by Ava Wood
“Lay down.”
She edged back down the bed in nervous anticipation. Landon was still kneeling over her, not moving. She couldn’t catch her breath with him looking at her that way so she closed her eyes.
“Open your eyes.”
Shit. She opened them just before he moved on top of her, his shirt now gone. His hands slipped up her legs, leaving goose bumps as they trailed along her sensitive skin. “Do you have any idea how beautiful you are? Just … like … this.” With each word, he trailed kisses up her leg, stopping just below her apex.
Talia squirmed beneath him when he froze. “Don’t stop.”
“What?”
“Kiss me, touch me. God, Landon, fuck me.”
With her last words, Landon shoved his pants from his legs before plunging into her, then slowly pulling away. When Talia’s eyes widened in response, he pushed back into her again before repeating the process. She was on fire with each stroke, feeling the fullness of him thrusting into her then pulling out so slowly, agonizingly. She could feel him in every part of her as he slammed into her again then gradually eased away. With every thrust, his eyes never left hers as the heavenly torture continued.
As her eyes began to close, Landon barked, “Look at me.” He slammed into her again and said, “Feel me in you.” He pulled out and rammed into her again. “See how good we are together.”
“Yes!” Talia exclaimed, lifting her head to see his every move.
His arms slipped beneath her, pulling her higher to give him better access.
She could feel him so deep inside of her, bringing her closer and closer to the edge of sanity. Gripping her waist, he pulled her closer, thrusting into her harder and deeper, hitting that tender nub that sent every nerve ending on high alert. His free hand was caressing her breast, sending her into overdrive. She gasped for air, ready to scream his name, unable to form a single coherent thought as her head sank into her pillow. Giving in to the feel of him moving in her, she let her eyes fall closed again. With his next thrust, she cried, “God, Landon, yes.” His stroke quickened as her climax grew, feeling him move in her. Her fingernails skimmed along his back as he moved harder, faster.
She was so close when she heard him utter, “Cum for me.”
Her passion exploded around them, alighting every nerve ending in her body. She trembled in his grasp as he collapsed on top of her, then rolled to his side, pulling her against his chest.
Talia’s hands fidgeted with her purse as they waited at Dawson’s front door. She could hear children laughing and screaming as their little feet scampered through the house. The sweat on her palms quickly formed as heavier footsteps approached and a mass of dark-blond hair appeared in the windows at the top of the door. When it opened, Talia was taken aback by the man who stood before her. He was a near twin image of his brother with a few added wrinkles around his mouth and eyes. He had the same full lips and straight nose and his eyes were the same sapphire blue. She was so shocked to find that there were not one, but two near-perfect specimens in a single family.
“Talia, this is my brother Dawson.”
She felt Landon’s hand graze her lower back as she held her hand out to Dawson. “Nice to meet you.”
“You as well.” Dawson smiled, but his lips thinned slightly, taking away from the identical appearance she’d spotted between them. “Come in, come in.”
He stepped back from the door and Talia felt Landon’s hand gently nudge her forward into a very lively and somewhat rambunctious home.
“Mya, Landon’s here,” Dawson called, following his voice out of the main living space of the house.
From an adjoining room, two toe-headed children came rushing in, one right after the other. The smallest, a near toddler with curly pigtails, latched onto Landon’s legs and beamed.
“Uncie Landon, you’re back.”
Talia’s heart skipped a beat when Landon leaned over to hoist her into his arms, a smile filling his face. “Hi, Millie.”
His smile brightened for her as she whispered rather loudly, “I missed you.” Her small hands caressed his face and she began to giggle. “That tickles.”
“Uncle Landon must have forgotten to shave,” he said with a twinkle in his eye. He carried her to the living room, Talia following close behind, and they each took a seat on the couch, Landon still holding the sweet child in his arms.
