I offered it to him, and the smile playing on his lips was more delicious than the thing I was eating. He took a bite and his full lips grazed against my fingertips. I envied my own fingers. Heat spread all the way to the tips of my ears and my toes curled with the desire to kiss him. I leaned forward and gently pressed my lips against the underside of his jaw.
He jumped away and gulped. His eyes wide in horror. “Are you out of your mind to lay your lips on me while I’m eating? I nearly choked. I could have died.”
I dropped my face into my hands in an attempt to contain the hot, unbridled joy sparking through me. But it didn’t work. Laughter burst out of me as stars exploded in my chest.
And it was that moment that Lincoln leaped toward me and crashed his mouth onto mine with a desperation I’d longed for. I tightened one leg around him, and he leaned into me. His breath came out in heavy pants as he whispered against my lips, “I can’t believe you’re my Lily.”
“And you’re my Link.” I glanced upward, meeting his gaze. From this close, I could see the depth of those brown irises that I thought about way too often.
I closed my eyes, and he took this as permission to kiss me again. His arms slipped around my waist, and I resisted the urge to bite down on his bottom lip, which I teased between my teeth. I wanted all of Lincoln Carden. Unrestrained. Unfiltered. I wanted Lincoln in whichever way he was comfortable being. His coffee taste filled me as our tongues finally met. I felt the low moan from the back of his throat and snaked my arms around his neck, pulling him as close as he could get. His hands settled on my hips but it wasn’t enough. I needed more.
Even if everything crashed and burned, I wanted one night with Lincoln Carden. One night where I was desired and loved and cared for. One night where I was touched carefully and with intent. One night where I could finally give myself to someone I trusted. Loved.
But this wasn’t only about me.
With another, unwanted voice creeping into my mind, I panicked and pulled away. The words flew out of me before I could stop them. “I don’t know if this is a good idea.”
45
LINCOLN
[33 weeks ago]
@theanswerisno:
Favorite food for dinner?
@pancakesareelite:
Username
@theanswerisno:
Dinner. Not breakfast.
@pancakesareelite:
Username
@theanswerisno:
Seriously? Even dinner?
@pancakesareelite:
When I love something, I love it in all its forms at all times.
“I’m sorry.” I flinched back. “I read that all wrong. I thought you wanted me to…”
Elizabeth’s lips, plump from the way I’d kissed her, were downturned on the edges. “I did. I do, but…” Her wide eyes welled up. “I’m not…”
“Not what?” I cupped her face and used my thumb to swipe at the tear escaping her left eye.
“Worth,” she started, her voice unraveling in the worst of ways. “Worth it. I’m not worth you losing this promotion over. Your mom… Lincoln, your mom is so excited, and I can’t be the reason…” She inhaled a shaky breath. “But I still want you. How selfish does that make me?” Her hands fisted the fabric of my shirt as if letting me go meant losing me.
But I was hers. Always.
“As selfish as it makes me,” I breathed.
