Page 19 of Wine, Whiskey, & Lipstick 2

Although Lucas thought he knew the answer, he still had to ask, “then why Stephanie and not you?”

She decided not to center her answer around Stephanie. “Here’s the thing,” Palmer explained, “the first time we got together, we were both reeling from a crisis.”

As Palmer spoke, Lucas inched closer. His voice dropped so low she had to move closer to hear him, “What’s the excuse for the second, third, fourth, and all the other times?”

His proximity was turning Palmer’s brain to mush. It was making her stomach do somersaults, and her knees feel a little wobbly, “I-I . . . won’t stand here and lie. We have a strong physical connection, but we both know we’re incompatible.”

“That’s what you keep saying,” Lucas used the tip of his finger to gently caress the side of her cheek, “but I don’t know. We feel compatible to me.”

Briefly, Palmer’s eyes fluttered closed, “Lucas, I’m not talking about sex.”

He leaned in close, and it was all Palmer could do not to fall into his arms. The mix of his natural scent and musky cologne was almost her undoing. Palmer’s eyes popped open. “Okay. Wow.” She backed up and placed her palms flat against his chest, “I’m talking about everything else. I’m mean . . . do you realize that I’m almost thirty-six years old?”

“And? I’m twenty-eight. I knew that was your hang-up.”

“It’s not a hang-up. It’s a legitimate concern.”

“I’m more than old enough to know what I want, and what I want is staring me in the face. Stop being stubborn and be honest with yourself. You want me too, and not just as your fuck boy. I see it in your eyes, so stop with the bullshit.”

Her voice softened. “Us? Together. It’s unrealistic.”

Lucas was getting even more frustrated. He was not breaking through. He decided to press the physical issue. Lucas captured her hands in his. “So, you’re saying two adults with great chemistry and who enjoy each other’s company is unrealistic?”

“It is when I want marriage and kids.”

“So do I someday.”

Palmer expected her words to throw Lucas for a loop. Surprisingly, they didn’t, but they did bring her back to her senses, “See, that’s the problem. My someday is now. I don’t have time to play games.”

“Who’s playin’ games?” Lucas couldn’t hide his irritation, “Give me a chance, and let’s allow things to progress naturally.”

“We’re just in two different places in our lives.”

“And some old lame-ass schmuck is right for you? Some jerk you haven’t even met? Won’t that take more time if you want to get married and have kids?”

“You have no idea about my romantic relationships!”

“I know you wouldn’t have slept with me if you were involved with someone else.”

Palmer didn’t confirm nor deny it. She just held his gaze. It was a stalemate between them. Neither budging nor backing down.

Lucas had had enough of Palmer’s bullshit. If there was a move to make, now was the time to make it. He pulled Palmer into his body, eliminating any space between them, and covered her lips with his. It wasn’t just any old kiss but a soul-snatching, toe-curling, can’t remember your name kind of kiss. Palmer didn’t even try to fight it. She couldn’t. Not when it felt like magic.

They had to breathe, which was the only reason Lucas pulled back. He challenged her, “You think you have all the answers, and you don’t. Not when our kisses feel like that. So, let me make a few things crystal clear. 1) You have no idea where I am in my life or what I want, 2) I wantyou, and 3) fighting what’s happening between us is a losing battle.”

Palmer was still trying to recover from that kiss, and he knew it based on the twinkle in his eyes.

After his declaration, Lucas decided it was best to let her think on his words, even though it was taking all his willpower not to scoop her up and take her to bed. Instead, he worked to regain his composure before giving in to lust, “You should probably go inside and rest up, but fair warning, my onslaught to make you mine is coming.”

Instinctively, Palmer nodded. She had to be honest, Lucas seemed very serious, and his kisses were dangerous. For the first time, Palmer wondered if there could be something more than just a physical relationship between them. The possibility was both terrifying and exciting. Before she said or did something stupid, Palmer decided to take Lucas’ advice. She smiled inwardly and hightailed it into the house.

Chapter 9

Dillyn had been in a coma-like sleep for the past couple of hours. It was an incredible feat, given the anxiety she’d experienced earlier. She needed it. The emotional and physical strain of being pregnant was wearing her out. She saw and heard things that weren’t there, but laying in Ben’s arms gave her peace.

The man was a balm to her soul. No one could tell her he didn’t possess healing powers, and Dillyn was determined not to take him for granted. Not when she had never come so close to feeling peacefulandsafe in her entire life. Those feelings never held a place in her life until him. He made her believe it was possible.

Jokes on you.As if the mere thought of peacefulness could summon Dillyn’s inner demons.Are you willing to throw it all away? You will if you don’t have this baby. He’s going to leave you!A coldness swept through her and spider-webbed throughout every cell of her being. As of late, it was becoming an all too familiar feeling.

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