Talia never imagined herself having children, but seeing how perfect Landon was with his niece had her thinking things that were never there before. She never wanted for anything more than to run a successful business and in order to do that, children just never seemed to fit into the picture, but now, watching him, all of those thoughts changed. She wondered if she could, in fact, run a successful business and have a family without anyone ever feeling neglected. Could she live a normal, suburban life? Her musings were interrupted when a willowy brunette appeared in an apron. Her hair was pulled back in a soft braid and the faintest of gray hairs had formed at her temples. Wiping her hands, she came closer to introduce herself.
“I’m Mya. It’s so lovely to finally meet you.” When Mya’s hand was extended, Talia stood briefly, joining their hands together as she saw Mya’s eyes gleam her approval.
Talia wished she could say the same, but tonight was the first Talia was really hearing of Landon’s family. “Talia. Thank you for having me.” She wasn’t sure what else to say. She didn’t know anything about these people other than they were Landon’s family and they had a lovely, albeit quaint home. As she regained her seat, Talia saw Landon gingerly set his niece down just before he moved closer to her, wrapping his arm around her.
“Mya, dinner smells wonderful as usual.” He pulled Talia hard against his chest and kissed her cheek. “Mya’s a very talented cook. If it weren’t for her, my brother would have starved to death long ago, because his only specialty is mac and cheese.” His laugh rumbled in his chest and Mya joined in.
This was family to him. This was where Landon was most comfortable and it was heartwarming to see him in his element. Life hadn’t been so easy for him with the judgmental eyes of Reina, Camey, and Sara watching over him.
“I heard that.” Dawson joined them in the living room with a mini version of himself shadowing close behind. “So, Talia, Landon tells me you own a flower shop. What made you decide on that business?”
“My father owned the shop while I was growing up and devoted most of his life to it until he and my mother divorced and he realized how much he’d missed out on. When my mom moved to California with my youngest sister, we stayed behind and my dad took a step back from the shop for a time, letting the business slow down quite a bit so he could raise my sister Sara and me. A few years back, after he’d taught me everything he knew, he took a trip to Spain and fell in love. He decided to move out there to be with his current wife and left the shop to me. I’ve spent every day since trying to make it as successful as my father made it when I was just a girl.” She suddenly realized she’d just dumped a large amount of information on strangers, information she had not yet told Landon about. It was very clear that tonight would be eye opening for both of them. They sat and talked shop a while longer until Mya called everyone to the table. A thunderous roar sounded through the house as the children ran across the old hardwood floors to take their seats for dinner. Talia had to laugh as Dawson and Mya’s older children zipped past her, never slowing down.
“Derek. Alice. Where are your manners?” Mya scolded as she carried in a large platter of beef merlot on a bed of potatoes, carrots, and onions drenched in the merlot sauce. She placed it at the center of the table and everyone took their seats.
Easing her chair closer to the table, Talia tried not to bump Landon as her shin skimmed the table leg beneath. With her and Landon in attendance, the seating was a tight fit.
“Uncie Landon, hold my hand while we say grace.”
Talia watched as Landon first took Millie’s hand, then hers. She joined her free hand with Dawson, who was
at the head of the table, and bowed her head. As Mya began the blessing, Landon’s thumb rubbed across her knuckles. Her heart swelled in her chest feeling so much love in the room. When the prayer was over, they began to dig in, passing around plates full of mouth-watering food.
Halfway through the meal, Alice and Derek were arguing over the last dinner roll when a couple of stray kicks landed in her direction. As Talia winced, she tried to laugh through the pain realizing this was the life of a family, the sights and sounds and smells. It was all rather enjoyable until the front door burst open and a very inebriated man came stumbling in the door.
“There’s the birthday boy.” A mess of gray hair covered the man’s head, his eyes bloodshot and a half-empty bottle of Jim Beam in his hand. “I guess my invitation got lost in the mail.” His words were slurred as he swatted Dawson on the back.
“What are you doing here?” Landon stood up from the table, anger marring his face.
“It’s Dawson’s birthday. You didn’t think I’d miss it, did ya?” The man slammed his whiskey bottle on the table, sloshing droplets on the surface. “Landon, be a good boy and pay my cab fare.”
