Page 110 of Beauty Beneath the Sorrow
My head hangs low between us. I let my palms glide over the curves of her sides, appreciating every dip. Following the soft fabric of her dress, my fingers reach the hem and slip under. They caress her smooth skin as I trace all the way up her legs and to the hills of her ass.
Lina softly whimpers, curling into my touch. “Oh, Carter, we can’t do this now.”
“I know. I need to feel you,” I beg, clutching her with desperation. I’m even more afraid of losing her.
“Okay,” she says softly, letting me use her for strength.
I continue to roam my hands along her entire body. My face is in the crook of her neck, and I breathe her scent.
“We should go, baby.” My voice grows hoarse. I kiss her collarbone again and peel myself away.
Lina’s chest is flushed. She swallows hard, then inches her dress back down.
“Yeah, we should get there before everyone arrives,” she adds, pulling her bottom lip between her teeth. “You’ll need to touchbase with the coordinator too.”
I nod. “Are you ready?”
Lina grabs her coat from the back of the chair. “We have to drive separately.”
My eyelids clamp shut. Frustration whips at my back. Fuck. I almost forgot that Brian and our friends and coworkers would be there. Piper, Avery, and Bailey already know about us. Mine don’t—with the exception of Ashley and Abby.
“I know.” Defeat feels like it is written across my face.
Lina gives me a weak smile as she heads to the door. “Come on.”
She’s right behind me in her pink jeep the whole way to the memorial park, driving along the narrow-paved street through the low hills covered in scattered gravestones. My grandparents purchased their plots in the 1950s when this small cemetery was simply that—small. Now, it’s one of the most sought-after properties on the West Coast.
I shiver with the eerie thought of it.
We both pull up to the front office at the same time. I grab my coat, aviators, and bag with notes and personal mementos before stepping outside of the car. Turning around, I see Lina’s long leg and black high heel step out first. A gust of wind whips through her hair as she tilts her head to put on her matching sunglasses.
Fuck. I’m so obsessed with her.
And on a day like today, I’d love nothing more than to have her by my side during the service, but I know we’ll have to maintain some distance.
I walk around to the driver’s side of Lina’s car but stay at least an arm’s length away.
“How are you feeling?” she asks.
I stare at my reflection through her glasses, wondering how bad it would be if I pulled her into my arms in the middle of a parking lot that will soon be filled with people we know.Would it be so bad?
“I’m doing alright. It’s a beautiful day.” I glance up at the clear blue sky. “Like her.”
Lina reaches her hand out, slipping it into mine. “You made it this way.”
Just then, a car pulls up into one of the spots behind ours.“That’s Avery,” she assures me, keeping her hand in mine. “I asked her to come early in case you needed help with anything.”
“Then it’s safe to kiss you?” I ask, cupping the side of her face.
She exhales heavily. “Yes.”
I come closer and bring my lips to hers, sucking in a deep breath.
“Okay, you two.” Avery’s voice is light behind us.
Lina pulls away to greet her friend. “Hi, babe. Thanks for coming early.”
“Of course,” she says, extending an arm around me. “I’m so sorry, Carter. Please let me know where and what I can help with today.”
