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“I have a conference call with Adam, my acting CEO, in the morning. I had no time to talk to him today. What are you doing in the afternoon?”
“I need to paint two of my outer walls. I painted the other two a while ago, but I really need to get to it this weekend. But after that, I’m free to use my womanly wiles on you again.”
“You’re painting alone?”
“Yes, Grace is working at Macy’s in the afternoon before her shift at the Lucky Bar.”
“I’ll paint with you.”
I waved my hand. “Oh no. That’s a messy affair.”
“So? We’ll be faster together.”
“Landon, really. I’ll deal with it.” I made to walk toward the front gate, but he caught my arm, spinning me to face him. His gaze was focused, hard.
“Why are you so stubborn?”
“I’m not stubborn, but I don’t want you to feel obligated to help me with stuff like that. It feels as if we’re a couple.”
I felt vulnerable for revealing that particular detail. I was pushing him out, and I didn’t know how to stop. After my breakup, I’d been afraid to let anyone get close. I didn’t want to give anyone the chance to make me feel insignificant. I tried to shrug everything off, but I suspected Landon could see right through me. He seemed wired to my emotions.
He let go of my arm, cupping my face in both hands. “We are a couple, Maddie. This isn’t just a romp between the sheets. Yes, I want you every damn second of every damn day, but I also want to just spend time with you. Doesn’t matter what we do.” His thumbs caressed my cheekbones, and then he kissed me. “You’re fun, loyal. You’re a great woman, Maddie. You deserve someone who knows how to treat you the right way. I want to be that man for you. Here, now, I want to be that man.”
He leaned in until his chest brushed my breasts, and I sucked in a breath. Landon stole the next one, sealing his mouth over mine. He kissed me gently but demandingly. I twisted my fingers through his hair. His hands and lips were wreaking havoc on my senses, but his words had reached straight to my heart. Landon was like a hurricane. He swept me off my feet completely, and even though I knew I’d be better off in the long term if I fought my feelings, I couldn’t do it anymore. I wanted to take all this man had to offer, experience everything he made me feel.
Landon tore his mouth away. “Woman! Don’t start with those wiles before we even leave my sister’s yard.”
Laughter began to bubble up my chest, but it got stuck in my throat when he cupped my breast, flicking my nipple over my dress. After work, I’d changed into a light blue cotton dress with a V neckline and short sleeves.
He lowered his hand on my right thigh, bunching up my dress until he reached my skin. I shuddered.
“I love how your body reacts to me. It makes me want to just stroke you like this for hours.”
I bucked my hips, desperate for more friction. He kissed down the side of my face, tugging at my earlobe, whispering in my ear.
“Landon! The things you make me want.” How could he bring me from zero to 100 percent turned on in a few seconds? I didn’t even know I was capable of that. Landon made me discover new sides of myself, though I suspected I would only ever respond to him this way. It was pitch dark in the yard, but still. I couldn’t climb him here, so I did the sensible thing and took a step back.
“Shall we go?” I asked.
“Yeah, we should.” I heard the smile in his voice as we left the yard. “So, we’re on for painting tomorrow.”
“Yes, bossy man. We’re on for painting. Where do you want to go now?” I asked once we were in the car. “The view from the Griffith Observatory is really spectacular at night. Or we could go to the observation deck on city hall, and then have drinks downtown. Or we could go to a beach. Not Venice, too much going on.”
“I forgot how amazing this city was.”
“Oh, I’ll remind you. I always think imports value LA more than the locals.”
A dangerous idea popped into my mind. Would he ever consider moving back here? Could I... persuade him? I shook my head, pushing away the selfish thought. But I found myself wishing that this thing between us could stretch beyond here and now.
“Well, then, LA expert. Show me what I’ve been missing. You choose the adventure tonight.”
I glanced at him suspiciously. “You’re so accommodating. No negotiations?”
“I’ll prove my negotiating prowess later tonight.”
“Will clothes be involved?”
“Of course.” He leaned in closer. “I didn’t say we’d be wearing those clothes.”
