Chapter Nine #2
Linc was stunned. When was the last time someone had gone out of their way to take care of him?
He couldn’t remember. When he was a kid, probably.
As the oldest brother, he’d always been charged with watching over his siblings.
And he’d moved back to Maine for the express purpose of looking after his mom.
Was this how things were between Britt and Chad? And Marit and Zach? He figured it probably was. They looked out for each other, lifted the other up when needed.
Now that he thought about it, his parents had done the same thing.
There were plenty of times when he could remember his dad telling everyone to keep their voices down because their mom was napping.
Or when his mom would make a special dinner in the middle of the week for no real reason, except she said she wanted to pamper their dad.
Linc had never been in a relationship where his girlfriend went out of her way to spoil him. He was always the one doing the spoiling. He wasn’t resentful of that, not then and not now, had always simply assumed that was his role in a relationship.
But even though he and Harper were still feeling each other out, hadn’t moved things between them to a physical level, she’d done more for him with this simple gesture than any past girlfriend ever had.
“Linc? Is that okay? I’ve already arranged for Kash to stay with my dad.
They both seemed kind of excited about it, which is a relief.
This space between us all has been the best thing for our relationship with him.
If you want to stay here, that’s okay too.
I can help with the floors, which I know you’ve been wanting to get started on. ”
Linc stepped toward Harper, crowding her, pushing her back until she was pressed against the wall. He put his hands on her face, his thumbs brushing against her cheeks as he lowered his head until they were only a hairsbreadth apart.
“Yes, it’s okay. It’s more than okay. It sounds fucking fantastic. Thank you.”
She breathed out a sigh of relief. “You’re welcome.”
“Are we leaving today or tomorrow?”
“Today. As soon as you’re packed, actually. After school, my dad will bring Kash over here to pack a bag. I packed this morning before I left for work, my stuff is upstairs. All you have to do is put your stuff together and we can head out.”
Linc didn’t really know what to say. He was more excited for two days alone with this woman than he could adequately express.
He could still remember the feel of her in his arms as they slept in his chair.
How amazing she’d felt, and how well he’d slept.
He still wasn’t sure if it was a fluke or not, but he was looking forward to seeing if she somehow had the magical ability to put him to sleep . . . and keep him there.
But he wanted to be clear about where things stood between them. Didn’t want there to be any misunderstandings. “One room or two?” he asked.
Her brows furrowed for a moment, before it dawned on her what he was asking. She blushed but didn’t drop her eyes. “One. Is that okay?”
“Okay? Harper, I haven’t been able to think about anything other than being with you for weeks.
Every time I hear the water in the pipes when you’re showering, all I can think of is you, naked upstairs, how the water and soap might look as they slip over your body.
I probably shouldn’t admit this, but I’ve jacked off to thoughts of you almost every day. ”
Her blush deepened. “You have?”
“Yes.”
“Oh.”
“Does that turn you off?” he asked gently, wondering if he should’ve kept his mouth shut.
“Does it turn you off that it doesn’t turn me off?” she asked with a small smile. Her hands were at his sides, and he could feel her fingers tighten on him as she spoke.
“No way.”
“Good. Because when I’m in the shower? When you hear the water in those pipes? I’m usually getting myself off to thoughts of you.”
And just like that, Linc was hard. He wanted to grab this woman and drag her into his bedroom and take her right then and there. The thought of waiting even one more minute to have her was almost physically painful.
“I’m going to make love to you tonight. And tomorrow.
And tomorrow night. And probably before we leave Boothbay.
I’m not sure I’ll be able to get enough of you.
You’ve gotten under my skin, Harper, and I’m not even mad about it.
I like you there. And I like you here. In my house.
Your stuff strewn around the rooms. I’m looking forward to spending time away with you, more than I can say.
And not just in bed. Talking to you, laughing, shopping, eating, all of it.
I can’t think of anything better than a couple days off with just the two of us. ”
“Ditto.”
He chuckled. He had packed a lot into his words. But he wanted to be sure they were truly on the same page. “Are you on birth control?”
She swallowed hard and shook her head. “There hasn’t been a need.”
“All right, we’ll have to stop at a store on the way there. I don’t have any condoms . . . because there hasn’t been a need for me either. Are you truly okay with this? It’ll change things. I hope for the better, but it’ll definitely change our relationship.”
“I’m ready for it. I want it, Linc. I want you.”
Moving slowly, giving her a chance to pull away, Linc lowered his head. She leaned forward, meeting him halfway. Their kiss was surprisingly gentle. Maybe because Linc knew that tonight, he’d finally be able to do all the things he’d fantasized about.
Anticipation churned inside him, and he knew it would make tonight all the better. Kind of like Christmas morning when he was a kid. He looked forward to it all month, and when it finally arrived, he felt almost giddy. As if something deep inside him had finally been fulfilled.
He’d felt the same way while he was training to fly fighter jets, and the first time he sat behind the controls was like Christmas morning all over again. Linc had no doubt being with Harper in the most intimate way would be exactly like the satisfaction of anticipation fulfilled.
“I need to go pack,” he said, after he pulled back.
“Yeah.”
Neither moved.
Linc grinned. “You have to let go of me before I can do that.”
“You need to let go of me so I can go get the suitcase I packed this morning,” she countered.
“You first.” It was childish and silly, but their banter made Linc feel lighter than he’d felt in weeks.
She had a huge grin on her face, but she sighed as if extremely put out and dropped her hands from his sides.
“I win,” Linc crowed, then kissed her hard and fast once more before stepping back.
“I think we’ve both won,” Harper said in a low voice.
She couldn’t be more right.
They went their separate ways, moving at a quick pace. As reluctant as they’d been to stop touching each other, they were apparently just as eager to be on their way.
It didn’t take Linc long to pack. He threw in a pair of jeans, some shirts, a sweatshirt, underwear, and socks. Grabbed what he needed from his bathroom, pausing for a beat as he stared at the bottle of cough medicine, then aggressively zipped up his toiletry bag.
No. He wasn’t going to bring that bottle. If he didn’t sleep, at least he’d get to appreciate holding Harper as she slept.
It was time. Time he figured out a way to get the sleep he needed to be able to function.
If the next two nights didn’t change anything, if it turned out sleeping with Harper in his arms was a one-time fluke thing, he’d call his doctor and make plans to discuss his options.
He’d probably do that no matter what happened.
He couldn’t go on like this. It wasn’t healthy. Physically or mentally.
And he never wanted Harper to take on the burden of his insomnia.
If having her near helped him sleep, great.
But he didn’t want her to ever feel obligated, or like his health was on her shoulders.
The crash and subsequent flight through the jungle to keep from being captured was in the past. Over.
Done. He wasn’t going to let it keep affecting him any longer.
He’d worked too hard to get where he was today to let those assholes who’d hunted him win.
Harper was waiting by the front door when he came out of his room. He walked around the house, making sure everything was secure. He turned the heat down a notch or two, then, satisfied that everything was good, he shrugged into his jacket.
Finally, he smiled at Harper. “Let’s do this.”
“Let’s do this,” she echoed with a huge smile.
They walked out together, and after Linc locked the door, he picked up her suitcase and led the way to the garage.
He had a feeling the next two days would completely change his life.
He could only hope it was changed for the better, and he didn’t screw anything up between them.
He wanted their relationship to work. More than he could express out loud.
The thought of losing Harper, and Kash in the process, was too painful to think about.
He’d do whatever it took to show this woman that he was the kind of man who’d always be there for her.
Someone she could count on. Who she could respect and admire.
Because she was all that for him, and so much more.