Page 45 of Succumbed

“Oh? Please, set me right.” She twists in her seat, folding her arms.

I’m inordinately pleased she doesn’t shrink away. But I can see the subtle markers of a woman with her defenses raised. I lean into her space and plant my hands on either side of her–one on the dash and the other on the center console. She doesn’t flinch, her pupils dilating as she inhales sharply, and arousal flashes through me. Oh, you like that, don’t you? It’s always the strong ones who want to succumb.

“You have no idea the effect you have on him, do you?” My voice is low, intimate. “No idea your mere presence calls to him–to all of us–like a fucking beacon. You walk in the room with your own gravity, drawing us toward you the moment we’re close enough to feel pull.”

I cock my head to the side as her breathing quickens, wanting desperately to get lost in the building tension.

“You think it’s normal for Declan to be tied up in knots, or for Lincoln to give a shit about what his flavor of the month eats for dinner? You said what’s between you and Linc isn’t normal for you. News flash, Lex, nothing is normal for any of us right now. And the common denominator is you.”

Her pulse throbs at the side of her neck, her lips parted as she looks up at me. My nostrils flare as I stare her down, then lean closer.

“I picked you up tonight to make sure you know the power you wield, and I’m glad I did. It’s clear you have no idea the havoc you could wreak on Lincoln, the destruction you could cause our family.” I take a deep breath through my nose, trying to calm myself. It’s a mistake, because her fucking floral scent makes me almost feral. “And you need to realize Lincoln will walk into that destruction willingly, if only for one. More. Taste.”

Her eyelids flutter as I growl out the last three words, her eyes nearly black with desire.

“And the most ridiculous part?” I lean another inch closer, struggling to keep my eyes from her lips as I drop my voice to a harsh whisper. “He’s not the only fucking one. You have us and our future in the palm of your hand, and you don’t even realize it. One week, one fucking dinner at our house, and we’re already revolving around you.”

We’re both vibrating, bodies taut and breathing shallow. Pushing forcefully away, I nearly slam into my seat, the Jeep rocking with my movement. No good can come of giving in to my lust tonight. I need to gather my wits, and she needs to decide what to do with everything I dumped on her.

“Have all the fun you want with Linc. Just don’t forget how powerful you are.”

The shuddering sound of her slow exhale is the perfect exit music as I step out of the car to get her door, my cock hard and my heart beating double time. I didn’t intend to give so much of myself away, but I don’t regret a word. Your move, Lex. Let’s see what you’re made of.

Chapter 14

Lex

Two weeks had never gone by so fast. Work was wildly busy, but it was the moments in between that were speeding my days, which was a first. After Shane’s little visit, I considered reestablishing my boundaries with Linc and going back to just business. But he showed up the next morning with his dimpled grin for our run, and all thoughts of pushing him away fled. I’d leaned into him as he wrapped his arms around me and devoured my mouth in a fiery kiss, then laughed as he slapped my ass and jogged away backwards, arms spread in challenge. I can’t imagine letting that side of him go. Not yet, anyway.

My phone buzzes with a text, drawing my attention away from my laptop.

Linc: you’re distracting

My eyebrows rise. I’m alone in my office at Athena, and I don’t have plans to meet up with Linc or his partners until tomorrow.

Me: How so?

Linc: I can still smell you

Heat flashes through me, my clit buzzing with the memory of what we did last night. I shift in my office chair, spinning slowly to face away from the door.

Me: Hmmm, good. We’re even.

Linc: even?

Me: I can still taste you.

The three little dots showing he’s typing pop up immediately. I roll my lips between my teeth as I smile, imagining him leaning his head back and groaning as he reads my message.

Linc: feeling naughty, are we?

Linc: careful, beautiful

I glance over to confirm my office door is closed, then unbutton my blazer and shimmy it open, revealing the black lace crop top beneath. Snapping a quick picture of my torso, from my smirk to my waist, I send it off to him.

A soft knock draws my attention, and I pull my blazer closed before spinning my chair back around to meet Van’s amused gaze.

“Am I interrupting?”

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