“Oh, my God, that’s amazing news.”
He laughed and looked back out at the water. “I wish your excitement rubbed off on everyone else.”
I knew whom he was talking about. “Are you talking about your dad?” I couldn’t understand why his dad couldn’t just support him, but of course, my parents were the same way.
“I know it will take some time, but I’m sure he’ll get used to the idea. I mean, if you give him no choice, then he’s bound to get over it, right?”
He shrugged nonchalantly. “All I know is I’m excited to finally be doing something that I want to do. I’ve been doing what has been expected of me for a long time,” he sighed. “To be honest, I would have gone to school for mechanical engineering a long time ago. I had been taking business courses the first year and decided it wasn’t for me. I was going to change it, but that’s when I met Kelly. My dreams of moving away and starting a big career were altered.”
I grabbed his hand and held it in both of mine. “I’m happy you have made a decision to follow your dreams, then. You should be happy.”
He gave me a small smile. “Did you hear yourself?”
I frowned. “What?”
He stood up and grabbed the hem of his shirt, before pulling it over his head, causing the muscles in his chest and arms to flex. Momentarily, I forgot what we were talking about. “You should be happy too, Sadie.” He unbuttoned his shorts and pulled his fly down, revealing swimming trunks underneath and I grinned.
“I’m happy now. Does that count?” I stated as I looked him over.
He grinned at me and tossed his shorts onto his shirt. “Let’s go for a swim,” he said as he turned and ran for the pier. He turned once and smiled at me before he jumped off, doing a cannon ball in the water.
I bit my lip and I watched him come up for air. I hesitated momentarily getting up to take my clothes off as I thought about the fish and other things swimming in the water. I wasn’t a big fan of water I couldn’t see through. It freaked me out. But I didn’t want to be a wuss, either.
Looking out at the pond, I could see Landon watching me. “If you don’t come in here, I’m going to have to get out and drag you in,” he yelled.
I laughed because I knew he would.
“Okay, I’m coming,” I yelled back.
Standing up, I lifted the tank top over my head tossing it into the pile of clothes, and then added my skirt. I adjusted my bikini top as I walked out onto the pier to make sure the girls wouldn’t pop out when I jumped in. Even though he’d already seen them, I didn’t want to start flashing them everywhere.
I walked up to the edge of the pier and looked down into the water. It didn’t look too bad, but I was still iffy about jumping in it.
“Get your cute butt in here,” he demanded playfully.
Without thinking about it, I jumped in holding my nose, before I’d talk myself out of it. Turned out, I didn’t even need to hold my nose because the water wasn’t that deep. The water felt amazing though. It wasn’t warm and it wasn’t cold. It was just the right temperature.
“You jump like a girl,” Landon laughed as he swam over to me and pulled me into his arms.
I wrapped my legs around his waist and grabbed onto his shoulders. “Well, it’s a good thing that’s what I am, then.”
He squeezed my sides and kissed up my neck to my jawline. “Yes. Very good,” he said, as he pulled back and looked at me. “You know, I meant what I said up there. You’ve made me realize so much since I’ve met you. It’s one of the reasons I’m finally taking control of my life. I want that for you too. There is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to do what you love. I know you said your dad is paying for your schooling, but what if you paid for it yourself or applied for some grants? It may work. And I hope you know I’ll help you in any way I can.”
Everything he was saying was true. I’d always considered myself an independent person. One who thrived on achieving my own goals, but this matter had thrown me for a loop. There was one thing I’d never wanted to do and that was to disappoint my parents, but it wasn’t about them and I needed to remember that. It was about my future and me. They wouldn’t pay my way forever. Maybe I just needed to take that leap.
I rubbed at the water clinging to his shoulder and stared at it. “It’s like deep down I know what I should do; I’m just afraid of what might happen.” I looked up into his eyes. “What if I go against my parents and they kicked me out?”
“Do you really think they would do that?”
