Lovers Unmasked

by Katee Robert

  She hoped she didn’t need the embellishments. A little so-called magical help never hurt, but she wanted Landon to see her as she really was, as well as the way she could be. The way she wanted to be when she was in his arms.

  Thirty minutes later, she let herself into Landon’s apartment with the spare key he’d given her years ago. Thank God it still worked. She’d come over early, so he wasn’t home from work yet. Hell, it wasn’t even dark, which would give her time to prepare herself.

  She set down the bag of movies she’d brought next to the bowl of candy Landon had set aside for trick-or-treaters. Unable to help herself, she took a quick dig through the stash. He’d been stocking her favorite Milky Ways for almost a decade. She grinned as she discovered a Milky Way candygasm, both light and dark versions, and snagged a couple of each. Into her bag of movies they went, since yet again she had no purse.

  At the threshold of Landon’s bedroom, she let out a shaky sigh. His room was a mess. Blanket and sheets half on the floor, a pile of clothes on a chair, a couple of ties strung from the bedposts. The sight was so familiar that she had to close her eyes. She missed the jerk, warts and all. The few days since their fight had been even worse than the past year, and that was saying a lot. One way or another she’d have to get him to understand how much she lo—

  She huffed out a breath at the mental stutter. Yes, loved. She couldn’t deny it anymore. She’d been most of the way there before, and sleeping with him had only solidified her already-strong feelings. They were meant to be together. And what better night of the year to prove it to him than the most magical?

  God, she needed some magic. This time, she’d just have to make her own.

  She made his bed, then promptly messed it up again by arranging herself on the sheets. The smell of his pine cologne lured her into a state of relaxation, as did the occasional giggles she heard from kids down the hall as they readied to go out trick-or-treating. She smiled and tucked her face into the pillow. She’d always loved Landon’s comfortable, family-focused building.

  The next time she opened her eyes, the room was pitch-black, the hallway was silent, and she was still very much alone.

  She tugged her cell out of her corset and checked the time. Ten forty-five? She shot up in bed. She’d been asleep for six hours? No matter how much she’d tossed and turned all week, that was crazy. And where the heck was Landon? Had he gone out to some Halloween shindig?

  Of course he had. What was she thinking, that he’d skip the usual festivities and come home to mope over her? Right. How delusional was she?

  Reacting as she always did when stressed, she called Craig.

  “I’m at Landon’s,” she began. “He’s not here and—”

  “Why the hell are you there?” he demanded. “Have you been home tonight? Did you get the card he sent you?”

  “Huh? What card?” Craig’s grunt prompted her to try to explain. “No, I had a half day at school after the kids’ parade and haven’t been home since this afternoon. Why?”

  “Because you need to get over to the Grimes. This instant.”

  She frowned. The Halloween balls at the Grimes, the swankiest hotel in Warner, were legendary. Someday she would go, just to see what they were like. But not this year. This year was all about finding a way to reconnect—permanently—with Landon.

  Unless it was already too late.

  “I’m really not in the mood for some fancy party, Craig.”

  “Who said anything about a party? You just need to get there. Now.”

  Steff crawled off the bed and grimaced at the pain that shot through her cramped toes. The course of true love was littered with sore feet, she was certain. “Oh, really? What do I do once I get there, huh? Stand around and feel even worse than I do already?”

  “Just go up to the penthouse. And seriously, if you two try to put me in the middle of another love spat, I’ll use your butts for archery practice.” With that notable proclamation, he hung up.

  She sighed and hobbled down the hall to the front door. On the way, she turned on the light in the foyer and grabbed the bowl of untouched candy. Shame to let it go to waste. She dumped half the bowl in her bag of movies, then went back and took a few more pieces. Landon rarely ate the stuff, so why not?

  Throughout the drive to the Grimes, she second-guessed herself. Her costume wasn’t really appropriate for that kind of place. She’d been stretching things by wearing it to the Kenney and Kilborn bash, but their legendary parties always pushed the limits. At the Grimes, she probably wouldn’t encounter anything but Victorian ball gowns and bejeweled eye masks. Definitely no tailless fox costumes with crotchless tights and hooker boots.

