Just One Night by Carly Phillips (fiction book recommendations txt) 📕

Linc stiffened but reminded himself Kenneth hadn’t known Linc’s history with Beck. The man happened to be someone in the business who Linc’s father could turn to in a real estate deal.

“Got all the information you need?” Beck glanced at his watch. “I have a meeting to attend.”

Holding on to his temper by a thread, Linc turned and walked out. Not slamming the door behind him took all the self-control Linc could muster.

*     *     *

Jordan returned from lunch, full from good food but without any information to help Linc. She knocked on his door to let him know she was back, but he didn’t answer.

After getting settled at her desk, she pulled out her cell to check her messages. There was one from Linc telling her he’d gone to see Beck. The notion made her nervous, and she waited for him to come back and fill her in.

But Linc didn’t return to the office, and by the end of the day, Jordan was worried. He hadn’t returned her calls or texts, which was unlike him. Chloe had left for the day, so she couldn’t ask his sister, so Jordan decided she’d stop by his apartment and check on him.

Because she was on his permanent list, his doorman let her up to his floor on the penthouse level and she knocked. When he didn’t answer, she waited and knocked again. Thinking she heard something inside, she banged harder. She waited, impatiently tapping her foot until she finally heard the sound of the lock and the door opened.

Linc stood in the doorway, a towel wrapped around his waist, muscled chest bare, and droplets of water clinging to his skin. Her eyes settled on one particular drop, watching its descent down his pec and over his nipple.

A strangled moan caught in her throat.

“Jordan? What are you doing here?” he asked, obviously surprised by her visit.

Dazed by the sight, she raised her gaze only to find a sexy, knowing smirk on his lips. He absolutely knew how he affected her.

Attempting to remain composed, she cleared her throat. “You haven’t answered your phone! I was worried after I realized you went to see Beck and then disappeared.”

An apologetic expression crossed his face. “I’ve been at the gym pounding a bag.”

Taking out his frustration, which made her assume his meeting hadn’t gone well. “I see.”

He stepped backward for her to come in.

She walked past him, the woodsy scent of his cologne surrounding her and heightening her awareness of his nearly naked body. Warmth curled in her belly and her nipples tightened. If not for her light jacket, he’d have visual proof.

Not that he needed it. Her gaze fell to his chest again, then lower to the towel secured by a mere tuck of material with a definite bulge.

“Don’t you think you should get dressed?” Her strangled tone betrayed her arousal.

She couldn’t help it. She couldn’t look at a nearly naked Linc without wanting to wrap herself around him and hold on tight.

His stupid smirk returned. “Am I bothering you?” he asked.

“Lincoln Kingston, go get dressed!” Using the full name he hated because his father had given it to him due to its stature, or so Kenneth Kingston claimed, she pointed in the direction of his bedroom.

Laughing, he walked off, leaving her to make her way to the kitchen and get some water. She took long sips to cool herself down, then rinsed, dried, and put away the glass before heading to the living room.

Linc’s apartment was basic in its décor, the way he liked it. Chloe, who specialized in interior design, had helped him turn the penthouse into his masculine haven. A sleek black leather sofa with reclining seats on the ends, a glass table with brass frame in front of it, a matching cocktail table, and what Jordan knew to be a painting bought at auction hanging on the wall behind the couch. Every piece in this room cost more than most people could fathom spending on any one item, yet Jordan didn’t love it. She’d prefer a softer, warmer feeling to a place she lived.

“Better?” he asked.

She turned at the sound of Linc’s voice. He’d gotten dressed, all right, but he’d put on a pair of gray sweats, his bulge still noticeable, and she swallowed hard. A mouthwatering happy trail and the V-line leading to where the pants tied low on his hips taunted her. Made her think about running her tongue over his warm skin.

Damn him. It was, she thought, the equivalent of her slipping into a sexy piece of lingerie and parading in front of him.

A hint of challenge lit his eyes, and she refused to back down.

“Yes, much better,” she said through clenched teeth. “What happened with Beck?”

Linc stalked into the kitchen and she followed.

“He was an arrogant, gloating son of a bitch. But he didn’t go looking for a deal with my father. Kenneth brought one to him.”

Linc paused by the fridge while she stared in shock.

“Why?”

He lifted his broad shoulders. “I have no fucking clue what made him turn against us.” He opened the refrigerator and pulled out a can of Diet Coke. “Want one?”

“Sure.”

He handed her a can, then popped the top of his own.

“So what next?” she asked.

He took a drink, the long column of his throat moving up and down. Everything he did became sexual and heightened the awareness he inspired.

“I have to come up with Dad’s share of the money for closing or Beck can come after a piece of my company.” He finished what was left of the can and slammed it on the granite countertop.

Or, she thought, he could try and reason with Beck by revealing his father’s diminished capacity and get the man to back down. But she knew better than to suggest it again. He’d vetoed the idea and he had his reasons. He wanted to protect his company and so did she.

“So what can I do to help?” she asked.

“You can do what you always do.