Page 25 of Lakeside Longing

“I’m glad you stayed.” Quinn reached for her glass and took a sip.

Rebecca swallowed. “We need to talk about what happened the other night.”

“I know.”

“It can’t happen again.” Rebecca felt like she was saying the exact opposite of what she wanted, but she had to be the sensible one here.

“Do you regret kissing me?”

Rebecca held Quinn’s gaze, seeing the flicker of worry in those vivid blue eyes. She forced herself to continue. “No. Not for a second. But it’s… It’s?—”

“Complicated,” Quinn finished for her, taking a step closer.

Rebecca nodded, unable to speak past the sudden lump in her throat. She pictured Sarah’s hurt and bewildered face if she ever found out. “Yes,” she whispered. “I can’t keep lying toSarah. We’ve always shared everything that’s going on, and I hate not being able to be honest with her.”

A tense silence hung between them, heavy with unspoken words and longing. Rebecca wanted to close the distance, to feel the warmth of Quinn’s body against her own. But she knew she couldn’t give in, no matter how compelling the temptation.

Quinn’s eyes pleaded with her, and Rebecca’s heart clenched in her chest. “You didn’t lie to her. You just didn’t tell her about me. Yet.” Quinn’s voice was soft, hopeful.

Rebecca took a steadying breath, trying to ignore the electricity that seemed to spark between them whenever they were close. “Sarah’s my best friend.” She shook her head, struggling to put her tangled thoughts into words. “This would hit her from both sides. I won’t be the reason you have a falling out with your mom.”

Quinn sighed, frustration flashing in her eyes. “It doesn’t have to be like that. You don’t know how she’ll react.”

Rebecca’s eyes narrowed. “How do you think she’ll take it when I tell her that I’m dating her daughter?”

“It doesn’t have to be a big deal.” Quinn stepped even closer. “She’ll come around if she sees how good we are together.”

Rebecca closed her eyes briefly. This was the first time that she really felt the age difference between them. Quinn was being so naive right now it was laughable. There was no way that Sarah would react well to this.

She looked into Quinn’s eyes, her expression softening. “I can’t be the reason you and your mom drift apart, or worse.” She stepped forward, placing her hand gently on Quinn’s cheek. “I care about you, Quinn. So much more than I expected. But right now, we need to be realistic.”

Quinn opened her mouth, then closed it again. Rebecca could almost hear the thoughts turning in her head as she triedto come up with arguments, anything to make this situation different.

“I get it,” Quinn finally said, her voice barely above a whisper. The hope that had shone in her eyes moments before dimmed, replaced by a shadow of disappointment. Rebecca’s heart ached at the sight.

“It’s not that I don’t want this,” Rebecca said, her thumb gently stroking Quinn’s cheekbone. “Believe me, Quinn, I…” She trailed off, unable to articulate the depth of her feelings. It felt too risky, too vulnerable.

Quinn leaned into her touch, her eyes fluttering closed. Rebecca’s breath hitched. The simple act of touching her, of feeling the warmth of her skin beneath her fingertips, sent a wave of longing through her. She knew she should pull away, create some distance, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. Not yet.

And then Quinn’s lips were hovering dangerously close to hers. Rebecca’s breath caught in her throat as she felt the heat of Quinn’s body against her own. Every instinct screamed for her to pull away, to put a stop to this before it went any further. But in that moment, she found herself incapable of resistance.

Rebecca kissed Quinn.

It was electric, passionate, and thoroughly intoxicating. Quinn’s lips parted, and Rebecca felt herself surrendering to the kiss, exploring the warmth of Quinn’s mouth. She tasted the lingering sweetness of the wine on Quinn’s lips, and as their tongues touched, a shiver ran through her. She pulled Quinn closer, their bodies pressing together as if there wasn’t enough space between them. Rebecca’s heart raced as she lost herself in the moment, the taste of Quinn, the feel of her in her arms.

Rebecca’s hands came up to slide into Quinn’s hair, and the kiss became more urgent as they pressed closer together.

Rebecca knew she should stop. Every rational thought told her to pull away, to put an end to this madness before it consumed them both. But with Quinn’s taste still on her lips, her heart racing, and her body alive with desire, she found herself unable to resist.

Quinn’s hands slid around her waist, pulling her closer. Rebecca felt the counter press into her back as Quinn guided her to sit on the edge, their bodies fitting together perfectly. Quinn stepped between her legs, her eyes dark with unspoken desire.

Rebecca’s breath quickened as she looked into Quinn’s eyes. Her heart pounded in her chest, a mixture of anticipation and trepidation. She knew they were crossing a line, taking this further than either of them had intended. But in that moment, all she could think about was the feel of Quinn’s body against her own.

Quinn kissed along Rebecca’s jaw and down her neck, making Rebecca shiver. “Let’s go upstairs,” Quinn murmured against her skin.

Rebecca stiffened slightly at the suggestion, knowing that once they went upstairs there would be no turning back from this moment. But even as she tried to gather her thoughts and find a reason to say no, she could feel herself weakening under Quinn’s touch.

They had already admitted that this kiss shouldn’t happen again. And yet here they were again in each other’s arms.

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