Chapter 11

Lincoln

She tastes as sweet as I thought she would with a side serving of inexperience, but that could be wishful thinking on my part. I'd love to believe I'm the first man she's ever kissed, but there's no way that could be a possibility, because the woman is a fucking knockout. Actually, I take that back. I don't want the responsibility of being her first anything, especially since it's happening here and not in a fancy hotel.

As much as I shouldn't be doing this with my employee, I also can't believe it's taken us this long for the tension between us to boil over. Each day spent working alongside her has tested my resolve to the point of no return. Now that I've tasted her mouth, I want to taste her everywhere.

With her delectable ass in my hands and her pussy grinding against my cock, I carry her toward the back office where we'll have more privacy. Our kiss doesn't slow and what she lacks in experience, she certainly makes up for with enthusiasm. Her hands make it to my hair and her harsh tugs send my pulse spiking. Reluctantly dragging my mouth from hers to draw in a breath, I place her on my clean desk.

The desk she keeps organized for me.

Because she's my employee.

Damn.

What the hell am I doing?

I take a giant step back, look up at the ceiling, and run my hand through my hair. When I finally drop my eyes to the woman sitting on my desk with her breasts heaving and eyes full of confusion, my cock begging for release and my blood pounding in my ears, I pause.

What the fuck am I doing?

I'm twelve years her senior.

Andher boss.

This is wrong on so many levels.

So why does it feel so right?

More right than anything I've felt before.

"Linc?" Soph murmurs as she closes her legs self-consciously, making me feel like an asshole.

I pace the small office like a caged lion, darting my eyes back to her each time I pass her and noting her flushed cheeks, bright eyes, and puffy lips. Fuck. I step into her body, shoving my way between her thighs again, and cup her face—"I'm sorry."—then I slam my mouth down on hers. A startled gasp bursts out of her and I take advantage, spearing my tongue inside.

Our kiss is devastating.

She'sdevastating.

This woman has the power to destroy me.

Turn me to bone and ash.

But I don't stop. I can't.

I tangle my fingers in her silky hair and drag her head back so I can kiss my way down her sexy throat, just as I've imagined. The vibration of her moan tickles my lips, escalating my need for her. Sliding one hand down her lithe body, I slip my fingers beneath her silky shirt, and the heat of her flesh scorches me. When I press my cock against her like an unrestrained teen, she answers by pushing her tits against me as I lightly glide my fingers up her ribs until I reach the silk of her bra.

Tearing my mouth from hers, I pull away to take a breath, trailing her stunning features with my eyes. She takes a moment to open hers, revealing their now-familiar warmth. Her messy hair makes my lips tip up on one side and her swollen lips call to me, so I press another softer kiss to them.

Dropping my fingers to the buttons of her shirt, I ask, "Can I take this off?"

I watch her throat move as she swallows. A note of nervousness touches her eyes, and as I'm about to call an end to everything, she nods slowly, bringing her fingers up to her buttons. "I can do it."

Pushing her hands out of the way, I unfasten the first button. "I want to." I lean in, press a kiss to her jaw near her ear, and whisper, "I want the pleasure of undressing you."

She inhales a sharp breath but drops her hands to the table and leans back, pushing her tits out. I barely hold back a groan at her explicit invitation. I study her closely as I unfasten each button; it's fucking torture not to drop my eyes to feast on her exposed breasts, but I do it—pretty sure I deserve an award for my restraint. When I undo the last button and slide the silky fabric from her shoulders, I allow myself to look at her and blow out a long stream of air at the vision before me. A lavender bra cups her perfect breasts, but it's the inked design—that can only be her artwork—that begins between her breasts and sweeps beneath them that steals my attention. It's beautifully delicate.

Releasing the front clasp of her bra, I push the fabric out of the way so I can trace the fine lines on her soft flesh, noting the raised tissue hidden within the design. "This is stunning. It has to be your artwork." I flick my eyes up to hers in time to see her nod as I continue to trace her flesh, noting the length of the hidden scar. "Can I ask about this?"

Her eyes widen slightly, but she nods. "I was a passenger on a train that derailed." Fuck! She raises and drops one shoulder, biting her bottom lip as her eyes slip away from mine and her chin dips a little. "My mom died and my dad lost the use of his legs. I got off lucky."

Lucky? Fucking hell. "I'm so fucking sorry, Soph." What else can I say?

