A month later

"Like that, Brooke?"

"More..."

"There?" Lincoln panted, sweat beading on his brow.

"More...more...There!  Right there!"

"You're sure that's good?"

"Yes," She grinned, hands on her hips.  "It's centered."

Lincoln hooked the wide bathroom mirror of the anchors, arm muscles burning from the strain.  It wasn't heavy, but wide an awkward to hold midair while Brooke observed the placement.  It was her bathroom, afterall.

"OK," He panted, reluctantly stepping away form the mirror.  "There it is, baby."

Stepping back beside Brooke, Lincoln marveled at the piece.  Wrapping an arm around her waist, he tugged Brooke into his side earning a light giggle.  That sound andher body not stiffening at his touch warmed his heart.

It had only been a month since the assault, but Brooke had relaxed greatly when he would touch her even if just to get her attention.  All but moved in, Lincoln stayed to prevent Dorian from feeling empowered enough to make good on his threat and come back.  Melody came back from Leena's after a week once the bruises faded enough Brooke could cover them with makeup. The last couple of weeks had been a whirlwind with one goal:  Keep Brooke's mind off the assault.

Nights had been the hardest.  Brooke would crying her sleep, thrash and fight off an imaginary perpetrator but Lincoln would draw her into his arms, whispering soft words of comfort until she woke up and allowed her mind to believe his reminders that she was safe.  She had come so far in her recovery.

Fingers trailing lightly downehr arm, Lincoln's lips curved into a smirk as they slipped between hers.  Brooke didn't flinch, shed jolt in surprise but instead let her fingers curl back entwining with his.  Chest swelling, Lincoln turned his gaze to observe this woman.

Brooke was looking around at her finished bathroom smiling in great pride.  Between herself and Lincoln, they had managed to finally complete the remodel. A medium brown wood double sink vanity sat below a long, tall sleek mirror.  Light beige walls helped the robins egg blue glass mosaic backsplash pop like the accent feature it was mean to be.  The band of similar tile above the tub continued the simple glamorous look.  Gray tile with a wood floor look tied it all together.

"It's beautiful," She whispered, eyes taking in every feature of the room.  "Just like I pictured it.  Thank you."

Air caught in Lincoln's chest when she tightly wrapped her arms around him.  The first affection she had initiated in the last month.  Progress. 

"You're welcome."  He simply held her for a long moment, enjoying the feel of her relaxed form against his.  Truth be told, he longed to feel her, to be intimate with Brooke again but knew he had to wait until she was ready.

"I'll make lunch while you shower," She offered, hazel depths peering up at him.

"No," He shook his head.  "It's your bathroom, you shower first in it."  Swiping both hands down to calm her wild, post-remodel hair, he cupped her cheeks.  "Lunch will be ready when you get out."

Reluctantly he let her go then left the bathroom, gifting a playful smirk and wink.  By the time he had sandwiches ready, the water stopped and Brooke merged in a tank top and shorts.  Mercy, being patient was getting hard...difficult.  Warm hands snaking around to rest on his abs wasn't helping to calm the pulsing in his pants.

"Your turn," Brooke whispered, pressing a kiss between his shoulder blades.

"OK," He replied, turning in her arms to peck a kiss on her forehead before heading to the bathroom.

Brooke watched his retreating form with something stirring in her belly that had been dormant for several weeks.  Lincoln had been so patient, so kind and attentive.  Not once had he pushed her past where she was ready.  Now, his touch beckoned something to smolder.  With Melody spending the weekend at Elise's house,they were alone to explore.

The water was still running.  Then disappeared from the room. Tiptoeing through the cracked open door, Brooke took Lincoln's change of clothes off the counter, hugging them tightly to her chest.  Shortly after, the water shut off just in time for Brooke to make it into her bedroom.

Towel hanging low on his hips, Lincoln peered around in the kitchen for Broke dumbfounded as to where his clothes went.  Bedroom was the next location to check.  In there, he found her digging through his suitcase.

"What are you doing?"  A chuckle rumbled through his chest when she squealed, arms wrapping around her middle.

"I was uh...putting your clothes away," Brooke replied breathlessly, turning her face toward him, tongue swiping her parted lips.

"Why would you do that?"  Soft, warm lips brushed her cheek, lightly kissing toward her ear encouraged on by quiet moans.

Back arching, squirming in his hold, Brooke could hardly put together a sentence.  "I was...uhh..."

"Miss Johnson," He growled against her neck, fingers tightening on her hips.  "Were you trying to seduce me?"

"M-maybe?...is it working?"

Lincoln pulled her rear against his hardened front earning a moan from her.  "Always, baby."

Shyly turning in his arms, Brooke slid her arms up his bare chest.  "I want to try..."

"You're sure?" He asked, brows furrowing as his knuckles stroked her cheek.

Brooke turned her face, kissing the fingers.  "I'm sure."

In only one heart beat, Lincoln crushed his lips to hers kissing Brooke's parted flesh like his very existence depended on it.  Through giggles and sloppy smacks, they stumbled toward the bed tumbling together onto the mattress with a bounce.

Scooting back they broke their kiss, both breathless as Brooke tugged at the towel and Lincoln pulled her shirt up smashing his lips to hers again.  The sweetness of her scent, softness of her body against his nearly drove him insane with need.

