Linc held his breath as he waited for her reply.
He didn’t know what he would do if she said she wasn’t interested in taking things further. He’d still protect her, but it would be hell to come home to her every night and not touch her, kiss her, hug her.
But it needed to be her choice.
“I do want more. I’ve wanted it since you first mentioned being interested in me. I couldn’t believe that you would want me. Boring, mousy Marisol.”
“I’m going to stop you right there,” he said sternly even as relief flooded him. She wanted him too. “You are not ever to call yourself boring or mousy again. Or an idiot. I won’t have that. Understand? That’s a very firm rule.”
“We’re talking about rules already?”
“Yep. This is important. I want you to see yourself how I see you. Gorgeous. Kind. Funny.”
She stared up at him in amazement. “Really?”
“It kills me that you don’t know your own self-worth. That you don’t see that you’re a freaking queen and that’s how you should be treated.” He leaned in and brushed his lips against her ear. “Unless you’re being a naughty little princess. Then you’ll receive a different sort of treatment. Have you thought about being turned over my knee?”
A shudder worked through her. Oh, he was going to take that as a yes. Still, she had to tell him herself.
“Do I have to answer?”
“Yes,” he said firmly. “And remember how I feel about being lied to.”
She squirmed on his lap.
“Marisol,” he warned. He wasn’t letting her get away without answering. He had to know.
“I don’t like when you call me by my name.”
“What?” he asked, confused. What did she mean?
“Usually you call me Mari or Mari-girl or teeny. When you call me Marisol it’s usually because you’re upset or annoyed.”
Really? Huh. He hadn’t actually realized that, but she could be right.
“Tell me, Mari-girl.”
“Yes,” she blurted out.
“Good girl. That wasn’t so hard, was it?”
“For you, maybe,” she muttered.
Oh, one part of him definitely got hard thinking about turning her over his knee and spanking that naughty bottom.
“Have you imagined me doing anything else to you?” he asked in a husky voice. “Me kissing you?”
“Yes,” she said breathily as he placed one hand on her upper thigh.
“Me too. Every night since we went on our picnic, I’ve gotten myself off while thinking of you. Have you done the same?”
“What?” She went rigid.
Maybe he was pushing too far too fast. But he wanted her to know how much he desired her. Despite the fact that he was exhausted at the end of the day, he’d still get hard thinking about her in the shower and he’d jerk himself off thinking about her.
He drew a pattern on her thigh with his finger, moving closer and closer to her pussy. She widened her thighs without him saying anything. He heard her breath hitch.
“I wonder if I slipped my finger under your panties and ran it along your lips whether I’d find them slick with arousal? Would I, Mari-girl? Are you turned on? Do you need to come?”