Page 30 of Not Like Christmas At All
The weight of the confession is woven through his words as he promises, “I would never lie to you.”
I take a second, letting his words sink in. My mind’s racing to catch up as this all feels akin to whiplash. For so long, he’s made me believe he hates me, and now…
Now…My eyes squeeze together tightly, staying closed as I whisper, “All this time you’ve acted like I was the bane of your existence—like you absolutely could not stand me.”
Tears threaten to spill through my lashes. I flinch when Lincoln’s palm touches my cheek, turning my face in his direction. Hesitantly, I open my eyes.
“Completely enamored is more accurate,” he confesses softly. “For the sake of my cousin and his newly developing relationship, I chose to mask my attraction for you with indifference. A poor choice on my part, but one I thought I was making in the best interest of Miller. I couldn’t live with myself if I pursued something with his girlfriend’s best friend and it didn’t work out. I didn’t want to be responsible for potentially ruining whattheyhad.”
“So why now? If you’ve been hiding it all this time, why change your mind now?” The words tumble from my lips, unable to hide the frustration laced within them. I’ve spentmonthstrying to be his friend, knowing that would be the best-case scenario.
“Because I realized life is too short.”
With a disbelieving huff, I shake my head. “You’re a doctor, that’s a no-brainer.”
Running his hand through his hair, Lincoln’s jaw tightens before he exhales through his nose. His eyes lock with mine, and he takes a step closer to me, even though we’re practically chest to chest already.
“Let me be more specific then.” Every word is slow, determined. “Watching you fall from that ladder terrified me more than any surgery I’ve ever performed—more than watching any patient fight for their life. It shook me to my core, and in that moment, everything I’ve been trying to bury into the recesses of my mind came crashing full force into the forefront. Even if you don’t reciprocate my feelings, Genesis, I realized I’d rather tell you and face rejection then continue pretending I’m not enamored by every move you make.”
Turning back toward the railing, I look out at the skyline. My hands tremble, and I wrap my fingers around the cold metal to keep it from being noticeable. So many things race through my mind, it’s hard to process what he’s saying. I want his words tobe true, but after so long believing otherwise, I find it hard to trust so blindly.
“You’re saying a lot of lovely words, Lincoln, but that’s all they are—words. How can I be sure what you’re saying is real?” A heavy ache sits in my chest, and as I turn back to Lincoln, I watch his lips part, ready to tell me otherwise, but the frustration inside of me pushes me to continue. “You know what? Fuck it, I’m just going to say it. I’ve had feelings for you for far longer than I care to admit. And if you’re just playing with my emotions?—”
“I’m not,” he rushes to say, but I cut him off.
“Thenproveit.Showme. We’re both adults, and we’ve apparently been playing childish games for too long.” A manic laugh bubbles from my lips as I toss my hands into the air, turning back to face him. “And for no reason it seems like.So show me, Lincoln. You want me? Take me then. I could have been yours this whole time.”
Something darkens in his eyes, and his hand comes up to cradle my face again. His fingers slide along my jaw, gripping me possessively as he holds me in place. Heat surges through me, pooling low in my belly. “You want me to show you, Genesis?” Our eyes remain locked, and for the first time, I see another side to Doctor Lincoln Stokes—a side I’m eager to explore. Leaning into me, his breath dusts the shell of my ear as he growls, “Prove to you what I’m feeling is legitimate?”
A wolfish smile spreads across his face as he draws back slowly, a silent challenge burning in his eyes.
I feel like I could morph into a puddle at his feet from the heat in his piercing stare. Raising my chin, I don’t dare blink. “Yes.”
No sooner does the word leave my mouth are his lips crashing against mine. His tongue gains access withouthesitation, and there’s nothing gentle about it. No softness or restraint, only raw, consumingneed.
Months of pent-up longing pours out between us, tasting sweet and electric.
Growling into my mouth, Lincoln closes what minuscule distance there was between us, molding his body against mine as he cages me against the railing. My back arches as the evidence of his arousal drives against me, strong and hard.
A breathy sigh escapes me.I can’t believe this is happening.
“Do you want more proof, Gen?” He groans against my mouth.
My arms encircle his neck, pulling him closer. “Yes.”
He kisses me again, and I melt into him, getting lost in the moment. We’re both out of breath when he finally breaks the trance, pulling away with a mischievous glint in his eye. “Will the validity of my words mean more to you if I show you from my knees?” Slowly, he breaks from my hold, sinking down, letting his hand glide against the side of my body until he’s low enough to shift it to the inside of my thigh.
My legs tremble as I look down at him through hooded eyes, watching as his hand wraps around my ankle before he trails it back up my leg.
“Lincoln.” His name slips off my tongue, floating on the wind.
Curling his fingers around the tulle, he lifts my dress, exposing more of my legs. He presses higher onto his knees, kissing the tops of my thighs.
“Part of the reason I put a wall between us is because I thought I didn’t deserve a woman like you. So sweet.”Another kiss.“So sunshine-y.”And another.
Sliding my fingers into his hair, I tilt his head back, forcing him to meet my gaze. With narrowed eyes, and a smile tugging at my lips, I murmur, “You’re an idiot.”
His fingers tighten against my skin. “I know.”
