Till There Was You (14 page)

“She doesn’t need to be. As you can see, I’m fine.”

“Mind telling me what happened between you two? She hasn’t been herself for a good month and she won’t talk about it.”

Heaving another shovel full of snow on the pile, Linc speared the tool into the ground and leaned on it. “I’m a jackass, mate. That’s what happened.”

“That’s what I figured. But see, she’s my little sister, and when my sister is obviously hurting I feel responsible and need to do something about it.”

“So, you’re here to beat me up?” Linc laughed, knowing the slight Matt didn’t stand much of a chance against him and his training without the use of his Taser.

“No. From where I stand, I think she’s better off without you. But for some reason, she likes you. I think she’s had her eye on you since you moved into town. As I’ve said before, she’s a stubborn woman and tends to get what she wants, even if what she wants isn’t always what’s best for her.”

“So, what exactly are you doing here, Matt?”

“I’m here to ask you to either step up and fix it, or stay the hell away from her. You aren’t the only one with a mountain of pain in your past. She doesn’t need any more.”

The two men stood glaring at each other for a few moments, Linc’s mind whirling with indecision. He liked Lily—a lot. He knew that much, but he didn’t know how to be the kind of man a woman like her deserved—not anymore, anyway. He became broken a long time ago and never figured out how to be whole again.

“That’s all I came to say. Just don’t leave it for too long,” Matt added before turning around and heading back to where he’d left his car.

Once Matt was out of sight, Linc let out a frustrated growl and began pacing side-to-side, joined by Shade, who picked his way through the snow, back and forth to keep up.

“I’m an asshole, aren’t I?” Linc asked Shade, who sat in front of him and let out a slow howl. “You’re right. A walk should help clear my head.”

Shade still hated being on the lead, but he was getting more used to it as he moved alongside Linc, sniffing at every tree and fallen branch in their path. It wouldn’t be long before he had to take him in to get the cast removed—tomorrow, to be exact. Linc had planned to finish building the sled and take him in that way, but perhaps he could call Lily instead. Perhaps she’d be willing to give him a lift—in exchange for a full apology, of course.

Rubbing at the back of his neck, Linc felt the familiar tension build in his stomach. It happened whenever he thought of her or actually entertained the idea of letting her into his life. It was as if he couldn’t think about a future and hang on to his past as tightly as he had been. He’d have to let go of something—the guilt, the anger, the blame... He didn’t know if he could. Part of him felt those things were the reason his good memories were still alive and vivid. If he started something new, if he moved forward with his life, would it make those memories fade away?

Anxiety gripped his chest at the thought. His worst nightmare was trying to think about their faces or the sounds of their voices and not being able to remember what it was like. When he closed his eyes, he could still remember everything, even their smell and what they felt like to touch. He didn’t want to lose that.

Either step up and fix it, or stay the hell away from her. You aren’t the only one with a mountain of pain in your past and she doesn’t need any more.
Matt’s words echoed in his mind. How could he fix anything when he couldn’t even fix himself?

By the time Linc got back home, it seemed his decision was clear. He went over to the sled and made sure it was ready to use the next morning.

––––––––

“O
h shit!” Lily leaped out of bed the next morning. She’d slept in again after having a restless night. She should have set an alarm since she wanted to be up and ready early. Today was the day Shade needed to get his cast off. She knew it was today because not only was she there when Tim had made the appointment with Linc, but she’d also called to make sure it was still happening.

She was aware it was bordering on stalker territory, but seriously, how else was she going to get a chance to talk to Linc alone? All of her attempts at niceties had gone ignored or unanswered, and she saw this as her last chance. If he still wanted her to leave him alone after today, then she promised herself she’d give up on him. It would be reluctant, but she couldn’t keep chasing a man who didn’t want to be caught.

Knowing Linc was likely to use that damn sled to get into town, she’d planned to get to his house first thing, meaning she now had to run around and make herself look as decent as possible in the shortest amount of time.

