by Ava Wood
“Why not him? He was here when we needed him the most. So what if it coincided with bringing me lunch? He offered the help right when we needed it. Who am I to turn down someone who is willing and able? And as far as Brandy is concerned, she moved on and it’s time you do the same.”
Sara gave an exasperated sigh and started to walk away.
“Sara, get back here. We’re not through. No one is leaving this room until we’ve worked this out.” Talia used her assertive voice, knowing that the girls respected her enough to do as she asked. “I want to hear valid reasons why you don’t want him here. If you can’t come up with one good, convincing argument why he shouldn’t stay, then I expect you all to return here Monday morning with bright smiles on your faces.” Camey, Sara, and Reina looked back and forth from one to the other. Talia could tell they had something on their minds, but none of them was spilling. “That settles it then. If you’re going to act like children then you will deal with my decision. Understood?”
“Yeah,” Reina and Camey sullenly chimed.
“Talia, we just care about you. Why can’t you understand we are only thinking of your best interest?” Sara implored.
Talia couldn’t understand what all of her sister’s pleading was for. “You keep saying the same things over and over, but you have nothing to back up your concerns. It would be different if there was some big secret you are keeping from me, but the fact of the matter is, you guys don’t know him as well as I do. I’m sorry he’s not Mason, but that ship has sailed. I’ve moved on and you need to as well.”
“This has nothing to do with Mason, although he was much better suited for you.” Sara was just being plain mean.
“Ha.” Talia started to walk away, wanting to avoid any conversations regarding Mason, but she had to at least get this off of her chest. “You didn’t know the real Mason. You didn’t know what he was like behind closed doors. You don’t get to tell me how to live my life, so let this be the end of it.”
“Enlighten us, Talia. What was so bad about Mason?” Sara wouldn’t let it go.
Talia’s teeth began to grind. This conversation was heading in the complete wrong direction. “It doesn’t matter. It’s over. It’s time you all realized that and accepted that Landon is a part of my life now.”
“Fine. Whatever you want.” Sara was the first to concede. It may not have been convincing, but she was agreeing nonetheless.
“Thank you, Sara. Look, I don’t expect you to fall in love with him overnight, but please, give him a chance. Respect me and my wishes enough to be respectful of him. No more drama.”
“Got it.” Talia could tell Sara just wanted the conversation over.
“Are we good, Reina?”
Reina shrugged. She was always the hardest to convince with big decisions. “Dios mio, fine. No more drama.”
“Thank you.” Talia still felt the weight of their apprehension on her shoulders, but she was satisfied they would try. “This means a lot to me; he means a lot to me. Please, just give him a chance.”
The girls looked at each other and nodded in agreement. It wasn’t the resolution Talia was hoping for, but it was an improvement. She just hoped it carried over to Monday morning.
The apartment felt empty with Landon gone. Talia was unsure how it happened so quickly, but she’d gotten used to the idea of him being around. He’d wormed his way into her home and undoubtedly her heart, but she didn’t want to think about that right now. She was just enjoying their time together, the way she felt when she was around him. Something about him made her feel so vigorous; so alive. She couldn’t remember the last time she felt this good about herself.
In celebration, she decided to blast some eighties hair bands and dance just to get lost. When she was fully entranced in the music, playing air guitar and singing at the top of her lungs, she turned to find Landon in the doorway smiling and stroking his chin. “Shit, you scared me.” She immediately turned down the music, completely mortified she’d been caught.
“Don’t stop on my account.” His smirk was undeniable.
“Are you laughing at me?”
“Why would I laugh at you when you look so damn sexy?”
“Uh-huh. Cut the crap. I know when someone is laughing at me.”
“I wouldn’t dare.” Landon moved steadily closer.
“I think you would. I think I amuse you.” Talia slowly backed away from him, seeing the feral tiger look in his eyes. He looked like he was ready to pounce.
