Chapter 20

Dani

He was kissing me.

And he wasn't acting.

There were no whales.

Just me and Lincoln and the buzzing sensation of his mouth as it explored mine. My response should have been different.

Pulling away would have been wise.

Laughing it off, probably wiser.

But I kissed him back.

Because Lincoln Greene didn't look at me like a puzzle that needed to be solved in order for us to be friends. He didn't try to fix the pieces. He simply accepted them for what they were. Screwed up.

It was as if he saw the fear, hurt, anger - the ugly - and accepted me anyway.

His kiss deepened as he reached around my body; his hands tugged the seal shirt off. Cold air bit my back as it made its way to the floor.

Smooth lips slid past the corner of my mouth when his hands found my waist and lifted me. Our mouths broke contact, and I grasped his biceps with my hands, steadying myself as he lifted me into the air and carried me to the bed.

The soft down comforter kissed my back as he lowered me onto