Landen

by Holly C. Webb

  Landen smiled, and Amelia was curious what he was smiling about.

  “What is it?” She asked as he watched him closely.

  “I was just thinking of Liam,” Landen replied. “Of us all, he was the wildest one. My dad used to worry about him. He still is a bit of a handful, sometimes he says things without engaging his brain first, and he can piss the others off a lot. He gives Finn shit from time to time for being so smart, and Finn hates it…”

  “But,” Amelia said, sensing there was a but coming.

  “But he is the loyalist, bravest person I know,” Landen replied. “I mean, other than my dad. With Liam, it’s always family first, he would walk through fire to protect any one of us.”

  “He sounds like a good man,” Amelia said with a smile.

  “You know there is nothing he wouldn’t do to help you too,” Landen said giving Amelia a strange look.

  “Does he know about me?” She asked, unsure of how she felt about this.

  “Not exactly,” Landen replied. “He knows I am working on something that is potentially dangerous, but he doesn’t know about you.”

  “I see,” she said as she set her glass back down. “And you want my permission to tell him.”

  “No,” Landen replied, but Amelia could hear the surprise in his voice. “I just think that down the road, we might need to consider asking someone for help, and I wanted you to know, if that day comes, you can trust Liam with your life.”

  “Okay,” Amelia replied giving him a grateful smile.

  “We are out of wine,” Landen said as he reached over, picking up the empty bottle from the table.

  “I have another bottle in the kitchen,” Amelia replied, as Landen went to stand, but she stopped him. “Let me.”

  Amelia stood up and hurried to the kitchen and grabbed the bottle of wine from the chiller. Then she pulled open the utensil drawer searching for the bottle opener. It was only after a few minutes of searching; she remembered that Landen had taken it into the living room with him. She smiled to herself as she turned, heading back towards the living room.

  “Sorry it took so long, I…” She stopped mid-sentence when she walked back into the room, and she found Landen asleep on the sofa. She watched him for a moment before she slowly walked towards the sofa.

  Amelia had to admit; he was gorgeous. She loved how his piercing blue eyes were framed by his dark hair, and there was just something about a man with a beard, something that Amelia found captivating.

  He had a good body; she could see that even through his perfectly tailored suits. She liked that he was tall, it added to his strength somehow, like he was built to protect. Now he was protecting her.

  Before Pete came into her life, Amelia had her share of dates, but no one that she had any real connection to. She did have that connection to Danny, and she was crushed when he ended things, but she understood his reasons. Still, it hadn’t made it any easier at the time.

  Since then she had closed her mind and her heart to the possibility of ever having that connection with someone again. She knew there was no point in letting anyone close, while there was still a chance that Pete could still find her, and she would have to move on again.

  Still, she couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to allow herself to have these feelings for Landen. There was just something about him. Something that excited her but scared her in equal measures.

  Amelia smiled as she watched him sleep, wondering if she should wake him, or leave him sleeping on the sofa. She knew the right thing to do was to wake him and let him go home, but he looked so peaceful. If she was honest, she liked that she felt safer with him there.

  She leaned over him, to the back of the sofa and the throw that was on the back of it. Carefully, Amelia pulled it down and gently covered Landen with it.

  Suddenly Landen opened his eyes as Amelia was leaning over him and she froze. He stared up into her eyes, as she held her breath, she knew she needed to say something, but her mind was completely blank.

  Slowly, Landen leaned up, his eyes never leaving Amelia’s, and softly pressed his lips to hers.

  Amelia’s heart hammered in her chest as he slowly pushed up further, slipping his arms around her, pulling her closer to him.

  Finally, he released her lips from his, but still, he held her close, she could feel his warm breath dance across the skin of her face, sending shivers through her entire body.

  “I have wanted to do that since the first night I met you,” he whispered softly, his lips still barely from hers. “I don’t know why, but you have gotten under my skin, Amelia Davenport, and it scares the crap out of me.”

  Amelia didn’t reply. Instead, she stared into his eyes, waiting for his next move, and she didn’t have long to wait.

  Landen leaned forward and claiming her mouth once more, this time he pulled her down onto his lap, as his kiss deepened. His kiss was just as perfect as Amelia had imagined it would be. Everything about him was perfect, she knew she was falling for him completely, and that thought scared her more than any other thought she ever had.

  As he kissed her, Landen’s hand slipped down her back, until he reached her backside. Then he pulled her closer to him, and Amelia had never wanted anything more than she wanted Landen.

  She pulled back from his kiss abruptly, looking down into his eyes.

  Every ounce of common sense was screaming at her to stop this. She knew the situation with Pete, and everything else was clouding her emotions, but right at that moment, she wanted for just once, not to have to worry about every tiny little detail, and just allow herself to live in the moment.

  Amelia stood up from the sofa and took a deep breath, then reached out her hand.

  She stared down into his eyes, as she waited for him to decide what he should do next. Amelia could see the uncertainty in his eyes, and she half expected him to make his excuses and leave. But she hoped that for just this once, things didn’t go the way she expected them to.

