Page 22 of Where We Fall
His hand stills for a moment before he speaks. “Not really. Deep down, I knew you couldn’t possibly have it in you. We may not have known each other long, but what I know of you doesn’t match up to a woman with loose morals who would deliberately destroy a marriage. I was lashing out because you were so close to revealing Lucy’s identity, and I wasn’t ready.”
A flicker of hope ignites in my chest.
Linc smooths the hair back from my forehead. I close my eyes, basking in his tender touch. So gentle. So comforting. “I knew there was something off about that guy. Every time I see him on the screen, I want to punch him in the face. He’s just too…”
“Sleazy? Smarmy?”
“Yeah, and a few other words I can think of.” Linc’s chest vibrates as he chuckles.
“Can you understand why I kissed you that night?” I glance up at him and run my fingers through the salt and pepper stubble on his jaw. “I needed to get away from him. He wanted to talk, and I needed him to think I was with someone else.”
“Have you ever heard me complain about that night?” Linc’s eyebrow lifts as he grins down at me.
“No,” I say slowly, wondering where he’s going with this conversation. That kiss is water under the bridge, and yet I still can’t control the warmth creeping into my cheeks.
“And I won’t ever complain, because what man doesn’t want a gorgeous woman kissing him?”
I elbow him in the ribs. “Of course you’d say that!”
He shrugs, pulls me tighter and I burrow against him. “I won’t complain because that’s the night a gorgeous woman came blowing into my life, bringing a whole lot of inspiration and an unrivalled obsession with Lucy Landon.”
“Stop it!” I laugh, slapping him on the chest. My fingers smooth over the soft material of his shirt, feeling the steady rhythm of his heart beating against my palm. “I’d ask for a signed copy of your latest book, but you’ve already given me one.” I grin.
“I can do one better.” A coy smile tips Linc’s upward.
“Oh?”
“A kiss.” His warm eyes lock with mine, asking permission.
My nod is the only answer he needs as he reaches up and releases my hair from the band holding it in place. He reaches behind my neck, cupping my head as his fingers tangle in the messy strands. His other hand palms my cheek. A shiver runs through me at the warmth radiating from his whiskey eyes. As soon as his lips cover mine, I’m a goner.
Linc kisses me with such passion that he steals my breath. My arms snake around his neck and I lose myself in the moment.
“So, tell me,” I say when we pull apart. I’m weightless. Breathless. Enamored. My fingers trace around the collar of Linc’s shirt. “Are your stories inspired by real-life events?”
“Only since I met you.” His voice thrums.
“Well, then,” I murmur. “I’m more than happy to help with your research.”
Linc’s grin melts me before his mouth covers mine once more.
Epilogue
SIX MONTHS LATER
“You know, I would have been just as happy staying at home with a tub of Ben & Jerry’s,” I say to Emily as I wobble on my chunky heels along the cobblestone path toward the front door of the Autumn River Estates.
“But it’s no fun getting dressed up with nowhere to go.” Emily loops her arm through mine as she guides me along the path flanked by solar-powered garden lights. It’s not fair how she can walk steadily in her stilettos, while I teeter around like I’m intoxicated.
“Who said anything about dressing up?” I would be content with devouring a tub of salted caramel cookie dough ice cream in my pajamas.
I was more than happy to stay at home tonight. After a few insanely busy weeks at work, the last thing I feel like doing on a Friday night is dressing up and hitting the town. Not that Autumn River is known for its nightlife. But dinner at the vineyard wasn’t even on my radar until Emily begged me to go out with her.
“You’ve been working so hard,” she said, to cajole me out of my yoga pants and sweatshirt. “You need to relax and enjoy life. One day you’ll wake up and regret all the times you’ve rejected my suggestions. Besides, I’m under strict orders from Linc to get you out of the house so you can let your hair down.”
I doubt Linc said such a thing, but he’s busy with Clarissa tonight, so I reluctantly agreed to accompany Emily for dinner. I would have been happy with a burger, but no, my best friend’s expensive taste doesn’t allow her to lower to such standards. Instead, she booked a table at the winery, and here we are.
Once inside, we check our coats into the coatroom and make our way to the restaurant. A delicious mix of smells drifts out as Emily walks ahead of me. She pushes through the door and I almost plow into the back of her when she stops.