Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 80451 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80451 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
She turns, eyes widening. “Lincoln—?”
My heart hammers as I slide my hand down from her wrist to her hand, entwining our fingers. Something about the vulnerability in her gaze makes every protective instinct in me flare. But the desire is still there, thrumming and insistent. “Wait,” I say, breath catching in my throat. “Don’t go yet.”
She studies me, the seconds stretching. The hush of the safe house—so different from the club’s pounding music—makes my pulse sound deafening in my ears. “What is it?” she asks, voice softening around the edges.
I swallow hard, a flood of words surging in my mind. I’m sorry for pushing about Dean. I can’t stop thinking about the way you looked on that dance floor. I want to keep you safe, but I also want you so badly it makes my chest ache. But none of that comes out cleanly. Instead, I just stand there, heart in my throat, letting the silence speak volumes.
She takes a slow step closer, and I catch the faint scent of her perfume mingling with the smoky remnants of the club. “Lincoln,” she says again, almost a whisper. Her free hand comes up, skimming my collar like she’s testing whether it’s okay to touch me. The warmth of her palm sends a pulse of longing through me.
I exhale, tension coiling every muscle in my body. “I—” I start, but the words tangle. I’m on the edge, not sure if I should take her by the waist and kiss her senseless or apologize for everything that’s spiraled out of control.
For a beat, we stand like that, our gazes locked, breathing in unison. Her hand remains on my chest, the faint pressure enough to make me want to fucking crush her to me. But we’re teetering between mission and madness, and I’m not sure which direction to fall.
Finally, I manage a quiet, “I just… didn’t like seeing you with them.” It’s a simple truth, but it holds more weight than I intend. “I wanted to break Trey’s fucking hands.”
Her eyes flicker with understanding. “I’m sorry,” she says. “I just wanted to fit in, to see if they’d say more about Morris.”
I nod, swallowing the knot in my throat. “I know. It’s not your fault. I asked you to do this. I just… maybe I’m having trouble dealing with it.”
A ghost of a smile warms her lips, though her gaze remains serious. “So what do we do now?”
My hand tightens around hers. “I don’t know,” I admit, my voice trembling with honesty. “But I don’t want you to walk away yet.”
Her gaze drops to our joined hands, then back up to my eyes. A soft blush tints her cheeks, and when she speaks, her voice is low. “Okay,” she says simply.
“Maybe I can erase the feel of his hands on you.” I grip her waist with my hands, spinning her around quickly so her back presses against my front. I sway with her, my hardness pressing against her ass. “Maybe I can show you how it’s really done.”
She sucks in a deep breath. “Oh, yes, Lincoln.”
My nerves thrum with excitement as I gently sway with her in my arms. “When we’re at the club we need to get…” I can’t find the right word, “... nastier.”
She gasps. “What do you mean?”
I spin her around so I can gaze into her eyes. “It means we’re going to have to do more than just dance with a couple. We’re going to have to get in there. Get our hands dirty, so to speak.”
She smiles, and my breath hitches at the sight. “Lincoln, show me what you want to do to me.”
Fuck. Hearing her say those words does something to me. Turns me into this primal beast ready to stake my claim on her. I lean in, letting my lips brush against hers. “Just remember you asked for this.” I nip at her lips, letting my teeth sink into the skin of her bottom lip. “Just remember when we’re in that club, you’re mine,” I growl out. I reach my hands down to her ass, lifting her up. Her legs wrap instinctively around my waist.
I head to the back of the house, not stopping until I’m in the room I’ve been sleeping in. I toss her on the bed, and not very gently might I add. I know women want a gentle lover, but there’s nothing gentle about me tonight.
I gaze at her, my breathing labored, the blood pumping through my veins on complete fire. I yank at my tie, removing it from me. I remember back to the other night when I had this same tie wrapped around her eyes as a blindfold. The thought spurs me on. “Do you think I should punish you for letting another mother fucker touch you?” I raise an eyebrow, “...or should I reward you for thinking quickly on your feet?”