by Eve Vaughn
“It’s okay, Gloria. Lena, I would rather die than hurt your daughter. She means a lot to me.”
Gloria caught movement from the corner of her eye and saw her son enter the room. “CJ, come and meet Landon.”
Her son’s expression was unreadable as he held out his hand to the older man. “How do you do?”
Landon took the offered hand. “Very well, thanks. It’s nice to finally meet you. I look forward to getting to know you. Are you a gamer?”
CJ nodded. “Yes, I have a gaming console but I don’t have time to play it that much because I’m currently conducting a few scientific experiments that require most of my attention.”
“Wow, your mom said you were a genius and from the sound of it, she wasn’t kidding. I’d love it if you could show me these experiments sometimes. I find science fascinating.”
The boy smiled. “I’d like that a lot. Thanks.”
Gloria knew Landon had made an instant friend by mentioning his affinity for science. She turned to her mother. “Okay, Mom, I think we should be going. I should be back by midnight.”
Lena smiled and winked. “It’s okay, baby. I’ll understand if you don’t come home tonight, I’m staying over anyway.”
“Mom!” Heat surfaced to her face. Gloria’s mother was old-fashioned in many ways, but sometimes she was full of surprises.
“What did I say?” Lena batted her eye lashes in mock innocence.
“You know.” Gloria kissed CJ and her mother goodbye, before tucking her arm in under Landon’s.
Once they were outside, Gloria felt the need to apologize for her mother. “I’m so sorry about that. My mom can be a bit outspoken at times.”
Landon smiled. “Don’t worry about it. I found her very charming. I like her a lot.”
“She seemed to like you, too. So did CJ. I didn’t realize you were into science.”
“Well, I’m no Einstein but I do like watching programs about that kind of stuff.”
Landon opened passenger door of his SUV and waited for her to get comfortable before closing it. “So, are you ready for tonight?” he asked once he slid in next to her.
“Yes, considering you’ve been so secretive about it. Where are you taking me anyway?”
“If I told you, it would no longer be a surprise.”
She slumped in the seat. “The suspense is killing me.”
“You won’t be disappointed. I made a promise, I’d make this night enjoyable for you and I have every intention of keeping it.”
Gloria intended it to be a special night, all right. Since they began dating, the furthest they’d gone was kissing and heavy petting. It soon became obvious to them both it wasn’t enough, not when they knew how it could be between the two of them. That time in the gym told Gloria that sex with Landon would be out of this world.
A shiver ran up her spine as she thought of what it would be like between them. All during class today, she hadn’t been able to think of anything except her date. She’d even forgotten to assign homework for the weekend, which she was sure her students were grateful for.
A smile touched her lips. She’d waited this long, what was another twenty minutes or so? “I guess, I’m just looking forward to having this time alone with you.”
He reached over and gave her hand a squeeze. “Thank you.”
Their eyes locked and she knew everything would be okay.
Chapter Twelve
“Landon, will I get to take this blindfold off anytime soon? You’re not going to take me some place weird, are you?” Gloria asked, shifting in her seat.
Landon was amused by her impatience. He wanted their destination to be a surprise. “You’re going to have to trust me. I promised you a night to remember.”
“But will it be a good or bad memory?”
“Good, if I have anything to do with it.”
“I can’t wait to get there.”
Landon brushed her bare arm with his knuckle, unable to help himself. From the time Gloria had answered the door, he’d thought of nothing else but having her in his arms. These past several weeks with her had been pure bliss. With her in his life, Landon felt everything come together. Even Pete had commented on how happy Landon was.
He looked forward to the end of work to be with Gloria. She was his first thought in the morning and last at night. He loved her laugh, her smile, the cute way her nose twitched when she talked and the way her hips swayed seductively from side to side when she walked. He loved her.
What Landon felt for Gloria went way beyond anything he’d ever felt for any woman. It transcended the crush he’d once had on her. He recognized in her the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. Landon suspected, however, that she still suffered from insecurities because of her failed marriage. Tonight, he planned on letting her know how he felt.
“Here we are.” He brought the car to a halt and shut off the engine. “Don’t get out, I’ll come around and get you. I have to run in and make sure everything is fine.”
She tittered behind her hand. “You’re making this seem like some covert operation.”
“All will be revealed soon enough.” He raced into his house and flicked the lights on. Before he’d picked her up, Landon had set up a picnic dinner surrounded by candles in the middle of his living room floor. Busying himself to make everything perfect, he slipped a smooth jazz CD into his stereo to heighten the mood. Everything was just as he envisioned it. Now, all he needed was his woman.
He ran back outside to collect Gloria. She fidgeted in her seat. “It’s about time,” she said in a mock scold as he helped her out of the car.
