CHAPTER 22
Landon Lane
I KNEELED IN FRONT OF Logan. It was time for me to get on the road. Janet sat on the couch reading one of her books.
“Okay, buddy. I’ll be back tomorrow.”
Logan nodded. “I can watch, right?”
“Yeah, but you go to bed right after.” I glanced to Janet.
“I’ll make sure he’s in bed.”
The birds chirped outside, and the sun started to peek through the windows on the east side of the house.
“Okay then.” I gave Logan a huge hug. “I’ll miss you, big man.” We fist bumped and I messed up his hair a little. “Take care of the place. You’re the man of the house while I’m gone. Uncle Joe and I will be back soon.”
I stood up and walked toward the front door on Joe’s heels. “Bye, Janet.”
“Yeah, yeah, take your time getting back.” She grinned.
I turned around and walked over to her and gave her a hug too.
She pulled me back and put her palms on my face. “And take care of your big ass I suppose.”
“I will.”
“And go see her before you go.”
“On my way now.”
I gave Logan one more hug for good measure. I’d never been away from him for longer than a school day.
They came out on the porch and waved as we backed down the driveway.
WE PULLED UP A FEW houses down from Cora’s place. I didn’t want to take any chances.
“We need to get on the road for Vegas.”
I nodded and pulled my hood up over my head. “I’ll be right back.”
The crisp air bit at my fingertips and I shoved my hands in my pockets. Cora opened her door after a few knocks and a sleepy glare met me. It slowly turned into a grin. To me she was most beautiful when she first woke up in the morning. No makeup. Just her.
The sun had sent light orange rays cascading across the blue sky when I stepped inside.
“So, this is it, huh?”
“Yep.”
“You nervous?”
“No.”
She stared at me like I was some crazy-looking insect. “Really?”
“These two fights will be easy. It’s just a show.”
“Cocky much?” She chortled and poured herself a cup of coffee. “You want some?” She held up the steaming mug.
“Naw, I’m good. Thanks. And no, not cocky. Just facts.”
A horn blared down the street. I shot a glare toward the noise.
So much for being subtle, Joe. You dick!
“I want to stay longer, but he’s going to barge in here if we don’t get on the road soon.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t leave earlier. You’re going to get there right about the fight time. Don’t you have to like warm up or train or something like that?”
“No. That’s how we want it. I don’t want to deal with the press beforehand.”
“Just show up and kick someone’s ass and leave?”
“Pretty much. It plays up the whole mystery thing too. People want to know more about what they don’t know.”
“That’s how you got me.” She smiled.
“I know.”
She shook her head, and then her face tensed. “This is going to be a big deal isn’t it?”
“Yes.” I stood up. “It’s going to change a lot of things around here.”
She turned away and walked to the back window. I watched her from behind.
She stared like she was looking beyond her backyard. “I’m worried about you.”
I strode over and took her mug out of her hand. I sat it on the window sill and wrapped my arms around her from behind. She smelled like shampoo and coffee. I didn’t want to stop smelling her—touching her. She leaned back into me.
“Don’t be worried. There’s no need for it yet.”
“Being cocky again.” She smirked.
“You’ll see.” I kissed along her neck and watched her eyes flutter closed. “Will you be able to check on Logan later?”
She smiled. “I’m going to sneak over there when it gets dark.”
“Thank you,” I whispered in her ear and made sure to exhale warm breath down her neck.
Her hands covered my arms and she pulled me tighter against her. Her ass pressed up against me and my cock jumped to life at the sensation. I knew she felt it.
“You should go.” She pressed against me again and her eyelashes fluttered. “I’m having dirty thoughts.” She turned around in my arms and locked her hands behind my neck.
Our lips mashed together, and I pressed my forehead against hers and stared into her eyes.
“Soon,” I said.
She nodded against my forehead. “Take care of yourself, okay?”
“I will.” My hands slid down to her ass. I couldn’t help it. I pulled her tighter against me. “I promise.”
My heart hammered. Cora’s breaths shallowed. I kissed her harder, faster.
I didn’t have time to do what we needed to do, but I couldn’t pull away from her either. She was my drug of choice and I needed a fix in the worst way. Our tongues played back and forth, and she ground her hips into me. A moan caught deep in her throat.
The horn outside blared.
My jaw tightened and I gritted my teeth. “Fuck.”
Cora nudged me away. “Go.”
“Okay.” I snaked my hands through her hair and kissed her on the forehead. Then I looked down into her eyes. “We’ll continue this when I get back.”
“We better or I might die.” She smiled that gorgeous smile at me.
“Love you always.”
“Always, babe.”
Babe.
Joe threw his hands up in the car as soon as I stepped away from the porch. I shot him a middle finger and pulled my hood back up. I didn’t know if he understood but it made me feel better.
I turned around to face Cora. “I mean it. I’m finishing what we started in there. As soon as we’re alone again.”
Cora stood beneath the threshold. “I’ll be waiting.”
I walked back and gave her one more kiss, then took off in a slow jog toward the car. I looked over my shoulder every two steps and watched her and the porch grow smaller.
When I finally got back, Joe shook his head at me. “About time.” He had his huge sunglasses on. “What’s this mean?” He shot me the bird.
“It means thank you.”
“Oh, okay.” He grinned. “Well, you’re welcome. Let’s go take care of business.”