  She sighed and drove up the circular driveway in front of the gorgeously appointed hotel. The unusually warm evening meant the fountain in front was still going, and the colorful plumes of water stole her attention until the valet tapped on her window and requested her keys.

  Valet service for a twelve-year-old Accord? Sure thing.

  A few moments later, she rode the elevator up to the penthouse suite. Normally she wouldn’t have even been allowed to access this section of the hotel without a key card, but when she’d given her name at the front desk and asked for Landon, she’d been given clearance. Unless the concierge particularly appreciated scantily dressed foxes, she had to assume that meant she’d been buzzed through.

  Landon must be waiting upstairs. And she was going to throw up.

  She battled back her nerves and strode from the elevator to the penthouse door. She’d wanted to show Landon she wasn’t merely reliable, people-pleasing Steff, but she’d learned even more about herself. She didn’t just hide her inner vixen under smocks and sneakers, she also had untapped reserves of faith and courage. Right now, she was calling on both.

  Logic had to come into play, too. Landon hadn’t invited her to such an incredible—and expensive, she reminded herself as her boots sank into the plush carpeting that lined the hall—hotel to tell her to go to hell. She hoped.

  She knocked, then knocked again. Maybe he’d decided that the best way to get his revenge would be to make her stand out here like a fool.

  The door swung open, and her thoughts blipped to a halt. Along with her heart.

  Landon stared at her, and she stared right back. He wore most of a tux, minus the jacket and tie, and usage of the buttons on his shirt. The white starchy fabric hung open to reveal his truly magnificent chest and abs, covered with the softest, silkiest dark hair she’d ever touched. Her gaze lowered, and she visually traced the treasure trail below his navel that led to the gaping button of his black slacks. Tease.

  “’Ahlo,” he said softly. “Didn’t think you were gonna show.”

  His slightly slurred voice and the open champagne bottle on the coffee table clued her in to his inebriated state. What the hell? Barring their dinner at Mama Leone’s, Landon rarely drank. Not even in college. Yet here he stood, beautiful green eyes blurry, his balance slightly off as he clung to the door and gave her a crooked smile.

  “I never got your message.” She took his arm, then shut the door behind them, purposely avoiding checking out the suite. Even the glimpses from the corner of her eye told her its lavishness would make her breath trip again.

  “The courier didn’t bring it?”

  Courier. God. He’d gone to so much trouble. Because she didn’t trust her voice yet, she just shook her head and pushed him onto the jewel-toned sofa, where he crumpled like a ton of sexy bricks. “How much have you had to drink?”

  He dropped his head on the back of the couch and gave her a dizzy smile. His eyes were still open, but from the heaviness of his lids, they wouldn’t be for long. “Most of the bottle. Good stuff. ’Spensive though.”

  She picked up the bottle of Cristal and almost swallowed her tongue. “Uh, yeah, Mr. Big Spender. What’s with all this? The room, the champagne, the…” She trailed off as she saw the roaring fireplace, and the obvious picnic for two laid out on the hearth. The f
ood was probably cold now. Or warm, depending. Her chest tightened as she glanced back at Landon, droopy smile, hazy eyes, and all. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here. I was waiting for you at your place. I never got the message from the courier. I’m sure it’s in my mailbox at home.” She shook the plastic bag of movies and candy she still carried. “Oh, and I stole all your Milky Ways.”

  His rich laughter eased the knots in her belly. “Not the first time. Besides, I bought them for you. And I brought you movies.” He waved his hand at a precarious stack of DVDs on the cabinet beneath the enormous flat-screen TV mounted on the wall.

  A hurried glance at the movies he’d selected made her grin. Titles like P.S. I Love You, Crazy, Stupid, Love, and Love Me If You Dare told her where his thoughts resided. She set her own sack of horror movies on the floor. Sometimes he could be so damn adorable.

  Even if his recent taste in movies blew.