“I’m sorry I took so long, I just wanted to make sure everything was just right, but first, there’s one more thing I need to do.”
“What? Take this blindfold off?”
“No. This.” Landon pulled her into his arms and ran his tongue across the seam of her petal soft lips before crushing them beneath his. He’d been dying to do that to her since she’d answered her door, but couldn’t, not with her mother and son standing around. She returned his kiss, twining her arms around his neck. He enjoyed the softness of her body pressing into his hardness. Gloria was all woman—and he loved it.
He broke the kiss. “Mmm, if we don’t stop, I’ll have to take you right here on the ground.”
“You’re a big tease.”
“I don’t tease. That was merely a promise of what’s to come. Grab on to me.”
She hooked her arm through his and he led her into his house. Once inside, he moved behind her and removed the blindfold. Gloria gasped, her awe evident. “Oh my. Landon, this is so romantic.” He saw the suspicious sheen of tears in her eyes.
“Do you like it?”
“I love it. No one has ever done anything like this for me.” She turned around and showered his face with kisses. “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!”
“Whoa,” he laughed. “If I’d known I’d get this reaction, I would have done it much sooner.”
“You’re sneaky. When you said dinner and dancing, I certainly didn’t expect this.”
“Speaking of dancing, can I have this one, my lady?” He bowed over her hand.
“Right here?”
“I can’t think of a better place.”
She curtseyed. “Thank you, kind sir, I’d be honored.”
As they came together, their bodies swayed to the dulcet sounds of the music. The heady scent of her perfume filled his nostrils and titillated his senses. It was difficult to hold her so close while fighting the urge to drag her to the ground and fuck her senseless. Landon buried his face against her neck.
His hands roamed over her naked back. “This dress is sexy. I’m glad you wore it for me. I’m going to enjoy it even more when I take it off.”
“Hmm, you sound very sure of yourself.”
He brought his mouth against her ear. “I have to be. I don’t think I can go another day without you in my bed, my dick sliding into your hot wet cunt, making you scream
my name.”
Gloria shivered. “Are you trying to seduce me?”
Landon shook his head. “The way you look tonight, I’d say it was the other way around. You have no idea what you do to me.”
She ran a manicured finger down the center of his chest with a smile. “Maybe I do, a little.”
His cock stiffened and he rubbed it against the junction of her thighs. She felt so good in his arms—so right. It seemed like he’d waited for this moment all his life. There was nothing he wanted more than to take her upstairs and finally become one with her, but he didn’t want her to feel rushed.
“Maybe we should have dinner now,” he suggested with reluctance.
She shook her head. “The only thing I’m hungry for—is you. Landon, I think what you’ve done tonight is very romantic, but I won’t be able to eat one bite if all I can think about is making love with you.”
Landon gave her no chance to change her mind. In one swift movement, he scooped her up into his arms. She yelped. “Landon! Put me down! I’m too heavy. You’ll never make it up the stairs carrying me.”
Though she wasn’t a lightweight, his need for her was so great it didn’t matter. His focus was on the warmth of her body pressed deliciously against his. “Wrap your arms around my neck and don’t let go, because I’m not putting you down.”
She giggled. “So, I guess I’m the Scarlett to your Rhett.”
“Something like that.”
Gloria rested her head on his shoulder as he made his way up the stairs and into his bedroom. He didn’t stop until he reached the bed, and gently placed her in the center. “Wow! Talk about romantic.”
He grinned, unbuttoning his shirt. “This night isn’t over yet, baby.”
Landon slowly undressed under her watchful eye. He loved the way her dark eyes blazed with lust with each inch of skin he revealed. She looked so beautiful lying there, sexy and welcoming. How had he gone this long without making love to her?
On the verge of removing his boxers, she held up her hand, halting his progress. “Is anything the matter?”
“No. Not at all. Actually, everything is perfect. There’s something I wanted to tell you before we did this.” Her tone had gone serious all of sudden.
“You can tell me anything.”
“I just wanted you to know how much you mean to me.” She patted the bed, beckoning him close. Her words sent a searing joy through his being. Landon attempted to take her in his arms, but she held up her hand.
“Wait. Let me finish, because if you touch me, I’ll lose all train of thought.”
“It’s hard not to touch you when you look so damn sexy.”
“Please. I’m being serious.”
He stole a quick kiss. “So am I.”
Gloria sighed. “Sometimes it’s hard for me to express how I feel and before we do this, I want you to know exactly where I stand.”
Landon took her hand and grazed her knuckles with his lips. “Of course. I’m all ears.” God, she was beautiful.
“I’m sure you already know, but my marriage wasn’t a happy one. My ex constantly put me down and made me feel like an inferior human being. Even when he cheated on me, Cordell made it seem like I was to blame. I began to believe it. When he left me, I didn’t think someone like me would ever know what it’s like to truly be cherished.”
