Then again, most of my sexual experiences ended in much the same way: Unfulfilled and disappointing.
Lincoln didn’t have that problem. He had heat blooming at my core and my cheeks turning bright red as he openly talked about what he wanted. He said it with such ease, like he’d just asked me about the weather.
It was sexy and confident, and well… I fucking loved it.
Involuntarily, I tried to clench my thighs, realizing too little, too late, that he stood between them. He looked down, grinninglike a fiend, when he realized I’d been trying to self-soothe the ache he’d so effortlessly created.
“Problem, darlin’? That pussy feeling needy?” he asked, tightening his grip on my hair. It was painful, but not in a way that made me want to tell him to stop. In fact, it made me want more.
I didn’t understand it, didn’t know who this new, brazen Josie Hayes was, but I liked her.
“Yes,” I whimpered. I didn’t care how pathetic it may have sounded, especially when his tongue darted across his lips. “Yes, I am. I mean, it is?—”
Lincoln chuckled and stepped closer, raising his knee so it rested on the small section of the chair between my thighs. He leaned forward, lowering his voice so that it was nothing more than a purr in my ear. “Want me to kiss it better?”
I nodded again, not trusting myself to speak so soon. This was crazy and reckless and totally not me. I mean, I’d had my fair share of wild nights in my past—but I’d never felt so out of control.
This man had me at his mercy in what seemed like a handful of moments. He could’ve said or asked for anything, and I would’ve willingly given it to him. Which, come to think of it, should’ve been terrifying because I didn’t know this man from a stranger on the street.
The moment Lincoln loosened his grip, I surged forward and captured his bottom lip between my teeth. My hands sought for purchase as I lifted the hem of his shirt, needing to feel the warmth of his skin on my palms. He didn’t move for a moment, and I worried I’d gone too far. Did I misinterpret what he wanted? What he liked? Just as I moved to pull away, he met my frantic movements with ones of his own.
He straightened up, following my lead, and quickly removed his shirt. It landed on the floor somewhere behind us, immediatelyforgotten as he bared himself. I leaned back in my seat, chest heaving as I slowly scanned his body.
Lincoln had a smattering of dark hair across his chest, leading down his stomach and disappearing beneath his jeans. I ran my fingers along his chest as my gaze snagged on a long, jagged scar. It began just below his underarm and ran along the left side of his abdomen near his belly button.
I’d always thought scars were fascinating. They told a story, even if the story they were telling was one filled with pain. Growing up, I’d seen my fair share of horrific accidents, both on the circuit and on our ranch. Blood didn’t bother me, and I’d been on the receiving end of more broken bones than I cared to admit.
Which was why I didn’t think twice when I reached out and ran my fingertips gingerly over the soft, raised flesh.
“Does it hurt?” I asked, quickly jerking my arm back as he let out a low hiss.
Beneath furrowed brows, Lincoln’s dark eyes clouded with a distant memory. “Not anymore,” he said, shaking his head and leaning forward. I opened my mouth to ask more questions, to apologize for my brazen touch, but he placed a finger on my lips. “Do you want to talk, or do you want to let me see that pretty pussy, darlin’? Because I know which option I’d prefer.”
Without waiting for my answer, he pulled me from the chair and lifted me in his arms. I squealed as he spun us around and placed me on top of the table. My legs hung off the side, dangling as he hooked his fingers into my belt loops. “This is your last chance to walk away,” he said, slowly perusing my body. “If you don’t want this, tell me now. I’ll walk you to your car, kiss you goodnight, and ask for your number before watching you drive off.”
The rational part of my brain told me that was exactly what I should do. I should tell Lincoln I had a good time tonight, thankhim for keeping me company and for taking my mind off how shitty the past forty-eight hours had been.
Then I’d walk away.
There was no future between us. No late-night calls or lovesick texts. Absolutely no date nights. After all, I was only going to be in town for a few days before tucking tail right on back to Texas.
And yet, I couldn’t make myself move. I couldn’t make myself get off that table and walk out the door and his life in a matter of minutes.
I wasn’t ready.
“I thought you wanted to know my name,” I said, leaning back on my palms and quirking a brow.
Lincoln smiled and nodded. His tone was soft, hopeful, and full of curiosity. Somehow, he seemed younger than he had only moments ago when he thought I’d walk away. “I do, but I was hoping you’d tell me when you gave me your number.”
“When?” I scoffed and rolled my eyes. “You seem awfully sure of yourself, cowboy.”
He shook his head. “Call me optimistic, I guess. Can’t help it when I’m standing between your pretty thighs.”
“Ah,” I said. His words only stoked the fire, a reminder that we were so close to crossing a line we couldn’t come back from. “Well, my daddy always told me I needed to work hard for the things I want…” I drawled out the words, teasing him as I raised my hand and unclipped my hair, letting it fall around my shoulders. He tracked my movements greedily. “So, I think you should earn it, cowboy. Show me how badly you want it.”
“Is that so?” he asked, bringing one hand up to rub his jaw. Anticipation coiled like a snake in my belly, forcing me to hold my breath until he spoke once more. “And how do you expect me to do that, darlin’?”
I shrugged one shoulder. “You seem like a smart enough man. I’m sure you can find a way toincentivizeme.” I sat up straighter,running my hands up the broad expanse of his chest. His skin was hot to the touch, and though he hadn’t looked nervous all night, the erratic thundering of his heart gave away his trepidation.
