Page 86 of Stuck

“Do it,” he growled, his arms tightening around me.

I giggled, pleased to have hit the mark.

“I’m serious. Let’s drive into Matlock now. I’ll pay.”

“You’re ridiculous,” I said, giving him a little nudge with my elbow to brush the idea aside. For now.

“To be clear,” he said in a disgruntled voice, “that’s no to skinny-dipping and no to a new tattoo. What am I allowed?”

I turned in his arms and slid my hands up his chest and around his neck. He was wearing a fitted Henley today, and he not only looked delicious but felt it under my palms too. I had a suspicion that my appreciation was showing on my face, but I didn’t try to hide it. He knew what he did to me.

“It’s not a no to either of those things. But you mustn’t rush a girl.” I ran my fingers through his hair and rose up to my tiptoes to kiss him softly on the lips. “Feed her lunch first at least.”

If love could be captured in a single look, it would be the one Darcy gave me then. “Cheese and pickle sandwiches?”

My smile was as wide as my heart was full. “Perfect.”

It turned out he’d bought a jar of Branston’s pickle especially for my visit. It also turned out I was a cheap date, because that was all it took for me to relent on the skinny-dipping.

EPILOGUE

DARCY

Four Months Later

Elizabeth and I walked hand in hand along Pump House Lane, neither of us in any particular hurry. It was a gorgeous evening, despite the bitter cold, and we hadn’t seen each other for two weeks, so we were taking every moment we could to be alone together.

Our evening was being shared with Jane and Bingley. It was my birthday, and the two sisters were cooking for us men. But Jane had forgotten to buy the coriander that was apparently essential to the recipe, so Elizabeth and I had walked to the local shop to get some.

“You’re very quiet,” Elizabeth said. “Are you depressed because you’re basically the grandad of the group now?”

My laugh was barely there; a desultory thing lost in a puff of frozen air. I was trying not to be downhearted, but I was finding it hard tonight. I’d promised Elizabeth I’d make us work no matter the distance—and I would—but I missed her more with every separation, and I was finding it harder to leave each time I returned home. I’d been biding my time while her contract at Hydro Crops ran down, impatient to discuss with her what might come next for us, but Bingley had informed me earlier today that he’d agreed to a contract extension with Lucas GreenTech. Elizabeth wouldn’t be leaving London anytime soon.

She hadn’t told me herself yet, probably because she didn’t want to put a downer on my birthday, but it hung over us like the proverbial sword of Damocles, making levity all but impossible. I regretted not talking to her about the situation sooner. If I’d asked her outright, made it clear to her how desperately I wanted her at Pemberley with me, perhaps she wouldn’t have agreed to stay in town. But I hadn’t wanted to pull her away from what was happening with her father.

I’d broached that topic about a month into our relationship and been delighted when she accepted my offer to pay for a place in a private rehabilitation centre. Her father was far from recovered, probably never would be, but he was doing slightly better, and he was safe, which was a weight off Elizabeth’s mind. Her sisters had since discovered what she’d been doing for him and, after some extremely tense conversations, were now more actively engaged in his life. I wished now that I’d had the foresight to find him a placement in the north, because as it was, Tom Bennet was yet another thing tethering Elizabeth to London.

I looked at her, wrapped up in her oversized knitted scarf and bobble hat. Even with half her face covered, she was beautiful. I loved her with my whole being, craved her company even when we were together, but my time with her was growing bittersweet as I found myself counting the hours until it ended again. I didn’t know how long I could keep doing it.

“I’m fine,” I lied. It was a conversation for another day. “Just tired.”

She didn’t push me, though I could tell she was worried. Instead, she let go of my hand and wrapped both her arms around my waist for an ungainly, winter-coat-padded side hug. “This is going to be the best birthday. I promise.”

I put my arm around her shoulders and squeezed her tightly, but we had to disentangle ourselves shortly afterwards because we’d arrived back at her block of flats, and I had to open the door for us. I summoned the lift while she fought with her giant scarf. When the doors opened, I watched her with a broadening grin as she stepped inside, still failing to untangle herself and now growling in frustration. I really did love this woman with everything in me. I stepped closer, unwound her scarf for her, and lifted her chin with my finger for a kiss. I’d have liked to take credit for making the earth move, but it was in fact the lift shaking as it came to a screeching halt.

“You have got to be kidding me!” Elizabeth exclaimed.

Oh. “Is that what happened last time?” I asked, pointlessly, because it clearly was.

She was already hitting the buttons on the console. “Yes, exactly that. And I was in here for hours!”

“Don’t remind me.”

She turned to face me, visibly trying to tamp down her annoyance. With a wry smile, she reached for my hand. “At least the company is better this time. And we’ll be missed sooner.”

“That is true.” I pulled her into a hug, tucking her head under my chin and wrapping her in my arms.

She remained there for a few minutes before pulling back to look at me with concern. “I know we’re stuck in a lift, so you have a good reason to be annoyed, but… even without this, you don’t seem very chipper for a birthday boy. Is anything wrong?”