Page 78 of The Calendar of New Beginnings
Lucy simply stood there, feeling more grounded, more settled inside herself. Things might not be perfect, but they were looking up.
And that was something to be grateful for.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
When Lucy opened the door of Merry Cottage and flung herself into his arms, Andy clutched her to him. Her enthusiasm had all the force of a runaway train.
“I got through it,” she said, laughing. “I took photos again! And it felt terrific.”
The sound of her laughter made his heart feel funny. Being with Lucy pretty much made it feel that way all the time. He cuddled her closer, happy she was happy. And then his mind had to intrude.
She’s going to leave you.
He told that thought to go to hell and focused on her, how her body was pressed against him, how her arms were squeezing him. She was here now, and he didn’t want to start missing her before she was gone. “That’s great, babe. I’m so happy for you!”
“Babe?” she said, pushing away from him. “Do I have a new nickname now?”
His ears started to burn. “Maybe. Is it too soon?” Shit. Now he was being a moron. “Do you like it?” He couldn’t stop talking. “Lucy, I?—”
She pressed her mouth to his, silencing him, thank God. Her hands slid up his back in the most arousing caress, and he reminded himself how lucky he was to have her. Even if it was only for a while. She was everything good in the world, and each day they spent together, the sun seemed to shine a little brighter.
Her tongue traced his lips, and he was lost. He groaned as he tightened his hold on her, not caring that they were standing in the doorway of her cottage. It wasn’t like anyone could see them all the way up here. The cool fall air felt delicious against his fast-heating skin, and it was a pleasure to be with her out here with millions of stars over their heads.
She hummed as they kissed, inflaming his blood. God, he wanted her. Was greedy for her.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and he edged back. “Do you need to take that?”
“No,” she said, breathing hard. “It’s probably my mother again. She’s been nagging me to see the photos I took of Jill today.”
“How about I distract you?” he asked, seeing the shadows reappear in her eyes.
Their mouths met again, and a flash of heat rocked through him when he felt her tongue tease his bottom lip. He picked up her slim body, stepped inside, and slammed the door behind them. Suddenly, he couldn’t control himself. She wrapped her legs around him, making him groan like a caveman as he walked through her house. He knew where he was going. When he reached her bedroom, he laid her down on that girly princess bed and lowered himself beside her.
All he wanted was to touch her skin, and so he tugged her blue shirt over her head and then freed himself of hisown. He brought her against his chest, loving the feel of her lacy turquoise bra rubbing against his skin, teasing him with the soft, enticing flesh they encased.
She pulled back, panting. “Are we really doing this?”
Her bold question doused some of his fire. “I got a little carried away. I want you like crazy.” Feeling it felt great. Saying it made him a little uncomfortable. “But it’s a big step. I don’t want our first time to be an unplanned tumble.”
With each happy moment with Lucy, he felt like his memories with Kim receded further into his subconscious—that same subconscious that had caused him to kiss Lucy in the first place. It was all so confusing.
“You’re thinking again,” Lucy said, letting him go and sitting cross-legged on the bed. She pulled her shirt on and handed him his.
He looked at it and shook his head, struggling to swallow his messy emotions.
After he put on the shirt, she took his hand. “It’s okay. We both got carried away. When you brought me back here, I thought…”
“I wasn’t thinking,” he said, pressing a hand to his forehead. “And I should have. You deserve better than that. I’m sorry.”
“Stop!” she said, rising on her knees and facing him. “There’s nothing to be sorry about. We want each other. Bodies are always ahead of brains.”
He snorted. “That just about sums it up, but we’re not ruled by our bodies. Lucy, do you want to make love with me? After today, you might be…” He broke off, unable to finish the thought. They were getting into dangerous territory here.
“Oh,” she said, sitting back on her heels. “You think I’mgoing to pack my bags and head off because I had one good day of shooting photos? Pfft.”
“Pfft?”he repeated. “What kind of answer is that?”
She scooted closer, making the bed squeak. “Andy, I’m happy because my first photo shoot wasn’t a complete disaster, and even though I still think they’re weird, I managed to use a camera with an EVF with your sister watching my every move. I might not have selected the best image yet, but that’s pretty much a miracle. But if you think I’m comfortable using it, you’re crazy. Besides, it’s not like I could use it overseas. Well, I could, but it’s louder than my babies, and I can’t imagine trying to use it in a battle or a street protest. For a controlled studio setting, it’s fine, but… You look lost.”
