“That man sure knows what I like.” I lift my beer in cheers. “Nice choice on the ale.” I tip the bottle back and I take a long draw. I needed this. A moment to forget I’m responsible for a thirteen-year-old who lost his parents. I want to forget that I’m giving up everything that defines who I am to be a mother to a teenager. It isn’t with regret, just a saddened heart.
When I open my eyes again, Lincoln is watching me. “Don’t think about everything else tonight.” He steps closer and lifts his hand to rest it on my cheek. His thumb brushes my skin, soothing me while sparking something in my chest. I set my drink and food aside, my attention focused solely on him. “It’s us tonight. Two friends hanging out, having a beer, and getting to know one another.”
Lincoln’s voice and calming presence have me taking a step closer until our chests are touching. I draw in a deep breath that has his scent teasing my nose, and his intake of breath brushes across my ear. “That sounds nice. I don’t want to be alone tonight.”
“I’m here now,” he whispers and lowers his mouth to brush across my lips. I sense the unspoken words—even if it’s only for one night.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Lincoln
Kate’s soft gasp echoes through the apartment as I let my lips brush across hers. She’s broken that hard exterior of hers and admitted she needed me. She didn’t want to be alone, and there’s something that her confession unlocks inside me. It’s me she wants to care for her tonight, and at that moment, I promise I will. Whatever she needs from me, I’ll give it to her. She isn’t a woman who asks for much, and this is one request I’m more than happy to grant her because I don’t want to be without her tonight either.
I deepen our kiss and lose myself in the sweet taste of her mouth and the soft curves of her body. I let my hands trail up her sides, allowing myself to explore the exposed skin at her waist. My fingertips press into her flesh, and the most erotic little moan rips from her throat. I harden in response to the sound.
Kissing this woman makes me lose my fucking mind. What would it feel like to bury myself inside her? I step forward and press her into the countertop island. Her back hits the ledge, and her body curves forward, pushing her breasts into my chest. My hand at her waist slides up higher to brush the underside of her breast. I bury my other hand into that mass of hair she has while I continue to devour her mouth. There is nowhere else I’d rather be tonight.
Kate raises a hand and pushes at my chest, so I break away from her mouth so she can speak. “I’m leaving in the morning, Lincoln. I have to be there for Jake.” She continues to rub her hand over my chest but tilts her head down so I can’t see the longing in her eyes anymore. She’s as drawn to me as I am to her, but we both know if we take this step forward, it’s the start to our goodbye.
I place my fingers under her chin and lift, so she’s looking up at me. “What you’re doing is the most selfless thing anyone could do.”
Kate slides her hands into my hair and there isn’t any space separating us now. She steals my lips in another breathtaking kiss. “Please, Lincoln,” she begs when I pull away and bite her full lower lip.
“What do you need from me, sweetheart? Because it’s yours. I’m yours tonight.” I’ll give her whatever she needs from me. She answers my question by deepening our kiss, her tongue fighting with mine. I lift her up, and she wraps those sexy legs around my waist. My hands slide around to hold her up. Then I start down the hall to her bedroom, both of us forgetting the food and drinks we left behind. We forget that she’s leaving tomorrow. We forget everything she’s lost and what possibilities we are letting go of so she can be there for her nephew. Tonight, we get to be together, so that’s our only focus—nothing else matters but us coming together as one tonight.
She’s holding on with a death grip so when I lay her down on her bed, I have to follow behind by placing my knee on her plush comforter. She chuckles and releases her hold but doesn’t relinquish entirely. “Sorry about that.” Her voice has dropped a few levels as her desire overtakes everything else, including the worries she has.
I bury my face in the crook of her neck and listen to her laughter. God, I’ve missed that sound coming from her. My mouth trails lower, distracted by the taste of her skin, and slides across her collarbone as I pull the fabric of her tank top away. Still, I need better access, so I break my mouth away to lift the soft cotton material over her head. I slide her leggings down next, then work on removing every last shred of clothing that separates us. That thin lace of black fabric I pull down last and then place a delicate kiss to her inner thigh. Her moan, followed with a desperate plea for more, kicks my heart rate up because I’m certain there isn’t a better sound than my name rolling off her tongue in such a ravenous way.
I slip a condom from my wallet, tear it open, and slide it on while my gaze stays on Kate and those eyes full of need. They continue to watch and memorize while I do the same. I settle myself between her legs, which come back up to dig into my back as I slide into her, the groan of pleasure slipping out once she’s wrapped so tight around me. The moment I settle in, she arches her back, pressing our bodies close. Her arms secure around my neck as I pull back and slide in. She keeps me close, and I let her because she’s telling me despite everything we’re letting go of, we don’t want to let each other go.
Kate cries my name out again and I pick up my pace, giving her everything she’s asking me to give. My mouth nips the sensitive skin below her ear and I whisper encouraging words, telling her to how beautiful she is and how much she’s making me lose my fucking mind. When her scream sounds in my ear and she tightens around me in a way that causes my mind to blank out, I decide for tonight I’ll continue to worship her body and let her know she’s mine. I forget to remind myself, again, that it’s only for tonight.
