"Those things are the same."
He dug his thumb into a knot between my shoulder blades. "They arenot."
"Don't decide you know better. I'll agree, it's a moment of upheaval for me. But that doesn't mean I can't say yes or no. It doesn't mean I don't want to hear your kidnapping fantasies while you back me up against a tree."
He leaned in, his beard brushing my ear. My nipple wasthrobbing throbbing throbbingand he went right on pinching as if he could do this all day, all night. "You liked that, did you?"
"Just because I liked hearing it doesn't mean I want you to do it. If you think I want you stealing me out of my bed in the middle of the night, you have a crowbar coming your way."
I felt the laugh move through him. "There goes that plan."
"Yeah, workshop that one a bit. Shine it up and come back to me with a fresh version."
"Here's what's going to happen, Jasper," he said, his voice drained of all teasing. "I'm going to offer you the fold-out bed in my den or that sofa over there in the living room because there was amotherfucking firein your house today and I don't think it's a good idea for you to stay there. I've slept on both and can say, without a doubt, the sofa is much more comfortable. I'd offer you my bed but I know you'll pitch a fit over that and then set the kitchen on fire again with whatever you bake to live up to your honor code. "
"I couldn't possibly—"
"Hush. I'm not finished. Since I know you're not going to accept these offers, even if you should, I'll just invite you to come over and use the shower and anything else, anytime you want. I have a packed day tomorrow and I'll probably be out early but you don't have to wait for me to leave or get out of here before I come back."
He eased up on my nipple but that was worse. Very much worse. I was still pulsing like I was one great heartbeat and not a stitch else, and the slightly reduced pressure only made it pound harder. And that didn't even account for the ceaseless ache between my legs and the cock grinding against my ass. Just a heartbeat.
"Right. Well. I—um." I waved a hand in the general direction of my place. Included in that gesture was the cozy sectional where I could vividly imagine myself settling in for the night as well as Linden's bedroom. The one he slept in. Ohhhhh, he probably slept naked. I bet he did. "I should be on my way."
"You sure about that?" Linden asked this in that imperious way of his, as if he knew the answer, knew what I needed better than I did, knew everyfuckingthing yet he asked because he wanted me to think I had a choice in the matter. I had the option to leave and I could very well do that but then we'd both know it wasn't what I wanted. Not even a little bit.
"I am completely certain."
He peeled away from me, his heat and the pressure pinning me to the sink gone in one breath. He released my nipple in another. I nearly pitched over, my legs shaky and my midsection desperate for something to squeeze. And my nipple, well, I could barely feel that specific area of my body. I imagined it looked like a cartoon character's thumb after a good smash with a hammer—five times its normal size with a chorus line of exclamation points popping above my areola. Oh, yes, I was completely certain that it was time for me to go.
"Of course you are," he replied, something smug in his tone.
I turned around. He was already on his way to the door. "Yes, I have an appointment in the morning."
Linden dipped his chin, acknowledging my decision but not buying a word of it. "Do you have good directions this time?"
I smoothed my hands down my sides and strapped on a resolute grin. "My directions are fine, thank you for asking."
He paused at the door while I stepped into my shoes. He intended to walk me home and I could argue if I wished but I wouldn't change his mind.
As he held the door open for me, he asked, "Where are you headed?"
Cold evening air bit at my cheeks and nose. "North, I believe."
He chuckled as he fell into step with me. "That covers a lot of territory."
I didn't know why it made me nervous to discuss my appointment with the divorce attorney but an anxious shiver stirred in my belly. "I'll be just fine."
A noise rumbled out of Linden though he didn't form any words until we climbed the front steps. "Do you want me to give you a ride?"
My throat tightened. "You said you had a busy morning lined up."
He shrugged. "Nothing I can't reschedule."
I swallowed around a thick, throbbing stone of emotion, one sure to be a product of this strange nervousness. His questions were polite and reasonable yet everything inside me prickled and worried like I was warding off some kind of attack. "No need. I'll be all right on my own."
I turned my attention to the very important work of digging the keychain from my pocket. Linden eyed me as I did this. Always eyeing me, always sizing me up. Always thinking about sinking those teeth right into my neck.
"I'm sure you will be," he said. "I can still give you a ride. So you'll be on time."
