Rush (Eligible Receivers #3)

Chapter Twenty-six

With her legs tucked under her on a padded bench and a sweater wrapped around her for warmth, Nora sat, staring off into the darkness, watching the waves break on the shore. The gradual buildup and inevitable crash were strangely hypnotic and brought her a peace she hadn't thought possible before coming here.

Just footsteps from a secluded beach, the cottage Oz had rented was like stepping into a Thomas Kinkade painting, charming Nora the moment she'd glimpsed it from around the bend of the private access road. The interior, with its reclaimed wood paneling lining the walls, teal and white accents popping up in the artwork, and cozy furnishings echoing the rustic ambiance without falling over into kitschy, also helped to enforce the feeling of restful solitude. Every piece was thoughtfully placed and tastefully coastal in theme. But to Nora's surprise, the smell of the ocean and cries of seagulls carrying on the breeze was what brought her the calmness of mind and clarity of thought she'd been sorely in need of when she'd left her brother's driveway.

The book she'd picked up from the small market in town lay discarded beside her. She'd bypassed the touted summerbeach reads and went straight to the thriller section. But every time she tried to immerse herself in the suspenseful plot, the words filling the pages became incomprehensible as her mind drifted. She’d spent so much time in her head the past few hours that one would think she'd have her whole life figured out. Sadly, that was not the case. Nora wasn't any closer to knowing her next move than when she'd first arrived. Because no matter what the optimistic propaganda of the day on social media said, the reality was, there wasn't an easy fix for heartbreak.

The sound of tires on gravel and the flash of headlights was an unwelcome and abrupt intrusion into her private bubble. She couldn't see the driver of the Escalade through the windshield, but it didn't take a genius to deduce who was behind the wheel.

A conflicting barrage of emotions hit her. Betrayal because Oz had sold her out—and, wow, didn't that sting. Elation because Linc had come for her. Then anger as that elated feeling rapidly soured into indignation.

She'd deal with her brother later, but Lincoln Scott was another matter altogether. He always pushed. Linc wanted everything just how he wanted it and to hell with what anyone else thought. She'd tried to outrun her feelings when he'd friend-zoned her, only to run head-first into a relationship when he decided to chase. Well, Nora was done with both the running and the chasing. If he wanted to talk, he'd need to earn that privilege first. Because, for once, Nora had some things she wanted to say.

Standing, she squared her shoulders and eyed his approach like an archer sighting her bow.

“Nora?”

She stepped out of the shadows so Linc could see her from where he stood at the bottom of the porch steps. She wasn’t prepared for what the sight of him would do to her newly formed resolve. Her heart wanted to bridge the gap between them. She wanted to rest her head on his chest and take comfort, washing away the worry, pain, and terror of the day before. But her brain wanted a fight. The conflicting emotions had her head pounding and she trailed a hand along her sore temple. She watched in pleased satisfaction as Linc, catching the motion, winced.

“I'd ask how you found me, but that answer seems pretty obvious. How did you get Oz to sell me out? You know, just for curiosity's sake.”

Nora could tell her tone caught Linc off guard, for he stepped back, nearly losing his footing before he answered. “Oz didn't tell me anything—he wouldn't. Emerson took pity on me while Oz made it clear whose side he was on.”

The large chunk of ice lodged near her heart released at that reassurance, and Nora found breathing somewhat easier. Moving entirely into the circle of light, she asked the million-dollar question. “What are you doing here, Linc? Why track me down when you wouldn't even look me in the eye less than a day ago?”

Jaw flexed, looking like he was holding back a torrent of words, he tilted his head toward the chair opposite the bench in a clear request.

Nodding stiffly, Nora sat back down too, pulling her feet up to hug her knees.

“This is a beautiful place,” he announced, once situated.

Nora wanted to shake her head like a dog clearing ocean water out of its ears. Really? Man, he looked uncomfortable, but was that inane comment honestly the best lead-in he could come up with?

“Yeah, it's stunning and, more importantly, private.” She gave him a pointed look. “Or at least it was. Did you come all this way to engage in small talk?” There was so much she wanted to say, but Nora held her tongue, wanting to see where this was headed before speaking her piece.

Linc ran frustrated hands over his head, biting out, “No. I came here to apologize. I wanted to apologize sooner, but everything was so crazy with Sophie and the cops that I thought waiting until we were alone would be better, but you took off before I got the chance. I didn't mean to yell at you, and I don't blame you for letting that man in the house. I'm truly sorry my thoughtless words hurt you.”

Patience snapping, she carefully held a hand up to stop Linc from spewing any more verbal garbage at her. “What do you think is going on here?” If he tried to respond, Nora neither knew nor cared, powering on as she got to her feet, flailing her arms. “Do you think I left your house after the little girl I love was finally back home safely and with a head injury, even a mild one, because I was pissed you hadn't apologized for yelling at me?” She paced back and forth, likely looking completely unhinged because, wow, way to miss the point, Batman. “Every decision I've made since meeting you has been for Sophie in some way, shape, or form. Then I called you, scared out of my mind and needing you, and you blamed me for what happened!”

