Page 85 of Seduction Under the Southern Stars
Chapter Eighteen
Linc
My eyes nearly fall out of my head.
The elevator dings and the doors slide open, but neither of us moves.
My mouth opens, but no words come out. Jesus. What do I say to that?
The doors begin to slide shut, and I throw a hand to stop them. Without a word, Elora walks out, and I follow her. Together we cross the foyer, which is relatively busy, with guests checking in and making their way to and from the restaurant.
It’s only when we exit the building and start walking toward our apartment that she speaks. “Cat got your tongue?”
I look across at her. Her cheeks are a little pink, and her eyes are bright.
“Kinda,” I say. “I’m speechless.”
The pink deepens. “It’s okay. I don’t know what made me say that. It’s been an emotional day, that’s all, and Edmund told me that he had a cancer scare a few years ago, and he’s fine, but he was thinking about getting a tattoo that said ‘carpe diem’, and it made me think about the jump today, and how sometimes you have to take risks. But I shouldn’t have said anything. I know you kinda told me you won’t get involved, and I respect that, and if you don’t want to I completely understand—”
“Lora,” I say. I stop walking and catch her arm. She turns to face me, pink and flustered.
“Of course I want to go to bed with you,” I say softly, cupping her face with one hand.
Her eyebrows shoot up. “Really?”
I give a short laugh. “Yeah. But… I promised myself I wouldn’t get involved with you.”
“Because of what Fraser said?”
I tip my head from side to side. “Partly. But more because after the cruise I’m leaving the country, and it’s going to be hard anyway, and I don’t want to make it even more difficult for either of us.”
She chews her bottom lip. “I understand.” She keeps her gaze fixed on mine, though, and gradually, we both smile.
“Stop it,” I murmur, stroking her cheek with my thumb.
“I’m not doing anything.”
“You’re using your womanly wiles.”
That just makes her laugh.
She looks so beautiful tonight. And she’s been so lovely, coming with me to see Edmund, carrying the conversation whenever things felt awkward, and being like Aloe vera for my poor, wounded soul. I adore this girl. And I want her so badly. But equally I don’t want to hurt her. Aaahhh… what do I do?
Follow my head or my heart?
“Why?” I ask.
She blinks. “Why what?”
“Why ask me, when I’m leaving soon? You know it can’t lead to anything. Why not use your newfound courage to start dating, and meet a guy with whom you have a chance of something long term?”
Her eyes are clear and honest. “Because trust takes a long time to build, and I’m not sure any guy will be interested in waiting that long for me. And I’m afraid a man will hurt me again. But I trust you. With all my heart. Is that crazy? I haven’t seen you for so long. But I know you won’t hurt me physically. I know you care for me. And that you’ll be gentle. And I… I need someone like that, for the first time. I know technically I’m not a virgin, but I kind of am, you know? I suppose I’m asking you to help me. I understand that it can’t lead to anything, and I’m okay with that. I’m not going to weep and wail when you have to go. I’ll be upset, of course, whether we sleep together or not, but I’m hoping we can stay in touch now and be friends. But I don’t expect more. I was just hoping that, before you leave, you would do this for me.”
It’s a long speech, heartfelt, as always, because she wears her heart on her sleeve. And I’m so incredibly touched, it makes my throat tighten.
I can only guess what she’s been through, and how hard it is for her to think about opening up to a man in that way. On the jump platform I asked her, Do you trust me? and she replied immediately, Of course. She’s telling me she likes me so much that she trusts me to care for her, and to be gentle with her if we have sex, and I can’t think of a nicer compliment for a woman to give a man.
I drop my gaze to her mouth, and her lips part in response. Slowly, I lower my lips to hers, and kiss her.
