CHAPTER NINETEEN

LINDY

We're both adults.

Famous last words that come back to bite me in the ass as I wiggle beneath the comforter next to Gideon. Sneaking a peek at my phone, I squint from the bright light and stifle a groan.

12:07 A.M.

It's barely after midnight?

Gideon and I went to bed a little over an hour ago, and I'm regretting the paranoia that had me dialing his number when I thought someone was tailing me. Because if I hadn't called him, I'd be asleep already. Probably. Maybe.

Okay, so my sleep isn't that great even without a giant man who smells like pine and oil creating a dip in the mattress, tempting me to roll into the divot and right into his arms.

That would totally demolish my ‘take it slow' boundary.

You've known the man for over a year.

You've dated him for over a month.

How much slower do you need?

And let's not forget my hormones which riot for attention the moment he's in the vicinity. But what can I do? Accost the poor man in his sleep?

His breathing evened out soon after his head hit the pillow. Gideon's off in dreamland while I'm stuck in reality—hot, horny, and mad about it. My focus shouldn't be on testing the firmness of those broad shoulders and ridged abdomen. It should be on the weirdness from earlier.

On whether Dean or one of his cronies was following me home from the grocery store. But that asshole's taken up so much of my brainspace that I really don't want to think about him now, especially when fear for my safety is the last thing on my mind.

Honestly, I'm probably the safest I've been since the last time Gideon and I slept together—him on top of me like a guardian blanket.

"Ugh…" I sigh under my breath, flipping over to my right side.

"Care to share what's got you so frustrated?" Gideon's scratchy voice emanating through the dark sends me jerking back so fast I almost roll off the bed, until his muscular arm snags my waist and saves me from the abyss.

"You're awake?"

"I never fell asleep," he admits. "Hard to do next to a gorgeous woman. Who also prefers fidgeting every few seconds rather than resting."

"Sorry."

His other arm rests under his head as he stares at me through the dark. Moonlight offers a muted glow to the room but not enough to expunge the shadows. All I can make out is the gleam of his eyes and the flash of white teeth when he speaks.

"Want to talk about it, whatever's keeping you up? Is it Dean?"

"No, definitely not." I shift a little further away, praying the shadows hide my embarrassment.

"No, you don't want to talk about it, or no, it isn't your ex?" he asks, and the smirk on his face is almost palpable despite the lack of light.

Reaching beneath the covers, my fingers find the elastic waistband of his sweatpants and snap it against his stomach in retaliation for laughing at my flustered vagueness.

"Careful… You're playing with fire." The switch from playful teasing to growly alpha is intoxicating, so I snap the waistband again, my heartrate picking up in anticipation.

A rumble of thunder rolls through his body, vibrating from his lower stomach to my palm—something I pressed flat to his hot skin rather than removing it after taunting him.

"Is that a question, Lindy Girl? Because my answer is yes."

Swallowing past the thickness of my tongue, I whisper, "Good, because I don't want to go slow anymore," then inch my hand below the gray cotton until his dick springs free.

Pre-cum leaks from the mushroom head, and a hum of apprehension runs below my skin. Like the rest of Gideon's bulky stature, his cock matches—thick and long and oh-so-tempting. Nervous energy rides the coattails of arousal, my body getting turned on just from looking at him.

"You set the pace, baby, remember that," Gideon reminds me.

Nodding absentmindedly—my attention fixed on the huge dick in front of me—I rest my hands on his heavy thighs. "I'm not very good at this, so if you don't like something, tell me."

A quiet huff of laughter fills the air. "Trust me, whatever you decide to do, I'll enjoy it. Guaranteed."

What a different response compared to Dean. He'd made it no secret how disappointed he was in our sex life. Stop thinking about that asshole!

Taking Gideon's word for it, I lean forward and lick the prominent vein running under his cock in one long stroke. He bobs with the motion, so I wrap my hand around the wide base to hold him steady before lowering my head again to repeat the action.

The fat tip stretches my mouth as my lips purse around him like I'm sucking a popsicle.

Gideon's attention is focused on my mouth when I dare a glance upward, but his hands clutch the bedsheet in a tight grip while gravelly sounds of pleasure accompany each swipe of my tongue. Encouraged, I lick and suck, falling into a rhythm, as one hand tentatively slides lower to cup his balls. Another spurt of his salty flavor invades my mouth, but it isn't unpleasant.

Sliding further down, I take him deeper until he hits the back of my throat, and tears spring to my eyes. The position is uncomfortable yet empowering. Breathing through my nose, I force a swallow, the tense muscles undulating along his thick length.

"Damn, Lindy Girl. Such a pretty girl choking on my dick." Gideon's hand moves to clench my hair. So far, he hasn't been demanding, but as his control disintegrates, the more his hand guides me up and down.

Something I don't mind in the least.

I like his firm grip showing me what he wants.

I desperately want to please him.

Our speed increases and Gideon grunts. "I'm about to blow, baby. Get off unless you want me to fill your belly with cum."

My eyes find his, and he must see my approval because after a few jerky thrusts into my mouth, his cock swells then his hot seed hits my tongue. I swallow as much as I can, although some escapes down the edges of my mouth. Sucking gently on the tip, I draw out the last of his release before giving a goodbye lick and raising his sweatpants to cover him again.

My fingers swipe his cum from my lips, and I suck it off my fingers as Gideon watches with hooded eyes.

"Where the fuck did you learn that?" Gideon shakes his head in disbelief then lifts to his elbows to pull me in for a hard kiss. "You're gonna be the death of me, but I'll die a very happy man."

I flush at his praise. It feels good knowing I have the power to destroy his control. To bring him intense pleasure. Especially since he holds the same power over me—our first date evidence of that.

Cuddling next to him, I tease, "Hopefully, you'll live a very long, very happy life before then." I cover a yawn, sleepy after the adrenaline abandons me. Who knew sucking a man off could be so calming? Ish. There's still a simmering heat between my thighs, but I don't have the energy to do much about it.

Sleep or orgasm?

The struggle is real.

"Oh, I plan on it." Gideon's palm sweeps down my side as his head dips to press a kiss to my neck. "In fact, I'm going to continue living that happy life by eating out my sweet girl. Think you can handle that, baby?"

My eyes close as I arch my hips in invitation.

Guess a girl can have it all…