Chapter Five #3
“Your mom got something in her eye, Bud. I was just trying to see if I could find anything in there,” Linc said smoothly.
He’d put a bit of distance between them, but they were still standing way too close.
Harper was grateful for his quick thinking, disappointed though she was that they’d been interrupted.
“Oh. I’m hungry. Whatever’s cooking smells really good. It woke me up. What is it?”
Linc’s hands finally dropped from behind her, but not before brushing against her oh so slowly as they did. Harper took a step backward and saw Linc’s gaze was still locked on hers. The desire and regret in his eyes made her feel not so alone in her feelings.
Though, her feelings didn’t matter. Kash’s interruption was for the best. She couldn’t kiss Linc again. She couldn’t mess up this living situation. Not for her sake, and definitely not for Kash’s.
But a tiny part of her couldn’t help wondering if kissing Linc actually would mess things up.
Maybe it would make things better?
She wasn’t sure. But now wasn’t the time or place to explore whatever was going on between them. Not when she had a long workday ahead of her. Not when tomorrow was Thanksgiving and they’d be surrounded by family.
Not when Kash was wandering into the kitchen, ready to help Linc with breakfast.
“I think I’ll go and shower while you men get breakfast ready,” Harper announced, proud that she sounded so normal.
At least she thought she did. When she looked at Linc, she saw lust in his gaze for a split second before he banked it.
Was thinking about her in the shower the image that put that look on his face?
Of course, thinking about bathing made her think about Linc, naked in his shower. Which made her tingle between her legs.
Damn, she had it bad. She had to get a grip.
“You want me to see if I can spot anything in your eye before you go?” Kash asked, sounding concerned.
It didn’t go over her head that Kash was mimicking Linc once again.
He was such a sweet boy. Always wanting to take care of her.
She tore her gaze from Linc’s and looked at her son.
“I think I’m okay now. But thanks. I heard you and Linc are going to make cinnamon rolls today.
And on Saturday, he’s going to take you to the airfield. ”
Kash beamed. “Yeah, I’m so excited! And don’t forget about Thanksgiving! It’s been forever since we’ve had a real Thanksgiving, hasn’t it, Mom?”
“Yeah, baby, it has.” Harper didn’t want to think about the last few Thanksgivings they’d had in New York.
Getting their holiday meals from a shelter, or in the form of a bag from the food pantry.
And last year, how they’d actually been living in the minivan over the holidays.
She never wanted to go back to that kind of situation. Didn’t wish it on anyone.
“Come on, Bud. I’ll show you the video about how to make the cinnamon rolls. The casserole will be reheated by the time your mom is done showering and changing,” Linc said.
“Cool.”
The last thing Harper saw when she turned around at the base of the stairs was Linc leaning over the counter, holding his phone, his head right next to her son’s as they intently watched how to make the world’s best cinnamon rolls.
She paused for a moment, wanting things she had no right to want.
For this to be her life.
But life was much more complicated than her simple wishes and dreams. She’d learned that the hard way, from the moment she’d left home all those years ago. Just because she wanted something didn’t mean it would actually happen.
She liked Linc. A lot. Wouldn’t mind seeing where things between them could go. But why in the world would a man like Linc want someone with her baggage?
Sighing, Harper turned her back on the cozy kitchen scene that she desperately wanted to join, instead trudging up the stairs toward the bathroom.
She had a long day at work to get through.
Then hopefully a relaxing, if not possibly chaotic, Thanksgiving.
She could only pray her dad behaved himself and that everything went all right.
Then a day off before the grind of the holidays truly started at work.
She had no time and no right to be attempting anything with Linc.
No matter how much she wanted to. Kash came first. Would always come first. She’d made that vow the day he was born and wasn’t going to deviate from it now.
If she and Linc started dating and it ended badly, Kash would be the one who got hurt the most. And she’d already done enough to hurt her son in his short life.
She’d be damned if she did anything else.
But even as she showered, she couldn’t forget the way Linc’s lips felt brushing against hers. How she’d felt in the circle of his arms. The softness of his hair against her fingertips as she’d pulled him close.
Her nipples hardened and, without thought, Harper’s hand snaked between her legs. It didn’t take her long to make herself come, not with thoughts of Linc urging her on.
So much for her resolve to keep things friendly between her and Linc. He might just be the man who broke her resolve. Time would tell if that was a good thing or not.