THE SUNLIGHT FLOODS in from the bedroom window and I roll over to find the other side of the bed empty. I take her sheets and grip them in my hand. She’s not here this morning, and she won’t be here tomorrow or the next day. After another round of unforgettable sex last night, we fell asleep in each other’s arms, and she warned me that her flight was early this morning. I recall the time was before sunrise, but instead of accepting that, I stole her mouth in another kiss and forgot about her leaving by surrounding myself with the sounds of her moaning and begging for me to take her.
I sit up and glance around her empty bedroom. She’s packed up everything so the movers can take her things to Georgia. There’s a wave of loneliness that hits, but I’m used to it. I’ll endure it. We never spoke about it last night, but we both knew the possibility of a distant relationship wasn’t in the cards for us. Not right now, anyway.
Sometimes in life, certain people float in, causing a ripple, changing very little about you. Other times, you meet someone who blows through your life like a tidal wave and forever alters the person you are. That’s what Kate is for me. She’s a force, a mover. She’s one who left an impression on me that will stay with me forever. Her gorgeous face and charming personality will forever be an imprint on my mind, but for now, it’s time to let her go. I have to give her space for all the changes and sacrifices she needs to make. She’s becoming the guardian Jake needs in his life, and she won’t have the time to start a relationship or build something new with a distant and broken man who remains here with his daughter. I, like her, know about the sacrifices we need to make for family, and I won’t make this any harder on her than it has to be.
I walk into Kate’s empty kitchen and find a letter resting on the table. Her handwriting stares back at me as I pick up the sheet of paper and read.
Lincoln
Thank you for being there for me when I needed someone the most. I’ll never forget you. I wish the fates had dealt us a different hand at a different time.
Love, Kate
I fold the letter, tuck it into my back pocket, and make my way back home. I’ll never forget her either—of that, I’m certain.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Seven years later
With mixed emotions, I stare at the gold-embossed wedding invitation from my spot on the hotel bed. My flight landed this morning, making the trip from Georgia to Chicago with little thought, even though I’m uncertain of how Lily found me to invite me to her wedding after all these years, but I want to be here. The last time I saw Lily, she was a thirteen-year-old discovering the surprises life held and learning what real heartbreak was, and now she’s getting married. Last month, I watched Jake follow his dreams and grow up just like Lily has. He’s on his first tour with his rock band, and his music will remain for decades after, I’m sure.
The decision I made seven years ago was the hardest decision I ever made, but I don’t regret a single moment. I left every piece of my life in Chicago behind to make sure Jake lived the life Julie wanted, and I’ve helped him make it by supporting his choices. It was difficult when I left Jake at the airport last month, but his words still echo in my mind even now months later. Go live your life again, Aunt Kate. His words mixed with the memories this city brings back makes for a long day.
I promised Jake I never regretted giving up my career and life in Chicago to be there for him after his parents’ death. I got to see everything as he grew up and became the man he is today. Raising Jake was difficult, as many things in life are, but going to Georgia was worth it to witness Jake growing up.
Now staring at the wedding invite, I remember the most difficult thing I left behind when my gaze travels over his name. Lincoln was the biggest deciding factor for me coming to Lily’s wedding when I was invited. Lincoln never left my thoughts for long, but even after all these years, I never reached out to him. I won’t forget the night we spent in each other’s arms. Lincoln understood why I was leaving and never tried to stop me or make the decision more difficult, nor did he ask for my number or for me to stay in touch. He was a crush, my support during one of the toughest moments in my life, but he couldn’t be more, so I had to give him up. I followed where my heart said to go and it was wherever Jake was. I’d given a sliver of my heart to Lincoln during the time we got to know each other because he’s still never left my thoughts for long. The night I spent in his arms, him worshipping my body like it was his only job, left an impression on me. His kindness and unselfish ways, the way he cared for those around him, and his laughter and smiles struck me and remained in my memories.
My thoughts often drift to where he’s at and what he’s been doing with his life over the last seven years. We could have stayed in touch, and I could have given him my number, but staying friends would have been more difficult because Lincoln is a man I could fall in love with, and I had to focus on raising Jake and making sure I did everything Julie would have wanted. My life had to move and Lincoln’s never could.
The hotel I’m staying at while in Chicago is quiet tonight as I settle on the edge of the bed. I’m not sure of this new journey I’m on because my life is shifting in a new direction. Even at thirty-two, it’s like I’ve pressed reset again.
My phone buzzes from the nearby table and Jake’s name flashes on the screen. He’s finished a concert in Tulsa and always calls to check in with me after the show ends.
His handsome face pops on the screen, and I can’t stop the proud smile that stretches across my face when I see him. He looks great, glowing after the show. It must have been an amazing one because I can sense the excitement through the phone.
“Hey, mister! How was the crowd tonight?” I lean back, then roll over and prop my arms up so I can still see Jake on the screen. He uses a hand to press his sweaty hair from his forehead.
The widest grin stretches across his face. “They were amazing! This part of the gig will never get old. Hey, I’m flying into Chicago early tomorrow. I can still crash at your hotel, right?”