I shrugged, aiming for carefree, but I knew my shoulders were taut with worry. “Honestly, I don’t know. I’ve never gone against them before. Maybe that’s why I’m so afraid to take the leap. I’ve always been compliant when it came to them. I always wanted to make them happy.”
He pulled me tighter and walked us further out into the water. “I’m not one to constantly piss off his parents, but do you think it would make them proud of you, to stand up for what you want?”
I laughed. I knew my parents loved me and they wanted what was best for me, but they didn’t truly know me if they didn’t know how much I loved art. “I don’t think they’d be proud, but I do need to help them understand my love for art. Maybe you’re right.” I ran my fingers up the back of his neck and played with his wet hair. “I do need to show them my art. Maybe then they’ll understand.”
He kissed my forehead and smiled down at me.
I tilted my head back a little and looked over his expression. “Why are you smiling like that?”
“You just told me I was right. Not very many women would admit that.”
I laughed and pushed at his shoulder. “I said maybe you’re right. Don’t let it get to your head.”
We were silent for a moment before Landon spoke again. “I don’t want to sound too forward, but if it did come to that point, if your parents did kick you out, you’d have a place with me.”
My stomach clenched at the thought. Not in a bad way. More like an ‘oh, my God, what did he just say’ way. The thought didn’t necessarily freak me out, but I wasn’t sure I was ready for something like that.
He chuckled, as he looked me over. “Don’t get all freaked out, sunshine. I’m just saying if it did happen, I wouldn’t let you go without a roof over your head. You could probably even stay over at Nan’s. She’s all by herself. I’m sure she’d love the company.”
The thought of my parents kicking me out for doing something I loved, pulled at my heart. I still didn’t know if I would go through with it, though. The only thing holding me back was their approval. And there it is again, Sadie. He was right; I couldn’t live my life that way. If he could take the leap, why couldn’t I?
“If that was to happen, you’d probably get sick of seeing me.” I lowered my hands down to his chest and played with the tiny hairs that I’d just noticed. “It’s a lot for you to suggest with us just getting to know each other.” I looked up into his beautiful eyes. “Doesn’t it freak you out to think about?”
He lifted a hand to my cheek. “Close your eyes for me.” I frowned for a moment before I complied. His other hand grazed my cheek and I could feel the goose bumps rise on my arms. “Picture me in your head,” he said softly. I pictured him standing there in front of me. “Do you have it?” I nodded. “Now picture a few years down the road. Can you see me?” I nodded and smiled. I knew where he was going with this. “Can you see yourself with me?” I nodded again as I felt his lips press against my forehead and work their way down. “In your mind, do I look freaked out?” I bit my lip and shook my head. He didn’t look freaked out at all. The future Landon looked content and happy. In my mind, he was taking me for a horseback ride on Charlie, out to this very pond.
I opened my eyes and raised my hands to his face. The feeling that I’d felt before was in the pit of my stomach; the feeling that this was meant to be. And somehow, even though I’d only known him for over a month, I knew deep down it was true. “You don’t look freaked out at all.”
>
His lips curved into a smirk before they were smashed against mine. Our tongues were tangled in a soft passionate kiss, while his hands slid down my arms, past my waist. He gripped my ass as he brought me closer to his body, causing me to gasp into his mouth. I could feel how hard he was as he pulled me as close as he could possibly get me. My mind whirled with hunger to feel him and it drove me to rock my hips against him.
He made me feel so much in my heart and mind that I needed to be close to him this way. I needed to feel that connection we both shared in a more intimate way.
I pulled back from him, breathing heavily, and grinned at what I was about to say. “I’m ready.”
He grinned with me and captured my lips with his as he made his way out of the pond. I wrapped my arms around his neck and tightened my legs around his waist to ensure I wouldn’t fall.
Slowly, he lowered me down to the blanket, breaking the kiss. The way he was looking at me caused chills to flow through my body. It was hard for me to think that I met him a little over a month ago, yet there I was, falling for him. It was so much to take in, but I wanted to cherish this moment forever.
