Page 18 of Timber's Girl

"Baby, I promise we can take things slow. I wasn't thinking clearly tonight. It's my fault. Just give me another chance," I plead.

Please don't go.

Please don’t shut me out.

"It's both of our faults. I just—I—I'm sorry." With that, she runs. She fumbles with her house key before falling inside and slamming the door behind her.

I spin around and slam my fist on the porch railing, relishing the pain. My head hangs low above the grainy wood as I try to regain control of the hurricane of emotions whipping through me.

I had one good thing.

One.

And I fucked it up because I couldn't keep my hands off Lindy. I overcorrected from too cautious to too aggressive.

Now, she’ll never let me touch her again.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

LINDY

Hypersexuality.

It can be a symptom of abuse. A way for someone to regain control of their body. I learned about it in therapy, although I hadn’t experienced it until now.

When I clawed at Gideon for more, and he gave it back to me in spades.

Before I freaked the fuck out.

These stupid tears blur my vision as I grab my sleep clothes and rush to the bathroom—a jumble of emotions manifesting in a fucking sobfest. Probably scared the shit out of Gideon.

I hiccup in embarrassment. He didn’t deserve the way I acted after the best orgasm of my life. But in the moment, it was all too much.

Undressing, I catch sight of myself in the mirror. Gideon left his mark on my body. Small bruises form on my thigh where he held me and dark red blotches are spread across my chest. My lips are puffy and slightly sore from his possessive kisses.

Tracing the love bite on my neck, my nipples tighten again at the memory of his hot mouth devouring me like I was worth more than his next breath.

Wetness seeps from between my thighs.

God, how am I still this aroused?

I just had my first not self-given orgasm in forever, yet my body is desperate for more.

But it’s too soon, right?

Yes, Gideon can be kind, but I don’t need a burly military veteran who is also part of a motorcycle club. Someone who could break my heart.

Didn’t I remind myself that I’m not risking myself again for any man after that mysterious flower delivery?

And yet… I can't stop thinking about him.

“Even before tonight,” I mutter to myself.

His protective nature, always a few steps away, ready to jump in at the first hint of danger to me. His silent demeanor, always watching and listening, rather than puffing his chest and talking over people.

And let’s not forget the freakishly strong attraction I have for him. I’ve never felt this way around a man. I’ve always hovered around lukewarm and figured that was as good as it was going to get.

But Gideon’s tattoos, beard, leather cut, motorcycle… Geez, I could list every single hot as hell thing about him for ages, and all of it would add up to being as far from lukewarm as possible.