CHAPTER THIRTEEN

GIDEON

I take her word for it. As long as Lindy is having a good time, that's all that matters to me.

"Call me Gideon," I say, anxious to hear my real name on her tongue. Probably should have said something when I picked her up hours ago. Or mentioned it during one of the dozen times we were at the clubhouse together.

"Gideon. Like Criminal Minds."

"Until he left."

"That's one of the few times a replacement character didn't suck," she says.

"You've got me there. Rossi's a cool dude." I'm impressed I'm able to hold up part of this conversation considering the distraction of Lindy wetting her lips.

The pretty shine begs me to have a taste, but I resist temptation, giving Lindy another onceover, instead, as we resume our posts watching the sunset.

She's so goddamned gorgeous.

Her dress looks like it could blow away with a strong breeze, and her tits... Damn. They're spilling over the top, eager for attention. Which I would gladly give if she didn't have me so tied in knots wondering how far is too far.

But that doesn't stop me from staring. I've been hard all evening—in perpetual discomfort—just by being near her. It's like I'm a teenager who doesn't know how to control himself.

Do not ruin tonight by pouncing on her like a hungry wolf.

Night falls as the last of the sun's rays disappear. When Lindy shivers from the drop in temperature, I reluctantly suggest leaving, and we slowly make our way downstairs.

I keep one hand on Lindy the whole time, pretending to help her around the littered building. In truth, I just want a reason to touch her before our date ends.

Unfortunately, the return journey to the Reaper's Wolves compound and her cabin takes less time than I want. Even after driving a little under the speed limit to prolong our time together.

"Tonight was fun," Lindy says, unbuckling her seat belt once I've parked. "Thank you for dinner and for sharing your special place."

I nod as she gets out of the car. Frozen. What do I do now?

Walk her to the door? Kiss her?

Would she even let me?

Scrubbing a hand down my face, I remain silent, not even a fucking good night. What the hell is wrong with me? I'm not this guy. Second-guessing myself. Not taking what I want.

Good or bad, I make a decision and call out to Lindy. She turns at the slam of my car door, and I don't stop moving toward her until she's in my arms.

"What—"

I crush my mouth to hers, swallowing the surprise as her hands land on my shoulders, and we stumble back on her porch until the front door stops our forward trajectory.

My tongue roughly abrades hers, sweeping in and out, mimicking the dance of our bodies beneath the yellow porch light. Lindy moans and scrambles for purchase. Her nails scraping along my neck. A leg wrapping around my hips to hold me tighter.

At the evidence of her acceptance, I groan in victory and slide one hand behind her plump thigh, pulling her hard against my arousal as the other tries unbuttoning her bodice. Except the tiny buttons are impossible for my large fingers.

Fuck it.

I jerk the thin fabric down to reveal an even flimsier bra. The burgundy lace does nothing to hide the hardened buds begging for attention. My teeth catch one lace-covered nipple then gently nibble, a growl of satisfaction erupting from my chest like a beast in the midst of claiming its mate.

"Gideon..."

My name sounds breathy on her lips. Breathy and perfect. I want Lindy to repeat it—over and over—as I pleasure her curvy little body. Lowering a bra cup, I suckle the sensitive flesh to soothe my bite, my cock grinding deeper into her pussy.

I want Lindy to come.

Here on the porch with my name ringing through the air.

"Gideon," she pants. "We shouldn't…"

I switch nipples and continue to lash the pebbled buds with my tongue, letting my teeth graze her. Each time, she jumps a little, then redoubles her efforts to get closer to me. I want Lindy completely out of her mind with need. A need I intend to satisfy.

"Come on, Lindy Girl," I whisper as I rub my shadow-roughened cheek against her silky skin. I'm practically fucking her with my cock. All that separates us are my jeans and her soaked panties beneath the raised skirt of her dress.

My hand delves between us to circle her clit under the drenched fabric. She's so fucking wet I'll probably have a dark spot on my jeans from her cream, but I don't care.

I only crave her pleasure.

"I want to hear you cry out my name when you come," I growl in her ear, tugging on the lobe with my teeth. "I want you to scream it so loud everyone knows who you belong to."

"Oh, f..." Her heavy breathing hitches as I thrust one last time between her thighs, then she gives me exactly what I want—my name tumbling from her lips as her orgasm takes over. The waves contract around my fingers as I dip inside her pussy, keeping an easy rhythm to draw out her pleasure for as long as possible.

"Fuck, Lindy." I kiss beneath her ear. Along her jawline. "You're so beautiful, baby. So damn pretty when you come for me."

She rests her head against the cabin as she comes back down. Her eyes are closed, her chest struggling to resume its regular rhythm. I slip my hand from between us and suck my fingers clean before setting her to rights.

Damn, she tastes good.

A tinge of regret passes at the missed opportunity of tasting her sweet juices right at the source. Next time . The thought floats through my mind as Lindy opens her eyes again.

A look of horror crosses her face before she frantically shoves me away.

"Oh, God," she moans in despair, and a sinking feeling settles in my gut. "What have I done? Oh my God. We just… You… I..." Lindy motions around her as one hand rubs circles on her reddened chest, raw from my bearded face burying itself in her soft breasts. "No, no…"

My hand raises to cup her cheek, but she stops me.

Tears well below her lashes. "Don't! Don't touch me."

"Lindy..." Fear courses through me. I didn't mean to make her cry.

She dodges my outstretched hand again, and I finally take a step back to give her space.

This can't be happening.

Tell me I didn't fuck this up already.

"I'm sorry. I should've taken things slower. Next time..."

"There will not be a next time," she declares as the tears fall. "This shouldn't have happened."

"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.