Consume Me (A Burning Desire Novel)

by R. F. Allie

  I throttled a giggle and followed him inside.

  We were greeted by a nice doorman and a receptionist inside the plushiest lobby I’d ever seen.

  "Good evening Mr. Davis."

  They said in unison. The blond receptionist gave me the look-over, and then turned to Landon fluttering long eyelashes.

  I gave her a mocking eye roll and grabbed his hand.

  Mine.

  "Sylvia, Monroe."

  He shook his head in their direction then led me in the direction of the elevators.

  We were on the seventy-sixth floor, once out of the car; there were only two apartment doors. We turned to the right one, and it opened on a beautiful big space, completely different from his other apartment. The space carried an Italian renaissance spirit, fully carpeted marble floors and much more furniture, there were at least four couches all over the space along ottomans and tables. An L-shaped sofa governed on the others. It felt intimate and cozy, but no art to talk about other than two medium size paintings separating three floor to ceiling glass windows, overviewing the city skyline and central park.

  It was positively breathtaking.

  We headed straight to the master bedroom, walking through several others. I never understood the need for so many rooms for single men.

  I mean, sure you can have some friends or family over, but if you don't have a roommate or kids, six rooms are just money thrown out the window.

  But the view; it was everywhere, and it was worth it.

  I took a shower in one of the bathrooms; alone. We’d sat in the living space with our sushi assortment and wine watching the news and talking.

  "What do you want to watch next?"

  Landon asked once we finished eating. I stood to clear the table and walked to the kitchen.

  "You choose, as long as it has not news, I'm okay."

  Landon didn’t joke with his national news; he shuffled through all the channels; seemingly searching for something specific.

  I just ate my California rolls and marveled at him like a little horny teenager.

  He was beautiful; his hair damp and groomed messily. I was warm and wanting.

  "I'll look for a movie then."

  I heard him smile at my unhidden frustrated state.

  We finally settled in front of a stand-up show. I looked at the man sitting beside me; he was truly gorgeous and looked so young, so normal. Nothing suggested that was some high-end lawyer, celebrity politician fixer and über-wealthy player.

  We were just two people sitting in front of the television laughing at some comedian mocking social networking recurring fails.

  I extended my feet on his lap and relaxed.

  At some point, I not-so-accidentally brushed over his beautiful manhood and he tensed. I smiled discreetly and moved again feigning ignorance. I wasn't going to settle for the no-sex thing, I wanted him so much. Especially after the intense day we had, the defiance, the frustration, the calls and the fight. I wanted him to make love to me and I was going to change his mind, one way or another.

  Landon twisted his waist to face me, and cocked his head with a smirk.

  "I know what you're doing Miss Dane, and it's not going to work."

  He announced.

  "I don't know what you're talking about."

  I feigned innocence.

  "If you say so..."

  He turned to the screen.

  "Just remember, it was your decision."

  Stubborn Ass.

  A vibrating sound interrupted my next move. It was Landon’s phone; apparently a text. He frowned at it.

  “I’m sorry baby; I need to switch the channel.”

  His tone worried me.

  I nodded with a weak smile.

  He put on a news channel; I straightened myself watching his picture on the big screen; along with another kid.

  I was astounded.

  “Seven years old Braden Ellis has been admitted into the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Chicago’s Northwestern Memorial Hospital. We are waiting on updates from his family.

  Nathan and Katherine Ellis have been seen getting inside the hospital along with Dr. Blaine; Famous urologist and their lawyer Miss Evelyn Crawley; from Davis & Crawley.

  We remind you that the Ellis family have been engaged in a law suit against Bowler Pharmaceutical; alleging that their latest drug had led to their son’s condition. Braden Ellis has forgone several surgeries and has been on the waiting list for a kidney transplant for the past six months. He’d lost one kidney, and according to Dr. Blaine, the damage caused by the drug has spread to other organs.

  Elite lawyer and CEO of Davis International, Landon Davis has been representing the family against Bowlers Pharmaceutical for the past three months. He’d taken over the case after the passing of the Ellis’ previous lawyer Peter Candish.

  After Landon Davis’ last statement to the press; in which he accused the pharmaceutical company of changing the qualitative and quantitative formulation of the drug product after the FDA approval.

  This was his statement:

  The Ellis family and I; have no intention of turning this suit into a Class Action lawsuit. We’ve just handed proof to District Attorney that Bowlers Pharmaceutical changed their formula, and by doing so; they showed intent to commit murder. Therefore; it’s a Voluntary Homicide with intent to kill; and giving the number of families affected by the drugs; we are moving the case accusation to Mass Murder.

  Landon Davis raised the bar higher than ever; the case has been moved to be argued in front of the Supreme Court. Bowlers Pharmaceutical denied all the accusations and fought the alleged proofs in front of the federal court. The ruling has not been pronounced as of yet.

  We are still waiting for updates on Braden’s health; the family refused to give any statement. We are all waiting for Landon Davis to make his next statement.”

  Landon’s face was of pure poignant fury. His jaw clenched and he kept silent.

  I had no idea what to do; how to react.

