Whistleblower (PALADIN Book 1)

Linc looks shocked, but the bulge that’s pressed against my lower belly is now a cylindrical rock, so he can’t be too turned off by my request. I just want to see what I can handle. Is that so crazy? I haven’t known him for long…but I trust Linc. I trust his strength, his tenderness, and his desire to protect me. Right now, I need a distraction. If I can’t solve my problems tonight, I want to escape from them.

And if I’m going to dance along this line of fire, I want it to be with Linc.

“You want me to do what?” he asks.

I hop onto the bathroom counter and wrap my legs around him and my arms around his neck. “Until we kissed the other night, it had been over a year and a half since a man had touched me. I’ve had a lot of time to fantasize about some boundaries I want to test. I’m not asking you to tie me up and hit me or anything….” I take a breath. How do I explain this? “I have to be in control all the time—of my reactions, of my emotions. It’s exhausting pretending to not be as scared as I feel. So, I just want to give up control of this. If you want me, then take over. Use me, however you want.”

I can’t tell what’s going on in his mind, but the gears are turning. The wrinkling of his forehead and the way his brows are cinched tell me he’s furiously debating as his gaze shifts rapidly between my eyes.

“Being controlled turns you on?” he asks me, with a tormented look in his eyes.

I plant my hands on either side of his face. “Opposites attract, Linc. Your strength turns me on… Is that okay?”

He doesn’t answer and I want to kick myself. Too far, I went too far. I think I’ve been alone too long. I don’t know how to read sexual tension anymore. I thought a man like Linc would love it rough and gritty, turns out I spooked him. I drop my hands and try to push against his chest, intent on hopping off this bathroom counter and fleeing from Martinis. But Linc, inhumanly fast, grabs both of my wrists in one of his large hands. His grip is so powerful that I couldn’t wiggle out if I tried. I’m not even close to being his match. The only way I could free myself is by telling him to release me; and that’s what’s making me wet.

The monster… At my command.

Linc tugs me by my wrists so I nearly fall off the bathroom counter. He holds his other arm out to brace me before he spins me around, planting my hands on the counter ledge. His body lines mine from behind, my back to his belly, as he growls a simple command in my ear. “Pick a safe word.”

“What?”

“Any word you want to call uncle. I’m not going to hurt you, but I will push your boundaries if you want me to. You need a safe word so you know, no matter what, you’re the one who’s truly in control.”

“You pick one.”

“No,” he says, rubbing my back, squeezing my ass, and eventually wrapping his hand around my waist, toying with my pants button. “You need to choose.” My breathing becomes shallow as the anticipation builds.

Here, Eden?

I don’t fucking care. I want him so bad. Let him take me in a public bathroom. Nothing else matters at the moment.

“Martini,” I mutter. “Let’s use martini.”

Linc slips his hand into my pants and strokes along the cotton of my panties. Now I wish I would’ve put more thought into my undergarments but I did not even consider the possibility of Linc seeing my panties this evening.

“No, that’s too generic. We could easily be talking about drinks. You need a word you’d never say in conversation.”

“I don’t…” My words escape me as I just try to focus on breathing. Linc’s slow torture of my most sensitive spot is making me lose focus. I feel the cotton between my legs dampening fast, and if he doesn’t stop, I’m going to come from the foreplay.

“Hurry up, Eden. Choose. You’re so wet… I want to taste you.”

A word… I need a word. A word I’d never take lightly. A word I’d be reluctant to say out loud.

“Whistleblower.”

I feel him smile on my neck. “Good girl. Whistleblower it is.”

He pulls down my pants and pushes up my shirt. I feel his breath on my back as he slowly slides down my body, yanking down my panties like he’s angry at them for being in his way. He helps me step out of my pants and underwear and must have thrown them somewhere because I hear a sudden clank—the metal button of my pants hitting the wall. He kneels behind me and after an appreciative groan, he sinks his teeth into my bare ass cheek. It’s not hard enough to hurt, but just enough pressure to make me yelp in surprise.

My outburst is met with a firm swat to my ass. I melt, I mewl. Linc knows exactly what I want. “Be quiet, Eden,” he growls. “You’re going to have to take this all very quietly, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Tell me when you’re about to come,” he says as he pushes my thighs further apart so I’m standing with my legs spread. Then he attacks me with his tongue. I’m in a hedonic haze, thoroughly enjoying the feel of his wet tongue teasing my clit, but Linc’s not satisfied. He pushes my hips upward and spreads my legs wider until I’m exposed enough for him to slide his tongue across every fold. Holy shit. I allow my tears to fall because they aren’t from sadness or fear… They are from sinful, delicious fucking pleasure.

