by Tara Leigh
Fuck. Who knew navy blue could be so goddamn sexy?
In my head, there was one word playing on repeat. Like the relentless kick of a snare drum: mine.
Mine, mine, mine, mine.
Above, a cloud passed over the sun, sending my shadow across Piper’s face like a mark of ownership.
And damn, I wanted to own everything about this woman.
Her joy and sorrow. Her tears and laughter.
I wanted to own it all, especially the painful bits—so I could crush them to dust. Send each sharp, shiny grain into the wind, never to abrade her sensitive soul again.
Piper’s pulse was a steady thrum beneath my palms as I skimmed my hands over the curve of her waist, the creased plane of her ribs, the cushioned swell of her breasts. Our heads came together, foreheads meeting, mouths not quite touching, my inhale synchronized to her exhale, hungrily consuming her every breath.
I was so fucking hard.
I swept my tongue along the tread of her lips, sinking my teeth into the plump fullness of her lower one. A bite, just hard enough, deep enough, to leave a mark, a reminder. Landon Cox was here.
Piper gave a ragged groan, nails pushing into the skin at the back of my neck, impatient hips rocking into me.
I pushed down the flimsy cups of her bra, revealing the tight peaks of her nipples, their usual rosy color dusky with want. My mouth sought out her right breast, my left hand toying with the other as my always composed Piper came apart at the seams. Making a mewling sound, she reached behind her back to unclasp the band of her bra, letting it flutter to the ground like a useless candy wrapper.
My cock was desperate to poke through the material keeping it from sinking into Piper’s clenching heat. Wrapping my arm around her waist like an iron bar, I hooked a thumb around the band of my pants and jerked them down just far enough for my dick to finally break free.
Piper glanced at my ridged shaft, the crown dark and swollen, a bead of precum glistening. Before I could stop her, she had pushed off my shoulders and slid to the ground, her knees between my feet.
“Piper,” I choked out, wishing I had the strength of mind to pull her back up, to switch positions so that I was the one on my knees before her.
If there was ever a woman worthy of worship, it was Piper Hastings.
But right now, my mind was entirely at the mercy of my dick.
Piper’s face moved closer, tongue trembling just beyond the white gate of her teeth, hair a silken sweep across my thighs, glinting gold in the sunlight. She gave a little puff of excitement, the warm air a caress.
“Jesus, Pippa,” I groaned, my eyes closing, a shudder rippling down my spine. And as the syllables of her name fled through my clenched jaw, I felt her hands wrap around me, her soft palms slowly gliding along my shaft. An exploration that was too slow, too gentle for the ferocity building inside my chest, threading to break my ribs wide open.
I gripped the edges of my chair, vaguely noting that my hold was tighter than it had been just a few hours ago. Maybe this was all the physical therapy I needed.
The thought was chased away by Piper’s mouth, by that glistening tongue that lapped at the wetness smearing my crown. Delicate licks to start, like a cat tasting cream for the first time. And then longer, firmer strokes, as if her appetite had been whetted but not satisfied.
I’d satisfy her, all right. Just, ah Christ—
Piper’s lips wrapped around me, her tongue flattening as she sucked me into her mouth. Deep, then deeper. Pulling back up, swirling her tongue while the fingers of one hand closed around my shaft, her hold on me tight and wet as she nibbled and kissed.
There was a wild beast inside me that wanted to grab Piper by the hair and thrust upward, seize my pleasure from her mouth at my own pace, under my own power.
But that would be taking the easy way out, at the expense of Piper’s trust.
When it came to this girl, I didn’t have much restraint, but I had enough not to ruin this moment. And enough sense to know she’d already ruined me.
In the very best way.
I rolled my hips toward her, my cock sinking into the cavern of her mouth as she sucked me deep, the edges of her tongue curling over me.
It was almost painful, the way pleasure unfurled deep in the pit of my groin, closing over my balls, clutching at the muscles and tendons of my thighs, turning my stomach into a rigid plane. The pressure built in strong swells, rising higher and higher until it was a struggle even to swallow. My world shrunk to the wet heat of Piper’s mouth, the tight grip of her throat, the determined clasp of her hands. The sun above our heads was unimportant, the ground beneath our feet nonexistent.
