Maddie

I hid my head under a pillow when the alarm clock went off. Every inch of my body protested at the mere idea of climbing out of bed. I felt like sleeping for a week. Reaching blindly to my nightstand, I snoozed the alarm, stretching out on the entire bed.

I didn’t have time to be lazy this morning, because I had to go downtown and pick up some permits for my next project before going to Val’s. I should have set my alarm clock fifteen minutes earlier so I could cuddle with the man responsible for the delicious ache in my body. It took me a second to realize that Landon wasn’t next to me. Wiping the haze of sleep from my eyes, I peered around. The door to the living room was open, and the smell of coffee filtered in. Did Landon make coffee?

I threw on a robe and headed out to my living room. Landon was standing at my kitchen island, fully dressed. He had his back to me, and I had a prime view of his ass. Now that I knew how it looked naked, I found it even more irresistible. I didn’t know what to say, or how to act, but I took it as a good sign that he was here, in my kitchen. The floor creaked under my feet, and he whirled around.

“Morning, beautiful,” he said.

The tension melted away from my limbs, just from hearing those two words. He had a great voice. Strong yet sweet, and somehow seemed to say, I wouldn’t bolt in the middle of the night. You’re worth more than that.

“Morning.”

“I made coffee.” He handed me a mug, which I took with both hands. Landon stepped closer, watching me intently as I sipped from my cup. “Let’s go have breakfast, somewhere on a beach. I want to spend this day with you. The morning at least.”

My insides melted. “I really want to, but I can’t.”

He kissed my right temple, murmuring, “Here’s a little secret. I’m related to your client. I can pull strings for favors.”

“I know, but I actually have an appointment to pick up some permits. It’s taken ages for them to be processed, so I don’t want to miss the chance.”

“I can pull strings with people who aren’t related to me too, you know. You need anything done, tell me.”

“Thanks, you’re very generous.”

“You just have to say what you need, sweetheart. I can’t guess that. Yet.”

I sucked in a deep breath. He smelled amazing, all man. I rested my chin on his chest, peppering his Adam’s apple with kisses. If it weren’t for that appointment I could soak up all the deliciousness that was Landon this morning. He swung his arms around my waist, hoisting me close to him. Surrounded by him like this, I couldn’t help but wonder if Landon was the kind of man who’d always be on my team.

“You have great arms,” I murmured. “And a great voice.”

He laughed. “I like where this is going.”

“I’d go on, but I really have to hop in a shower.”

“I’ll see you at lunch and we’ll talk some more.”

“Okay. Will you bring something delicious?”

“Of course. I’ll bring food. And myself.”

“Whoa! You have a cocky side. I wondered when it would show up.” I stepped back, folding my arms over my chest and tsking.

“You assumed I have one?” he challenged.

“Landon, be serious. Looking the way you do, and doing what you do for a living, I expected your cockiness factor to be somewhere around a million, give or take.”

He grinned. “Looking the way I do?”

I grinned back. “Well, I mentioned your voice and arms. I’d rattle off the rest, but the shower is waiting for me. You have something to look forward to at lunch. Can’t tell all my secrets first thing in the morning.”

***

As it turned out, the few minutes I had with Landon were the best part of the morning. The clerk in charge of signing my permits seemed to doubt I was qualified for the job.

“You’re working alone, yes?” he asked. His office was small and stuffy, and he smelled like he’d worn that shirt since Christmas.

“I hire people on site for every project.”

“Schools are of public interest. Are you sure your... company can handle it?”

“The scope of the project is limited. I could do it myself if necessary. And it’s a private school, not a public one,” I countered.

“But you still need permits from us. I need more time to look into it.”

I drew in a deep breath, forcing myself to remain calm. I knew what would happen if I gave him time. He’d take so long that I’d never get my permits on time. I was slated to start this project right after I finished Val’s. I promised my clients an all-in-one solution, and I intended to deliver.

I hadn’t gotten to where I was by waiting for things to happen. I fought tooth and nail to make them happen. Straightening up, I smiled and laid on the charm thickly, pimping myself like there was no tomorrow. Ten minutes later, I left with my permits.

On my way to Val’s, I switched on my phone. I’d turned it off during the appointment.

An unread message popped up.

Landon: Val had an accident with a drunk driver. Call when you see this.

Oh my God! I checked the time—he’d texted an hour ago. I was too petrified to call him, or do anything except hope and pray that Val was all right. She had to be. Taking a few deep breaths, I finally called Landon. He answered immediately.

“Hey!” he said.

“Hey! How’s Val doing?”

I held the wheel of my car tightly with one hand. My stomach was churning already.

“Three broken ribs, and her right leg’s broken too.”

“Oh no.”

“She’s going to be in the hospital for a night, and then she’ll need to take things slow for about six weeks.”

“What happened?”

“She had a big meeting today and drove to her office to prepare for it. A drunk idiot slammed into her car.” His voice was so tight, I wanted to reach out through the phone and wrap my arms around him.

“You’re at the hospital now?”

“I was there earlier, but I left because she asked me to attend the meeting in her place. I’m on my way there.”

“You’re joking, right?”

Landon laughed. “I’m not.”

“How can she still be thinking about the meeting?” I hoped that meant she wasn’t in too much pain.

“She’s been preparing for it for a month. It’s a big deal. We talked about it a few times, and I did work at the company years ago, so I know the bare bones.”

“Wow.”

“The meeting will last the entire day, so I can’t make it to lunch. But I’d like to take you out this evening.”

“Landon, you’re going to have a hellish day. You don’t have to take me out.”

“I want to. After the meeting I’ll stop by to see Val, but afterward, if you don’t have plans....”

I shook my head, then realized he couldn’t see me. “No plans.”

“Great. I’ll text you when the meeting ends.”

“All right.”

“That’s settled, then. I’ll see you tonight. I have to go over the briefing for the meeting now.”

“Go get ’em. You’ll knock them off their asses.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

“Are you wearing cuff links?” I asked, remembering he’d told me he wore those whenever he meant business.

“I am. Went home from the hospital to change.”

“Pffft, you already got the deal in the bag, then. No one can resist cuff links.”

“Ouch! I take back my thanks.” He laughed, and I was so happy I’d managed to cheer him up despite everything going on. “I can’t wait to see you tonight, Maddie.”

Oh, what those words did to me. They awoke butterflies inside me. I might have even swooned a little, though I wouldn’t admit it out loud. I hadn’t realized how much I’d hoped to hear them until now. Adrenaline zipped through me, and I couldn’t keep my emotions in check.

“Back at you.”

After I clicked off, I was grinning like a fool. I didn’t want to get all dreamy and romantic, but I couldn’t help it. I decided to start the day by visiting Val. I realized I didn’t know which hospital she was at, so I texted Landon.

I wanted to see with my own eyes that she was okay, as much as one could be okay with three cracked ribs and a broken leg. I’d bring her a mozzarella and tomato sandwich too. On second thought, I added M&M’s to the mix. As far as mood lifters went, M&M’s were at the top of my list, and I had a feeling Val could use all the mood lifting she could get.