Page 53 of Strictly the Worst

“That’s not good enough,” he murmurs. “I need a yes, Carmichael.”

“Are you going to call me Carmichael when you’re inside of me?” I ask him. The words surprise me as much as they shock him. Did I really say that?

Yes. Apparently I did.

“Am I going to be inside of you?” His voice is low as he looks at me.

“I think so.”

“Then why do you look so scared?” He sounds genuinely concerned.

“I’m not scared I’m just… you know.”

“I don’t know. I need you to say things. Vocalize them. I don’t want to mess this up. So you’re going to have to tell me.”

I take a deep breath. “Can we see where this goes?” I ask.

“Yes, we can do that.” He dips his head until his lips are touching my neck, just where it curves into my shoulder. “Is this okay?” he murmurs against me.

“Yes,” I breathe.

He kisses his way up, finding the sensitive spot just beneath my ear.

I start to giggle.

His lips curl against my skin. “Are you ticklish?”

“A little.”

“Where?” He runs his fingers down my side. I don’t laugh this time. “Not here,” he says.

“Nope.” I like the sensation though. Every time he touches me it’s like he’s trying to learn the lines of my body. How to make me feel good.

“I’m just going to have to kiss you all over then,” he says, standing up until he’s towering over me again. I look up into his eyes and feel a little giddy at the intensity in them.

I have to grab onto his arms to steady myself.

And yes, I squeeze them a little. Because he has the best biceps. I never knew that arm muscles could be attractive on a man but every time I see Linc in short sleeves I feel like he’s melting my insides.

His mouth captures mine again, and I sigh against his lips. Why have I waited so long to kiss somebody?

Because you didn’t want to kiss anyone until Linc.

A little danger alert sounds inside of me but I ignore it.

I’ve spent the last two years doing everything by the book. Being the good parent while Jared went off for a rerun of his youth. And I don’t regret it. I don’t regret anything I’ve done for Zoe.

But she’s not here. This won’t hurt her.

“Stop overthinking,” Linc murmurs, sliding his hand down my back. His palm cups my behind and squeezes causing me to arch into him.

“I’m not.”

“Yes you are. You went all stiff on me.” His gaze softens. “And I believe that’s my job.”

I giggle again, because it’s impossible not to when he’s around. Despite the nagging deep inside me, I know that he’s not going to hurt me. Linc likes pleasing people.

It’s his superpower.

---