“Gloria, you are wonderful. Cordell was a fool. You weren’t at fault, he was.” Landon hoped he’d never cross paths with Gloria’s ex-husband, because there was no telling what he’d do.
Gloria stroked his thigh absently. ‘“I know that now and I have you to thank for it. You showed me I was worthy of love. I found my sense of self again. I can walk with my head up and not be afraid of what people think of me. You also taught me how to love again.”
His breath caught in his throat. Was she telling him what he’d been longing to hear?”
“Gloria?” He left the obvious question unspoken.
“I love you, Landon. I think I have for a long time.”
There was no holding back now. He wrapped his arms around her and buried his face against her neck, his emotions taking over. “I love you, too, Gloria. So much.” There were no words adequate enough to describe the feelings flowing through him. He had to have her now. Landon pushed her onto the bed and covered her body with his.
He rubbed his swollen erection against her and lifted his head just enough to see the desire in her dark eyes. “I love you,” he whispered again. He could tell her a million times and it wouldn’t be enough.
“And I, you. Now give me less talking and more loving,” she laughed, drawing his head toward hers. Her soft skin pressed against his, sent a spiraling sensation of delight to his very core. Their tongues met, dancing, twining and circling the other. Gloria moaned into his mouth, signaling her arousal.
His cock was so hard it ached. If he didn’t have her soon, he’d lose his mind. Breaking the kiss, Landon stared at her kiss-swollen lips. He’d never seen a lovelier sight. His hands immediately went to the dress.
“Landon, I’m so hot,” she moaned.
“So am I and it’s about to get hotter.” He slid her dress down, revealing her braless breasts.
Gloria tensed.
“What’s wrong, sweetheart.”
“Force of habit, I guess. I know you don’t mind, but I’m still a bit self-conscious. This is the first time you’ve seen me like this.”
“And I’m not a bit disappointed.” Landon’s heart swelled with the tremendous love he felt for this gorgeous woman. “Sweetheart, you turn me on like no other woman has. Let me show you.” He placed his lips where her shoulder and neck connected. “Your skin is so silky,” he murmured.
“Oh Landon,” she sighed, running her fingers down his back. He loved the way her hands felt on his body. Moving lower, Landon stopped when he was eye-level with her breasts. Her large mounds were crowned with blackberry colored nipples. His mouth watered at the sight. Landon cupped them in his palms, dipped his head and teased one budding peak to stiffness.
Gloria arched her back, her hands roaming his back in frenzied motions. “Landon! Oh God.” Her soft moans made him harder than ever.
He sucked the taut tip into his mouth, tweaking her other nipple between his finger and thumb. “Your body is so responsive. I like that.” Landon turned his attention to her other breast, licking and laving it until she cried out. There was no inch he intended to leave unexplored tonight, but at this moment he wanted some pussy!
Chapter Thirteen
Gloria couldn’t remember a time when she’d experienced such mind-numbing bliss. The things Landon did to her had her body burning with a fire so hot, it threatened to consume them both. Knowing she had his love only made the moment that much sweeter.
Who would have thought the kid who’d once been deemed unlovable would be the one who showed her exactly what love was. Before Landon, her emotions had been in a deep freeze and he’d thawed them. With every touch of his lips and caress of his hands, Gloria found herself a little closer to heaven. She ran her fingers along any part of his sinewy frame she could touch. The contrast of her dark hands on his pale skin created an erotic contrast. She never knew something so simple could be such a turn-on.
Landon moved lower still, pulling her dress down her hips and then completely off. In the past, Gloria would have been self-conscious about her body, but not with Landon. The look of lust and love in his eyes left no doubt in her mind how he felt about her. To him, she was beautiful, and what’s more, she believed him.
Gloria shivered with anticipation when he removed her panties. Eager to feel his mouth on her pussy, she parted her legs.
Landon chuckled. “Ready for it, aren’t you?”
“Oh yeah.”
He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. “Far be it for me to disappoint the lady.” He separated her slick folds and touched her clit. Gloria bucked her hips, craving more. A sensation of molten-hot passion burned through her like a raging inferno. “Lan
don, please,” she begged, not wanting this moment to ever end.
“Do you like this?” His breath against her hot sex sent another shiver quavering through her body. “I love it. Don’t stop.”
“Not on your life.” Easing two fingers inside her wet pussy, he captured her clit between his teeth, nibbling on the highly sensitized bud.
Gloria thought she’d lose her mind. “Landon, Landon, Landon,” she chanted, writhing beneath the ministrations of his mouth. Her temperature rose with each passing second until she felt like she’d incinerate.