  Landen blew out a sharp breath before he reached out taken her hand. Standing up in front of her, he wrapped his arms around her once more, but this time his kiss almost took her breath away.

  Amelia melted into his arms, as she pressed her body against his, she could feel his arousal press into her stomach. She knew that, as unsure as he seemed, he wanted this as much as she wanted him.

  Suddenly Landen scooped her up into his arms before he headed towards her bedroom, his eyes never leaving hers.

  When they reached Amelia’s room, Landen didn’t waste any time. Laying her down on the bed, he quickly stood up, pulling his sweater over his head, before he climbed over her on the bed, and claimed her mouth once again.

  Grabbing the hem of Amelia’s pyjama top, Landen pulled it up her body, breaking his lips from hers only long enough to pull her top over her head and discard it onto the floor.

  Claiming her mouth once more, Landen ground his erection against Amelia, it filled her entire body with longing. She ran her hands up his broad, perfectly toned chest, then around his neck before she pulled him closer to her. The smell of his divine aftershave was almost intoxicating. Amelia pinched her eyes closed, as she gave herself to him completely.

  Landen breathlessly pulled his lips from her, then leaned up above her and stared down into her eyes.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered, then gave her an uncertain smile, as he glided his right hand up her body, allowing his fingertips to brush against her sensitive nipples. They instantly grew harder, and Landen smiled to himself once more. “I have never wanted anyone more than I want you, right now.”

  “You can have me,” Amelia breathed out, as she stared up at Landen from beneath her long lashes.

  “I want you to be sure,” he said as he looked down into her eyes. “I don’t want you to do this because you feel like you have to.”

  “I wouldn’t ever do anything I don’t want to,” she replied, as she leaned up, brushing her lips against his. “I promise you; I want this
too.”

  Landen stared at her for a moment, before he crashed his lips to hers once more. Suddenly, there was an urgency in them both, as they pulled at the rest of their clothes until there was nothing between them both but a thin layer of sweat that covered both their bodies.

  Landen pulled back once more and reached for his trousers on the floor. Amelia watched him carefully as he pulled a foil packet from his pocket, before he slowly rolled a condom down over his impressive length.

  Finally, he looked back up at her, and the moment their eyes met, Amelia’s heart almost burst through her chest it was beating so fast.

  He gave her a knowing grin like he knew exactly what he was going to do to her, before he covered her body with his, as his mouth claimed hers, once again.

  “OH, GOD!” Amelia cried out, as Landen pushed into her with one, single trust, filling her completely. She held her breath as she allowed her body to adjust to his arousal inside her.

  Landen began to move in slow, deliberate thrust, each time filling Amelia a little more.

  “You feel so good,” he whispered breathlessly against her mouth, as he slipped his arm beneath her, pushing her closer to him.

  “So. Fucking. Good,” he continued, punctuating each word with a thrust.

  Amelia didn’t say a word. She could barely breathe, much less form a thought. Instead, she just held him tight and allowed him to take her body to places she had never been before.

  And for the first time since this nightmare had begun, she was able to forget about Pete Reynolds, and every terrifying moment she had lived through for the last three years.

  Right at that moment, there was just her and Landen, nothing else mattered.

  Landen’s breathing slowly began to become more laboured. Amelia knew he was close, and she loved that she had made this, huge, masculine man, come apart so easily. It was a heady feeling.

  Over and over he pushed into her, sending her body into a complete free-fall, until finally, her orgasm erupted deep inside her, sending a shockwave through every muscle of her tired, aching limbs.

  Landen pushed into her harder, clearly pushed on by her cries of pleasure, until he too cried out, as he exploded inside her, then stilled, letting his body ride out the orgasm that has almost tore him in two.

  Finally, he slumped down on top on Amelia, practically pinning her beneath his perfect body, until finally, he lifted his head, as he stared down into her eyes.

  “What the hell have you done to me?” He asked, surprising her with his question.

  “I… I don’t know what you mean,” she replied as a wave of panic formed inside her.

  “The things I feel inside of me,” he whispered breathlessly. “The longing I have, it feels like I can barely breathe when I look at you.”

  “I see,” Amelia replied, and she couldn’t help but smile at his words.

  “I promise you,” Landen said breathlessly. “I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe. Even if it means my life.”

  He gave her a smile before he claimed her mouth with his once more.

  Chapter 8

  Landen woke with a start, for a moment, he felt a little confused about where the hell he was. Suddenly someone moved next to him, and the moment he felt Amelia’s soft skin against his body, he smiled to himself.

  This was all very new for him. He hadn’t spent the entire night with a girl since he was in college. Even then, it was just the one time. Still, it felt good waking up next her. He thought that it was definitely something he could get used to. He turned over onto his side and watched her sleep.

  She was beyond beautiful. Landen couldn’t help but take in every inch of her beautiful face. For the first time since he had met her, more than a week before, she looked peaceful. The lines of worry were gone from her forehead, and the sadness was gone from her face. He didn’t think she could look any more beautiful than the night he first saw her, but he was wrong.

  Suddenly she breathed out with a long contented smile, and Landen knew she was finally relaxed. He leaned forward, gently pressing his lips to hers, and her eyes slowly opened.

