The woman nods, and guilt gnaws at me because for a moment, I consider it. How could I not when Lily’s face is the first thing to pop into my head? My baby sister has been my entire purpose for most of my life. To pass up an opportunity to get home to her? That would make me the most selfish person alive. My heart aches and my stomach twists because despite knowing how desperately I want to get back to her, that Ineedto get back to her, I know I could never live with myself if I left everyone behind.
“No. I wouldn’t… I couldn’t.”
The woman cocks her head to the side. “Would it interest you to know that we asked Landon that question, and he volunteered his spot for you? Said he wouldn’t take it himself, but he wants you to get home safe.”
My heart flip-flops in my chest, and the love I hold for him only grows. Of course he would. I can picture him doing it; hear him saying it. I don’t know how we fell so quickly for one another, how or when we decided we didn’t want to spend another day without the other. It doesn’t matter, though, becausetoday, this is where we stand, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“It doesn’t surprise me,” I reply.
The woman smiles, like she’s pleased by this. “That’s all we need. Thank you, and good luck. For what it’s worth, a lot of people are rooting for you.”
I don’t know how to take that piece of information. Nodding slowly, I stand, then I’m escorted out of the room and into the hallway.
I find Landon frantically pacing in front of the door and race into his arms. He scoops me up, pinning me to his chest and taking a huge inhale, like he can finally breathe.
I lean my head back so I can press my lips to his. “You big dummy. You were going to give up your chance of freedom for me?”
He brushes a piece of hair out of my face, then tenderly cups my cheek. “If you’re free, you can live your life with Lily. You can care for her, move on, find love,” he says like that last idea pains him. “If you die… I have nothing left to live for.”
“Landon,” I whisper, emotion choking my throat. “You have Dolores, she’s the whole reason you’re here, after all.”
He shakes his head like I’m missing the whole point. “It’s not the same, and you know it. Yes, I came here to help her. I wanted to be there for the only person that was there for me. The one who helped me through one of the darkest parts of my life… but you showed me what it feels like not just to be alive but to live.”
Landon pauses, his green eyes meeting mine, drowning in emotion.
“I can’t lose you. I can’t go back to living half a life. Now that I know what life can be like with you, I can’t fathom the idea of any reality without you.”
My heart feels like it could burst as I drag his mouth back tomine. Our tongues tangle together as he lifts me into his arms and carries me back to our room.
Landon kicks the door shut behind us before pinning my back against it. His lips move to my neck, and I let out a ragged breath.
“Should we be doing this? I mean, we just watched two people die right in front of us before being told only two of the six of us will make it out.”
He pauses for a moment, his eyes moving to mine. “Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. In fact, for us, it’s almost guaranteed that it won’t come. So for as long as you’ll have me, I intend to spend my last moments worshiping your body and savoring every bit of you.”
Only this smooth-talking son of a bitch could have my panties soaked after a trauma-filled afternoon like today.
“You’re right. Death can wait. Sex now,” I say and begin kissing his neck.
Landon groans in approval as he moves us to the bed, dropping me onto the mattress before covering my body with his. He makes quick work of undressing us both, our clothes scattering to the floor until we’re skin to skin. Euphoria washes over me and we haven’t even started. His touch, though. It’s everything. I swear I could come just from the feeling of him against me. His thick cock definitely helps speed the process along, though.
“Come on,” I say with a wiggle. “Fuck me.”
He shakes his head. “I’m not rushing this, babygirl. I’m taking my time with you.”
Landon’s mouth moves over every inch of my skin, tracing against it barely before his tongue skates along the same path, sending chills running across my body. I gasp and moan and run my fingers through his hair as he begins moving lower.
When he reaches my thighs, he gently spreads them apart before flattening his tongue, running it through me so slow it’shard to breathe. I’m grinding against his face, groaning, as I desperately seek more. He doesn’t give it to me, though. Every move, every touch—it’s all a painstakingly slow tease. A delectable one, at that.
“Landon, please. I need more,” I beg.
“Whatever you want, it’s yours,” he says and pushes two fingers into me.
I moan as he pushes them deeper before rubbing against my G-spot.
“Fuck,” I groan.
“I’ll never get over how perfect this pussy is,” Landon groans. “How perfect you are. I don’t deserve you, but I promise to always treasure you.”