  And the case…

  Mass murder…

  That must be unusual; I thought mass murder was supposed to happen in the same place and in the heat of the moment. How could he argue such a thing?

  I didn’t understand anything about Law; all the information I’d had were from shows or some courses in school. But I knew that his plea was unusual.

  But that little boy was dying; it saddened me.

  I didn’t know what to do; or what to say. So I just shuffled uncomfortably, until I was settled behind him. I put my arms around him; he was brooding. His muscle shook nervously.

  It was only after a minute or two that he’d reacted and grasped my hands; getting me to squeeze him further. His grip was stronger than mine; way stronger that it hurt.

  After a beat; Landon let out a breath. He felt calm and his usual-controlled-self, and scrambled through his phone.

  He called Evelyn and I let him to go grab another drink from the fridge.

  I only heard tits and bits of the conversation. I decided to make him some tea; it might relax him, although I understood his state of mind. I wouldn’t imagine myself holding the fate of a family on my shoulders like he did.

  I wished I could do something to make him feel better. I felt guilty that I might’ve been the reason he wasn’t in Chicago right then, standing beside the family like Evelyn. The video they screened of his statement was heart-stopping. There wasn’t a glint of doubt in his eyes; he was fueled, his stature lean and confident, his words cutting.

  I really pitied that company.

  I’d never seen so much determination.

  I turned to the kettle and inserted the tea infuser. It smelled of cinnamon and vanilla; it felt heavenly. I could still hear him on the phone.

  His tone was affectionate and poignantly worried. I had no doubt that Landon cared about the case; and more so about the kid. He was such a cute, freckles and blond curls. He looked happy on the picture; playing with some gadget. I couldn’t dare im
agine how his mother must’ve felt; how he’d felt. He’d barely lived; seven years old.

  It hurt my heart.

  I put the tea pot and cups on a tray and walked back to living room.

  Landon’ smile didn’t reach his eyes; but I’d thought he didn’t want me disturbed by his state.

  “What do we have here?”

  He pulled me next after I’d laid the tray on the table.

  “I thought I’d make us some tea.”

  I smiled at him; hoping to change his mood.

  “Well thank you baby. A cup of tea does sound greatly appealing to me.”

  I nodded and leaned to serve him a cup.

  He was fixing me; I could feel his gaze sending shivers through me.

  I brought the cup to him and he took it, brushing his fingers against mine.

  It felt like electroshocks through my body.

  I took a shallow breath.

  "Does it bother you Miss Dane?"

  He asked his expression unreadable and took a sip of his hot tea.

  I didn’t understand the question; or what he meant.

  “What?”

  I frowned.

  He put the cup on the tray and moved closer, and then spoke inches from my face.

  "I can tell it's bothering you, your body language tells me everything you won't say, remember?”

  “You’re so full of yourself.”

  My voice came out a little higher than intended.

  He tut his disapproval of my tone and spoke again. His hot breath so close to my face – it was excruciating - deeply excruciating.

  “I can tell you’re craving my touch."

  Landon brought his knuckles caressing my cheek.

  "Like this?”

  I fell silent, because really what could I say?

  He was toying with me.

  "Does it bother you?” He paused and brushed his thumb against my lips.

  “Your body language tells me that you want to touch me."

  Landon took my hand with his free one.

  "Do you want to touch me Miss Dane?”

  I flushed and he brought my hand to his face and nuzzled in it.

  "You have such a soft skin, delicate and flawless."

  I smiled a shy smile; he slid his hand to my back and pulled me to him.

  "Your body tells me that you want me to kiss you."

  Landon continued breathing into my ear; his light stubble sent shivers through my skin.

  "Do you want me to kiss you Clea?”

  He bit at my earlobe and sucked it. I moaned unable to make any other sound.

  "Do you?”

  I nodded; I was unable to speak past the chunk in my throat; but he didn't do it.

  "I can't hear you Clea.”

  “Do.You.Want.Me.To.Kiss.You?"

  He spelled every word with a dominant low voice.

  "Yes!"

  I breathed out shakily.

  “What else do you want Clea?”

  He prompted - oh-so-close - to my lips.

  “You… I want you.”

  I whimpered.

  “And what do you want me to do?”

  His hand moved between my thighs; I couldn’t help the urge to press them.

  “That bad huh?”

  His voice is soft, yet sardonic.

  I squirmed; he was so up close. He could’ve taken me in a heartbeat.

  “Please.”

  I supplicated.

  I needed him…

  Landon cocked his head; his expression sober.

  He wasn’t affected at all.

  “Please what?”

  He spoke to my neck.

  “Please Landon. I want you to make love to me.”

  I swallow; I thought it a better invitation. He implied that he didn’t fuck me; but rather made love to me.

  I ran my hand through his hair and guided my mouth to his. He took it slowly, lightly nipping my lips, sliding his tongue, he was teasing me. But I wanted more, so I opened my mouth slightly offering him an entrance. He didn't take it; he just kept his smooth torture making me go crazy.

  I lost the last of my patience and hardened my grip on him to deepen the kiss. I sucked his tongue; but he slipped it away with a disapproving.

  I held his bottom lip between my teeth and stilled; I was silently begging him to stop the torture.

