Page 40 of Whistleblower
“I wanted to get it right,” he says.
“Get what right?”
“Try not to take this the wrong way, but no matter how I say this, you’re going to judge me.”
“I won’t—”
“You will, but I’m going to tell you anyway.” He squeezes my thigh and the sensation that runs up my spine is nearly debilitating. I could melt into him right now. Linc sucks in a deep breath and blurts out, “In the spirit of being honest, I’ve never been with the same woman twice.” He rushes his words like he’s afraid if he waits, he might not say them.
It takes a minute for me to understand what he’s saying. Then, I can’t help it, my jaw drops. “Wait…you mean you’ve only ever had one-night stands?”
“Yes.”
“So, you didn’t kiss me because you thought I wouldn’t be into a one-night stand?” Accurate assumption. I’ve had exactly two hookups like that in my life. I hated it both times—hated myself after.
He turns his head to the side and locks his gaze on me. “No, not at all. The opposite. I was just hyperaware that how I kissed you for the first time might determine if, and when, I got to do it again…and I knew I’d really want to do it again.”
I try—and fail—to keep my breathing steady.
“I uh…” He rubs the back of his neck like he’s in discomfort. “I choked. Even monsters get nervous from time to time.”
“You choked?” Leaning away, I show him my bewildered expression.
He presses his lips together and gives me an unamused expression. “Are you enjoying this?”
I can’t help but giggle. “Thoroughly.”
His hand trails a little further up my leg and I lean in closer, trying to invite his hand to go as far as it pleases. “Eden, I’ve never cared about a first kiss.” His scorching gaze lingers on my lips. “But I do now.”
My mouth waters and for some reason, my nerves dissipate. All I feel is sheer determination. I want this to happen… Right now.
“Okay,” I say, hopping out of the trunk. “I’ll walk you through it.”
He slides down from his perched position as well, eyes and ears piqued with curiosity. “Walk me through it?”
“Sure. There’s nothing to be nervous about if I tell you exactly what to do, right?”
“Bossy, I like it.” Shooting me an innocent look, he holds out his hands like he’s surrendering. “What should I do with these?”
“Wrap them around my waist.”
He immediately follows orders. His hands are so large, it’s like I’m being wrapped in a warm blanket. “How’s this?”
I teeter my head. “A little lower is fine.”
He trails his hands down my lower back, past my hips, and when his hands land on my ass, he yanks me into his body. “Too low?”
“No, perfect.”
“What now?”
Tilting my chin up, I tap the side of my neck. “Start here.”
My knees nearly give out when I feel his soft lips against my neck. All the intrigue, nerves, and questions about Linc have pooled together in a cauldron, making me a witch’s brew of desire.
He plants a sweet kiss on my earlobe and my legs really do go boneless. Feeling me falter, he wraps one arm around my lower back to steady me as he holds me against his body.
I’m pressed so tight against him I can feel his heart beating. It’s almost pounding as fast as mine. Placing my fingertips on his cheek, I turn his head so he’s staring right into my eyes again. The steely gray-blue gems are whispering secrets… He wants me as much as I want him.