Page 72 of Rush

Nora gave Linc her eyes, not missing the emotion in his—and what lurked in their depths filled her with fear because she wanted it so badly.

“I've been selfish a lot of my life. I work hard at my training and put in the time, but I always knew I was good, and I rode that train for all it was worth. When I lost my parents and then later my sister, I thought I had it all under control. But yesterday made me see what I've been hiding, even from myself. My fear. Waiting for someone or something else I love to be taken from me.” A shiver went through Nora, and Linc let her go long enough to peel off his jacket and wrap her up in it. Healso took the opportunity to pull her close. “I was so mad when you hadn't told me you’d been hurt. One of my girls was missing and the other one was hurt, and I felt so fucking helpless to do anything. And you not understanding what I was feeling means you don't know what you mean to me.” Nora pushed away to look at him, but Linc closed his eyes and rested his forehead against hers before muttering. “Fucked that up too.”

His words, but more importantly the emotion behind them, took the righteous wind from her sails. Yeah, he'd hurt her, but she'd allowed that hurt to blind her. That was on her. Gulping back tears and voice shaking, she whispered back. “We both messed that part up. I'm not good at asking for what I need. You pushed right into my life and before I knew it, you and Sophieweremy life. You aren't the only one with fears.”

He took her hand again, sandwiching it between his own. “I’ve known for a while now that what I feel for you is more than just a temporary attraction. God and you both know I tried to fight it, but there had come a point where I knew I was fighting a losing battle and I threw in the towel, giving in to what my body wanted. What I hadn’t known at the time was that it wasn’t just my body that was affected by you. You’d captured my heart even more securely. I was just too dumb to have figured it out. My only excuse is that I’ve never been in love before.”

Happiness blossomed in her chest, feeling all the stronger in contrast to the agony of just a few minutes before. “Tell me what you’re going out of your way to not say, Linc.”

His lips twitched and a spark entered his eyes. “I love you, Nora.”

She closed her eyes, letting the feeling of his words wash through her. Then she opened her eyes and smiled. “I love you too.”

“I’m sorry I hurt you. That was never my intention.”

“I owe you an apology as well.” She placed her fingers over his lips when he was about to object. “No, I do. I was wrong to have left. Next time, we’ll talk first.”

“Next time? Does that mean you forgive me?”

“You love me. That’s all I need.”

“No, you need so much more. And I’m going to give it to you for the rest of our lives.”

“That sounds like a pretty serious commitment.”

“Only if I’m lucky enough you’ll have me.”

“How lucky are you feeling?”

He leaned in, their lips almost touching. “Pretty damn lucky.”

And then his lips were on hers and it was she who was feeling damn lucky. Lucky to call him hers.

He cupped her face after ending the kiss, his thumb lightly brushing the bruise on her cheek. “I’ve been worried about you. You never went for an MRI.”

“I’m okay. It’s at the stage where it looks a lot worse than it feels.” Her brow puckered. “Where’s Sophie? Is she okay?”

“She’s fine. She’s staying at Mike and Jill’s for the night.”

“The whole night?” She walked her fingers up his arm, feeling the chill on his skin. “You know, I hear make-up sex can be pretty hot.”

“Have you now? And where have you heard that?”

Nora shrugged a shoulder. “In practically every issue of Cosmo.”

“I need to start reading it.”

“I think I have one in my bag. I can get it for you,” she teased.

He pressed in closer, his lips just skimming hers as he murmured. “Maybe later. I plan to be busy for the next several hours.”

And then his lips were on hers again and, as always when Linc kissed her, she completely got lost in everything but him.

Epilogue

“Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you.”

The lively tune broadcasted through The Parting Glass was sung in a variety of pitches and tones as unique as the men and women who made up their group. Colt stood with an arm around a very pregnant Ivy as they both watched Emerson as she carefully balanced a large sheet cake in her hands while slowly walking toward the table. Oz stood to the right of the place of honor, Linc to the left, Nora plastered to Linc’s side. She peeked around Linc’s broad chest now, a grin plastered on her face as her brother hit a bad note, even more off key than usual.

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