  After a beat, Landon grabbed me roughly and brought me on his knees to straddle him. He gripped my hair and pulled it to expose my neck to kiss it and suck it. I cried out, he was devouring me and I was relishing it. I could feel his hardness between my thighs, and I was drenched by the feel of him, of his twirling tongue, his touch.

  That’s it… I got him.

  He nibbled and licked his way across my jawline to my ear and down my neck. I pushed to his chest hungry for his familiar touch on my breasts; but he didn't. I pulled at his hair, and then brought my palm between us to his cock.

  Landon abruptly stopped our kiss and shook his head, breathing erratically.

  "You can't be serious."

  I panted my words in frustration.

  "Sadly; I very much am, baby."

  He pushed to his feet and straightened me on shaky legs.

  "Let's get you to bed, it's late."

  Was he freakin kidding me?

  I waved him off and sashayed past him very slowly. I pulled the hem of my top over my head and threw it on the floor.

  He walked behind me. I heard him swear under his breath, and it only got funnier when I shuffled out of my shorts.

  That was my plan B; after the shower I'd just put on my satin pajama shorts and top without underwear.

  I walked towards the bedroom. Once inside, I turned to face him.

  His expression was memorable, dark eyes full of anger, at me obviously, traveling all over my naked body. Landon stood frozen, his body tense with lust.

  Without a word, I crawled onto the bed and laid under the soft quilt turning my back to him. I heard him going out of the room swearing under his breath, and then I heard the shower turn on.

  It didn’t work. Stubborn bastard.

  I’d lain in his emperor-size poster bed for the longest time, there was no sign of Landon, my eyes were starting to get heavy and I was pissed at him and at myself.

  I should've known; the man didn't acquire that much notoriety by taking back his words. But the rejection felt like a stab in my ego. I'd never done such things before, never felt confident enough to expose my body in such a way, and when I finally did, I was rejected.

  I mean, yes I could see it in his eyes, he was pissed, probably a little at himself for making that stupid-ass promise in the first place, but I wasn’t all that irresistible for him to break it.

  It was a foreign and strange feeling for me, and without being able to control it, tears started streaming down my cheeks and I stifled my cry into the pillow.

  I couldn't believe what happened, I felt humiliated. I thought I affected him, after our talk in the car and the way we spent the evening. I felt like it was just a way to challenge me.

  "Fuck, baby, what's wrong?"

  I didn't hear him walk inside, he levered himself on the bed and tried to turn me to face him.

  "Leave me alone; you're an asshole.”

  I muffled in the pillow.

  I felt pathetic.

  “Watch your mouth.”

  I ignored him and buried my head in the pillow.

  "Baby, just please tell me what's wrong."

  He sounded worried and it’d pissed me off even more.

  I abruptly pushed him away and stood on the other side of the bed.

  "What's wrong?” I said enraged

  “Well I’ll tell you what’s wrong. I just exposed myself in the most intimate way to you, offered myself to you, and you just walked out on me, like I was some dirty whore. You toyed with me knowing exactly how I felt. Well Bravo Mr. Davis; you were right. I’m apparently a fucking open book to you.”

  “Mouth Clea.”
/>   He prompted.

  Landon twisted his mouth ruefully, he was baffled.

  After a beat, his expression sobered, but his eyes got pissy. He walked to me, naked from the waist up. He swiftly took off the towel, revealing a glorious erection.

  He cupped my cheek and I brushed him off.

  "Stop it Clea, look at me!"

  I ignored him.

  "Will you fucking look at me?"

  I complied hesitantly.

  "Does this look like it's easy for me? Look at me, I've been under the shower for fifteen minutes, and I’m still hard."

  He pulled my hand to his cock and stilled it.

  "Every time I close my eyes, I can still see you and it makes me go crazy."

  I looked up at him.

  "Then, what’s the purpose of all this torture.”

  "The purpose is simple Clea; those rules aren’t just for show. They’ve been established to be respected. I always stick to my promises baby; I’m a man of my word, and that’s my most important rule.”

  He paused.

  “This morning; I woke up disoriented. I’d made you my exception, but woke up alone. I thought you left. It might seem crazy to you; but that’s true. In the shower; you defied me. You did so by not trusting that I’m fully and completely aware of your needs.”

  “Tell me Clea, how moot and dull was it? Did it feel the same without me?”

  I shook my head unable to look into his eyes.

  “If you’d waited; I would’ve given you that orgasm five minutes later; I would’ve made you come in the car. Hell I would’ve even come to meet you for lunch. But you chose the easy way out.”

  He cocked his head and rushed my cheek.

  “Or what you thought was easiest. But it wasn’t. Never mistake for a fool Miss Dane; you made your choice thinking you’ll get your way in the end.”

  “I have to have some control, and with you, this is my only way to have it."

  Control?

  "What hurts me the most; is that you called yourself a whore. It hurts me because you think that exposing yourself to me makes you worthless. If you could see yourself through my eyes, you would never say that, ever.”

  He sounded sincere.

  "I'm sorry, but you have to understand that it wasn't easy for me to do it."

  I gestured to my still naked body.