Linc suddenly grabs my hips firmly, holding me tightly in place. For a moment, I think he’s going to smack my ass again, but then…

“Ah, fuck, Linc,” I cry as he plunges into me with his tongue. Over and over until I have to bite back my pleads. I don’t even know what I’d beg for. More. Faster. Wait. Harder. I close my eyes as if the darkness can silence my thoughts.

I’d keel over if he wasn’t holding me securely in place. He devours me without hesitation, eating me like he’s hungry, and I’m his very last meal. Toggling from gentle flicks of his tongue against my clit and long lapping strokes across my crease and over my ass, Linc owns me with his mouth. My arousal, or his saliva, or maybe the two combined, drips down the back of my thigh as a swirl of pressure builds between my hips. Oh, sweet memories. It’s been so long since a man’s given me an orgasm. Then again…no man has ever touched me like Linc is right now. I could black out from the satisfaction. It could all end here, like this, and I’d call my life well-lived.

I try to follow instructions and murmur as audibly as I can, “Linc, I’m getting close. I…” I flex my quads. “Right now, I’m going to—”

I groan when he shoves his wet pinky into my ass. The unexpected intrusion makes me completely explode. I thrash against his grip and can’t swallow my cries as I come harder than I ever have before. I’m blinded and deafened by the euphoric sensation. I can’t help it if they can hear me up in space, I’m completely overcome—out of control. I have never, ever known pure pleasure like this.

Linc tenderly traces his fingers over my ass cheeks and down my thighs, waiting for my legs to stop shaking. I enjoy the sweet ticklish sensation of his fingertips so much that I take my time before rising.

I spin around and hook my hands underneath Linc’s elbows as if I could help pull up his weight. He’s been squatting for so long, I bet his legs are numb. “Were you uncomfortable?” I ask with a swoony smile. My eyes lift to meet his as he stands.

“No.” He shakes his head. “I could die down there, a happy man. Your pussy is perfection.” He licks his lips, tasting my orgasm, with an aching look in his eyes that seems to say, “Brace yourself. We’re not even close to done.”

“No one has ever done that for me before,” I admit.

“Licked your pus—”

“No, the other thing.” I hold up my pinky.

“You told me to have my way with you.” He smirks, a sexy flicker dancing in his eyes. “Did you like it?”

I’d always been curious, but I tried anal sex once in the past and it hurt. He was barely nudged against me before the searing pain took over. I had to forfeit before we even really began. My jerk of a boyfriend at the time made me feel terrible about not having a high enough pain tolerance…but he never offered to start with a pinky. Linc knew how much I could handle at exactly the right moment. I asked him to take control, and he executed perfectly. A real fucking man.

“I think I’m going to like everything with you, Linc.”

“Sweet girl,” Linc says, looking at me like a hunter sizing up his prey. “I am going to make you feel so good.” He guides my hand to his hard-on and begins to unbutton his shirt when a heavy pounding at the door makes me jump. Whoever it is tries to push against the locked door to no avail.

Linc presses his finger against my lips. “Ignore it,” he whispers to me as he uses his other hand to slide against my still-wet slit. “We’re not finished.”

But the pounding continues.

“Use the other one,” Linc snarls, now irritated.

“Linc!” Lance shouts through the door. “Spartacus.”

“Fuck,” Linc mumbles before letting out a harsh huff of frustration. He shuts his eyes and hangs his head for a moment before stepping away from me. He retrieves his gun from where he discarded it and collects my pants and panties on the way back to me.

“I’m sorry.” He hands me my clothes before reconfiguring his holster. “I’ll find you when I’m done. Stay with Cricket tonight. Don’t go back to your apartment until I can go with you.” He plants a hurried kiss on my lips.

“Okay. Who is Spartacus?”

“Not who.” Linc shrugs, trying to figure out the best way to explain. “It’s PALADIN’s safe word. I have to go to work.” Linc opens the bathroom door barely wide enough for him to slip through. “Lock this back until you’re dressed.” I nod at him, crossing my legs just in case Lance is in close enough view to see me half-naked. “Eden, I really am sorry.”

I half-smile at him. “Go—go save the world. I’ll be here when you get back.”

He snorts. “Save the world,” he gripes. “I wish that were possible.”

And then he’s gone, leaving me behind…

But for once, I’m not feeling as alone.