  She sank down on her knees beside him and gave in to her urge to smooth her fingers over his jaw, surprisingly pleased that he hadn’t shaved. This scruffy, roguish look worked for him. And holy cannoli, the tux molded to his sculpted body like a damn wetsuit. “You should get some sleep,” she murmured, suddenly wanting nothing more than to curl up beside him in a big, soft bed. Everything else could wait.

  “Not tired.” He gripped her hand in his and her heart fluttered like they’d never touched before. Bright green eyes focused on hers with obvious effort. “I waited all night for you. The later it got, the more I drank. Dumb, huh?” He gave her a rueful smile. “This was supposed to be perfect.”

  Oh, God, this man. Forget candy, she had all the sweetness she needed right here. “It is perfect, Lan, but I’m selfish. I want to sleep with you. To feel you holding me when I close my eyes.” Knowing the tack to take, she turned her face away to fake yawn. “I’m exhausted.”

  “Oh, well, then, if you need to sleep…” He was already struggling to his feet and trying to bundle her into his arms. It didn’t work too well, considering he currently had the coordination of a toddler.

  “I’ve got it.” Laughing, she steadied both of them. “Where’s the bedroom?”

  Wordlessly, he led her across the opulent suite. He opened the door and nudged her inside ahead of him, stumbling into her back when she gasped. “What?” He sounded panicked. “Did you stub your doe in dose boots?”

  The way he turned t’s into d’s while drunk was so freaking cute she was tempted to jump him before he had full control of his faculties. “No, I’m fine. This place is incredible. I mean, the bed could fit twenty.” She turned and nearly face-planted into his massive chest. “Did you get a raise I didn’t know about, Hotshot?” she asked, more than a little breathlessly.

  “You’re worth it.” He cupped her cheek. “Sure you’re really sleepy?”

  When he looked down at her like that, all slumberous and sensual, her body seared with heat. “Yes.” She rose up on her tiptoes and brushed her mouth over his in a soft kiss that was entirely too brief. Especially when his wandering fingers dipped into the deep vee between her breasts created by her death contrapt—err, corset. “Let’s go to bed.”

  He grinned. “I thought you’d never ask.”

  …

  Landon rolled over and cautiously opened an eyelid. It would’ve been easier had it not been weighted down by a rock, but he made do.

  The bed was empty. He ran his hand over the crisp blue bedding and muffled a groan. Sheets were cold, too. Had he imagined last night?

  He lifted a hand to his head. Well, not the drinking part. That he remembered quite well. Kind of embarrassing to get loaded off champagne like a chick, but he’d barely been sleeping and he’d been eating like shit all week. The stress of waiting for Steff to show had probably played a part, too. Plus he hardly ever drank. Hence the lightweight tolerance Craig would never let him live down—if he found out.

  Landon’s lips twitched. Maybe he could pay off Steff to keep his dirty secret.

  After he ascertained his head and stomach were both relatively unscathed, he rolled out of bed and discovered he wasn’t wearing his shirt. Or pants. He didn’t remember removing them, but that didn’t bother him overmuch.

  It also didn’t bother him when he wandered to the living room of the suite and found the balcony door open, letting in a surprisingly warm breeze. Hello, déjà vu from the party. Then his gaze landed on the small glass table near the balcony. Flaky croissants, cantaloupe wedges, a bowl of strawberries, and a carafe of orange juice completed the meal that awaited them.

  His stomach growled in protest. The day he subsisted on bread and fruit was the day he turned in his man card, but it would do as an appetizer.

  As would the sight awaiting him as he moved farther into the room.

  Steff leaned over the railing—Jesus, she had a bad habit of doing that—though this one was so high she’d had to climb up on the steel rung that banded the bottom to manage it. Better yet? His once conservative girl wore only a poorly secured gray towel as she leaned into the wind and laughed in delight at the breathtaking view of the sun rising near Whiteface Mountain.

  Because he didn’t want to startle her into taking a header onto the concrete fifteen stories down, he padded up behind her and dragged her into his arms. He also wanted to hold her again. Would never get tired of holding her.

  She struggled, planting her elbow in his ribs before he managed to restrain her. “Damn you, don’t sneak up on me like that.”

