Page 15 of Fire Harbor
“I never would have guessed that you felt the same way about me. You always came into the library with such an indifferent attitude.”
“Self-preservation,” Linus corrected. “I didn’t want you breaking my heart.”
“As if,” Lake began, a mischievous twinkle in her eye, “you know, a girl of thirty-two should start thinking about settling down, look around town, and determine who out there constitutes marriage material.”
Just as playful, Linus raised an eyebrow in mock disbelief. “You’re thirty-two? That old? Wow. Don’t let my mother get wind of us talking about marriage. She’s been trying to marry off her thirty-five-year-old son ever since she arrived in town.”
“That’s so sweet and considerate,” Lake teased, leaning forward, her hand still entwined with his. Her face softened into fake concern. “Of course, you’ll need my father’s permission. He’s very strict. He wanted me to marry a zillionaire so he could retire from teaching for good. How much does a paramedic make, anyway?”
“Not even close to zillionaire status. Check my bank account and you’ll see I don’t even have much in savings.”
“That’s a shame. I was already thinking about splurging on a big wedding and going all out on the dress. Come to think of it, we could have the wedding in the backyard. And since I grow my own flowers, I won’t even need to spend extra on a florist.”
They both cracked up at the same time and broke out in a round of silly laughter.
Lake got to her feet, picking up dishes and carrying them over to the farmhouse sink. “I didn’t even see panic in your eyes. I was sure you’d cave first.”
Linus stood up and took his plates over to the counter. “I used my poker face.”
“Then remind me never to bluff.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t underestimate you for a million bucks, Lake Marigold. I’ve seen the way you handle those unruly kids who come into the library looking for trouble. You’ve got a knack for reading people.”
She turned around, her expression playful yet curious. “Is that so?”
Linus nodded, a slight smile playing at the corner of his lips. “Absolutely. You have this way of seeing beyond the surface, of understanding what makes people tick. It’s like you can read what’s inside. It was one of the first things that caught my attention about you. You have this innate insight into the soul.”
Lake blushed, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of humility and embarrassment. “I guess spending so much time around books has its perks. I pick up on what sort of books people check out. Then when they come up to the counter, they reveal themselves in a whole other way. I’ve always thought that words and conversations have a way of revealing the hidden depths within us. They can be rude or friendly, miserable or lonely. My friends in college used to say I spent too much time trying to figure people out, that I was too serious.”
“I wouldn’t say serious, more like an old soul. And just like stories, people are multifaceted. We’re all chapters waiting to be explored.”
A comfortable silence settled between them as they continued their choreographed dance around the kitchen, clearing away the dishes and loading the dishwasher.
When they finished tidying up and wiping down the counters, Linus reached out and gently cupped Lake’s face in his hands, drawing her closer.
Her eyes lit up. Her breath hitched. Like two puzzle pieces finally coming together, she put her arms around his waist. When his hands came around her back, she felt his fingers tracing circles up her spine. As he leaned in, she tilted her head. Their lips touched, a gentle meeting at first that spoke volumes without saying a single thing. It was as if the world simply faded away, if only for that one moment. In that brief discovery, they became characters in their own story, an intricate tale of partnering and love. The room buzzed with anticipation, the air thick with unspoken longing and uncharted emotions.
Linus could feel Lake’s heart beating against his chest, matching the rhythm of his own. It was a symphony of sensations, blending together in harmony. With every breath they took, the bond between them grew stronger, deepening with each glance into each other’s eyes, lingering with each forward touch.
Their lips played the dance, exploring the contours and nuances of each other’s moves. It was a delicate balance, a delicate unveiling of their shared vulnerability. And as their kiss deepened, they became entwined in a timeless embrace, melting into one another like ink on paper.
For Lake, the kiss was a revelation, a fusion of two souls who had longed to intertwine but had never found the right moment until now. It was as if their passion had been building in the background, waiting for the perfect alignment of stars to burst forth.
Linus felt his heart come alive. It was as if her touch unlocked a hidden dam within him, flooding every corner of his being with an overwhelming sense of belonging.
Lake’s mind whirled with a medley of feelings. The icy walls she had built around her heart began to melt. But fear was the reason she broke the kiss first, stepping back just as all three dogs charged into the kitchen.
Their rambunctious entrance shattered the moment, and Linus and Lake jumped apart, their eyes wide with confusion. The dogs, sensing the shift in energy, wagged their tails excitedly as if they had just accomplished some grand feat by barging into the room at that precise moment.
Linus tried to compose himself, running his fingers through his disheveled hair. “Um, that was intense.”
“Very,” was all Lake managed to say as the dogs circled them. Her lips still tingling from the kiss, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment. Her gaze flickered between Linus and the dogs with uncertainty etched across her features.
Linus said the only thing he could think of to say. “It’s getting late. I guess Farley and I need to hit the road.”
“Okay, sure,” she muttered, sounding like an idiot. “Don’t forget your groceries. Oh, and let me get those books on training labradoodles.”
“Right.” Linus turned toward the refrigerator, a mix of uncertainty and disappointment clouding his eyes. He could feel the lingering heat of their kiss still on his lips as she shoved sacks into his hands before heading off into another room to grab the books.