by Kay Lyons
“But maybe now. You hungry?”
She laughed softly and nodded, accepting his hand for the two steps down into the pit. Amelia spread the blankets for them while Lincoln poured the wine and uncovered the prepared food. Finally they settled in beside each other, and Amelia broke the silence with the thought plaguing her. “This is above and beyond, Lincoln. I love it. But I’m surprised, too. I… wasn’t sure I’d see you again after our first date.”
Lincoln chewed the bite he’d taken of the bread and inhaled.
“I wasn’t sure I wanted to see you again.”
The statement cut deep even though it proved her instincts were correct. “Yet here we are.”
He’d propped an arm up, his body turned toward her, and he lifted his glass. “Here we are. To fresh starts.”
She clinked her glass with his. “To… romance resets,” she whispered, quoting Izzy’s comment from that fateful meeting with Marsali.
Lincoln’s brown-eyed gaze sparkled in the light of the fire and held hers with an intensity that left her trembling from nerves and excitement and anticipation of whatever the future would hold.
“I did a lot of thinking after our first date, and it finally dawned on me that I owe you an apology, Amelia.”
“For?”
“Scaring you away all those years ago. I knew what your life was like growing up and taking care of your siblings. Weight of the responsibilities you carried. And there I was asking you to trade one anchor for another. I didn’t get it then, but now, as a dad and an adult, I see it clearly. I’m sorry.”
She tightened her grip on the glass in her hand but lowered it to her lap, his words touching the deepest recesses of her soul. “It was a lot of pressure. My parents didn’t want me to go away to college because it meant losing childcare. I constantly argued with them, and then you… More than anything, though, I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you when you needed me to be. I hated myself for that but I just couldn’t stay. It scared me so badly that if I married you I’d never be able to find out who I was supposed to be. The real me.”
Lincoln leaned closer, his fingertips lightly brushing her hair away from her cheek. A moment passed. Two. Then he slid his hand to her nape and tugged her toward him, his lips covering hers in a bittersweet kiss that sealed the past in the past and freed the future to be whatever they made it.
By the time the kissing ended, they were both breathing heavily and leaning hard against one another.
“I guess that hasn’t changed.”
“Mmm. Nope,” she said, her body practically buzzing. Desire had never been a problem for them. Ever. “But, um, maybe we should… slow things down a bit?” Had she really said that? Now? When her biological clock ticked away at light speed and slow was the last thing she needed? “At least until… we… um…”
While she tried to rein in her scrambled brain cells to form complete sentences, Lincoln grasped her trembling hand in his and lifted it to his lips to kiss, sucking the fruit juice from her fingertips one by one, his gaze holding hers. Yeah, like that didn’t scramble the cells even more?
“Until we what, Amelia?”
Chapter 9
Lincoln wasn’t sure what was going on in Amelia’s beautiful head, but the sight of her, the taste of her had gone to his head faster than any drink. He’d watched her get out of her car and it was like nothing had changed. He saw her, wanted her, because in his mind, she had always been his.
Amelia was beautiful. Sexy and smart and down-to-earth. The kind of girl who didn’t put on airs or pretend to be something she wasn’t. But the girl he’d known had been replaced by an even sexier, more tantalizing version of the teenager who’d left Carolina Cove those twenty years ago. A woman more confident and aware of herself and her abilities—the person she’d needed to find within herself, like she’d said. The new Amelia drew him like a moth to flame.
Despite the mourning and love he felt and would always feel for Jill, in this moment, he experienced a nearly physical break of those ties. He’d loved his wife. Respected her. Cherished her until the day she’d died. But like Carter had said, the time had come, and the fact things had fallen into place as they had with Amelia… He wasn’t a fool and he thanked God for the second chance.
“Um… until we get to know one another again. It’s been a long time. We’re not the same people we used to be,” Amelia said in response to his question. “Attraction was never really a problem but… there’s more t-to friendships than that.”
