In the end, another two weeks after they started looking, they agreed on what Jordan still thought was a massive home not far from his family estate. The location satisfied his mother’s need to be near her soon-to-be grandbaby and was only a half-hour drive for Jordan’s parents.
Since Linc wanted to do some renovations on the house, Jordan convinced him to let them stay in the city until she was seven months pregnant, giving her time to adjust to their new normal without making so many changes at once.
As for getting married, neither one of them wanted to upstage Chloe, so they decided to wait until after his sister’s wedding next month. Jordan wanted a small, intimate ceremony, and Linc seemed happy to keep the event to their families only.
Tonight, he was at the gym in the building, doing his workout, and Jordan had decided to cook dinner. She’d gotten used to his kitchen, and he’d accepted that she didn’t want a housekeeper handling every meal. Although she had to admit, after long workdays, it was nice to come home to a fully prepared dinner that wasn’t takeout or delivery.
Jordan wasn’t the world’s best cook but she could handle some basics, and she’d made them lasagna and garlic bread. Leaving it to cool a little, she went to change into a silky lounge set before Linc came back home.
Linc finished hisworkout and made his way to the penthouse. He needed a hot shower, and then he looked forward to sitting down for dinner with his soon-to-be wife. Since the day in her mother’s house when he’d apologized and bared his soul, he’d done everything he could to make Jordan happy and prove to her they had what it took to last forever.
At times, she thought he was moving too fast. More often he didn’t think they were going fast enough. He wanted everything with her and he wanted it now. But he was learning the fine art of compromise. If it were up to him, he’d buy her the world. She didn’t seem to want anything more than his love and a lifetime together, and that was only one of the things that made her so special.
He opened the door and let himself inside, kicking off his sneakers near the door. The delicious aroma of garlic wafted through the apartment, and he went in search of Jordan. She wasn’t in the kitchen, though dinner sat cooling on the counter.
He strode through the apartment and into the bedroom in time to see Jordan standing in a bra and panties, a light blue silk outfit laid out on the bed.
He took in her sexy profile, her long hair hanging over her shoulders and the barely visible swell of her belly holding his baby.
A desire so strong he couldn’t contain it rushed through him. “Jordan.”
She jumped at the sound of his voice and turned toward him. “I didn’t hear you come in.” Her gaze swept over him, and her eyes darkened with a need he recognized.
“You like me sweaty,” he said in a gruff voice.
A teasing smile lifted her lips. “I like you any way I can get you. But I’m sure you’re hungry, so if you want to jump in the shower, I’ll get dinner on the table. I have to get dressed,” she said, reaching for her shirt.
“Don’t.” He was starving, but not for food. He knew Jordan had spent time cooking, and he had every intention of eating whatever she’d prepared, but first he wanted to devour her.
He stalked toward her, catching her expression the minute she realized his intent. Her baby blues opened wide, and with a tempting smile, she unhooked her bra from behind. It slid down her arms, revealing her gorgeous breasts, which were slightly larger and a lot more tender than they’d been before.
He stopped in front of her, waiting as she hooked her fingers into the band of her panties and pulled them down her legs and kicked them aside.
She stood before him naked, beautiful, and all his.
He pulled his shirt, lifting it from the back collar and sliding it over his head and arms, tossing it across the room. He took care of his shorts, boxers briefs, then socks next.
Before she could react, he grabbed her around the waist, and together they toppled onto the bed. He came over her, making certain not to crush her in any way.
With his eyes on hers, he raised himself up, his cock settled at her entrance. She was wet for him, as she always was. “I love you, soon-to-be Mrs. Kingston.”
Her smile lit up his life. “And I love you, Mr. Kingston.”
As soon as he heard the words, he eased himself inside her, groaning at the perfection of her slick heat as he took her completely.
Afterwards, they lay in each other’s arms, his hand settled on her belly. He was grateful for everything they’d found and finally recognized in each other.
“I don’t want to move, ever,” she said, curling deeper into his side.
“You don’t ever have to.”