"It's been a long time. I was only two when it happened."

"Still. You lost your mom. That's a fucking tragedy." She nods and I hate the melancholy that's filled the space between us. It has no place here, so I lean in and kiss her.

I kiss her like I've wanted to kiss her for weeks.

I soak up her taste and steal her breaths for my own.

I kiss her to replace a shitty moment with a hopefully better one.

I kiss her because I can't fucking stop.

I kiss my way across her jaw and down her slender throat. Further still, until my lips touch the delicate ink concealing her hurt and as I trace down one line of the Henna-inspired tattoo, an uncomfortable feeling rolls in my gut when I think about someone else touching her beautiful body. "Who did your tattoo?" I grit between my teeth.

"Barry at artWORX."

I suck in a sharp breath.

I know Barry, and he's a fucking perv. The number of times he's bragged about banging a client during a tattoo appointment makes me sick. "Did he touch you inappropriately?" Look at me, asking such questions when I've had my hands all over her and my tongue in her mouth. Her face drops, and she shrugs. I grip her chin and bring her eyes back to mine. "Did. He. Touch. You?"

She traps her bottom lip behind her teeth, and I peel it free, my patience wearing thin. "Sorta."

Fuck.

I snatch my hands from her and step away, almost knocking over my chair. Pushing my hands through my hair, I study the polished concrete at my feet. Anger causes my chest to heave, and if Barry were in front of me right now, I would lay his ass flat at Soph's feet like a damn sacrifice. She drops from my desk and steps in front of me. Her small hand reaches out, and I'm reminded that I'm not alone and it's not okay to lose my shit.

What is it with assholes taking what's not theirs to take?

"I promise I'm okay. I stopped him immediately and made it clear I wasn't interested … and in case you're worried, you're not doing the same." I fucking know I'm not like Barry. She takes my hands and tentatively places them beneath her breasts. I look down at her, noticing the heat in her eyes and the quiet demand that I touch her. "Please keep touching me."

Her words undo me, and I span my hands across her ribs beneath her breasts, then drop my mouth to hers. She presses up on her toes, sliding her hands around my neck and into my hair. Our kiss escalates quickly, and before I can think twice about it, I pick her up and carry her back to my desk, laying her flat. Her back arches against the cold, and she looks fucking spectacular. I drop my hands to the button on her jeans and check in with her. "Okay if I take these off?"

"Please." I make quick work of the zipper, remove her shoes and socks, and slip the denim from her shapely legs, exposing more tattoos. This time, a delicate lace band around the top of her left thigh and more Henna-inspired work across her lower stomach and pelvis, sinking beneath the top of her matching panties. I try to push away the image of Barry working so close to her pussy, but it's impossible to erase the image. Almost as if she can read my mind, she allays my distress. "Barry didn't do those. After what happened the first time, I got Camryn to do the rest."

My heart settles, and I bury my nose against her pussy, nudging her clit. Drawing a deep breath into my lungs, I murmur against her mound, "You smell perfect. Tell me I can taste you, Soph." I trace my eyes up the length of her body until I capture her gaze as I dip my fingers in each side of her panties. God, she's so beautiful. So perfect.

"If you don't, I might die."

I raise an eyebrow and smirk at her. "We can't have that." She raises her hips, and I make quick work of removing the final garment of clothing, leaving her completely exposed and at my mercy. I push her legs open and study her perfect pussy. Her outer lips glisten with arousal, and I use my fingers to separate them for my perusal. "So fucking pretty." My breaths quicken, and my cock begs for release at the vision before me. "You're so fucking perfect." I blow a hot breath across her pussy lips, eliciting a moan.

"Lincoln?"

"Give me a moment, will you?"

She pushes up, resting on her elbows, and studies me intently. I work to temper my desperation to devour her—every single inch.

I want to mark her.

I want to make her mine.

I want to fuck her so hard she feels me inside of her for a week.

Finally, I dip my head and flatten my tongue against her, licking from her opening to her clit, where I change the shape and pulse the tip against her bud. A soft moan fills the office, and when I glance up, she has her head dropped back and her hands cupping her beautiful breasts. Fuck, that's hot.

"Be a good girl and keep playing with your tits for me while I focus down here." She moans again but does as requested, pressing them together and rolling her nipples like a damn pro. I drop my head and fucking devour her.