That causes me to roll my eyes. I haven’t seen Jake since he went on tour so I wanted him to stay the weekend with me. “Of course, you’ll stay with me. Are you sure going to this wedding is a good idea?” He hasn’t seen or spoken to Lily, his childhood best friend, since his parents’ funeral. It had been difficult during that time in his life and his survival mechanism had been to cut off everything from his past until he handled their deaths. That meant Lily, too.
“It’s time I mend that bridge I burnt as a kid. I hurt Lily with my actions, and I hate myself for it,” he admits. His brow dips, showing his pain.
“Jake, don’t do that to yourself. You were a kid who lost his parents. I’m sure she understands that it was never her.”
Jake pushes his messy brown hair from his forehead and lets out a deep sigh. “Lily was always there for me as a kid, and then I turned my back on her. I need to do this and be there for her this time. It’s different. She’s getting married. I can’t believe it. It showed me how fucked up I was back then. I lost this connection to her because I couldn’t handle my parents’ death. I miss her.”
I close my eyes at the anguish I hear in his voice. “We’ll go together, and this will be good then.” I push a lock of blonde hair behind my ear and smile to lighten the mood. Jake wants to dive into the past, though, and I’m not surprised by his next statement.
“Lincoln will be there,” Jake states matter-of-factly.
“I know this.” I close my eyes, knowing where he’s taking this conversation. Jake told me it was one of his regrets, along with many others he had in life, when he felt like he forced me to give up my life. I assured him often that wasn’t the case. We make sacrifices for those we love.
“Are you going to talk to him?” Jake asks and wiggles his brows. God, he looks like Lukas when he does that. My brother had moved back to Georgia when Julie died, and between the two of us, we raised Jake. So I’ve noticed a lot of Lukas’s mannerisms rubbed off on the man Jake became.
“I’m sure I’ll see him in passing.”
“No, like really talk to him. Something was growing between the two of you back then, Aunt Kate, and I hate you never found out because of me.”
“That wasn’t your fault. I hardly knew Lincoln. And yeah, I had a crush on him but life took me in a different direction and that’s okay.”
“Well, now, let’s change that. Pick me up at nine tomorrow? We’ve got a wedding to crash.”
“You’re not crashing your best friend’s wedding.”
There’s a look of pain that crosses his face, and he ends the call before I can take back what I said.
Shit. I used the wrong words with him because his friendship with Lily is a sore subject for us. I set my phone down with a sigh then crawl into the bed and pull up the covers until I’m as comfortable as possible. I gaze out the window toward the Chicago cityscape and remember all the things I miss from leaving this town behind.
I fall asleep tonight with thoughts of seeing Lincoln again.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Lincoln
Today has been crazy and amazing at the same time. Lily was glowing as she got ready to marry the love of her life. She didn’t hesitate or worry because she was sure that marrying Jessica was everything she wanted. I’m in awe of her determination and strength and taking her confidence in this wedding to calm my nerves.
Her mother and stepfather are the only ones not here to see her confess her love and Lily didn’t care for their issues with her, which made me proud of the woman she’s become. I can thank her wife for that. Jessica gave Lily the support she needed to face the obstacles she’s found. Others didn’t see her choice in marrying Jessica as best both because she was young and was marrying a woman. I didn’t agree and here I thought I was the jaded one about marriage. Lily’s in love, and it gives me hope for love again after I failed at marriage.
Morgan and I were in love once, but the relationship Lily has with Jessica is different, and I understand that now. I know her marriage will outlive mine because she threw herself entirely into it. Morgan and I hadn’t. Morgan was as dedicated to her career as I was back then and our only connection was throug
h sex and a desire to show a together family when Lily was born. It was an illusion, but the love that makes you think with your heart is more. That’s what Lily and Jessica have. That’s why I support her marrying so young even though Morgan said it was the biggest mistake she’ll ever make. Her mother still has issues regarding young love. I don’t. Love walks into your life at different times and ages. Embrace it or let it go. And Lily won’t let Jessica go.
I made the walk down the aisle earlier without looking around much, so when I look at who walks up next to Lily, my brows rise in surprise. Well, if it isn’t Jake Stone, her childhood best friend. I take a sip of my drink and watch the scene unfold from the sidelines.
Someone I never thought I’d see again was Jake. His parents’ death seven years ago was difficult, and he ended his friendship with my daughter without looking back. He’s grown up now and is a good head taller than Lily. He’s dressed in gray slacks and a white button-up rolled at the sleeves to expose his forearms. Jake looks healthy and happy—not that I’m surprised, considering he’s had Kate’s support all these years. I also see the regret in his eyes when he sees Lily for the first time.
Lily squeals and jumps into Jake’s arms, wrapping her legs around him as he takes her in his embrace. Jessica stands nearby, wiping the tears from her eyes. Lily has been a spark of happiness today, and it’s only amplified now. I’ve never seen my daughter this happy.
When Jessica’s hand comes up to wipe the tears away from her eyes again, a smile spreads across my face. I know who orchestrated getting the rock star to my daughter’s wedding and I’m positive she used her father’s wealthy connections to get the job done. I doubt many have access to a celebrity like Jake. I’ve followed his career, thanks to Lily’s obsessive stalking.
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