The hardest part was deciding whether to forgo a shave or a shampoo when she was in the shower. She didn’t have time for both. One had to go. Remembering she had dry shampoo in the cupboard, she went with shaving. It was best to be prepared just in case he saw her and realized he couldn’t keep his hands off her.

Laughing at herself as she removed all the excess hair on her body, she thought she was letting those romance novels go to her head. The most likely outcome of today would be Linc telling her to go home. But still, she could hope, and the idea of those dark, brooding eyes of his looking at her with lustful intent had delicious shivers running down her spine.

A girl can dream,
she thought to herself.

With the weather dictating most of her outer clothing, Lily went with some sexy underwear—a black, floral, mesh bra that made full advantage of the girls and a matching pair of hipster panties, just in case. A few turns in front of the mirror, a sexy pose or two, and Lily was happy with the results. The underwear hugged her body naturally and accentuated her curves perfectly. Lily wasn’t blind to her own assets and felt a man would have to be made of stone not to be turned on when he got a peek of the dark lace. It’s why she chose a button up shirt and made sure the buttons were just low enough to skirt the lacy edge. She also put on figure hugging jeans.

Basic makeup and a light spray of her favorite perfume finished off her preparations.  When she looked at herself, she couldn’t help but giggle. You’d think by the way she was acting she was getting ready for a date, not bombarding some guy to force him to allow her to drive him and his dog to the vet.

Smiling, she shook her head. She was losing her mind over this guy.

The drive over to Linc’s was mercifully devoid of any incidents this time, giving Lily a smooth run and getting her there even earlier than she had originally planned. Pulling up at his gate, she cut the engine and headed toward the house. Normally, she would knock, but since that hadn’t gotten her anywhere so far, she decided to be bold and walk right on in.

Nerves swirled in her stomach as she turned the handle, only to settle a little when Shade greeted her happily, wagging his tail before sitting obediently in the hope of her giving him a treat.

“You’re lucky I came prepared,” she said, reaching into her pocket and producing a handful of jerky that Shade took immediately before heading over to the fireplace to chow down.

From the hall, she heard the sounds of water running and realized Linc must be in the shower. She pulled at her lip with her teeth, her thoughts entertaining the idea of a sly peek at what she knew would be a well-muscled body standing under the shower stream. But that would really be pushing her luck, so she headed to the kitchen and set about making coffee for two as she prepared herself for the inevitable surprise soon to come.

She was halfway through her coffee when Linc came walking into the living room, towel drying his hair as he made quiet conversation with an excited Shade.

“What is it, boy?” he asked, smiling down at his dog as Shade leaped and spun around him in circles, howling as if trying to tell Linc she was there.

The activity made Lily smile. At least one of the males in this house was pleased she’d turned up. She was also happy to have the chance to watch Linc before he realized she was there. He was heart-stoppingly beautiful in a pair of tight fitting dark jeans that gave her a great view of his ass when he leaned down to pet Shade and a grey sweater that did nothing to hide his muscled torso. He looked like a movie star with a smile plastered on his face that would cause nine out of ten woman to throw their panties at him—the tenth not wearing any to throw.

She bit her lip so she didn’t throw herself at him then and there, and waited for Shade to finish herding him toward her.

When he reached the entry to the kitchen, he looked up and the moment he met her gaze, his mouth fell open and his eyes widened. There wasn’t a tinge of anger or annoyance, so Lily felt hopeful this wouldn’t be quite the disaster she’d dreaded it turning into.

“Hello, Lily,” he said, stepping into the kitchen and accepting the coffee mug she held out to him. “Did we have plans?” Confusion and amusement lit his eyes as he drank from the mug. It confused her, too. She never knew what she was going to get from this guy.

“I’m here for Shade,” she informed him, leaning casually against the counter. “He has an appointment with Tim today and I thought he might prefer to ride in the truck over your makeshift sled.”

“I see. So, you’re not here for me at all?”

“Nope.” The word made a kind of popping noise on her lips as she said it. “As far as I can tell, you’re not in any way interested in having me around. However, Shade,” she reached down and scratched the husky behind the ear, “seems to enjoy my company quite a lot.”