He didn’t say a word as he reached behind my neck and back to untie the strings to my bikini. I just laid there, watching his every move as he kept his eyes firmly on mine. My breaths were coming faster as he looked me over in the daylight. I wondered what must have been going through his mind as he trailed his fingertips down the center of my chest to my belly button. And as if reading my mind, he softly said, “You’re beautiful, sunshine,” before leaning down to trail kisses from my lips to my breast, softly kissing and sucking each one as if he had all the time in the world.
I raised my hands and ran them through his hair as I gasped and moaned softly with every touch. He was nibbling, biting, and causing my lower half to clench with need. I could feel it pulsating, begging for attention.
Pulling his head up to mine, I kissed him roughly as my hands found their way down to his swim trunks. I was ready to feel him. I needed to feel him. That feeling of love in my stomach was driving my need for that connection, causing me to feel emotional. I’d never felt like that before. It was like I was making love for the first time. Maybe I was. Maybe this is what I was meant to have.
Running his hand down my waist, he gripped onto the strings of my bottoms and pulled them loose as our kissing grew more intense. He sucked my tongue and bit at my lips as I hurriedly tried to remove his shorts, using my feet to pull them down.
He broke the kiss and laughed at my actions as he pulled my bottoms out from under my butt and then kicked off his shorts.
Looking down at me, he settled himself in-between my legs. Just looking up at him, I could see it. It was exactly like he said. I could see my future with him. It was the craziest thing that had ever occurred to me, but it was there.
Sliding my hands up his back, he lowered his mouth to mine and kissed me softly as he slowly eased his way into me.
I gasped into his mouth as each inch filled me and I adjusted to his size. He pulled back and looked down at me as his hips rocked back and forth. I moaned every time his pelvis hit my core. I knew it wouldn’t be long before he took me over the edge, clenching around him with every thrust. I could tell he felt it because he groaned as soon as I clenched over him. He rocked faster against me, making sure to grind his hips into my core.
My mouth hung open with the intensity of the moment. “Oh, God, Landon,” I moaned as I squeezed my legs around his waist and grabbed onto his ass. Pulling him closer to me, I lifted my hips with every thrust, ensuring he would hit the spot. And he did.
I closed my eyes, tilting my head back as the feeling of ecstasy flowed through me over and over again. I was gripping him tightly as he pounded into me a few more times before his face scrunched up with a groan. He rocked into me softly as he rested his forehead against mine.
We lay there unmoving, not saying a word; his labored breath tickling at my neck. My legs still wrapped firmly around his waist. I didn’t want to let go and break the moment. I could still feel him hard inside me and I contemplated rocking my hips against him again, but I was starting to get hot.
I rubbed my fingertips up and down his back and was about to speak when he beat me to it. He pulled back and looked at me, biting his lip. “I hate to bring this up now, but…I didn’t use a condom.”
I should have been scared out of my mind or yelling at him, but it was just as much my fault as it was his. “I’ve been on the pill for a couple of years and I’m clean.”
He sighed, and rested his forehead against mine. I had a feeling he was relieved to hear it. I was glad I was on the pill too, because I was in no way ready for kids. We’d have to be more careful in the future. I always used double protection, pill and condom.
“I’ve never gone without one before. I don’t know what came over me.” I rubbed my fingers through his hair as he talked until he pulled back to look at me again. “I’m clean too, so I don’t want you to worry.”
I reached up and kissed him softly. “I’m not worried.”
Slowly, he pulled away from me, lying on his back, pulling me with him to rest my head on his chest and entwining our legs. Lifting my arm, I ran my fingertips over his damp chest and tilted my head up to his neck to inhale his spicy scent. Nothing could ever compare to that perfect moment. I knew then that I loved him. I couldn’t picture myself being in anyone else’s arms.
As we lay there, a warm breeze whistled through the tree and I watched as the branches swayed back and forth. “It’s so beautiful out here,” I stated, as I pulled my head back. Our gazes met and he smiled down at me.
