My heart is hammering, but I can’t let her know that I’m against this. Not after we argued earlier about her lying. If I give her a reason to lie to me again, the next time might turn tragic. How mundane and boring my life was before all of this. I wouldn’t want it any other way.
I pull out my cell phone and look for a contact from when I was on the Team in San Diego. He’s in the FBI now and has a connection to the warden of the women’s prison I know Autumn is at. I send a quick email with the simple request.
“Done,” I announce.
She crinkles her brows. “Just like that.”
“Just like that.”
“What else can you do that quick?”
“If you make me wait much longer, it’s going to be sex. Sex is going to be that quick, Maeve.”
She smiles and shakes her head. “We’ve already circled back to sex. How can you make any conversation lewd?”
I’m restless and need release.
“You weren’t cleared for sex. I asked after you left the room because the doctor didn’t mention it.”
“Goddammit!” I roar. “How is that I can go for a brisk walk but not fuck my girlfriend?” I realize how loud my voice is, so I hiss, “Does that make any sense at all?”
“It doesn’t have to make sense to you, it just has to be good medical advice, Lincoln!” She raises her voice. “Just listen to the damn doctors.”
I fling myself down in my desk chair. “When are you going on this girl trip?”
Maeve stands from the chair and walks over to my desk. “We just started talking about it today. As something to pull Ramona out of the darkness. Do you think Tasha would like to go?”
“Tasha would never pass up a trip that involves wine. It’s nice you thought of her. She’s going to be thrilled. More than that, she’s never going to leave you alone now.” Smiling, I realize I love the idea of Maeve entwining our lives.
Sliding onto my desk, she sits, obviously giving me every possible mental image of fucking her right here and now. “I don’t remember the last time I took a vacation. It’s been years and years.” I won’t bring to her attention that her vacation will promptly come to an end the second she talks to Autumn Glass and sees what kind of person she is.
An email from my FBI contact populates on the computer in front of me. I don’t read the whole thing, just enough to know he’s going to help. “Now that we’re working together, Maeve,” I say her name to get her attention. Her head whips toward me. “Please don’t lie to me. I can handle a lot. Actually, I can handle pretty much anything as long as lies aren’t involved.”
Her face shatters. “You think I want to lie to you? When I feel backed into a corner, without an option, it’s the default. I’m sorry. I’m working on it. The only person I’ve trusted fully and completely in my entire life is Ramona. I want this with you more than anything else, and I’m learning as I go.” Hopping down off the desk she rounds it to perch herself in my lap.
When she leans into me, resting her head on my shoulder, I exhale a pent-up breath, and nod to my computer screen. “He already got back to me. Your wish is granted.”Your nightmare is more likely.“Once you get your plans finalized, let me know and he’ll get you on the list to visit her.” Her face brightens and it breaks my heart.
“I’ll tell Aspen it’s a go, and she’ll do the rest.” She taps her lips with one finger. “Keeping this from Ramona will be easier than it usually would if she stays buried in her work.” Maeve swallows hard. “It’s what I did… after. Just work. Focused on the one thing I could control. This is going to be good for her.” She’s trying to convince herself of it because she’s currently putting herself in Ramona’s shoes. “I mean, she’s going to be mad if I pull her away from something mid-project, but maybe I can have Aspen set up a small painting room for her where we’ll be staying.” She looks at me like I might have the right answer when she knows damn well she’s the only one who knows best when it comes to her best friend. Maeve is looking through me. “Defeats the purpose of trying to pull her out of her mind, though, doesn’t it?”
“It doesn’t matter what you do, she’s going to come around on her own time. This could brighten her life, make it worse, or have her exit the funk quicker. There’s no way to tell unless you just do it. Ask for forgiveness instead of permission.” I hug her to me tighter and the chair squeaks.
“Says the man who was telling me to be honest with him only moments ago,” she says, nuzzling into my neck.
Chill bumps break across my skin and spiral all around my body.
“If I sit here any longer, you’re going to be asking your doctor for forgiveness for breaking his rules.”
I capture her lips with mine and kiss the ever-loving shit out of her—a slow, thoughtful assault I know will bring her where I want her. There’s no hesitation as she demands more, hungrily. Maeve’s hands are delicate as she takes one side of my face in her hand. A moan passes my lips and she steals it with her opened mouth. This kiss is longer than she’s allowed thus far, and I have real hope it means… something.
“Go shut the door. We’ll be quick.”
Pulling away, she reads my face. “Turner is out there. Awake. No way, Lincoln.”
That’s how desperate I am for her. I’d be willing to have sex at an Olympic pace to get inside her.
I tilt my chin up to the ceiling and exhale. “Fine. Fine. You’re right.”
Maeve reclaims my lips, smothering my complaints. I’m drugged on her—high in the clouds when I finally break free from her ravishing clutches. “Listen, I want to take you away. Up to the mountains. Sometime before your girl’s trip. What do you say? Just you and me up in a cabin. A weekend with nothing to do, no plans, just relaxation. Maybe some skiing if you’re up for it.”