Chapter 23
We sat in Lincoln’s car outside my apartment. It was the only private place the two of us could talk without being overheard by roommates. And this was something I didn’t even want Marie to hear about. Not yet anyway.
Lincoln shook his head when I told him. “Beau is seriously messed up.”
“Yes, I’m so sorry I even dated him.” Regret didn’t just bubble within me; it was like a volcanic eruption.
“We all make mistakes.” Lincoln squeezed my shoulder.
“What do we do now?”
“We need to figure out a solution. The best defense is a good offense.”
“What do you mean?” Everything seemed to be falling apart.
“I’ve got an idea.”
“You do?” Relief filled me. I was completely stymied.
“Let me talk to Ms. Reaper.”
I threw my hands over my face. “I am so sorry about the kiss.” If it hadn’t happened we wouldn’t be where we were at now.
“Are you really sorry about the kiss?” He tilted his head to face me, earnestly inquiring.
My heart pounded in my chest. Did I dare tell him? How I dreamed of the kiss and relived it at nights when I needed a happy thought to sleep? “Actually, if you want to know the truth, I enjoyed every second of it.”
He slipped his hand over mine, a half-smile creeping over his lips. “My only regret is that we didn’t kiss longer.”
“What about McKenna?”
“McKenna.” He breathed out. “I forgot about her.”
Horror raked through me. “How do you forget about your girlfriend?”
“She’s not my girlfriend,” he said on an exhale.
“What?”
He faced me. “You think I would’ve kissed you if I had a girlfriend?”
“Well, no.”
“Remember the incident at Fall Fling?” Lincoln brushed his hair out of his eyes and glanced out of the windshield. “I had just broken up with her. That’s why… Her behavior at the Fall Fling. I wanted out. I told her, and she lost it. I felt sorry for her. I was afraid to bring it up again. So we continued to hang out, at her wish, but we weren’t dating. Not in my mind. I only wanted one girl.”
My heart thundered in my chest. I dared to make eye contact.
His gaze flitted to my lips. “I wanted to tell you so many times.”
I parted my lips to speak. “I’m not worthy?—”
He shushed me, tipping my chin upwards toward his.
I drew a breath, waiting.
His lips caressed mine sending shivers all down me. His fingers found my hair, softening his touch as he drew my neck to him.
I inched closer to him in the seat. My knee knocked against the gear shift. I had never hated bucket seats more.
I breathed him in, inhaling every scented breath, my hands wishing for a better place to go than around the velvet of his neck. I slid to my knees on the seat, and Lincoln sat back.
Honk!
His elbow hit the horn on accident.
A couple across the street glanced over at us. We waved. They gave us questioning glances and shook their heads.
My heart raced at the sound, laughter burbling up from my throat. “I guess that’s a sign to stop,” I said, breathing hard and sitting back in my seat, covering my laughter with my hand. “I’m sorry. I forgot myself.”
“Beau’s accusation will still stand. It’s true. We were the only two officers counting the Fall Fling. And he will accuse me of helping you.”
“Where did he get the pictures anyway?”
Lincoln colored and stared out the driver’s side window. “It’s my fault.”
“What? Why?” I touched him on his sleeve.
Finally, he faced me. “I carried that picture in my wallet. It must’ve fallen out at one of the meetings.”
“You carried the picture of us kissing in your wallet?” I warmed, but not from embarrassment. “That’s really sweet.”
“McKenna had been so fragile. I was scared she’d do herself harm. I’ve wanted you for so long. The kiss in the booth was one of my fondest memories of us as a couple.”
“A couple? We haven’t even been on a real date yet.” I crossed my arms over my chest playfully.
“True. Let’s make it official and get some tacos.” He stuck his keys in his car and started the engine.