9. Altruism Is Sexy

Altruism Is Sexy

Nova

32 Days Until New Year’s Eve

I slipped the last tray of cupcakes into the display and then leaned against the back counter, stifling a yawn. I blinked my eyes rapidly to try and clear the bleariness from them. The previous night had been a late night, but more fun than I have had in a long time. It made me excited for other Christmas traditions we would be having together. It made me excited for Christmas. I looked at the fitness tracker on my wrist as it beeped to tell me to drink water. I stooped down to pull a bottle of water from the fridge under the counter as I tried to remember the last time I had drank plain water.

The bell on the door chimed, signaling that Stef had just walked in. “Stef, you’ll have to stay on top of things today. I’m afraid I might not be of much use. I had a pretty late night last night.”

“So you’re feeling extra sleepy today, too?” Lincoln asked.

I stood and turned to face him in surprise. The golden God was standing in a fitted suit at the counter, looking entirely too delicious. “Lincoln! I didn’t expect to see you this morning. I thought you were Stef.”

“I needed a little extra help getting going this morning,” he replied, “I thought you might, too.” He held out his hand, and I noticed he was holding two cups of coffee. I hadn’t seen them, but I wasn’t exactly looking at his hands.

I looked at the unopened water bottle in my hand and then at the coffee he offered. “Coffee is water, right?” I asked. I returned the water and thanked him as I traded it for the magic bean juice he brought.

“Depends on who you ask,” he laughed. “Ben would tell you it isn’t, but I won’t tell if you won’t.” He winked as he sipped his coffee and held his now empty hand out to me. I took his hand, and he led me around the counter to a table. “I also wanted to ask if you would be interested in accompanying me to an event this afternoon. We’re opening a new orphanage in the next town over. Usually, I do these things alone, but I would love the opportunity to spend more time with you.”

I blushed as his words sent a pack of butterflies aflutter in my stomach. “I’d love to,” a grin split across his face, “but I don’t know if I have anything appropriate to wear.”

“Sugar, if you want to wear jammies, then go for it. There will be reporters taking pictures, so you might not want to go that exact route, but my point is to wear whatever makes you feel comfortable to be photographed. You’re going to look beautiful no matter what you choose.”

“I think I can handle that. What time should I expect you?”

“I’ll pick you up from your house at two. Will that work for you?” The door chimed again, and this time it was Stef. Her eyes popped open wide when she saw Lincoln.

“Two will be fine,” I told him while giving her a look that told her to keep her comments to herself.

“Excellent,” Linc replied as he stood. “I look forward to it. See you later, Sugar.” He bent down to leave a peck on my cheek and left the shop, leaving even more butterflies than before.

I held up a silencing finger to Stef, who looked like she was about to explode from the kiss. “Not a word from you,” I warned her.

Stef swallowed down her excitement and managed to get herself under control before raising her hand.

“What?” I asked.

“What are you doing later?”

“Putting a help wanted sign in the window,” I teased.

“As if you could survive without me,” Stef scoffed. “Fine. Keep your secrets.”

I spent a few more hours at the shop before I went home to get ready. I dug through my closet, looking for a dress that didn’t make me feel like a blob. I finally found a charcoal grey long-sleeved sweater dress that stopped just above my knees. I paired it with black leather booties with a one-inch heel and decided this was the best I could do. I swept my hair into a twist and secured it with a clip at the last minute. There. That made me look more professional and put together. If I were a little skinnier, I would look like I belonged at Lincoln’s side.

Two o’clock on the dot, I heard the roar of an engine outside. I grabbed my purse and quickly left my house so that I didn’t keep him waiting. Lincoln met me halfway, looking dismayed. Was I not dressed right?

“I wanted to pick you up properly,” he pouted. “Next time, let me show you that I’m a gentleman, and wait for me to knock.” He brandished a deep red rose behind his back and handed it to me. “You look beautiful, Nova.”

“Thank you,” I replied shyly as I accepted the rose. He placed his large hand on my lower back to escort me around his flashy, cherry-red sports car and opened the door so I could get in. Once he shut me in the car, he went around the front, sliding across the hood with a grin, and joined me. He leaned over me, his lips a breath away from my own. He brushed the tip of his nose lightly against mine and then retreated, pulling the seatbelt across my body as he did and clicking the buckle in place.

“You ready to burn some rubber, Sugar?” he asked. He didn’t give me a chance to recover from his invasion of my space or respond as he revved the engine once and then peeled away from the curb, sending the car shooting down the road and making the tires chirp. I laughed out loud as the force pressed me into the buttery leather seat. He laughed as he turned onto the highway leading to the next town. He smoothly shifted the car into high gear as the engine roared, the vibrations traveling through my body. I never thought I could get turned on by a car, but I understood the phrase ‘really got my motor running’ a little better.

I watched Lincoln out of the corner of my eye as he drove. He was the picture-perfect example of every woman’s corporate fantasy: fit and sexy in a suit, surrounded by a bad-boy aura. “So tell me about this orphanage,” I said to keep my mind from wandering into more dangerous territory than it already had.

Lincoln smiled the kind of smile you only have for something you are passionate about. The sort of thing that is so much a part of you that it shapes the person you are. “This is the second one we’ve opened with the Triple Tech Foundation. Since we all grew up together in foster care, we understand better than most of the challenges the system faces. Finding good foster parents is difficult, and funding isn’t always what it should be. Often, foster kids are seen as more of a paycheck than a person.”

