Page 111 of Forever After All

She reached up with her good arm to put the mug on the top shelf when Linc’s boots pounded quickly on the porch. The door flew open a second later before shutting out the storm.

Linc stopped just inside the door, dripping wet. He toed off his soaking boots as he pinned her with a stare. “What are you doing?”

Apparently, worrying about him amped up the urge to wrap him up and cling to him. And did he have to look so good after working in a thunderstorm?

“Just putting away some dishes.”

That sounded normal. Right?

Linc crossed the room in quick strides, keeping a stern expression on his face that would have intimidated a grown man.

She didn’t recoil as he stepped up behind her and grabbed the old coffee mug from her hand. He pressed closer against her as he reached over her and set the mug neatly on the top shelf.

She turned to face him, craving his presence after worrying about him for so long. His body shadowed her as he rested his hands on the counter on both of her sides. He was twice her size, but relief settled over her as she looked up at him.

Now, the nearness had her head buzzing. No. Her whole body was buzzing. Water dripped from his hair and face, but the heat of his body radiated around her.

Breathe. Breathe.

Linc took a step back, swiping his sleeve over his dripping face. “Sorry, I–”

“Don’t.” She grabbed his arm and pulled him back toward her. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears as she waited to see what he would do next.

She didn’t even know what to do next, but she was counting on him to take the lead this time.

It was a bold move, but she couldn’t hold it in any longer. Whatever she felt for Linc was big and scary, but she couldn’t dance around it anymore.

He tensed, and his shoulders rose and fell in deep waves as his gaze locked with hers. “I’m soaking wet, Jess.”

Despite his warning, she kept pulling him closer. “I don’t care.” The words were barely a whisper, but at least she got them out. She didn’t care about the storm or anything except following the brave hope that Linc would understand her silent plea and meet her halfway.

Linc closed the distance between them as if the rope holding him away from her snapped. His strong arm wrapped around her waist, while the fingers of his other hand brushed gently against the side of her neck, leaving a freezing trail in their wake.

Her hands splayed against his wet shirt before moving to his sides. She’d spent her whole life pulling away from every touch, but it was different with Linc. Her skin burned like fire whenever they connected, but it was a slow burn that seeped down to her bones, warming her from head to toe, despite the cold water dripping off him.

Oh, boy. She inhaled a deep breath. She’d never been this close to a man before, and her heart thought she should be running for her life.

No. Not from Linc.

He pulled her closer, tucking her beneath him as he looked down at her.

Linc knew she hadn’t kissed a man before, and she trusted him to guide her through whatever was happening between them. She couldn’t breathe, but he would understand everything she wasn’t saying.

“Are you sure?” he asked.

She had expectations for her first kiss. After waiting this long, she wanted it to be perfect.

And it would be. With Linc.

She reached up and wiped the rain from his brow, letting her hand slide down his face and jaw.

“I’ve never been more sure of anything,” she whispered. Her words were quiet, but they held a resolution she prayed he noticed.

Her hand trailed down the front of his wet shirt, but it wasn’t the cold that had her hand shaking.

He lowered his head until his forehead rested against hers. She closed her eyes, praying her pounding heart would settle. It was hopeless this close to Linc, but maybe if she filled her lungs full enough, she’d stop gasping for air.

“Slow,” he whispered, lifting his hand to trace her jawline with the pad of his thumb. His fingers slid into her hair and cradled the back of her head.

---