I lick, bite, and suck her like a starved man, holding her open with my big hands. She writhes beneath me, pulling her hips away as she arches her back, making a beautiful shape on my desk. I'm not going to be able to work here without this image assaulting me, and if she lets me, I'd love to fucking draw her like this and have it tattooed on my body.

Her moans and sighs increase, and I take that as my cue that she's getting close, so I push a single finger into her tight entrance.

Jesus, she's so fucking small.

Her silken walls are so damn snug around my finger, and my cock grows harder at the idea of being buried in her tight heat. Her fingers glide into my hair, gripping the strands as she presses me into her pussy. Her hips fly up with a long, low moan when I suck her clit hard. "Lincoln." She shakes her head back and forth. "I'm so close. Make me come."

"What do you say?" She opens her beautiful big brown eyes, and adorable creases form between her brows. I raise mine and wait as I slowly glide my finger torturously in and out of her, replacing one with two to stretch her; if I don't, I'll hurt her later.

"Lincoln, don't be cruel."

"Where are your manners, Soph?"

"Please?"

"Please, what?"

She rolls her eyes, but the tilt of her lips suggests she's not upset. "Please make me come."

"Good girl." Extra wetness coats my fingers as I slam inside her heat. She mewls as she arches her back beautifully, preening under my praise. I suck her clit into my mouth in deep pulls as I push my fingers roughly in and out of her opening. "You're so fucking tight. You're gonna strangle my cock, and I'm going to love every second of it."

Her silken walls pulse around my fingers, and she cries out as her legs tighten around my head. Slowing my movements, I keep my eyes on her as she reaches her peak; her mouth dropped open with a silent scream. She's so damn beautiful. The sight of her falling apart will be permanently emblazoned on my brain—an extraordinary moment I'll always cherish.

Her body falls lax, and I gently remove my fingers, missing her heat immediately. Softly pressing a kiss to her mound, I push my fingers into her mouth. "Taste yourself." My eyes roll to the back of my head at the way her unfocused gaze watches me while she sucks my fingers clean with a swirl of her hot tongue.

Once my fingers are clean, I slowly rub my hands up her thighs, loosening the tight muscles, then place kisses across the tattoo on her pelvis and abdomen, working my way up to her breasts, which I tease with my tongue before moving up to her mouth.

Her fingers tangle in my hair as she holds me in place, kissing me hungrily and moaning into my mouth. Could she be any more perfect?

All at once, her hands leave my hair and slide beneath my shirt, slipping the fabric up my torso to bare my abs. "Take off your shirt, Linc. I need to see you." My muscles twitch while my dick punches against my zipper, and as I drag the offending garment over my head, her hands drop to the button on my jeans. She quickly unfastens it, and I toss my T-shirt onto the chair. Next, her slim fingers are ripping my zipper down and pushing my jeans below my ass. "Hey, what's the rush?"

She pants as she steals her eyes away from my cock, barely tucked away in my boxer briefs, to look up at me. "I need you inside me, Linc." She licks her swollen lips, making them shiny.

I rub my thumb across the bottom pillow. "I like your lips like this."

Her posture softens, and a shy smile touches her bare lips. I lean down and press mine to hers, and for a moment, her hands stall in their mission as I deepen the kiss. I could kiss this woman every day and never tire of her taste. What the fuck is happening to me?

Her hands move to my biceps, and she grips them loosely, sliding her hands over the muscles as she peels her mouth from mine and traces her eyes over my exposed upper body. "Mmm, I love your tattoos," she murmurs against my lips.

I don't want to talk about my tattoos right now; we've had enough sadness and I'm aching to be inside her, so I press my mouth to hers again.

Her hand slips beneath the cotton of my briefs to grip my erection, and I groan at the feel of her small hand wrapped around me. She's not shy about it either, which is fucking awesome. A woman who goes after what she wants is such a damn turn-on, so I help her by pushing my briefs down my legs to join my jeans.

Her eyes widen when they land on my cock as it stands proudly against my stomach. "Oh, shit," she breathes.

I slide my hand between her legs and stroke her still-soaked pussy. "Don't worry, Shortcake, we'll take it slow."

