Worth Something More
Page 19
Nope. Fuck you, mind, for crafting this up. It hurts because after everything I’ve done, all the work and all the loss, after every grueling hour, and what I gave up—I don’t want to live without sharing my life with him.
And I am. I’m missing part of my heart. I’ve lost large pieces of my heart over the years—first my father, then Julie. Those will be gone forever, but Lincoln isn’t.
He’s right there in front of me.
“Good morning. You going to stand there and stare or join me in here?” he asks, and there’s a teasing edge to his rough morning voice. I could listen to him tell me stories for the rest of my life when his voice sounds like that. It’s something I’ll miss when he’s gone again.
“I’m enjoying the view.” I walk over and jump up on the counter. I need to be close to him. “What are you making?”
“Pancakes.” He turns toward me and plants a kiss right below my jaw near the soft spot by my ear. I could let him do that all day.
“Mmm, sounds yummy. Focus because I’m not sure if well-done pancakes are delicious.” I’m already laughing before I get the statement out because of the look Lincoln shoots my way. I love playful Lincoln and sweet Lincoln. Every facet of this man. The best dad, the loyal man, the confident boss—the giving lover.
He gives my side a pinch and growls at me. I laugh and lean forward.
“I love you.” I almost want to take everything back, every word that came out of my mouth. Three words that I could never take back though because I meant it. My hand flies to my mouth, and my eyes begin to water.
I’ve never said those words to a man before. The needles begin to prickle, and I start to sweat under the look Lincoln shoots my way.
He abandons breakfast to stand in front of me. His eyes bore into mine, and I’ve never felt the rush I have with his full attention focused on me and the words I whispered.
His look devours me.
“I’m not sorry I said it, and I’m not taking it back. I know you’re so far away. I would never ask you to leave Lily to be here with me, and I’m okay with that. I know you might not even feel that way about me and that’s okay too.”
His eyes soften the longer I ramble.
“I’m going to stop right now. But I want you to know I’m okay with this long-distance thing. You don’t even have to love me back. Shit, I made it seven years with a crush on you over distance, I’m sure I can handle this.”
“I love you,” he states in a matter of fact way, and I gasp. I fucking melt right there, hearing that he loves me too. I’ve never heard those words spoken in such a sure, firm way and never to me. I feel like I’m in this special bubble and my smile spreads.
“You do?”
“So fucking much, sweetheart.” He slides his hands up my legs, and I let him pull me close. I allow him to steal my mouth in a kiss. One of those all-consuming ones. And I fall even more in love. “I’m never leaving you again,” he promises and it’s the best promise I’ve ever heard.
EPILOGUE
Kate
Two years later
I stand on the carpeted stage and stare out at the crowd of thousands of gamers standing and cheering us on. Lincoln’s game trailer for Monroe Games’ newest release aired for the fans to see.
My eyes lock with my husband’s from across the stage, and I can’t help the smile that stretches across my face. “Thank you! And we couldn’t have done this without my wife.” He waves me forward, and the crowd goes in an uproar again.
I lift my hand and wave at everyone from my back spot on the stage. I say thank you, though I’m not wearing a microphone like Lincoln is so they can’t hear me. I’m not sure if anything spoken at voice level can be heard over the noisy crowd.
He chuckles and shares what I said to the fans. “My wife said thank you and that you guys are amazing! Thanks for another wonderful year at Monroe Games. We love you guys.” Lincoln waves and takes me in his arms to walk us off the stage.
My feet are killing me, but Lincoln takes my elbow and helps me. I’m wearing Chuck Taylor’s and my feet still ache like a bitch. The doctor says swelling comes with it, but I feel like I’m blowing up. I rub a hand on my stomach and pause by Max and our community director.
“You were amazing out there. We need to go to the booth next. Everyone wants to meet the CEOs of Monroe Games.” Both my husband and Max growl in response but Keith—our community director—doesn’t care about their comfort. He turns to me instead. “How are you feeling? Could you handle some Q&A over the new game? They are understanding of course, but also riled up to talk to you.”
I have fans, which is fucking insane. “My feet are killing me, and this one’s offspring is making me miserable today, but I could try.”
Lincoln comes in close and rubs my lower back, knowing his son is causing me pain there. “Are you sure, sweetheart? We can go back to the hotel. Let the others handle everything.”
I immediately shake my head. No way. This is the biggest marketing opportunity for Monroe Games, and Lincoln needs to be here.
“All right, if you have her on stage, I want a seat for her. Lots of water, and get Jefferson to assist her.”
“He’s going to kick your ass. He might be my best friend, but he’s the head of our quality assurance team. He’s not going to want to be my publicist-slash-assistant, Lincoln.”
“Fine. I’ll be your assistant.”
I shake my head no because he’s an overqualified assistant as well. Two years of marriage have told me I won’t win with this stubborn man because my comfort is his priority. Considering I’m eight months pregnant, it’s impossible. So he’s all extra-protective of me. “Max can handle the fans and marketing.”
“I’ll be your wife’s assistant,” Max offers with a smirk.
“What the fuck? You aren’t assisting her with shit. Go do something productive.” The two bicker like an old married couple, and I love it. They have only grown their company together since Lincoln became a partner.
I laugh and pull my husband away before he can cause his best friend harm. “Come on, help me.” His arm wraps across my lower back.
I never knew I wanted to be a mother until the moment I found out I was pregnant with Lincoln’s child. Don’t get me wrong, we were both stunned and are cautious since I’m thirty-four, but we wouldn’t change it. “He’s not giving you too much trouble, right?” He rubs my lower back, and I relax into his hold.
“Not at all. I just like it when you rub me like that.”
His body shakes with laughter. Lincoln squeezes me tighter, and I walk toward the stage. I’ve got my husband at my side, a growing baby in my stomach, Jake has made his mark as a rock star and has fallen in love with Madison. Lily and Jessica are still happily married and traveling around the world. Life is perfect, and I have everything I wanted. I just had to remember to follow my heart every step of the way. It took me and Lincoln sacrifices and heartaches to get here, but it made it that much more worth it in the end.
It seems like this type of love we have is worth something more in the end. The kind of love that even time can’t keep apart. The kind of love that’s worth waiting for.
CHECK OUT ANOTHER BOOK BY SUZE ROBINSON
A CHANCE ENCOUNTER with a hunky dad threatens to tear down every wall she built.
The Pacific Northwest is the best place for me to hide from my past. I’m content holding up pretenses with my heart buried deeply in darkness.
When I meet Parker Maxwell, a flirty lawyer and single dad, the new life I’ve built is tested. With his witty charm and gorgeous eyes, he steals my attention when he makes me laugh again.
But I walk away.
Fate has a different plan when he turns out to be the best man in my friend’s wedding. I can’t escape him, and he’s determined to plant himself in my life.
There’s an undeniable connection, a growing friendship, and I can’t resist his kisses any longer.
But when the secrets and mistakes from my past return, the
ones I ran away from, will they be too much for Parker to take?
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
SUZE ROBINSON IS A contemporary romance author. She lives in the Midwest with her husband and daughter. Her passion is writing stories about strong women, hunky book boyfriends, and happily ever afters.
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