Page 71 of Beautiful Exile

“Want to go to town?” I asked Brutus.

His tail thumped enthusiastically.

“I’m taking that as a yes.”

I grabbed my keys and headed for the door. Yanking it open, I came up short at the massive man filling the space, hand raised to knock. Linc’s green-gold eyes stared down at me, a wariness there that had my stomach churning.

“Hey,” I greeted lamely.

He didn’t waste time or mince words. “You’re avoiding me.”

I stepped out onto the front stoop, trying to avoid Linc’s broad body. “Just been busy.”

“Bullshit.”

I winced. If I’d called bullshit on him, it was only fair that he call it on me. I licked my lips; they suddenly felt like they were asdry as a desert. “I’m on a new project. Got the show. Things at The Collective. Family stuff.”

Linc just stared down at me, but then a gentleness slid into his expression, one that slayed me in the worst way. Because even though I’d been avoiding him, it was as if he understood. “Arden. Why are you avoiding me?”

The use of my name was worse. The way his tongue curled around the syllables. How he used my actual name instead of some silly nickname. The vulnerable honesty of the question.

“I’m scared.” The two words were out before I could stop them—accidental vulnerability.

Linc’s gaze only softened further; the deep green swirling with lighter flecks caught in the sunlight. “Talk to me.”

My mouth went dry, words lodging in my throat. I didn’t know how to explain. But I’d try. He deserved that. “I’m not good at this stuff. Emotions. Relationships. I can’t even tell my family I love them without all but having a panic attack.”

He was quiet for a moment, seemingly taking that in. Then he shifted and moved closer, his large form towering over me. But his hand moved slowly, giving me every chance to back away or stop him.

But I didn’t.

Linc’s thumb skated along my jawline until his fingers tangled in my hair. “I know a little something about that. The urge to lock everyone out because you know what it’s like to lose the people you love most.”

“But you don’t. I’ve seen you. It’s as easy as breathing for you. With Ellie. With Cope.”

“It’s a choice,” he said, fingers tightening in my hair. “It doesn’t mean it doesn’t scare the shit out of me at times. You saw me the other night. If I’d shut Ellie out, maybe it wouldn’t hurt so much to worry about her.”

Everything twisted inside me, knotting and tangling because I knew he was right. My eyes burned. “I keep messing it up.”

Linc’s thumb stroked across my cheek. “You’re doing just fine.”

I battled the tears that wanted to fall, but I knew if they started,they’d never stop. “I hurt you. And you’re the last person I want to do that to. Sometimes, it feels like all I do is bring hurt and pain into people’s lives. Worry.”

“Arden,” he whispered. “I know my worth. I can take it if you have a little freakout. I’m still gonna be here. Waiting for us to fix it. And that’s what we’re doing. It’s the only thing we can ask for. Perfection is impossible. Mending broken pieces isn’t.”

My fingers found a thread on my cutoff shorts, and I absently wrapped it tightly around one, the bite of discomfort helping me hold back the tears.

“You bring so much more than hurt, pain, worry.” Linc reached out, gently unwinding the string from my finger. “You bring insight, understanding, kindness, and so much fire. Don’t sell yourself short. It pisses me off.”

I let out a choked laugh. “Sorry.”

“You should be,” Linc said, amusement coating his words.

He tipped my head back. “You are nothing less than miraculous, okay?”

I swallowed. “I?—”

But my words were cut off as if Linc knew what I was about to say and wasn’t about to let it reach the air. Instead, he stole them, swallowing them whole as he took my mouth. The kiss was both gentle and powerful, comfort and fire. A potent and surprising mix that was all Linc.

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