  “Your fault. You’re the one sashaying around in skimpy towels and wiggling your very fine butt.” He clamped his teeth on her shoulder and she went as still as if he’d jolted her with a live wire. “That’s better. Stay still.”

  Her halfhearted protest fell silent when he peeled open her towel and let it fall. She shuddered at the breeze coasting over her bare, slightly damp skin, but didn’t shout in outrage or otherwise admonish him for undressing her outside. This early in the day, this high up, no one would see them. And just in case someone did look their way, he had a solution.

  Loosely linking his fingers with hers, he drew her over to the padded lounger in the corner of the narrow balcony. He released her long dark hair from its makeshift bun, letting the tumbled strands fall around her shoulders and down her back like a cape. Then he reached for the waistband of his boxers.

  “Landon, we need to talk—” she began, her voice thick with trepidation. And apology.

  He cut her off with a fingertip on her full pink lips, letting his gaze convey everything his mouth hadn’t. His understanding. His need. His love. “I’m not angry anymore. I think I get it, Steff.” He cradled her flushed cheeks between his palms. “I get you. And baby, I want you, just like you are.”

  “Wait. Just wait. Please. I never should’ve lied to you. It was a mistake. But God, I never intended to hurt you.” Her face crumpled in on itself, her delight from the view long gone from her eyes. “You’d pulled away, and I wanted you back. I was so scared you’d reject me as me, but I knew you wouldn’t turn her away.”

  “She’s you. Just another side.”

  Eyes filling, she nodded. “Yes. All of those sides are yours now, if you really want them. I promise you, I won’t ever lie again. About anything.”

  He rubbed away the tears gathering on her lashes. “So if I try to make pizza again and the cheese is all lumpy and undercooked, you’ll tell me it sucks?”

  “No.” She turned to kiss the tips of his fingers. “I’ll just call Mama Leone’s.”

  Laughing, he pressed his cheek to hers. “I made mistakes, too. Walking away from you was the dumbest thing I ever did. I needed you more than anyone, and I forced you out of my life to try to convince myself I didn’t really have those kinds of feelings for you. And guess what? I failed.”

  She gave him a tremulous smile. “You weren’t the only one.”

  “Wait here.” He stepped around her to return to the suite. He came back and brushed her hair away from her shoulders. Her ears were bare. Good. “I’d lov
e for you to wear these.” He showed her the pink crystal earrings he held. “You want to be low-key and wear sweats and share popcorn on the couch? Sounds great. Want to be a wild woman? Well, lucky me, because I get two sexy women for the price of one.”

  Her eyes widened and she smiled faintly. “The magic touch.”

  “Hmm?”

  “I bought those earrings with that gift certificate you gave me for graduation. All these years, I’ve been waiting for a special night to wear them. I’d hoped they’d bring a little magic. And they did.” She tilted her head toward him. “Will you put them on me?”

  “Wow, I have good taste.” He grinned and fumbled them into her ears, then stepped back to view his handiwork. They shimmered seductively in the rays of pink and gold that highlighted her skin. “Perfect.”

  She stared up at him, her lips trembling. “I love you.”

  Warmth rolled through his chest, filling the cracks that had opened up inside him since he’d discovered her deception. With just three simple words, she eradicated the hole that had been created by the distance between them. Erased it as if it had never existed.

  “I love you, too.” He couldn’t believe how easy the words were to say. “I won’t ever stop. And I won’t leave you again, no matter what. I give you my word.”

  “Not just as a friend, Lan. I’m in love with you, and I want us to be—”

  “Together,” he finished, his smile breaking through the rigid clamp of tension that had held him in its grip. “Yes. We’re definitely together. And I’m in love with you right back.”

  At her relieved sigh, he placed his lips on hers, licking his way into the sweet softness hidden within with a leisure his revving body didn’t appreciate. But he’d rushed too much already, and they’d skipped a few steps.

  Right now, he’d retrace them, slowly, carefully. Mapping every luscious inch of her curvy body. Making sure she knew how much he adored every nuance of her, inside and out.