Landon rounded the table and, without a word, hauled the man outside.
“What’s going on?” Talia stared at the door that Landon had just exited. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Dawson look at Mya, their eyes clearly doing the talking before Dawson got up and left the table, following Landon and the drunk man outside.
“Who was that?” Talia looked to Mya for answers, but Millie quickly interrupted.
“Mommy, when are we having cake?” Millie was bouncing in her seat with the exuberance of a child in search of a sugar high.
“In just a bit sweetheart.” Mya patted Millie on the back and began clearing the table.
Talia quickly realized she’d be getting no answers from her. She got up from the table, gathering up a few of the dishes, and carried them into the kitchen. “Is everything okay, Mya?”
The sound of the front door kept her silent and Dawson walked into the kitchen.
“I’m going to take Abel to a hotel for the night. I’ll be back in a bit.” Dawson leaned over to kiss his wife, but her hand lifted to his chest and stopped him.
“Dawson, it’s your birthday.”
“It’s fine, Mya. Just let me take care of this.” He leaned in once again and gave her a quick kiss before he left the house.
Mya immediately turned to the sink and began filling it with soapy water. Talia could see frustration building in the creases next to her eyes.
“Mya?” Talia took a step toward her.
“Could you get the rest of the dishes for me please? I need to get these in the dishwasher before Dawson gets back.”
Talia returned to the dining room, where the children were throwing pieces of wadded-up napkin at each other. “Hey, hey, hey.” Talia laughed and began gathering up the pieces of napkin that were scattered about the table. The children continued to throw the pieces as she tried to gather the refuse.
“Hey. Quit that,” Landon ordered when he returned from outside. He looked out of breath, his once-tucked shirt now pulled half way out of his jeans. “Alice, Derek, pick up the rest of the dishes and take them to your mother.”
“I want cake,” Mille demanded.
“You can have cake when your daddy gets back. He had to run an errand but he’ll be back soon.”
“I want cake now.” She was a persistent little thing.
“Millie.” Landon’s voice was gentle but firm. He picked her up from her chair and carried her out of the room, leaving Talia alone.
She looked at the remaining dishes on the table and gathered them up to carry them into the kitchen. When she entered, a chorus of whispers ceased and Derek and Alice took off running out of the room. “Can I help you with anything else?” Talia had quickly realized she wouldn’t be getting any answer from Mya, not this evening.
“Oh no, dear. I can handle the rest. Thank you.” Mya never turned around to acknowledge Talia. She continued to scrub at the dishes like her life depended on it.
Talia headed for the living room and found Landon on the couch with Millie back in his lap. He looked so comfortable with her, with all of the children. She wondered if children were something he hoped to have in his life one day. She imagined the beautiful babies he would make, but quickly scolded herself for getting wrapped up in such permanent thoughts. She shouldn’t have been thinking that far into the future.
Leaning against the doorjamb of the living room, she watched Landon interact with Millie. He was an amazing uncle, bringing laughter and joy into her innocent life. When Millie pointed at Talia, Landon’s eyes looked up to hers and he smiled a pained smile. Something was bothering him. Whoever that man was had an unfortunate effect on the entire family.
“I’ll see you soon, Millie,” he whispered before she leaned up to kiss him on the cheek.
“Bye, Uncie Landon.” She hopped from his lap and ran out of the room.
Talia continued to lean against the door as Landon stood and moved closer to her. “Is everything okay?”
“We should go.” He reached a hand to her, but she pulled away.
In a heated whisper she asked, “What is going on?”
“I’ll tell you later.” When Talia didn’t take his hand he continued past her and walked out of the house.
She quickly followed him, frustrated that no one had answered her questions. When she got outside, Landon was already on his motorcycle holding Talia’s helmet in his hands. She stood indignant. “Well?”
“Get on, Tal. I don’t want to do this here.”
