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“Girl, I thought I’d melt on the spot when Landon called. You’ve found yourself a keeper,” she said. I sighed sadly, sipping my drink. I knew that, of course. The question was how to keep him?
I hadn’t had a big bash in years, not since I moved to LA, anyway. Life had gotten in the way, and I’d always had a small celebration, but this was the way a birthday should be celebrated. In style.
I found my way to the Connor table soon enough. Lori and Hailey were sitting with Val. Landon, Jace, and Will were scattered around the room. The Connor girls were knockouts tonight. Val was wearing a tunic-style red dress with a black leather belt around her middle. One leg was bared, the other concealed by the white cast. Hailey had styled her dark hair in a frilly bun, with curled strands falling in ringlets around her face. I was jealous of her killer red shoes with silver heels. It was only when I saw her sitting between Lori and Val that I realized she was the only sister who didn’t have green eyes. Hers were dark, like chocolate. Lori rocked a white, short dress with a lovely lace pattern, her blonde hair pulled into a French braid.
“Girls, I come bringing cocktails,” I announced, setting the tray with four glasses on the wooden table.
“My favorite words ever,” Hailey exclaimed.
We all helped ourselves to a glass, and as we clinked them, Val said, “To the wonderful Maddie, who’s made our brother happier than I’ve ever seen him.”
“Hear, hear,” Hailey said. “I can vouch for that, and I’ve been keeping an eye on him at the office.”
“Girls, stop. You’re making me blush.”
Val, who was sitting nearest, covered my hand with hers. “You’re good for him, Maddie. And looking at you, all happy and gooey, I’d say he’s good for you too.”
Lori was picking at her fingernails, a suspicious smile playing on her lips. “Just saying, but I want to plan a Connor wedding soon. Considering the state of things, you’re the most likely candidates.”
Damn. My imagination didn’t need more ammunition. It was in a dangerous place tonight as it was. The cocktails weren’t helping.
When Landon pulled me in the darkest corner of the dance floor a while later, my emotions were running high. If that was how he did birthdays, I wondered how he’d make a proposal. I bet it would be epic. I sighed. Tonight, Landon had opened the floodgates. Dreams and hopes were coming through. I was powerless to stop them, and that scared me a little.
“What are you thinking about? Must be something real good. Look at the smile,” he said.
“It’s top secret,” I teased.
“Is that so?”
I nodded confidently, even though my pulse skittered. I was afraid he’d see straight into my heart.
“I happen to know a few techniques to make you spill secrets,” he said.
He touched my upper lip with his forefinger, pressing on the bow. He pulled me to him, swiping his tongue where he’d touched before, in a slow, sensual movement. I felt his lick straight between my thighs. He captured my mouth with his, kissing me until my toes curled and I wanted to climb him. Oh goodness, his kisses weren’t helping me close those floodgates. Not at all.
“What you did today for me was so thoughtful. Thanks,” I said. “I’m just happy.”
“I’m glad to hear that. I love making you happy.”
He flashed me that dreamy smile I adored. I reached out and pulled him in for another kiss, needing his lips again.
Landon touched my arms, my back, then lowered one hand down my back. There was a small, inviting slit between the last ribbon and the base of my spine. Landon found it and slipped two fingers there, as if what was on display wasn’t enough and he needed to touch more of me. I melted against him, moaning into his mouth when I felt his erection against my belly. Landon rocked me to the rhythm of the music, resting his mouth on my neck.
“I can’t wait to take you home, make you mine,” he said when the song was over. His voice was gruff. His breath was coming out in hot bursts that lit me up too. He looked at me as if he wanted to claim me right here on the dance floor. I swear I could feel my panties melting under the heat in his gaze.
I trailed my fingers on his chest. The white shirt was stretched over his taut muscles. I could trace his dents and ridges in my sleep by now.
“Maddie, don’t tempt me.”
I knew his words were supposed to warn me, but his voice sounded like pure sex, making me wanton. But I decided to behave. I didn’t want to tempt him to the point where he’d whisk me away. I was detecting that possessive glint in his eyes that meant he wasn’t far from throwing me over his shoulder, and I hadn’t even cut the cake.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Landon
Lori and Grace had pulled off a great party. Maddie was having fun, and I couldn’t keep my eyes off her. Those ribbons down her back begged to be pulled open, and she was taunting me relentlessly.
Shortly before eight, my cousin Sebastian Bennett arrived with his wife and two of his kids. If I wasn’t mistaken, they were three years old.
