And Then Forever by Shirley Jump

up her hands. “Why can’t you just give me a straight answer?”
    “Because it’s…complicated.”
    The exact same thing she had said to Nona earlier. Darcy had moved to Fortune’s Island years ago because she wanted simple, easy. Not complicated. But everything about Kincaid Foster came wrapped in layers and layers of complications.
    The curtain flicked again. Darcy glanced at Kincaid. “Did you bring a girlfriend on your vacation?”
    He stilled, went a little pale, then recovered. “Since when do you care about my romantic life, Darcy?”
    “I don’t.” She raised her chin, daring him to disagree. Because a part of her did care right now, very much. If he had a girlfriend with him, why had he kissed her? And if he didn’t, then why not tell her who the person in the kitchen was?
    Kincaid reached for her then, in that easy comfortable way he had all those years ago. His hand curled around hers, a simple touch that nevertheless left her craving more. She didn’t pull away, even though she knew she should. Knew it was wrong to want him again. Knew it would complicate her life in ways she couldn’t undo.
    “I don’t have a girlfriend, Darcy. Haven’t in a few months.”
    Her heart leapt a little at that. “Well, that’s…good. I guess.”
    He smiled. “You are so stubborn. Why not just admit the truth?”
    “Admit what?”
    “That you still like me. That you haven’t forgotten”—he moved closer, took her other hand, and brought their clasped hands between them, against the warmth of his chest—“what it was like when we were together.”
    Oh yes, she remembered. She remembered it all. And last night, her dreams had been filled with some very explicit memories of herself and Kincaid. All those thoughts bubbled to the surface when he touched her, and made her want to forget all those pretty little resolutions she’d had earlier. “We aren’t together anymore,” she said.
    “I noticed.” He grinned.
    “I meant, we don’t need to have these conversations. Past relationships are in the past for good reason.”
    “Maybe some relationships come back when you are older and wiser, and more ready.”
    She cocked her head. “And is that what you are now? Ready to settle down, have a bunch of kids and live in some cottage on the island?”
    “I didn’t say that ready.” The grin returned. “Come on, have dinner with me.”
    “I can’t. I’m late for work. I only stopped by to—”
    He had reached up to brush a lock of hair off her forehead, and she stopped talking. She was pretty sure she stopped breathing, too. “Stopped by to what?” he asked when she didn’t finish.
    The back of his fingers trailed along the side of her face, and her eyes closed a little. Of its own volition, her face turned into his touch. She told herself it was merely a reflex, but it wasn’t. It was a craving that started deep in her belly and radiated through every inch of her. She wanted Kincaid, wanted him bad.
    But where was it going to go? There was no way they’d end up with the white picket fence life. Having that would mean telling Kincaid about Emma, and Darcy wasn’t going to do that.
    If you tell my son about this child, I will drag you into court and sue you for custody. You’ll never see that baby again.
    “I have to go,” Darcy said. She pulled her hands out of his and stepped back. “I’m going to be late.”
    She started to walk away, but when he slipped into place beside her, her heart trilled a little. “Then I’ll walk with you,” he said. “I need to go get some dinner anyway.”
    She let out a huff and increased her pace. With any luck, he’d get the hint and turn around. “The Love Shack doesn’t open until four.”
    He started walking faster, too. Clearly, Kincaid couldn’t take a hint. “I can wait.”
    She shook her head. Damn the man for not giving up. A part of her wanted to be pleased by that, but she stuck with annoyed and frustrated. “Kincaid, what are you