Friendship. Was that what she wanted? It was a good place to start and he was okay with that. No one knew what the future held, after all, and the past had changed them both, as she’d said. But when he thought of the future… “As you wish.”
She smiled at the phrase and his agreement. But the fact remained that a boat ride and firelight and the sweet taste of the fruit on her fingertips brought out his desire for more. For her and life and whatever came next. He’d force himself to move slowly. Somehow. Even though, more than anything, he wanted to sweep her up and claim her for all the world to see. Yes, they’d changed. And yet, they hadn’t.
Lincoln exhaled and busied his hands by grabbing a piece of cheese from the plate between them. “Tell me more about you.”
“What do you want to know?”
“Everything. I want to know everything, sweetheart.”
They spent the next few hours quietly chatting about places they’d been, vacations they’d taken, celebrities she’d met while working on set and the idiosyncrasies she’d noticed about them. They shared life experiences that had forced them to change and grow as humans, and as evening changed to night, she leaned her head back to stare at the Milky Way above them. Lincoln used the opportunity to tug her closer and maneuver her so that her head was propped on a pillow in his lap. While she stared at the stars, he alternated between staring into the fire and at her, loving the way the light flickered over her delicate features.
He’d missed this. This… quiet peace and companionship that came with being with someone. Someone he cared for, someone familiar. Because as much as Amelia had changed, she was beautifully, intrinsically the same.
His watch dinged and he glanced at the face as a text came through.
“Everything okay?” Amelia asked.
“My son,” Lincoln said. “He wants to know where I am. He’s not used to his old man being out this late.”
Amelia smiled at the statement and shifted, pushing herself upright on the packed sand bench. “I suppose it is getting late. We don’t want the tide to change and get stuck.”
He answered the text with a be home in an hour or so response even though he didn’t want the night to end. Didn’t want this to end. “What are you doing tomorrow? Are you free for lunch?”
She blinked at the questions, a smile curling the corners of her full lips up as she tilted her head to one side and stared at him.
“I’d like that very much.”
They began gathering up everything and repacking the backpacks. Once that was done, Lincoln used the small bucket left there to dig out the space each time to douse the fire with sand. He refilled the bucket so it wouldn’t blow away and left it in the pit for the next visit, knowing it wouldn’t be far in the future.
Lincoln held Amelia’s hand as they traipsed back toward the boat. He tossed the backpacks aboard first and then went back for Amelia. The moment he got close and swung her up against him, she pressed her mouth to his, giving him a slow, heady kiss that made him tighten his grip and hold her closer. The kiss ended way too soon for his liking.
“Thank you, Lincoln. Tonight was wonderful.”
He hitched her a bit higher against his chest as he walked into the surf, welcoming the cold water since it cooled his jets and helped him regain some brain power. “You’re very welcome.”
Back on the Pearl, they weighed anchor and took their seats. He kept their speed low and slow, not wanting the night to end any sooner than it had to.
Back on s
olid ground with the boat safely moored at his slip, he tossed the backpacks into his SUV and held Amelia’s hand as he walked her to her car. The marina was seemingly empty, no people to be heard or seen anywhere given the late hour.
Amelia unlocked her car, but before throwing her bag inside, she pulled a card from the folds and handed it to him.
“Since we’ve never officially done this—my numbers. So you don’t have to go through Marsali.”
He smiled and tucked the card into his shirt pocket since his shorts were still wet from the return wade to the boat. “I’ll text you to make sure you make it home okay.”
Silence descended between them, broken only by the sounds of frogs and cicadas and the boats bobbing nearby.
Lincoln stepped close, bracing one palm on her car above her door. He lifted his other hand and brushed his knuckles over her cheek, leaning low to lightly rub his lips against hers. She parted instantly and he deepened the kiss, protecting her head with his forearm as he possessed her mouth with a kiss that demanded everything and wanted so much more.