While working on getting her panties down, Lincoln fervently sucked a rosy peak, hot breath fanning the pebbling nipple.  Out of breath, hand exploring her soft curves until his fingers found her center. Hepaused, hovering just about her parted lips while stroking her velvety lips.

"You're sure about this?" He asked, brushing his lips against hers.

"Um...yeah..."  Brooke answered nervously, eyes squeezed closed. She licked her lips but parted her legs allowing Lincoln to explore.  "I've missed you.  Missed this...with you."

"I've missed it too, Bbay," He sighed, pressing his forehead onto her chest.  "But...I can't if you're not ready."

Cupping his cheeks, Brooke pulled his down to her, pressing their lips together in a slower, unrushed kiss.  "I want to try."

Again their lips met, Lincoln stroked her folds gently, exploring how much her body could take.  Lips moving in a matched pace, slow, gentle, sensual.  Brooke tore away first, moaning softly, breathing ragged as Lincoln rolled smooth circles over her bud.

Once breathless and whimpering, Lincoln nudged her legs open, situating himself in between until his hips lined up with hers.  Grazing her lipos then pressing gently, slowly his length nudged at her slick entrance. 

Forehead leaning against her neck, propped on his forearms, Lincoln eased in, pulled back then eased in attempting to go deeper.  Brows furrowed in concentration, his hips retreated then eased forward but Brooke's inner muscles clenched closed.  He wasn't even half way in yet.

"Are you OK?" He asked, lightly kissing her shoulder, watching her face attentively.

First arching her back, Brooke's eyes squeezed closed then snapped, "Yeah!"  But something wasn't right.

Her fingers gripped the sheets, toes curled, thighs tightly clutching Lincoln's forearm.  Fear was twisting her face not pleasure.  Lincoln had seen her rendered breathless far too many times from his attentions to be fooled into her enjoying this.  Slowly, his fingers came to a stop then rested on her hip.

"Brooke..." He cooed, lips pressed to a thin line, brows furrowed hen she finally opened her eyes.  "Your tense, baby and I know it's not a lack of trust in me.  You know better than that."

Normally his hint of a smirk would bring Brooke to her knees but instead, his words ringing so much truth brought her to tears.

"I'm so sorry, Lincoln!"  Brooke sobbed, covering her face in both hands.

This was what she feared since the cabin.  Getting hot and bothered, naked and tangled then her body stopped cooperating.  Things had never been like this with him but she had years to recover from the trauma of Dorian's harsh ways now it had only been a month since his assault.  Maybe she wasn't ready afterall.

Grief and regret washed over Lincoln.  Grief that the woman he loved was in pain and regret that he agreed to try so soon.  She needed more time to heal.

"Baby!  Brooke, baby, dont-..." Seeing her like this was tearing him up inside.  "Don't cry, baby."

Pulling out, he rolled onto his side drawing Brooke to his chest tucking her head under his chin.

"I'm so sorry!"  She sobbed, repeatedly over and over.

Each apology was a knife to his gut and heart.  "Brooke, you have nothing to be sorry for!   If you apologize, he wins!  You are strong enough to win!"  Cupping her cheeks, Lincoln tilted Brooke's face up toward his.  "Maybe...penetration was too much.  Yeah?  So let's stick to foreplay until the panic doesn't happen.  How's that?"

"B-but what about you-"

"Don't..." he placed a single finger on her  lips then retracted when Brooke's eyes went wide in shock.  "Don't worry about me.  When you feel ready...I'm sure you'll think of something."

His devious grin brought a wave of comfort that twinkled in those hazel eyes.  Lincoln tucked her under his chin again, arms tight around her.  Fingers dancing in slow, gentle lines up then down Brooke's spine soon had her rendered asleep.

"You deserve all the time you need," He whispered, kissing the top of her head.

Several hours later, Brooke's cell phone on her night stand lit up, buzzing against the wooden surface.  Turning in Lincoln's embrace, h=e inhaled a sharp breath, partially waking up when Brook pulled away.  The cold air between them a surprise since they hadn't dressed yet from earlier.

"Hello?"  Brooke answered sleepily, voice rough with it.  Shortly after her greeting, she sat up straight in the bed, hand on her hearty.  "What happened?"  Pause but Lincoln could hear the muffled voice speaking through the phone.

"What's wrong?"  He whispered, leaning up on an elbow.

"Did the Doctor come by?"  Another pause.  "What is the prognosis?"  Tears glimmered in her eyes, hand slowly lifting to cover her mouth.  "I'm on my way."

Phone down, covers thrown back, Brooke shot from the bed. 

"Brooke!  You're scaring me!  What is wrong?"

She tossed him his jeans, boxers and a  shirt form his suitcase before answering, speaking fast while getting herself dressed.  Without prompting, Lincoln dressed as well while listening.

"It's my Grandpa..he's...had a stroke,"  her voice broke, pants half way up as she clasped a hand over her mouth.  Lincoln moved to cross the room but her hand in an upright stop motion pause dhis steps.  "He's in the ICU of the Memorial hospital.  Can you take me?"

Lips pressed into a thin line, Lincoln pulled his shirt on.  "You don't even have to ask Brooke.  Let's go."

Don't rush getting passed a trauma! Communication and patience is needed and deserved!

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