Page 54 of Out of Place

He looks at me, all humor gone from his face. “I don’t know. Should we?”

I shrug. “I’m on birth control. But I’m clean. I’ve just never done it without a condom.”

That makes him smile. “I’m clean too. So no, we won’t be using condoms because I want to pump you full of my cum so you remember you’re mine.”

“Such a caveman.”

“Only for you, sweetheart.”

Oh. My. God.

Are all Southern boys this possessive, or did I get lucky and find the one with a magic dick and a dirty mouth?

CHAPTER 21

Landon

August turns into September, and the days run together. I don’t do much else between work and spending as much time with Olivia as possible. I wouldn’t want it any other way, either.

Some nights, I stay at Underwood Farms and have dinner with Dottie and Olivia. And Olivia comes to my parents’ for dinner almost every week. They love her like I knew they would. I even manage to get Olivia back to my house so I can fuck her properly in a bed. No more police run-ins for us.

On one of my days off, my friends ask me to meet them at Cowboy’s, the one and only bar off Main Street. I agree and decide to bring Olivia with me. She’s part of my life now; thankfully, my friends are accepting that. Even Cam.

When I pick Olivia up for our night out, she’s in a gold sequin dress and shiny black heels with a red sole. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her wear the same thing twice. The dress is way too much for Cowboy’s, but there’s no way I’m telling her that. Not when she looks this damn good. Olivia isn’t meant for a small town like this, and I’d never ask her to be anything different from who she is.

“Are you sure your friends want me there tonight?” she asks once we’re on our way.

“Yes,” I tell her, which is true. Cat and Laura were asking about her the other day. “And even if they didn’t, I want you there. Isn’t that enough?”

She puts her hand on my jean-clad leg. “Of course, it’s enough.”

We drive down Main Street and pass everything available on the square: the diner, the ice cream shop, the small boutiques, the coffee shop, the courthouse, and the library. Olivia has mentioned a few times how strange is is to her that everything is so close. It’s nothing like New York City and the places she’s used to. She’s shown me pictures of her house and the penthouse in the city.

It’s. . . a lot. A lot more than I would ever be able to give her.

But I try to not let that bother me. I have to hope that I’m making an impression on her life. One she won’t easily forget. One that maybe, just maybe, she can’t walk away from.

I find a parking spot on the street near Cowboy’s, and we walk into the bar. All eyes are on us. Really, they’re on Olivia, which is fine with me. I like to show her off. She’s been the talk of the town since she got here. Even several months later, people still stare when they see her. She doesn’t seem to notice it, but I do.

My friends are already in a booth in the back of the bar, and Olivia and I scoot in. Everyone is here tonight, even Benny, which is rare. Usually on our days off, he’s with his daughter. But I think his parents wanted her to spend the night with them tonight, giving him an opportunity to come out with us.

“Are those real Louboutins?” Cat asks Olivia with wide eyes.

“Of course.” I highly doubt my girl would go out in knock-off designer shoes.

“Oh god. What I wouldn’t give to raid your closet,” Laura gushes.

“I wish I could take you guys. I have so much stuff you could have. Maybe I can send some stuff when I finally get back home.” All the girls gasp.

“For real?” Laura asks, her eyes wide.

“Of course. I’ve got loads of things just sitting there that I don’t need.”

They start talking about clothes. Even Ellie looks excited about the prospect of getting Olivia’s clothes. It’s kinda weird, but I’m keeping my mouth shut. It baffles me that Olivia could possibly have that many clothes. I’ve worn this black T-shirt every week since I bought it like three years ago.

A depressing thought takes root in the back of my mind. Soon enough, Olivia will be gone. And damn if that doesn’t make my fucking chest hurt. I know she wants to go home. I understand. But that doesn’t mean it’s not gonna break my heart.

Deep down, I want her to stay. I want her to look around and decide that Thundersville is enough for her. I’m enough for her. But that’s not fair to her.