Her hands gripped his chest, her nails lightly digging into his shirt and the muscle beneath. He groaned at the sensation and she gasped, dragging in a breath as he kissed his way along her jawline to her neck and the sensitive skin there.
He grazed her neck with his teeth and relished her moan in his ear, the shiver he felt run the length of her body. Lincoln shifted, raised his head, and kissed her again and again, but it wasn’t enough to satisfy the craving growing inside of him.
“Might wanna take that somewhere private,” a male voice called. “Never alone out here.”
Lincoln felt Amelia freeze against him, the comment a dash of cold water they both needed. He turned and spied the man and his dog crossing the parking lot and entering the trail leading to the campgrounds nearby.
“Busted,” Amelia said, her voice throaty and revealing her own need.
The awareness that she’d been just as caught up in the moment left his hands clenching. “Mm. I guess we were.” He pressed a light, chaste kiss on her lips. “Go home, Amelia. Before I drag you into that backseat.”
Amelia stared up at him and he wondered at her thoughts. Her gaze lowered to his mouth, and she raised herself on tiptoe, pressing several quick kisses to his lips before she dropped down onto the seat behind her.
He closed her safely inside and watched as she started the car and drove away, unlike their last date when she’d driven up to the restaurant and picked up the blond who’d sat at the bar while they had dinner. The sight had confused him at first, but then he praised Amelia’s forethought, glad she wasn’t taking chances when it came to meeting strangers, vetted or not.
The ride home was uncomfortable thanks to his wet clothing. He’d brought another change of clothes, but since he lived five minutes away and a shower beckoned, it seemed senseless. Especially when it meant more laundry.
Lincoln entered his house and was taking care of the leftover food and trash when Brendan walked into the room.
“Hey. Why are you wet?”
“Hey, yourself. I, uh, took the boat out and… had a date.” Lincoln waited for Brendan to comment.
“Really?”
That was it? No drama? “Yeah.”
“Cool. Did you have fun?”
It seemed weird to be having this conversation with his son but Lincoln nodded. “I did. We’re going to lunch tomorrow for a third date.”
“Third? You must like her.”
A thought formed, and even though it didn’t fall under the category of taking things slow as Amelia had suggested, he said, “I do. I’d like you and Breanne to meet Amelia before you leave for college. Especially since you won’t be back until Thanksgiving.”
“Okay. Whatever.”
“You’re… okay with this?”
Brendan shrugged. “Yeah. I mean, she must be nice if you want us to meet her.”
“She is. We’re just friends but… I’m looking forward to spending more time with her. Amelia and I… We dated in high school. Before I met your mom.”
Brendan was quiet a long moment, and Lincoln kept working the cleanup while keeping an eye on his son’s changing expressions.
“Mom wouldn’t want you to be alone, Dad. Especially when Bree and I will be gone soon. I’m glad you’re doing this. Hey, is that that cheese I like?”
Brendan had a bottomless pit for a stomach, but Lincoln chuckled at the swift change in topic. “Have at it. All yours. Where’s your sister?”
“Been in her room all night. I tried to get her to go out with me and the gang but she didn’t want to. She might be sick. I heard her hurling in the bathroom this morning.”
Lincoln stilled at the news. “Did you check on her when you got back?”
“Yeah. She was asleep.”
“Clean up when you’re finished. I’m going to go check on her.” Lincoln left the kitchen and jogged up the stairs. He quietly opened Breanne’s door and found her snuggled under her covers, her blond hair shining brightly in the light beaming in from behind him. Maybe it was just a bug. Or nerves over leaving for school? She’d always had a nervous stomach. He’d talk to her about it in the morning.
Lincoln went to his bedroom and stripped out of the wet clothes to shower but texted Amelia’s number as he’d promised.
Home safe and sound, she texted back. Thanks again. I had fun tonight.
I’m glad. I want you to meet my kids tomorrow. Okay?
