Anxious nerves fluttered in Brooke's stomach as she finished descending the stairs into the very crowded living room of the house.  The bass of the music some were singing karaoke too thumped through the walls.  Tucking a strand of her ringlet formed hair behind her ear, Brooke went in search of Lincoln.  

She wove through the people, smiling and accepting congratulations for their engagement.  Good news travels fast.  Lincoln was happily chatting up a group of men, friends of his, Brooke assumed so she headed toward the food table.  Her stomach growled with need for food.  She hadn't eaten since lunch at the zoo earlier that day.

The food, Cora prepared was mouthwatering and mind numbing. No words could describe the delicious aroma that filled the house.  Alan worked the barbeque providing a steady supply juicy looking hamburger patties, perfectly charred hot dogs and golden colored corn on the cob.

While all of that was amazing and Brooke loved those foods, it was the Filipino cuisine Cora had filled another table with that called to her belly.  Trying her best not to drool, Brooke took some of the pancit beside white rice, silenting ooo'ing at the gorgeous rice noodles drenched in sauce.  Beside that she placed an ilocos empanada, stealing a bite before she scooted down to the next dishes.  When her eyes saw the bowl of adobo, Brooke nearly went crazy plopping several pieces on her plate.

Heavy laden with food, Brooke took a spot on the balcony, drawn outside by the squeals and giggles of the children, more than just Melody and Elise.  Several other kids tagged along for this party.

Lost in the heavenly juiciness of the abodo, mesmerized by the roma of the pancit, Brooke nearly choked when a hand snaked around her waist, tugging her against a firm chest.

"I love...that you love filipino food," Lincoln growled into her ear, kissing then nipping theobe.

She nearly spit out her food with her snort.  "That's Leena's fault."

"Remind me to thank her for preparing you for me," he chuckled, kissing the side of her neck again.  "Mmm!  You didn't get any papaya coleslaw? Here...have a bite."

With a warm, sweet smile, he offered a forkful that Brooke willingly accepted, humming as her eyes rolled closed at the delectable flavors.

"Wow!"  Brooke exclaimed, a smile pulling at her lips as she chewed.  "That is delicious!"

Lincoln's grin faded sending a shot of worry to steal Brooke's as well.  He stepped forward, lips barely razing along her cheek until her lobe.

"Not nearly as delicious as you," he whispered, stepping away and leaving Brooke's heart hammering and stomach clenching for the first time in months.

Eyes wide, she watched Lincoln step back and wink before walking away, raising the fork to his mouth.  Air fought its way into her lungs, heart pattering and something deep within her pulsing to have him near, wrapped tightly in his arms again.

It wasn't that Brooke wasn't attracted to Lincoln anymore.  He was still the man she had come to love deeply but since the traume with Dorian, something shut down.  When she and Lincoln tried and failed before, it knocked her several steps back close to where she was with fears of intimacy when they first met.

The weekend getaway in the cabin changed everything for her.  Maybe this weekend getaway could reset things again. 

There was only one way to find out.

Actively searching the crowd, Brooke found the person she wanted.  Touching her elbow, Elaine turned around with a wide smile greeting her soon to be sister in law.

"Hey, having fun?"  she asked, siping from her cup.

"I am," Brooke answered honestly.  "I need a favor though."

****

Upstairs, Brooke sat on the edge of the bed, ankles crossed, fingers clutching the silky fabric of the bed coverings.  Pondering their previous attempt, Brooke had an idea what went wrong but hadn't been willing to face it yet.  Tonight, she hoped and knew Lincoln would hear her out.

Quick patters sounded on the wood stairs indicating Lincoln was ascending.  Elaine would have delivered a message Brooke needed help with something upstairs.  Leaning back on her hands, Brooke casually wiated the door to open farther.

"Brooke?"  he called, pushing the door all the way open. "Brooke, are you-...h-hey..."

The unsure stutter send her lips into a grin.  It was rare to catch the stoic Lawyer Lincoln off guard.  She had succeeded in this instance.

"Elaine said you needed help with something."

"I do."  Brooke rose slowly, one step at a time, heart pounding, closed the distance between her and Lincoln.  His fists were clenched, eyes taking in her fancy dress for tonight as if for the first time. 

Blue, silky brocade, spotted with roses in ombre blues, the dress came down to the top of her knees.  The square neck and tight bodice gave her breasts support, a boost and a still appropriate peak.

Emeralds eyes took in her every curve, slowly traveling down then flicked back up top hers.  Lincoln swallowed then asked, "What do you need help with?"

Her lip twitch just before being drawn between her teeth.  Brooke contemplated how to express what she needed and no words came to mind.  So, sliding her hands up his chest, she cupped his neck pulling him downward.

"Kiss me."

With a sharp inhale, Lincoln's lips parted and devoured Brooke's.  She kept up with the battle for dominance.  Hands wandered around her waist, fingers splayed across her back pulling her flush against Lincoln's chest.  He tilted his head to deepen his access, sighing in contentment with how easily Brooke succumbed. She needed him, wanted him, ached for him for the first time since before Dorian's assault.  Lips smacking, hands grabbing, Brooke began to unbutton Lincoln's shirt desperate to feel his skin against her palms.

Gently taking hold of her wrists, Lincoln pulled back, out of breath.  His eyes squeezed closed and Brooke felt a pang in her stomach. 