“It’s only beautiful because you’re here,” he said sweetly, kissing my forehead.
I lay my head back down on his chest and snuggled closer to him with a smile. He always knew what to say at the right time.
“Are you hungry?” he asked as, as he ran his fingers up and down my arm.
“Yes, I’m starved actually,” I answered and we slowly pulled apart.
Grabbing the tote bag, he pulled out a towel and handed it to me. Then he pulled one out for himself. I dried myself off from the pond water and the sweat, and then cleaned myself up. I couldn’t keep my eyes off of him the whole time we got dressed and I was sure I looked silly with the smile I had plastered on my face.
He opened the cooler and I sat down next to him to watch him spread out our feast. He was so generous to think of food to bring out here. He set the last container down, and then leaned over to kiss me softly. “You’re amazing,” he stated. He pulled away with a smile on his face then handed me a paper plate.
I blushed at his comment and piled food on my plate. “You’re not so bad yourself,” I replied and we both laughed. “So, can you tell me what to expect tonight?” I knew there were three parts to this competition, but I didn’t know everything about it. I only knew what Lisa told me, but she didn’t explain everything very well.
He finished chewing his food and answered. “Well, first we’ll be doing some shots for Devon for the finale of his video. He’ll get me performing before and during the race. He did it last year too. I’ll have to show you the video. Anyway, we go down some back roads to do burnouts, donuts, drifting and some racing. Just to show off for the camera,” he smiled.
I wasn’t too thrilled with the idea, but I guessed boys would be boys. “What happens if you lose though? Will he still use that footage?”
He laughed and shook his head. “I won’t lose,” he stated confidently.
“Overly confident?” I teased as I ate.
He shook his head. “No…smart. I’ve got to think positive so I don’t jinx myself.”
I nodded in understanding. “Gotcha.”
He looked out at the lake and I looked over his profile, remembering I had my sketchpad in my bag. It would be the perfect setting to draw him.
Placing my plate on the blanket, I reached for my bag and pulled it out. He looked down at my hands then up to my
eyes.
“Whatcha got there?”
I smiled. “Well, when you saw my drawings you asked me if I drew people. I’ve only done a few here and there, and I’d like to try and draw you if you don’t mind.”
He smiled brightly. “Heck yeah, that’d be awesome.” He looked around the blanket, then back to me. “Where do you want me?”
“Just stay right where you are and look out at the pond.”
“Are you sure?”
I nodded and smiled. “Yeah, I want to get your profile.”
Setting the pad on my lap, I started to sketch him as he leaned back on his elbows and looked out at the pond. Another slight breeze brushed by, causing his dried hair to ruffle. The breeze was nice because we were at the peak heat of the day. I was sure we’d probably jump into the pond one more time before we left.
It took around twenty minutes and eight sheets of paper, but I finally got it right. “Okay, I’m done,” I stated as I finished shading in the last part of his hair. I looked over my work and smiled. It wasn’t a true likeness but it was pretty darn close.
Landon sat up and leaned over to see. “Wow,” he breathed. “That’s really amazing. That looks just like me.”
I laughed. “Yeah, it looks like something,” I joked.
“Wha…”he started before he was tackling me to the ground in a tickle fight. “Oh, you’re getting it now,” he said playfully.
I screamed and laughed as he tickled me until my ribs were red, and I loved every minute of it. It didn’t take long before we were rolling around the blanket with no clothes again, this time, using protection. We cuddled and stared at each other for long periods of time not saying a word, but no words were needed. I looked over every part of him. Memorizing every detail of his body, his face, his hands, everything. And he did the same to me. I’d never had anyone look at me the way he did; I couldn’t help but feel cherished and loved.
We stayed by the lake for another two hours before we finally decided to head back. We needed to shower and relax before the big race that night. Which was a great idea because being in the sun and heat had made me tired like it did almost every other day.
Drifting into Darkness Page 24