Page 108 of Lost in the Moonlight

Mouths and hands began searching, flaming, taunting. I lost myself in the pleasure of it, tumbling headfirst into the heady sensations of love and want and need, feeling him fall with me. His palms slid under my shirt, and the skin-on-skin sensation was all it took to have me gasping and trembling.

When he broke our kiss, a little whimper of a protest escaped me. His lips traveled over my jaw and along my neck, nipping and tasting. A moan immediately followed my whimper, and he smiled against my collarbone, sending joy rippling through me with such strength it pushed at the darkness and the sadness that remained.

I dragged myself away, and it was his turn to protest with a deep growl. I held out my hand, and when he took it, I led him down the hall.

“Your mother going to be okay if dawn breaks and I’m here?” he asked.

“I’m not even sure she’ll make it home herself after that little speech she gave.”

“Still. There’s no one at my place. A much bigger bed than that full size in your room. An entire house to lose ourselves in.” He nipped at my ear and whispered, “Remember the table. The way I made you—”

I cut him off with my lips on his before breaking away to say, “Fine. Take me home, Lincoln. Let me grab a bag, and then you can take me home.”

His eyes lit up, happiness practically dripping from them. “I like you using that word.”

“What word?”

“Home.”

The wild flutters in my chest returned. I hadn’t even realized I’d used it. But I felt it. The cottage was where Mom and I lived.It had been a cage of sorts. One with love and caring inside it, but I’d been bound here not only by the Marshals’ rules but by my own limitations. Lincoln’s house… I could choose to be there. I could let love and hope fill me there.

I kissed Lincoln fiercely again, seeking his warmth. His beauty. His strength. We were both panting as he practically carried me to my room. “Sweetness, I need you to pack up whatever you were planning before I change my mind and use that tiny bed to show you how little space I need to make your body scream.”

I’d never expected to have this. To have some gorgeous man saying these tender, steamy things to me. The fear of what was coming after us and the unknown of the FFI tried to push its way in, but I forced it out. Shut the door on it. Locked it. This was worth it. This time finding the stars and moonlight amongst the dark, reveling in these feelings, watching the smile spread across his face instead of the grumpy glower, was all worth it. I’d try to do what my dad had asked by living and loving in every moment I had with Lincoln.

I pulled a duffel bag from my closet and stuffed a pair of pajamas I wasn’t sure I’d use and a change of clothes inside before going across the hall and shoving some toiletries in it as well. When I came out, Lincoln was waiting. He took the bag from me, twined his fingers in mine, and then led me home.

Chapter Thirty-three

Lincoln

SUPERMAN (IT’S NOT EASY)

Performed by Five for Fighting

I’d slept for three hours afterlosing myself in Willow, but it was only one in the morning by the time the ants came crawling. Fully awake, I stared at her tucked up against my chest, face calm and serene even though I could still see the remnants of the tears scattered across it.

Both Willow’s parents had asked me to protect her. And even though Erica hadn’t specifically asked if I loved her daughter, it had hovered beneath her other requests. She’d asked the same thing as Willow’s dad had in his letter. Was I in it for the long haul? Did I love her enough to guard her heart like it was my own? Would I sacrifice my happiness for hers?

And the answer to all of it was yes.

Before my limbs started twitching so much that I woke her, I eased out of the bed. When she rolled over and hugged the pillow, I almost tore it out of her hands and slid back in. I feltright when I was twined with her, and I despised my body’s inability to stay.

I dragged to the love seat with my sketchbook in hand, letting the moon light up the page for me. I drew without thought and found flowers flowing from my fingertips. Lotus blooms in different shades with so many different meanings, but always emerging from the depths of the mud and dark waters to open in the light.

The lotus represents purity and rebirth and rising from challenge.I barely glanced over to where Sienna paced by the window. When I didn’t answer, she continued,It’s you. And her. And the gallery. Passionate souls, endless love, and new beginnings rising from the muck around you, clean and bright and beautiful. You can have it, Lincoln. You’re almost at the finish line. Or maybe the new starting line? I don’t know.

She was right, as always, about all of it, but also that it would be a good name for the gallery. The Lotus Gallery. “Why are you here?” I demanded in a harsh whisper.

To keep you from doing something you think is all noble and good and losing everything.

“I won’t lose her.”

You won’t.

“Lincoln? Who are you talking to?” I twirled around at Willow’s sleepy voice.

I threw Sienna an annoyed look and then turned my back on her to join Willow in bed.

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