The three little dots appeared on the screen but then disappeared again. No response. He waited a few more seconds before adding, I know it might be rushing things, Amelia, but they’re leaving for college soon. Say yes. How about a coffee date with the kids before our lunch? London’s Lattes. Eleven a.m.?
Once again, a pause. Then the three little dots reappeared.
I’ll be there. Good night, Lincoln. Sweet dreams.
Sweet dreams. It’s what she’d tell him on the phone every night when they’d dated. The memory brought a smile to his lips as he moved into the bathroom and turned on the shower.
Amelia was fun. Always up for a good time. She smiled a lot. Laughed. Pulled him in with her beautiful eyes and made him feel like a man. She loved to travel. Her past was proof of that. The kids would be away at college in a matter of weeks. Plenty of time for him to plan a trip. Maybe when she finished her current project they could go somewhere? Do some of the things they’d talked about, dreamed about doing, before life had changed their plans?
Chapter 10
The following morning, Amelia took a deep breath that failed to steady the nerves attacking her at the thought of meeting Lincoln’s children so soon. At eighteen, they were hardly kids, but they weren’t exactly adults either. More than that, they’d lost their mother and Lincoln was just starting to date. How would they take his bringing them to meet her?
She inhaled once more and slowly released it on a five count. Nope. Didn’t work that time either. Maybe… Maybe she should cancel? Force Lincoln to wait at least a bit longer?
“Hey. Have you been here long?” Lincoln asked.
Amelia opened her eyes—when had she closed them?—and found Lincoln looking every bit as nervous as she was. Behind him stood a lankier, younger version of him she recognized with a blink. “Wow.”
Her comment brought out Lincoln’s lazy grin. “Yeah. Spittin’ image and all that.”
Brendan was indeed his father’s mirror image at that age. The younger version was curious about her, too, and she forced a smile when he continued to stare.
“Amelia, my son and daughter, Brendan and Breanne. Guys, this is Amelia.”
Pleasantries were exchanged, and while Breanne said the proper words without a hint of animosity, it was obvious she’d like to be anywhere but there. After the introductions, the trio moved to the counter to place their orders, and after paying, Lincoln left the kids there to wait on their drinks.
Lincoln approached her at the table and took the chair beside her.
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“Hey. You okay?”
“You made very handsome and beautiful children,” she said, a niggle of jealousy entering her tone even though she knew she was the very reason those kids weren’t hers and Lincoln’s.
Lincoln must have caught on to her thoughts because he frowned.
“Amelia?”
“I’m fine. Nerves,” she said, shaking her head and pasting on a smile. “Sorry.”
The twins approached with cups and plates, and Brendan went back to retrieve another two plates and set them in front of Amelia and Lincoln.
“Sometimes you need to eat dessert first,” Lincoln murmured, scooting the chocolate cake toward her.
The next hour was spent chatting about colleges and dorms, with Lincoln being the dad she always knew he would be because he went into lecture mode a time or two, much to the kids’ rolled-eyed upset. Amelia tried to keep the conversation flowing by asking the kids questions so they’d talk about themselves and their activities, but Brendan seemed to be the more talkative of the two.
“Dad said you dated when you were our age,” Brendan said. “Why’d you break up?”
Amelia noted that the statement drew Breanne’s attention, and the girl shifted her focus from her plate to Amelia. “Uh, well, I was eighteen, fresh out of high school, and I had big dreams.”
“And I was eighteen, had just become guardian to your uncle, and wanted to settle down.”
“The timing just wasn’t right,” Amelia added.
“Good thing, too, or neither of you would be here,” Lincoln said with a pointed look.
“I miss Mom,” Breanne murmured. The girl’s eyes widened and she sat back in her chair. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that… I just meant…”
“It’s okay,” Amelia said before Lincoln could say anything. Given the flash of upset on his face, Amelia tried to stop a scolding before it began. “Of course you miss your mom. You have some big changes coming up in the next few weeks, and I’m sure she would’ve loved to have been here for them. To help you.”