I felt the point of no return coming with the force of a tsunami and I pushed at her forehead. “Pippa. I’m gonna—”
But she only moaned, shaking her head slowly. The vibration, the friction, it had the bones of my pelvis shaking and then, in the next moment, shattering completely. “Ah, fuck,” I howled, another wave pounding me hard, and I was pulsing, pulsing. All the while, Piper’s hands gripped my thighs, her throat working to swallow as I unloaded inside her mouth.
Finally, she pulled off me, and I looked down with what had to be a stupid, dopey grin stretching wide over my cheeks, just in time to see her tongue flick once more over me, before she lay her head flat on my leg.
An emotion that felt dangerously close to love, not because of the blow job—although, fuck if that hadn’t been the best one I’d ever received—but because of her. Of the noises she made without realizing it, of the expressions on her face when she didn’t think I was looking. Of the comfort I found whenever she was near.
Just…her. Piper Hastings. My Pippa. The woman who meant more to me than I’d ever imagined possible.
I waited a few moments, until the urge to taste her, to feel the press of her thighs on my neck, the perfect globes of her ass in my hands, became too much to bear. Rising to my feet, I gathered Piper into my arms, despite her protests that I shouldn’t. Fuck that. I’d carry her to the ends of the earth if she’d let me.
But I didn’t have far to go, just to the chaise lounge a few feet to my right.
That gorgeous body of hers stretched out on the cushion, all smooth skin and creamy curves, two perfect peaked nipples, still wearing that tiny blue thong. I pushed the lace into her crease, a mangled gasp escaping her throat as my thumb rubbed damp fabric over the swollen nub between her folds.
“Damn,” I rasped, my voice like gravel. “You like that, don’t you?”
She made another noise that sounded like it had at least a passing acquaintance with “yes.”
My eyes swept over her, intending to take my time, knowing I’d enjoy every single moment.
I’d just dipped my tongue into the shallow well of her belly button, tasting each sweet pleat, when I heard the chime of a bell. I looked up, straight into Piper’s wide eyes. “What—”
Disappointment was written all over her face. “The door. Your physical therapy appointment.”
“Stay right here.” I gave Piper a stern warning. “Don’t move, don’t get dressed. Just, stay.”
Jogging to the front door, I opened it just enough to fit my head through. A guy wearing a black golf shirt with the RHC logo stood in front of me. “Hey, I’m in the middle of something. Bill me whatever, but I need about an hour. You can come back, yeah?”
“Ah, yeah. Sure. I’ll just—”
“Great. See ya in a bit.” I slammed the door shut and headed back for the courtyard. Money and fame could be a double-edged sword, but they certainly had their privileges.
Chapter Sixteen
Piper
Days passed, filled with Landon’s physical therapy sessions, visits from Travis, Shane, Jett, and Dax, meetings with the general contractor working on his house, visits to Harmony’s, and long walks in the canyons near the house. At night we lounged in the interior courtyard, skinny-dipping in the pool, making love beneath the moonlight.
A personal che
f delivered meals and snacks every morning from the approved list of foods for Landon so we didn’t have to shop or cook. For the most part, our time was our own. And we spent much of it rediscovering each other’s bodies, and talking about nothing and everything…except us.
I finally ventured back into the office after a week, leaving Landon with Jett and Dax, thinking I needed to put in some face time.
Wrong.
Travis took one look at me and nearly had a seizure. Within five minutes, I was back in the elevator, under strict instructions not to leave Landon’s side until further notice.
It felt like we were naughty children, sent away for misbehaving. And maybe that was what we were.
For the first time in my life, it felt pretty damn good to be bad.
Maybe that was why I decided to make a quick stop to see Shania on my way back. Travis would have had a fit, but he was too busy with a movie star’s latest crisis to actually check up on me. Had Landon been home alone, I would have rushed right back, but between Jett and Dax, I figured Landon would survive an extra half hour without my hovering.