Who the hell was that man and why did he have such an adverse effect on everyone? Talia begrudgingly took the helmet, rolling her eyes as she strapped it on and climbed on the back of the bike. She was full of questions, but was smart enough to know that she wouldn’t get them hanging around here so she climbed on his bike for the trip home.
“Who was that, Landon?” Talia couldn’t wait any longer. She’d been obsessing over the drunk intruder the entire ride home and now that they were back in the safety of their apartment, she had to know the truth. She couldn’t allow Landon to put it off any longer.
Landon dropped his jacket from his shoulders and hung it on the coat rack just inside the door before he headed for the bedroom, never answering her question.
Talia followed after him, furious that he was avoiding the question yet again. She watched as he pulled his shirt over his head and dropped it on the bedroom floor. Aggravated, she hissed, “Landon.” If he thinks for one second I’m sleeping with him, he’s got another thing coming.
He continued disrobing, pulling the belt from his waistband then unfastening his jeans and letting them fall to the floor, his impeccable frame on full display. He left them where they lay and entered the bathroom.
“What the fuck are you doing?”
“I need a shower.”
Talia was glad he was talking, but he still wasn’t answering her question. His boxer briefs fell to the floor and Talia was stalled in place. He really was a beautiful specimen with his well-defined back and sculpted, thick legs. He leaned over to activate the spray of the shower, giving her a perfect view of his toned ass. When he was satisfied with the temperature, he pulled back the transparent curtain to climb inside. She could see the muscles of his legs ripple as he stepped inside the shower, still avoiding her. Her voice softened, scared of what he was hiding, what was eating him up inside. With her voice just above a whisper, she tried one more time. “Landon?”
“What, Talia?” He sounded overwhelmed, standing beneath the spray.
Did she really have to ask again? She hated sounding like a broken record, but she opened her mouth to question when he began talking.
“That was Abel…” Landon’s head leaned against the shower wall, the spray beating down his back. “My father.”
Stunned, Talia stood in silence, overcome with what to say or how to comfort him.
“He wasn’t supposed to be there.” He still didn’t move. “Those kids were never supposed to see their grandfather that way. I didn’t want you to see him like that.” His voice had dwindled to a murmur.
Talia couldn’t take anymore. She quickly undressed and climbed in the shower behind him, wrapping her arms firmly around him.
“That man isn’t my dad anymore. He’s just an empty shell.”
Talia squeezed him tighter, creating one body, wishing their union would take away all of the agony he was feeling. His fist pounded against the tile as she held him in her grasp.
“I lost both of my parents the day my mother died. And no matter what I do, I can’t get my dad back.” He turned in her arms, water washing over his face as his shattered eyes looked down at her. “I hate what he’s become.”
Talia reached her hands up to clutch his face. She gingerly kissed his cheeks amid the water dripping over them. “It’s okay.” Her lips softly caressed his, trying to ease his pain.
“I need you so much.” He continued to kiss her, his hands wrapping around her neck as he leaned her into the shower wall.
Talia’s arms snaked around him as she stood on tiptoes just to get that much closer to him. When his hands encircled her waist, she lifted one leg around his thigh trying to meld their bodies together. He took that as an invitation and lifted her to his abdomen, her legs quickly winding around him and crossing behind his back to hold her in place. He gently lowered her onto his thick member and continued to kiss her softly. Moving her gradually up and down his shaft, he breathed slowly with each stroke.
Talia tried to match his movements until they were breathing as one, kissing as one, moving as one. Using her legs, she sensually moved up and down, unhurriedly riding his full length, feeling him in every part of her. Their kisses ceased as his forehead fell against hers and their eyes locked in an intimate gaze. She’d never felt so vulnerable than she did now. He held every part of her with that look. Forgetting about the world and everything around them, they continued to move as one, up and down, in and out. A swell in her chest formed as those deep blue eyes seared into her. She was lost to the moment. She couldn’t have stopped if she wanted to. All willpower was lost to the mating of their bodies and souls, her instincts leading her to the place he needed her to be.