Page 68 of Seduction Under the Southern Stars

“You said we can talk about anything, right?”

He leans back against the car and nods, lifting his sunglasses up onto his hair. His eyes look very green in the sunlight. He’s so gorgeous. I already know I’m half in love with him all over again. But I’m not fourteen now. I might not have tons of experience, but I’m not naïve and stupid. I know we’re not talking about writing letters in invisible ink and trekking through the mountains anymore.

I summon every ounce of courage I own and blurt it out. “I think you know that I like you, and maybe you like me a bit too, but you’re trying to tell me that nothing can happen between us because you’re leaving soon. And I just want to say I understand, and I know it’s not going to go any further than kissing. And that’s okay. I mean, I wish it could, kind of, but even kissing is great, and I don’t want you to stop kissing me because you’re worried I’m going to think it’ll lead to more. I’d like to go to Queenstown with you and meet your real dad, and just spend a bit more time with you before you have to go to your conference. Maybe you think of me as a sister, I don’t know—we did know each other when we were very young, but even so, I don’t think of you like a brother. You’re my friend, first and foremost. So if you’d like me to come along for company, I just want to say that I’m not expecting anything, and you don’t have to worry. But… if you do want to kiss me occasionally, that’s absolutely fine, you’re not going to break my heart, I know you’re going, but I haven’t kissed anyone before, and you’re really good at it—”

And then I have to stop because he takes my face in his hands and crushes his lips to mine.

My exclamation comes out muffled, and I lift my arms around his neck and return the kiss with enthusiasm. I don’t care that we’re in public, that it doesn’t mean anything, or that it isn’t going anywhere. All that matters is here and now, and Linc is with me, and I want to kiss him, so why shouldn’t I?

His tongue slides against mine, and he cradles my head gently but firmly, suggesting he doesn’t want me to move away. I’m more than happy to stay, and press up against him, on my tiptoes, just enjoying being near him, being intimate in this way with someone I feel safe with and trust.

When we eventually move apart, I’m breathless and my heart is thumping.

“Wow,” he says. “Are you sure you haven’t kissed anyone but me? You’re pretty good at it.”

I nudge him. “Don’t tease me.”

“I’m not.” He slides an arm around my waist and pulls me against him. “That was a very sweet speech,” he murmurs, his gaze caressing my face.

“You said you believe in getting things out in the open. I’d rather we’re clear about everything.”

“Me too.”

“So you do like kissing me?”

He gives me a look that says Don’t be an idiot. “Of course I like kissing you.”

“You don’t think of me as a sister?”

“No. Definitely not. More… a friend with kissing benefits.”

I smile happily. “I like that.”

He returns the smile, brushing my cheeks with his thumbs. “You’re so fucking beautiful.”

My face warms at both the compliment and the way he phrases it.

He grins. “Still innocent little Elora. You realize I’ve always tried to make you blush?”

I laugh and push him. “Seriously?”

“Yeah.” He closes his eyes. Why’s he doing that? Oh, I think he’s concentrating on where I’m stroking his chest, just an innocent touch on top of his tee, splaying out my fingers and brushing them over the muscles I can feel beneath the cotton.

What happened in his childhood must have had an effect on him. The constant abuse from his father. The lack of care from his mother. From what I remember, he didn’t have grandparents nearby, and no aunts or uncles to come to the rescue, as both his parents had moved away from where they were born. He and Sean got on okay, but Sean was always Don’s favorite, and I know that affected Linc’s relationship with his brother. When you grow up touch starved, I would think you must long for any form of physical contact.

“Why aren’t you married with six kids?” I ask, puzzled. “I understand why you and Sophia decided to part, but you must have been with women who were interested in something long term?”

He opens his eyes and studies me. “Not met the right girl, I guess.”

I look down, at the collar of his tee, the hollow of his throat, and the curve of his Adam’s apple. I’d like to kiss him there, but I’m not brave enough to do that yet.

My stomach rumbles, loud enough for us to hear it, and we both laugh.

“We should eat,” he says. “Was Fraser right? Do you really not like going to restaurants? I assumed that meant you don’t like being around people, but you’ve just spent an hour in the Planetarium, and you seem okay.”

“That’s true,” I reply, with some surprise. “I feel safe with you, though, so that helps.”

Something flickers in his eyes, but it’s gone before I can catch it. “Would you like to go to dinner with me?”

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