Leaning down, I take her mouth in a wicked kiss. It's hot and sexy, and the longer it goes on, the wetter she gets; so damn responsive. Her hand continues to stroke me, occasionally swiping her thumb across my slit, making me shiver and testing my patience. I grab her ass and lift her, encouraging her to wrap her legs around my waist so I can grind against her, ensuring her clit gets maximum stimulation.

Her arms wrap around my shoulders, and she rocks, her breasts pressed tight against me, her peaked nipples rubbing the hair on my chest. Her heart beating wildly against mine and her heated skin against mine is better than I could have ever imagined. She's so soft and smooth beneath my touch. Her womanly curves fill my hands like she was born to be mine. Her hot pussy rubs against my cock, making it grow harder and thicker with every stroke, and I'm on the brink of embarrassing myself.

She uses her thighs on my hips to push up and reaches between us to notch the head of my cock at her opening. She's so hot … and wet … and my eager dick weeps to get inside her, but she's small … and she was so tight around my fingers. Pushing down, she takes the head of my cock inside her heat, and I close my eyes, dropping my head back on my shoulders to center myself as a groan rumbles from deep within.

I desperately want to shove inside her until I'm buried deep, but I won't.

I don't want to hurt her.

"Linc?" she murmurs against my throat.

"Give me a minute, Shortcake. You feel better than anyone ever has, and I need … I need a minute," I breathe as I look into her bedroom eyes with lust and desperation shining back at me, mirroring my desire.

Why does she feel so different?

I can't put my finger on it, but it's more than the connection I'm experiencing—it's inexplicably deeper, and yet it's not enough.

It will never be enough.

She tries to push down, to take me deeper, to hurry me along, but I grip her ass tightly and frown at her. Licking my throat, she nips my collarbone—maybe she's not as innocent as I first thought—and I almost break from her seduction. She slips down a little further, and I groan at the sensation.

Her heat.

The silken feel of her walls as they sheath my cock.

Fuck.

"Your pussy's stretching perfectly to take my cock but you're so tight … I don't want to hurt you," I pant, doing my best to keep myself in check.

Biting her bottom lip, her eyes roll back in her head. "God," she murmurs.

"That's why I want to take it slow." I kiss my way up her throat and slide my hands from her ass along her thighs to open her further, then push in a little more.

"Mmm," she hums, but I notice a tightness around her eyes that wasn't there before. She readjusts her position slightly, opening her a little more to my slow intrusion.

Leaning down, I take her mouth in a heated kiss meant to distract her. I caress my tongue along hers, twisting and tasting, stroking and sucking. She slips down my dick a little further, and I hold her still so I can relish the feeling of her velvet walls wrapped around me. This woman is going to undo me and at thirty-eight, it's been a long time since that happened.

She winces.

"You okay?"

"It's been a long time, and it's a tight fit, but I will be."

My chest puffs up. A long time. "How long?" The words escape my mouth before I can stop them.

Her bottom lip slides behind her teeth and her eyes slip to the side. "Uh."

Shit, that was probably too personal. But, hey, I have my dick mostly inside her. That's pretty personal, and I really want to know, but maybe it was inappropriate. "That's ok?—"

"Close to nine years."

"What the fuck?" I hiss as I pull her off my dick, missing her tight heat immediately, and sit her on my desk. When I look down at my angry cock, I realize exactly why she felt so amazing—I forgot the condom.

Let's not mention she's almost a virgin, for fuck's sake.

Can a woman be revirginized? Is that even a thing? I grab her panties and slip her feet roughly through the openings like I'm dressing a child.

She frowns at me and pushes at my hands. "What are you doing?"

"I thought it was obvious. I'm dressing you."

"I know that. I want to know why you stopped?" Her arched brows dip low over her eyes, but I continue to drag her panties up her legs. She's not helping at all.

I tap her hip. "Lift."

"No. Not until you tell me why you stopped and suddenly you're dressing me like I'm a damn child." She slaps my hands away.

I release her panties and push my hands through my hair, then drop my eyes to the floor, noting my now almost-flaccid dick. I wave my hand in the proximity of my pelvis. "I don't have a condom. I never fucking forget to suit up."

Her eyes widen, and she finally lifts her ass to pull her panties into place. Thank fuck she finally covered her pussy. Now I don't feel quite so filthy.

Nine years. Nine fucking years since she's had sex. That would have made her—I quickly do the calculations in my head—seventeen!

Shit!

No wonder she's so fucking tight.