The cottage was empty so I went straight to the barn. Harmony preferred to let Shania and her pups outside when the other dogs were napping or eating. Since I could see a dozen dogs running around the paddocks, I made a beeline for Shania’s usual stall. She glanced up at me, rising to her hind legs in one smooth movement and stretching her front paws on the door. I held my hand out for her to inspect, and she rewarded me with a lick before backing away and sitting down, making a low noise in the back of her throat.
“Sounds like someone just got an invitation.”
I jumped at Harmony’s voice, glancing over my shoulder to find the older woman grinning at me. “I don’t know about that.”
“I do,” she said, sliding the metal lock aside. “When I open the door, get in quick before they all escape.”
A moment later, I was standing in the stall, puppies squirming all over my legs. I looked back at Harmony. “What should I do?” I’d never been here without Landon.
She clucked at me, already walking away. “Sit down and soak up the love.”
My nerves fell away as I glanced back at Shania, who was now stretched out on her side, eyeing me with what looked like a smile pulling at her whiskered snout. I lowered myself to the straw covered floor, crossing my legs just in time for a smooth gray pup to tumble into my lap, quickly followed by a tan sibling. A light laugh spilled from my lips as I ran my hands over their wiggling bodies. “No wonder why you’ve been keeping these guys all to yourself, Shania—they’re irresistible.”
I spent the next twenty minutes doing exactly what Harmony had suggested, soaking up the unconditional love that filled the stall. I’d never had a pet myself, and I couldn’t remember ever feeling so…content.
And when I went to glance up at Shania again, I didn’t have to look far. She’d slowly inched her way toward me, her wet nose barely an inch from my knee. “Hey girl, am I doing okay?” I whispered.
In response, she patted my knee with her paw, just once, and then inched even closer, pressing her side against my leg.
I released a happy sigh, running a palm over her head and neck, scratching beneath her chin. “Thanks. I think you’re doing pretty great, too.”
* * *
Landon, Jett, and Dax were hanging out in the courtyard when I got back. Landon wouldn’t say it, but I knew he felt as though he’d let the band down with his injury. The last time they had gone so long without playing together was when Shane was awaiting trial, and the fear that things might not swing in their favor again this time was palpable.
Shane had gone back to New York, but there was an ease to their banter tonight, and I was glad. Landon needed that from them.
I went to bed early, and Landon joined me sometime in the middle of the night. But the next morning, I woke up feeling unsettled.
Stopping at an enormous rock formation after an early morning walk, I stretched out on it and scowled up at the sky. The sun was low on the horizon but rising determinedly, the air still cool. Landon’s hand reached out for mine, the heat of his body keeping me warm.
For as long as I could remember, all of my actions and gestures were controlled and targeted toward my audience. Right now, damp from exertion, my limbs loose and rubbery, looking over at Landon beside me, I didn’t know what my role was. He was my ex-boyfriend, and my current…what was he? Fuck-buddy? Fling?
Of course, Landon was also one of my boss’s biggest clients, which made him, by extension, my client.
I had my choice of hats to wear, but none of them seemed to fit. Or maybe there were just too many to choose from.
Would there ever come a time when he was just…mine?
“What are you thinking?” His hand curved around my neck, fingers pushing into my hair at the base of my skull, curious eyes bearing down on me.
I tilted my chin up, letting my lips part just a bit, sweeping my tongue through the crease between them. Landon’s gaze dropped, following the tip of my tongue from one side of my mouth to the other. His lips met my own, the warmth of his breath surging into my lungs.
Then he pulled back, not far, just enough that I could see the whole of his gorgeous face, pinning me in place with nothing more than a stare. It shivered through my body, weighing me down.
“That I don’t want to think at all. Not right now.” I didn’t. Not when all the questions crowding my mind were chasing nonexistent answers. Landon was the source of all my uncertainty, but right now, he was also a damned effective distraction.
The mouth I wanted so badly on mine slanted crookedly. “Well, your thoughts are so loud they’re giving me a headache. You might as well spill ’em, because I don’t think I can take hearing you scream my name right now. Might be too much for me.”
