Landon presses his back to my chest, sighing as I wrap my arms around him tightly.
“Nate, will you—”
“I got you,” I interrupt.
The room fills with bright, twinkling stars that float down to caress Landon’s skin. Everything else fades away as he settles in, breathing in deeply and relaxing completely.
“Everything is almost perfect,” he says dreamily, and I lay a kiss on the side of his head.
“What does that mean, brat? Almost perfect?”
Landon chuckles, twisting around to give me a smile. “Almost. All that’s left is for you to meet my family.”
I freeze. His family? As in, I’m going to face them as Landon’s boyfriend? Not only am I over a decade older than him, but I’m a cook. They’re rich assholes.
This will not bode well for me. I’m not sure I can commit to that.
“Aw, don’t look so scared, old man,” Landon teases. “I promise they won’t be able to tell that you cry for me during sex.”
“It wasthis one time,”I say defensively. “Don’t act like it’s a pattern.”
“Oh, it will be.”
And with that, Landon settles back in and drifts off to sleep with the stars bidding him farewell. If he wakes up in the middle of the night, I’ll put him right back here, right in my arms and bathed in a warm night.
Right where he should be.
Fuck, I’m actually going to meet his family, aren’t I?
I’m whipped.
Landon
25
NATE STANDS AT MYside, completely rigid as he takes in my parents’ house. It is a sight to see, with all the windows perfectly cleaned and the bushes out front blooming with colorful flowers.
The inside is even more impressive, but I don’t mention this. He looks nervous enough.
“And they don’t know about the warehouse?” he asks, and it’s the hundredth question I’ve received since I picked him up from the airport an hour ago.
“Um, what do you mean?” I shoot back, choosing to stare at the house instead of him. His nerves are makingmenervous.
“Please don’t tell me they know I was involved,” he deadpans. “You wouldn’t bring me into a house full of people who want me dead, right?”
I smile, even though I’m still staring straight ahead and not acknowledging the glare he’s now sending my way. “Come on! They’re waiting.”
“Landon, I swear to god. I will slap that ass raw if they—”
The door opens just as I’m dragging Nate up the front steps, and there stands Scarlet. He shuts up quickly, his threat falling off fast as she looks him up and down.
“You’re the psychopath who got my brother kidnapped?” she asks.
So much for pleasant introductions.
Nate squeezes my hand harder, squaring his shoulders as he sends my sister an unimpressed look. “If you’re meaning to ask if I’m Nate, the guy who saved him in the end, then yes.”
I think that, technically, Calum was the one to save us in the end. Not thatthatis worth mentioning.
