I hate clowns. They creep me out.
Two large tents have been erected, each holding numerous tables where people sit eating food. I start really looking at the people and I recognize several of the Rangers. Most of them have their wives or girlfriends with them. Some are holding babies or playing soccer with the kids. It’s an idyllic setting and one I had not envisioned when I was invited.
My attention is diverted by a man I can only assume is Emily’s boyfriend, Nix, as he stalks toward her and then picks her up in a bone crushing hug. He then kisses her so passionately, my face turns red. After he finally sets her down, he looks at me and says, “Hey, I’m Nix. You must be Ever. It’s good to meet you.”
“Likewise. Glad you could pull your tongue out of Emily’s throat so you could introduce yourself,” I tease.
He chuckles but doesn’t look the slightest bit embarrassed. “Well, come on and let’s get you ladies some food. Linc is upstairs getting some more trash bags and I’ll introduce you when he gets back down.”
Nix leads us over to a buffet table loaded with hamburgers, hot dogs, Brats, and a slew of salads and desserts. I fill my plate up, suddenly realizing I haven’t eaten since breakfast this morning. I had been so busy at work that I had skipped lunch, which wasn’t uncommon for me.
We sit at a table and enjoy our food. Emily and Nix introduce me to a few of the players. I ask where her brother Ryan is but she says that his wife Danny isn’t feeling too great so they are skipping the party. She is eight and a half months pregnant, and the way Emily tells it, she could be popping that baby out any day now.
Emily sees something to our left and her lips turn upward in a smirk. I turn my head to see what she’s looking at and it’s none other than Lincoln Caldwell...surrounded by three women. They are all long legged and busty. They are taking the beach party theme seriously, wearing miniscule scraps of material over their asses and bikini tops that are overflowing with boobs. Each of them stands there, obviously flirting and fawning. One woman has her hand on his chest while another twirls her hair around her finger while she cocks her bony hip out. I sneer quietly in disgust at how painfully obvious the women are being.
Lincoln certainly doesn’t seem to mind the attention, I observe. He’s laughing at something one of the women says, and actually picks up her hand to bestow a kiss on her knuckles. Geez, that’s corny.
As soon as he releases her hand, he turns away from the women and pins me with a direct stare that weirdly, causes all of my nerve endings to fire. It’s like he knew right where I was sitting, because his gaze didn’t wander around first before landing on me. I’m actually shocked to the point I lower my eyes, fiddling with the napkin I’m still holding. I glance back up and he’s still looking at me as he walks our way, never breaking his gaze.
His intent is clear. He is coming for me, and the thought makes my stomach tighten in anticipation.
The closer he gets, the more amazing he looks. He’s wearing a pair of khaki, cargo shorts, a plain white t-shirt which is stretched fairly tightly over his massive chest. Flip flops complete his beachy look. His hair is artfully windblown and he hasn’t shaved today, which gives him a just-out-of-bed look. He wears it well and I’m surprised my panties don’t just fall down to my ankles on their own accord.
Emily and I stand up just as he reaches our table. She walks up to him and he hugs her tight. “Hey, kiddo,” he says with obvious affection while he still looks directly at me.
Releasing Emily, he sticks his hand out to me. “I’m Linc Caldwell.”
Emily finishes the introduction as I take his hand. It’s huge and completely engulfs mine. His touch is as electric as his gaze. “Linc...this is Ever Montgomery. She’s the reporter that’s going to interview you for The Post.”
I’m looking upward into his eyes as he towers over me. I think I remember his stats saying he is six-two, which is a foot taller than my tiny frame. Those eyes of his are glowing greenish-gold from the late afternoon sun that is reflected in them. Recognition dawns on his handsome face. “That’s right. I forgot all about that.”
Now, that’s interesting.
I thought he was walking over to us because he saw me sitting with Emily and knew I was a reporter here to interview him. He puts that assumption to rest when he says, “I was hoping I’d get to meet Emily’s gorgeous friend I saw sitting over here, and now I find I’m lucky enough that I will get some personal time with you while you interview me.”
His voice is low and direct, made by a man that is used to flirting shamelessly. It causes a flood of sexual awareness to run through my body and I mentally chastise myself.
“Then it is your lucky day, because I have lots of questions for you,” I quip.
He looks around, and I notice that he hasn’t released my hand. It’s strong yet it’s holding me delicately, as if he is conscious of how small it is. I have a fleeting thought as to what it would be like to have him run those hands over my body.
Get a grip, Ever. You’re here for a job, not to have sex fantasies about your subject.
“Tell you what,” Linc breaks into my thoughts. “Let’s go sit down by the water away from the music and we can talk.”
“Sounds good.” I pull my hand from his and grab my bag. Turning to Emily, I give her a quick wink. “Catch you later.”
4
I stop at an aluminum tub filled with ice and drinks, grabbing two beers. I pop the top off one and hand it to Ever. She takes it with a soft word of thanks.