  “Good morning,” he whispered giving her a smile.

  “Good morning,” she breathed out through a yawn, then gave him a sleepy smile in return.

  “How did you sleep?” Landen asked, as he reached out, brushing her hair back from her face.

  “Good,” she smiled as she tried to stifle another yawn. “Too good. I still feel like I could sleep for hours.”

  “Then why don’t you,” Landen laughed as he softly glided his fingertips up and down her arm. “I have to be going anyway. I promised my mother I would drop by for breakfast today. But I can call you later, or maybe drop by.”

  “I would like that,” Amelia said with a shy smile before Landen leaned down and softly kissed her again.

  “I would like that too,” he said as he reluctantly climbed up from the bed, gathering up his clothes before he headed to the en-suite.

  When he stepped out of the bathroom twenty minutes later, showered and dressed, he smiled when he found Amelia fast asleep once more. He walked to the bed, then as quietly as he could, he leaned down, softly kissing her forehead, before he turned and let himself out of her room taking great care not to wake Amelia.

  Landen made his way down the hallway, to the front door of the apartment. He had just reached it when he heard Nikki’s voice behind him, stopping him in his tracks.

  “You slept with her!” She said, her tone was accusatory.

  “Nikki,” Landen said as he turned back to look at his assistant. “I didn’t know you came home last night.”

  “And would that have made a difference if you did?” Nikki asked giving him a questioning look. “What the hell were you thinking, Landen?”

  “Look, Nikki…” Landen began, but Nikki cut him off.

  “Don’t look, Nikki, me,” she cut in angrily. “I know you. I know you think it’s okay to sleep with someone, then discard them like they are nothing. But she is not one of those faceless girls that throw themselves at you. She is sweet and kind, but she is broken too, Landen. She is too broken for you to be playing your stupid games with. If you hurt her, she will never get over this. You will break whatever little piece of herself she has inside her, she will never trust another person again. So, you need to stop this now before she falls for you.”

  “It’s not like that,” Landen insisted, wishing he could explain to her what he was feeling inside him. “With her it’s different.”

  “Different how?” Nikki asked. “Different that you will change your whole life for her? Change who you are? Because that’s what it will take. I really don’t think you have thought this through.”

  “If that’s what it takes, then yes,” Landen replied defiantly. “I’m not playing games with her, Nikki. I know what I’m doing.

  “And what if this Pete Reynolds comes looking for her?” Nikki asked, changing tack a little. “What if he comes, and she runs again. After you change everything for her, are you prepared to let her go? Because that’s what you might have to do.”

  “It won’t come to that,” Landen insisted feeling angry that his friend couldn’t understand how he was feeling. “It won’t come to that because I won’t let him get to her. I will do whatever it takes to keep her safe.”

  “Oh my God!” Nikki exclaimed as her whole expression changed. “You’re falling for her.”

  “Nikki, it’s just complicated.” Landen sighed, knowing that she was right. “I don’t know how I feel about her.”

  “Well you’d better get it straight in your head fast,” Nikki replied, pinning him with a look that said she meant business. “Because I love you, Landen; I really do, but I won’t stand by and watch you destroy her. She is too special for you to hurt. So you better make up your damn mind soon.”

  “I will,” Landen sighed, knowing she was completely right. “I promise you.

  “Good,” Nikki sighed, still holding his gaze with her. “Becau
se if I’ve to choose sides, it won’t be yours.”

  “I understand,” Landen said, knowing that what Nikki said was not easy for her.

  Without saying another word, he turned and walked out of the apartment.

  As Landen made his way down to his car, he cursed himself for letting his feelings dictate his actions. He knew Nikki was right in what she said, but she was wrong about him.

  He didn’t view Amelia as being anything like those other girls. Okay, maybe he was confused about his feelings for her, but he knew he wasn’t playing games. He just wished he had taken a little more time to think about how he felt before he crossed a line.

  He sat in his car, staring at the steering wheel for a moment.

  “YOU’RE A FUCKING IDIOT!” He yelled out loud as he banged the steering wheel angrily. “What the fuck have you done?”

  He scrubbed his face with his hands, before he stuck his key into the ignition, and started the engine.

  Right now, he had to have breakfast with his mother and the rest of his family, and he knew he needed to get his shit together before he got there, or his mom would see through him like she always did.

  By the time he reached his parent’s house, Landen just wanted to turn his car around and head for home. He had no idea how he had started the day in such an amazing mood, but now his mood had darkened. The last thing he wanted was to go into his parent’s house and try to pretend that he was actually feeling okay.

  He was just about to pull his car back down the driveway when the door opened, and his mother appeared in the doorway.

  Landen sighed as he switched off the engine, knowing it was too late to make his escape now. Climbing from the car, he forced a smile on his face as he walked up the steps to where his mother was waiting for him.

  “Oh dear,” Nell said as she watched her eldest son walk towards her. When Landen reached her, he kissed both her cheeks. “You look like someone just ran over your puppy.”

  “I don’t have a puppy, Mother,” Landen sighed impatiently.