Lincoln glanced at me and smiled sadly. He reached over and grabbed my hand as if he sought comfort as he continued speaking. “We always knew that one of the things we wanted to do once we became successful was to give back to the community. We were lucky to have a wonderful woman who cared for and loved us unconditionally, but we knew that not every foster kid was as lucky as we were. These orphanages are privately funded through Triple Tech and private donations. We ensure the kids brought to our homes are safe and cared for. We don’t let them fall through the cracks and ensure they have every opportunity available to make them successful members of society once they age out of the system.”

I was speechless. Few people would care so much about where they came from or the people still living there. I was sure there were cynical people out there who assumed their work with the orphanage was a publicity stunt and a good tax write-off, but I could tell from listening to him speak that this was a passion project for them. This was a priority. I tried not to swoon at their altruism. “That’s amazing,” I finally managed to get out. “And sexy.” I slapped my hand over my mouth before anything else could fall out. What the fuck, Nova?

Lincoln’s eyes snapped to mine as I turned red. A slow grin spread across his face as his thumb stroked my hand. “Well, looking sexy wasn’t meant to be a result, but I like that you think that, and I’m happy I decided to share this with you. I thought I’d have to pull out all the stops to seduce you,” he teased.

He didn’t miss it when I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. Even after the short amount of time I spent with Ben yesterday, I still wasn’t sure why they were attracted to me. Linc’s face turned serious. “I know you have a hard time accepting that we’re attracted to you, Nova. Ben filled us in on what you shared with him about your ex.”

I tried to pull my hand from his, but he squeezed it tighter, refusing to release it. “I think your ex is a fucking moron for letting you go, but his loss is our gain, and I won’t let you go so easily. I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to be with someone as much as I do with you, and I don’t just mean physically. You’re special, Nova, and I intend to show you just how much until you start to believe it, too.” He lifted my hand to his lips and kissed it before relaxing his hold on my hand to allow me to retreat if I still wanted to. I found that I didn’t, and he winked at me when I continued to hold his hand.

We didn’t speak for the rest of the drive, and soon, we stopped. “A church?” I asked.

“The church relocated to a larger building and was selling this one for cheap. We bought it and did some major renovations and expansions to turn it into what we needed,” Lincoln replied as he turned off the car. “Come on. I can’t wait to show you,” he said excitedly. Local news stations were already setting up outside the front steps and rushed over as Lincoln got out and came around to my side of the car to open the door. I took his extended hand as he helped me out of the car. Cameras flashed as reporters shouted out questions.

“I’ll answer all of your questions at the ribbon cutting,” he told the reporters calmly as he guided me through the crowd and up the steps. “First, I’ll tour the facilities with my companion, Nova Lane.” The reporters hadn’t paid me any attention, but I blushed as their interest shifted to me.

“Was that necessary?” I hissed as we made it past the barrier and out of the crowd of reporters.

“No,” he replied, “but I wanted them to know who the beauty on my arm is and who she belongs to. I don’t want anyone to get any ideas about whisking you away from me.” I shook my head as a woman in her late forties exited the church and beamed at Lincoln.

“Mr. West, I’m so happy to have you with us today. I never thought we’d get here, and I can’t wait to show you the completed project,” she said as she shook his hand first and then mine.

“Nova, this is Gail Johnson, the program director here. Mrs. Johnson, this is Nova Lane. She owns Icing on Top, a successful cupcake shop in Sunflower Falls.”

“Pleasure to meet you,” I said.

“Pleasure is all mine. Welcome to Clair Farrow’s Youth Home.” I looked at Lincoln curiously.

“Clair Farrow was our foster mom,” he explained.

“It’s incredibly sweet that you named the place after her,” I replied.

“She deserves it,” he said, a mixture of pride and sorrow on his face. It was clear that he cared deeply for his former caretaker. We followed Gail inside, and she immediately launched into her tour of the facilities. I was impressed by how much they could fit into the building. The common areas were fully equipped, and everything was top-of-the-line. Two leisure rooms had overstuffed couches, bean bag chairs, and large-screen TVs. There was a library that doubled as a tutoring room with brand-new computers lining one wall. Each dorm room fit four children and had a private bathroom attached.

“We can comfortably fit fifty-two full-time residents,” Gail said as she led us through the cozy-looking dining hall to the kitchen. “We have additional room for up to six more children for emergencies. Those tend to be temporary placements until the child’s situation can be determined and permanent housing found for them.”

I whistled as I stepped into the kitchen. It was nicer than mine and had several stations scattered around the large room for what I assumed must be group classes.

“As you can see, Triple Tech spared no expense,” Gail said proudly. “Besides tutoring and academic assistance, we will also provide essential living courses, such as cooking classes, budgeting, and the importance of maintaining good credit. We want our kids to be able to thrive once they leave us. They’re already starting at a disadvantage, according to society. We also want to ensure they don’t dig themselves into a hole.”

“If you have room on the calendar, I’d love to come in and host baking classes,” I offered. I glanced at Lincoln nervously, hoping I wasn’t crossing a line, but I shouldn’t have worried. He was giving me a brilliant smile.

“I love that idea,” he said.

“So do I!” Gail replied. We immediately began discussing the details, and I felt my heart warm at the idea of being a part of this beautiful place.