“Amuse me? No, I don’t think so. Hypnotize me, though, that’s a different story.” He continued his advance toward her as she continued to back away.
“What are you doing?” Talia couldn’t hide the huge smile on her face. She was enjoying their little game of cat and mouse. It was exciting and erotic.
“I told you, I’m hypnotized. I can’t help myself when you’re around. I just want to do bad, bad things to you.” His voice was almost a deep growl. Intently watching her, he licked his lips as he crept closer.
“What kind of bad things?” Talia looked at him through her lashes, hoping for sexy as she bit her bottom lip.
“Unspeakable things. Things that should never be uttered in a lady’s presence.” He placed his finger over his mouth and said, “Shh.”
“I’m not sure I like the sound of that.” She began backpedaling a little faster toward her bedroom.
“I promise you, you’ll love what I have in mind.”
“Will I?” Talia giggled and ran for her bedroom, hiding in her closet once she was inside.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk. You shouldn’t run from me.” Landon must have seen her run into the closet, because he was there in an instant, pulling her from behind the clothes and throwing her over his shoulder. He slapped her very firmly on her behind and threw her on the bed like the caveman he’d become.
“What’s come over you?”
“You. It’s all because of you.” He took off his shirt, throwing it on the dresser, and dropped his pants, easily walking out of them. He looked like a Greek god, all hard lines and muscles, like he’d been carved out of marble and brought to life. His tattoo was the one thing that separated marble from human.
“What are you going to do to me?” Talia squealed in anticipation. She’d never experienced this side of a relationship before. Sex with Mason had always been rather monotonous, almost robotic. Before there had always been a way to do it, a certain place and time. It wasn’t meant for fun or recreation. It was simply a means to an end. When she was with Landon it all felt so much more exciting and new.
Landon prowled closer, slowly climbing onto the bed where she lay in eager expectancy. His erection was on full display with nothing to hide; he was hot and ready to go. He scaled over her, staring at her, nose to nose. She was certain that any moment her heart would beat right out of her chest. He wasn’t even touching her, but the look in his eyes was enough to knock her blood pressure up a few notches. When she could barely stand the silence, Landon finally spoke.
“There’s no getting away now.”
Talia had no intention of trying. Her panting must have told him all he needed to know, because in one rapid movement, he’d slipped his fingers inside her waistband and removed her pants along with her panties. She watched in disbelief as he threw her pants across the room and they hung on her dresser mirror. He briskly spread her legs and rubbed the delicate mound between them.
“You are so perfect.” His voice was nearly inaudible before he buried his head between her legs and began to ravish her like never before.
Holy hell, he’s amazing. It was the only coherent thought she could form as he worked her over, his tongue darting in and out, around and around in those tormenting circles. “God, Landon. You’re so good.”
He lapped up her center one last time then briskly moved over her and slammed into her. It was a take-no-prisoners assault. He hit every single intense spot, sending her on a mind-numbing spiral out of control. That beating against her most sensitive of plac
es had her in a frenzy. She couldn’t think or even see straight. She could only focus on the sound of his breaths, rough and ragged as he continued to thrust into her.
When every inch of her was just a worn-out shell, he flipped her over and thrust into her again, his movements even more agonizing as his sack beat heavily against her mound. She was completely euphoric with every plunge, her pussy gripping him as she began to tremble beneath him. He continued to crash into her until she could barely catch a breath. When he finally fell over the brink he collapsed on top of her, kissing her neck, then her cheek, then placing a soft kiss on the side of her nose.
“What have you done to me, Petal?” His head nestled in the crook of her neck as he panted against her skin.
Talia laughed at the nickname. “Why do you call me Petal?”
“I’m sorry. I’ll stop.” He fell alongside her, softly smiling.
“No, I kinda like it now. It’s growing on me.”
Landon laughed but didn’t answer.
When Talia was tired of waiting, she asked again, “So why Petal?”
“It’s stupid.” He rolled to his back and stared at the ceiling.