I wanted to jump up and stalk off…but I knew it would only be delaying the inevitable. This was a conversation we needed to have, so we might as well have it this morning. “Fine. Is that all we are? Great sex while it’s convenient, a distant memory when it’s not?”
A throaty chuckle rumbled from his throat. “That’s what has you walking around like a storm cloud this morning—you don’t know what we are?”
“Do you?” I shot back.
His expression turned serious. “Fuck, yeah. Just because I had reasons for leaving you before doesn’t mean that it wasn’t a goddamn mistake. One I’m never making again, you hear me? I’m gonna get my grip back, and when my house is ready, I want you moving in with me. Wasted six years without you, I don’t want to waste another hour.”
And there it was—nearly everything I’d ever wanted to hear Landon say. I was still absorbing his words when his hand thrust into my hair, his fingers cradling my scalp, holding me steady as I trembled. Lust pulsed between us, the energy sparking and swirling. “Landon,” I whispered, so much want in those two syllables.
He made a sound, low in his throat as he flicked a tongue across my lips. Tasting me. Teasing me.
Sliding my hands along the wall of his chest, Landon’s muscles rippling beneath my touch, pressing my body to his. Needing to be closer.
One of Landon’s hands followed the track of my spine, curving over my ass, fitting me against him so I could feel every inch of his desire.
My mouth, my body, my soul—they were all Landon’s for the taking. And I wanted him to take me.
I moaned, pulling away just enough to grab the hem of my shirt and lift it over my head. It was the kind that had a built in shelf bra, so once it was off, I was bare from the waist up.
Landon’s breath caught in his throat as his eyes swept over me, and I felt a spark of pride that I could give him pause. Could give him pleasure.
I could bask in the glow of his adoration forever.
“Jesus Christ, Pippa. Do you have any idea what you do to me? You’ve completely wrecked me. The mess I’ve made of my life, you make me want to fix it. You make me think I can fix it. But more than anything else—wh
en I’m with you, I want to fucking live. Just take everything I can out of this one shot we’re all given. And I want to rock the shit out of it. Not just on stage or in a music studio. But with you. Anywhere and everywhere…with you.”
A part of me cleaved open, so filled with joy I couldn’t contain it all. I threw my arms around Landon’s neck, kissing him with wild abandon.
Joy. Pure joy.
Maybe all this time apart had brought us back together again. Maybe we had needed the time to come into our own, become people that were actually good to each other. Good for each other.
“Show me, Landon,” I mumbled the plea against his lips. “Show me.”
He dragged his shirt over his head as I grabbed at the waistband of his pants and tugged them down, then did the same to my own. We were so close, I could feel the heat of his body calling out to me. “Don’t even know who I am anymore. I’m not the guy I was, and not sure I’ll ever be the man you deserve.” His tongue slipped inside my mouth, staking his claim. Leaving me dizzy, breathless. “But I’m damn sure going to spend every day trying. I swear.”
And I believed him. With every atom of my existence, I believed him.
Our eyes met and held, the promise shining from them a visceral thing. Visible and sincere. “You deserve the world, Landon Cox.”
He touched his forehead to mine, his breath ghosting across my lips. “You are my world, Piper Hastings.”
I melted, sagging against him. Landon caught me, holding me tight as we slid down the boulder. I didn’t care if he could ever grasp a drumstick again…As long as he held on to me for the rest of our lives.
I was trapped between the rock wall at my back and the hard wall of Landon’s rippling abs, our feet on the ground, his brawny frame dwarfing my own. His cock pulsed with heat, throbbing against my belly. Everything about Landon was big, overwhelming. The force of his personality, the strength of his arms, the lust driving through his veins. Especially the size of his body—every part.
My hips made a slow swivel, pressing against one in particular. A knowing smirk pulled at one corner of Landon’s mouth. “Ah, Pips. You do know what you do to me, don’t you?” He leaned down, his breath dancing into my eardrum, the rough husk of his voice like a gritty ballad written just for me. “You know…because I do the same thing to you.”