Shock written all over his face, Linc stood, reaching for her, but Nora would have none of it. “Don't. Do not touch me right now. I mean it.” She waved him away.

“God, Nora, I am so fucking sorry. I never meant for you to go through last night thinking that. A million messed up things were going through my head while getting back to the house. Whether you believe me or not... I wasn't only trying to get home for Sophie, but also for you.” Nora started to turn from him when a catch in his voice stopped her. “Baby, I walked into my own fucking home knowing my little girl wasn’t there anymore but also regretting I hurt my woman by being an absolute dumbass. Fuck me. There isn't any excuse for what I said. Panic. Fear. Rage at myself for not looking after you both better. All of them are reasons I lashed out, but nothing excuses what I said. Want to know why I wouldn’t look you in the eye? I was too fucking ashamed. Then I heard you'd been hurt, which made me double down on my stupidity.” Linc briefly covered his eyes, and she could see the tremble in his hands as he lowered them.

Something about seeing those sure and steady hands quaking had Nora taking a breath and trying to step back from her own pain to see his. Without discussing it, they sat side-by-side on the bench, and in what had become a thing for them as a couple, he tentatively turned his hand palm up, offering it. And because Nora knew they both needed comfort, she took it. She heard Linc drag in a deep breath of air before tugging their joined hands to his lips, kissing the back of hers as he held her fingers in a too-tight grip that felt like a lifeline.

Throat swelling to the point it was difficult to swallow, she turned away from the intimacy to gaze at the ocean while blinking back tears.

“Look at me, please. I need you to see I really mean what I'm about to say.”

Nora gave Linc her eyes, not missing the emotion in his—and what lurked in their depths filled her with fear because she wanted it so badly.

“I've been selfish a lot of my life. I work hard at my training and put in the time, but I always knew I was good, and I rode that train for all it was worth. When I lost my parents and then later my sister, I thought I had it all under control. But yesterday made me see what I've been hiding, even from myself. My fear. Waiting for someone or something else I love to be taken from me.” A shiver went through Nora, and Linc let her go long enough to peel off his jacket and wrap her up in it. He also took the opportunity to pull her close. “I was so mad when you hadn't told me you’d been hurt. One of my girls was missing and the other one was hurt, and I felt so fucking helpless to do anything. And you not understanding what I was feeling means you don't know what you mean to me.” Nora pushed away to look at him, but Linc closed his eyes and rested his forehead against hers before muttering. “Fucked that up too.”

His words, but more importantly the emotion behind them, took the righteous wind from her sails. Yeah, he'd hurt her, but she'd allowed that hurt to blind her. That was on her. Gulping back tears and voice shaking, she whispered back. “We both messed that part up. I'm not good at asking for what I need. You pushed right into my life and before I knew it, you and Sophie were my life. You aren't the only one with fears.”

He took her hand again, sandwiching it between his own. “I’ve known for a while now that what I feel for you is more than just a temporary attraction. God and you both know I tried to fight it, but there had come a point where I knew I was fighting a losing battle and I threw in the towel, giving in to what my body wanted. What I hadn’t known at the time was that it wasn’t just my body that was affected by you. You’d captured my heart even more securely. I was just too dumb to have figured it out. My only excuse is that I’ve never been in love before.”

Happiness blossomed in her chest, feeling all the stronger in contrast to the agony of just a few minutes before. “Tell me what you’re going out of your way to not say, Linc.”

His lips twitched and a spark entered his eyes. “I love you, Nora.”

She closed her eyes, letting the feeling of his words wash through her. Then she opened her eyes and smiled. “I love you too.”

“I’m sorry I hurt you. That was never my intention.”

“I owe you an apology as well.” She placed her fingers over his lips when he was about to object. “No, I do. I was wrong to have left. Next time, we’ll talk first.”

“Next time? Does that mean you forgive me?”

“You love me. That’s all I need.”

“No, you need so much more. And I’m going to give it to you for the rest of our lives.”

“That sounds like a pretty serious commitment.”

“Only if I’m lucky enough you’ll have me.”

“How lucky are you feeling?”

He leaned in, their lips almost touching. “Pretty damn lucky.”

And then his lips were on hers and it was she who was feeling damn lucky. Lucky to call him hers.

He cupped her face after ending the kiss, his thumb lightly brushing the bruise on her cheek. “I’ve been worried about you. You never went for an MRI.”

“I’m okay. It’s at the stage where it looks a lot worse than it feels.” Her brow puckered. “Where’s Sophie? Is she okay?”

“She’s fine. She’s staying at Mike and Jill’s for the night.”

“The whole night?” She walked her fingers up his arm, feeling the chill on his skin. “You know, I hear make-up sex can be pretty hot.”

“Have you now? And where have you heard that?”

Nora shrugged a shoulder. “In practically every issue of Cosmo.”

“I need to start reading it.”

“I think I have one in my bag. I can get it for you,” she teased.

He pressed in closer, his lips just skimming hers as he murmured. “Maybe later. I plan to be busy for the next several hours.”

And then his lips were on hers again and, as always when Linc kissed her, she completely got lost in everything but him.