Talia rolled to her side, leaning against him.
“My grandfather called my grandmother Petal. I’d never used the term before, but when I met you it just…” he looked over at her, “fit.”
Talia looked at the truth in his deep blue eyes, feeling the weight of a thousand words that neither of them said. When he extended his arm above her, she cuddled in next to him, resting her head on his chest. She lay there simply listening to the sound of his heartbeat as it returned to normal. When they were both calm and breathing, Landon startled her with a question.
“So how did it go with the girls?”
She wasn’t expecting that. She wasn’t quite sure he wanted an honest answer. “I think they’re still hung up on my ex-fiancé.” It was the first time she had mentioned him to Landon. She didn’t want to go into great detail, but it was the only thing she could attribute to their unwavering discord.
“An ex-fiancé?” Landon sounded intrigued.
“Yes, ex, as in out of sight, out of mind.”
“That bad, huh?”
Talia didn’t say anything. She knew the silence spoke volumes.
“So what happened?”
Talia rolled her eyes, certain Landon couldn’t see her. “It could never work. There wasn’t that spark between us, not like the spark I feel with you.” She nuzzled into his neck, nibbling along his jawline as she moved down his body. When she’d straddled him with her body strategically placed, she rubbed her breasts up and down his chest. She hoped it would get his mind off of the subject and onto more stimulating matters.
“God, Talia. You’re insatiable.” He gripped her hips and eagerly began round two.
“You leaving again?” Talia rolled over when she heard the alarm going off and found Landon sitting up on the edge of the bed.
“I’m going to get in some gym time. Gotta keep looking good for my Petal.” He smiled then leaned over and kissed her on the forehead.
“I’ve got a better idea for working out.” Even through a sleepy haze, Talia wanted Landon back in bed with her.
“As tempting as that offer is, I think it would be best if I wasn’t here when the girls came into work.”
Talia nodded while feeling a little rebuffed.
“I’ll be back soon.” He kissed her forehead once more as her eyes fell closed. “Oh, don’t make any plans this evening. I want to take you out somewhere special.”
Talia’s eyes opened, a mix of excitement and exhaustion.
“Go back to sleep. I’ll see you in a few hours.” After another quick kiss, he was gone.
She laid in bed thinking of the possibilities. Where was he taking her? They hadn’t been out on an actual date since she hired him on at the shop. Inundated with anticipation, Talia was certain she wouldn’t fall back to sleep anytime soon.
Getting through the day was agonizing. With few deliveries to keep him busy, Landon spent a large part of the day watching the clock tick slowly by. He couldn’t wait to show Talia the place that was his saving grace after his parents’ divorce. It was where he met Ethan for the first time and held so much significance for the way his life turned out. That time in his life served as a turning point for him and this time now was another turning point in the road ahead. It had been years since he’d been back, but it was important that he return there, with Talia, to close that chapter in his life. He had fallen for Talia fast, and he had to tell her everything if he was going to take their relationship any deeper. She had to know who he was and that because of her, because of who she made him want to be, he had changed. She was making him the person he was meant to be.
While trying to stay out of the way he sat in the back room deep in thought and was startled when Talia snuck up behind him.
“I convinced Sara to close up shop for me so we can get going a little earlier than planned. Is that okay?” She had a giddy smile on her face.
“That’s perfect. Maybe we can catch the sunset while we head out.” Landon formed a smile as Talia jumped up and down. He couldn’t remember a time when he’d seen her this excited. The thought of telling her about his escorting days filled him with guilt knowing that her elation would soon be doused with news she probably never expected to hear. He wondered if he could really do this. He didn’t want to break her heart and he feared what he would lose if he told her everything, but he didn’t feel like he could go another day without telling her the truth. It was eating away at him and keeping him from fully embracing what was growing between them.