"Brooke, I...I can't let something happen you are not ready for," he whispered, pain marring his features.

"I am ready," she countered, cupping his cheeks, tilting his head to face her own.  "I want you."

"But last time-"

"Last time was too soon, yes.  It's been months! I want to try."

"I want you, Brooke...God, I have wanted you every time you walk in the room, but I-"

Stepping away, Brooke wasn't going to let this go.  "Please, Lincoln," she whispered, reaching behind her and pulling the zipper down for her dress.  "I trust you.  If it hurts, I'll tell you.  Promise."

Meeting his emerald gaze, Brooke saw the uncertainty in his eyes, searching her, fighting nervousness.  One shoulder strap at a time she eased the silky fabric down, hooking her thumbs to expand the dress over her breasts letting it fall to her hips.  The dark blue lace balconette left little to the imagination.

In a blink Lincoln was nearly pressed up against her, hands on her waist, fingers curling into the flesh and lips hovering over hers. 

"You promise?"

"Yes."

Air swelled Brooke's lungs as Lincoln's lips smothered hers.  She cupped his cheeks, sighing against his warmth.  His hands pushed her dress down holding her steady for her to step out of it.  In a few short shuffles backwards, the back of her knees touched the bed.

Gently, Lincoln pushe dher backwards letting Brooke fall with a slight bounce.  A warm smile adorned her features.  Resting on her elbows, she watched his every move.  Every button undone, the dress shirt yanked form his muscled torso then his belt yanked open.

Lincoln crawled like a starved predator and Brooke wrapped her legs around his hips as their lips connected again.  One hand holding himself up, the other slid up her leg from ankle to thigh then dipped between them.  Brooke tore her lips away, moaning at his knuckle rubbing her bud.

"We rushed last time," he stated, voice tight.  "Tonight, we take our time."

Brooke could only nod her agreement, inhaling sharply as Lincoln breached her opening, easing in then slowly retreating.  With each pass, he picked up the pace until Brooke was panting and fisting the bed coverings.

"You OK?" Lincoln asked, hovering above Brooke watching her every move.

"Y-yes!" she moaned, the pressure in her belly building at a rapid rate.  It grew to a guttural sound as Lincoln curled his finger inside hitting a spot only he knew where it was.

He withdrew his fingers, yanked her panties aside then dove while her body still trembled.  Tongue lapping, spearing, flicking over her nub again, Brooke shuddered into another release. 

The zing of his zipper and swoosh of pants dropping barely registered in Brooke's ears.  Grinning and arms spread out like a kitten in the sun, her whole body was humming.  She lifted her hips for Lincoln to peel down her panties, dropping them over his shoulder.

"You're still sure about this?"  he asked, brows furrowed, eyes shimmering with hope.

Brooke cupped his cheeks, framing his hips with her legs.  "I'm sure."

Pressing his lips to hers again, this time was gentle but not hesitant, loving and passionate but not rushed.  Her hands wandered down over his shoulders, fingers drawing long lines over his back.  Lincoln rolled his hips, using her slickness to coat his length.

Forehead to forehead, he sunk in, slowly, gently, careful not to hurt her.  Lincoln withdrew, sighing as he eased back in.  Lips grazed, breathes heavy, mixing in the minimal air between them with each gentle pattern.

Brooke squeezed her eyes shut, lost in the bliss of being stretched deliciously by him again.  Each pass, each graze over her nub send jolts up her spine.  Fingers raked into his flexing muscles, lips grinning each time she felt the sinew contract and his hips plunged.

"Baby-"

"More!" Brooke moaned, eyes flying open.  "I need more!"

Lincoln chuckled, brushing his nose against hers.  "I was gonna say I'm close but...as you wish."

Large, warm hands scooped under Brooke's back, lifting her with his as Lincoln rose to sit back.  Brooke adjusted her legs straddled over his lap, arms draped over his shoulders.  Rising and lowering in a steady rhythm, Brooke leaned her forehead against Lincoln's temple, moaning with each downward roll of her hips. 

Guiding her hips, Lincoln pulled her harder down onto him, kissing fervently at her pulse.  Her walls tightened around his length, accepting the pleasure their joining send through every nerve ending.

"That's it, Baby."

"Yes!"

Throwing her head back, Brooke exploded, clenched around the appendage causing this pleasure.  Lincoln took over, gliding her hips faster until he burst inside her cavern.

Tangled together, they both collapsed onto the bed, arms wrapped tightly around each other as their breathing slowly calmed.  Lincoln pressed a lingering kiss to Brooke's forehead, arms tightening around her waist.

"This has been a great weekend getaway," Brooke sighed, nuzzling into Lincoln's chest, relaxed by his steady, strong heartbeat.  "We should do this more often."

"As you wish, Mrs. Flores."

Grinning wide, Brooke loved the sound of that. 

Aww, yay! It takes time and patience to heal ❤️

Now, for the tough news. I'm gonna leave it here for a few weeks. I've been working on a story for the Wattpairs and the deadline is getting close yet there is a ton to do with that story.  It will be posted in May. After that, I'll make sure to punish Dorian lol I was going to simply summarize it in an epilogue but this story deserves more than that.  This story has been a personal journey expressing personal fears during moving on after surviving a domestic violence marriage. You readers have been so awesome, I want to do the ending justice. 

Thank you for your reading and support!

Enjoy, vote, comment and share!

❤️