Without further comment, Linc sipped his coffee before placing it on the counter. Running his hands through his damp hair, he pulled the towel from his neck. “I...” he started, pressing his lips together. He shook his head, then threw the towel toward the laundry, missing the basket. With a frustrated scowl in the towel’s direction, he turned his attention back to her and his features evened out. The action made Lily smile. They were more alike than they thought. But she hid it behind her mug as she took another sip.

“Listen, Lily. About the last time you were here—”

“You mean the time you kissed the hell out of me then yelled at me to leave?”

His cheeks went red. She could see it, even through his beard. “Yeah, I was an ass. I shouldn’t have done it.”

“Shouldn’t have kissed me, or shouldn’t have told me to go?”

He shook his head and let out a harsh breath. “Jesus, Lil, I don’t know. Both?”

Lily would be lying if his admission didn’t hurt her feelings, but she came here for answers and that was exactly what she was getting.

“Well,” she said, her voice feeling a little more shaky than it had before, “I don’t regret the kiss at all. What I regret is the way you handled things.”

Rubbing his hand over his face, he looked as though he was struggling between staying and talking, and turning and running away. “What do you want from me, Lily?”

The answer was simple. “You. I want you. I want us both to stop looking and actually start doing.”

“But I’m broken. I have been for a long time. Why would you possibly want that mess in your life?”

“Because I’m broken, too. I’ve lost people, too.”

“It’s not the same,” he growled, his hands gripping the edge of the counter as his eyes flashed with dark confusion and pain.

“Maybe not the same, but it doesn’t change the fact that we both have a past colored by the loss of people we love.”

“I don’t...I can’t talk about them, Lily. I...I can’t.”

Stepping a little closer, Lily looked up into his eyes and saw they were shining with his emotion. Reaching up a cautious hand, she ran her fingers through his hair, then rested her hand on his broad shoulder. “Then I won’t ask you about them. The past can stay in the past and you only share what you want to, when you’re ready.”

“I don’t want to hurt you when I mess this up.”

“Maybe I’ll beat you to it. Maybe I’ll be the one to mess it up.”

He shook his head as she moved closer and caught his face in both her hands, stilling when her fingers moved through his beard in a gentle caress.

“Lily,” he whispered.

“I’m not asking you for the world, Linc. I’m just asking for some of your time. Can you at least give me that?”

Closing his eyes, he nodded. Lily rose up on her toes and pressed a gentle kiss on his lips. Immediately, his eyes flew open, looking down at her, emotions swirling within.

“Just tell me what you want, Linc. I promise not to push anything. Just tell me what
you
want and we’ll work off that, one day at a time.”

Letting out his breath, Linc nodded in agreement. “Okay. I can do that.”

Lily grinned up at him, feeling more like doing cartwheels than standing still in front of him. She was fairly sure cartwheels weren’t an appropriate reaction to the serious moment they were having, though.

“Then I suppose we better go and get this guy’s cast off. Are you ready for a ride in the truck, Shade?” she asked, watching as the husky’s ear pricked up at the sound of his name.

“Let me grab his lead,” Linc said, clearing his throat as he left the room. A few moments later, he met her at the front door with a short length of rope and his coat.

Once on their way into town, Lily was surprised at how easily their conversation flowed. She’d thought it would be strained, but Linc talked about various topics, telling her about how he had finished building the greenhouse, how many different tricks he had taught Shade over the last six weeks, and how good it would be to go running with him again.

Lily responded by telling him about her normal routine and minor things from the bar. The best part was when Linc reached over and took her hand in his. The simple gesture made her heart skip a beat and her stomach started flip-flopping around all over the place. It took a lot of effort on her part to keep the conversation going without drawing attention to the warmth that slowly crept up her arm and through her body in the most glorious way. 

The drive into town passed quicker than she would have liked. She didn’t want to let go of his hand to set the truck to park, but was forced to when they pulled up to Tim’s. He was standing there waiting, his normal sour expression in place as he noticed them.