He was brooding when she came back down the stairs in an electric-blue form-fitting mini sweater dress with a deep V-neck, smoky gray tights, and black furry boots with a mid-calf rise, a black leather jacket hung over her arm. He’d taken the whole outfit in, but his eyes were continually drawn to the swell just above her deep neckline. Her hair was down, flowing over her shoulders and falling just next to her breasts. Her red hair against that electric blue kept his eyes locked in place as her chest rose and fell with each breath.
When she reached the bottom of the stairs she stopped and stared at him. “Why are you looking at me like that?” She slipped on her jacket as she waited for an answer
Her question pulled his gaze back to her face. “I’m sorry, you just look so delectable. Maybe we should stay in this evening.” He was moving toward her when her words stopped him.
“Oh no you don’t. Get your head in gear, because you promised me a night out and we are going.” Her face was plastered in a teasing smile.
“Yes, ma’am.” As he extended his arm to her, he wondered if he could go through with his plan. He wasn’t sure he was willing to potentially destroy what he’d built with her.
“So, where are we going?”
Landon shook his head. “It’s a surprise.”
“Fine.” She immediately began sulking.
He couldn’t help but laugh. She looked so innocent, pouting like a child. He innocently whispered in her ear, “Half of the fun is the thrill of the surprise.”
Talia’s pout immediately vanished as they walked arm in arm to his bike. She waved merrily at the girls as they left.
Landon slipped on his jacket and climbed on his bike first then handed Talia his helmet. He wished he could watch her climb on in that mini dress, but he knew it was safer if he was on first for stability. When she was nestled against him with her hands grasping his waist, he pulled away from the curb. He went back and forth with whether or not it was truly the right time to tell her about his escorting days. If he told her about his past, he would have to tell her the real reason they met. He had to avoid that topic, because he promised the girls he wouldn’t divulge their secret. He was caught between a rock and a hard place with what to say, and was glad when the sunset surrounded them and he heard Talia gasp in his ear.
“It’s so beautiful.”
He
wished he could see her face, the awe that he knew was there as they drove. He was thankful they were on his motorcycle when they got caught in traffic. He made his way around the gridlock and got them to their destination quicker than he expected, or maybe it was just that time seemed to pass so much more rapidly when she was this close. Her nearness always had his head swimming. No amount of time with her ever seemed long enough. He had every intention of making the most of this evening as they arrived to their destination and he backed his Harley to the curb. When they were off of the motorcycle and Talia had removed his helmet, she looked to him, bemused.
“A pool hall?”
“It means a lot to me.” He took Talia’s hand in his. “Come on.”
Inside, the hall was smoky and dark. There were several men scattered about enjoying a beer or two with the occasional woman sprinkled in. Talia nestled closer to him, looking a little uneasy until Landon slipped his arm around her and escorted her to the bar at the side of the room.
“Well if it isn’t Mr. Heartbreaker? How you doin’, Landon?” Joey, the owner, approached them from behind the bar, his bald head reflecting the beer lights.
“I’m good, Joey. It’s been too long.”
“Damn right.” Joey reached across the bar to shake Landon’s hand. “What’s it been, five years?”
“Six.” Landon felt a pang of guilt surface. This place meant so much to him, but he hadn’t returned since the day he moved in with Ethan. He still wasn’t sure why he decided to leave everything about his past behind. He had to make that right, now.
“Damn, six years? What ya been up to, kid?” Joey was leaning on the bar, fiddling with a toothpick in his mouth.
“Same old same old.” Landon went for nonchalant to avoid the honest answer to Joey’s question. He pulled Talia close to him, trying to change the subject. “I brought Talia here to see the place that saved my life.” He knew he was saying so much with those few words.
“Bah, you were alright, kid. You were just having a tough time. It happens.” Joey pulled the toothpick from between his lips, his full belly bouncing as he laughed. “Looks like everything’s working out pretty well for ya now.” He waggled his eyebrows at Talia and she immediately squirmed in Landon’s arms. “Joey Worsham.” He wiped his hand on a rag that he’d pulled from his jeans then extended his hand to her.