Landon

Hailey dropped a bomb at the next Friday dinner.

“You didn’t,” I exclaimed.

“Yeah, I did. Look, you’ve been stretching yourself thin these past three weeks. I can even see some white hairs sprouting. I spoke to my boss and told him I need to take one month off. He went berserk, but I pulled on all my negotiation skills and convinced him to give me three weeks. So Monday morning, I’m coming to the office with you. We can split tasks.”

I stared at her in bewilderment. “Okay, back up. How did you come to the conclusion that I need help?”

“Your partnership with Sullivan is rocky, and Val’s project requires 200 percent of your attention. Some might even say it would have been a great idea for her to hire someone to assist her.”

She slid her gaze to Val, who was suddenly very interested in her quinoa and avocado salad. Since we wanted Val to rest, we took turns preparing Friday dinner. This had been Will’s contribution. Had I been too careless these past Fridays? Complained too much? I racked my brain but didn’t remember doing so.

“Hailey, I appreciate the thought, but this isn’t necessary. You have your own career to focus on.”

Hailey crossed her arms over her chest. “I have a lot of accrued time. It’s my right to go on vacation. My boss is like all bosses—present company excluded, I hope”—she slid Val and me a cutting look—“and he doesn’t like his employees to actually take time off, but there’s nothing he can do about it.”

A while ago Hailey confided in me that she was on track for a promotion, and I knew sharks in the consultancy world well. They wanted your sweat, blood, and full commitment. Taking this time off would work against her. But Hailey knew all this, so I needed another angle.

“You don’t know the business—”

“I’m a business consultant, Landon. I tackle unknown businesses for a living. I take everything on a project-by-project basis, and I have a good system for learning the nuts and bolts quickly. And I’ve worked with other companies in the industry.”

She held her chin up high as if daring me to question her expertise. Okay, so that had been a lousy angle. I was running out of ideas. I looked at Val for support.

“Val? You’re really going to let her do this?”

Hailey sighed. “I’m an adult, Landon. I don’t need permission from either of you to do what I please.”

My twin sister looked miserable. “I don’t want either of you putting your lives on hold for me. But Landon, you do have your plate full. I’m not making much of a dent in your workload with what I do from home. My team isn’t used to working remotely with me. I know I’m not good when it comes to delegating, and your deal needs more of your attention.”

Negotiations had reached a new low this week. Sullivan was reopening negotiations on every front, including unimportant details. He was wasting both our time, and that bothered me, because I couldn’t see his endgame. He’d seemed a straightforward person in the beginning. I would have backed out of the deal, but I had no other way of delivering the results I’d promised to investors.

I hadn’t mentioned the latest troubles with the merger to my family, though. How did they know? Had Adam called Val? I’d kill him. I looked around the table for support. It took me all of three seconds to realize I would get none. Lori, Jace, and Will were nodding appreciatively. Milo was focusing on his second serving of salad. I wished Maddie was here, even though I’d be outnumbered even with her vote of confidence.

“When I say I can take care of something, it’s because I can,” I said calmly.

“Jeez, you’re stubborn,” Lori said.

“We can out-stubborn him,” Will added.

Jace chuckled. “Let’s not get cocky. The stubborn streak runs deep in the Connor bloodline, but Landon takes stubbornness and determination to a whole new level. Need to tackle this somehow else. I’m thinking old-fashioned bargaining.”

“I can take care of this,” I repeated, but with less conviction. I remembered the conversation with Maddie from three weeks ago about not placating my siblings. I knew she was right, but knowing and doing were different things. I could start trying, though.

“You don’t have to take care of things on your own anymore, Landon. We’re grown up. And you’re our brother, not our parent,” Jace said. The table went quiet.

“I know that.”

He shook his head. “Sometimes you seem to forget, which I suppose is normal since you and Val.... Well, we all know what you did for us, and we’re very grateful. But you don’t have to do everything on your own anymore,” Jace said with so much tact that it threw me off. Tact usually wasn’t a priority for him.

“She already asked for time off, Landon,” Lori said. “Just relax. It will all work out.”

“Okay, I... appreciate the help. But I wish you’d told me about this before making a decision.”

Hailey clapped her hands, then practically shoved a finger in my face. “No way in hell. The best way to negotiate with you is to ambush you. Worked when I was a kid, and it’s working now. Why change a running system?” She elbowed Lori playfully.

I laughed. Lori had invented the ambush technique when she couldn’t sway me to buy her a dalmatian. She’d promised to take care of it all on her own, but I figured she didn’t know what that entailed. One night when Val and I came home from the pub, she was waiting for us in the living room, a dalmatian in her arms. She’d held the puppy to her chest, looking at me with accusing eyes.

“I hope you will find it in your cold, black heart not to put him out on the street.”

Her words had sliced enough that I could remember them to this day.

Of course, I wasn’t going to put him out on the street. The dalmatian stayed, and the ambush technique was born: a strategy used with success by all my siblings—sometimes even Val.

“By the way,” Jace said, “where’s Maddie? I got used to having her around on Friday nights.”

“At the bar where her sister works. They’re having a big event and Maddie is helping.”

Will held up his beer to me before taking a swig. Hailey propped her elbows on the table, looking at my eyes intently.

“What?” I challenged.

“I think I see stars in your eyes,” she said.

“Oh boy, here we go,” Jace said. “Run while you can. I sense another ambush coming. I get that every time a fan looks too long at me.”

“That’s different. We’re just looking out for you,” Lori explained, helping herself to more salad. “What if they want to take advantage of your fame?”

“Maybe I don’t mind,” Jace said, and we all laughed. I was proud of my brother. Playing soccer professionally required dedication and hard work. He’d been in love with the game since he was a little boy, watching Val and me play. Our school’s soccer coach had declared Val and me to be natural talents, but when Jace went for tryouts, he didn’t even make it on the team. Coach told him he’d better focus his efforts somewhere else. Instead, my brother asked me to practice with him. He was relentless in his determination. The next year, he made the team, and now he’s one of the best players in the country.

Val shifted her leg on the ottoman, then swayed widely in her chair from left to right, like the pendulum of a grandfather clock.

“My butt hurts from so much sitting,” she explained when we all paused to watch.

“As soon as your ribs are better, you should move around more,” Jace instructed. “The muscles in that leg will atrophy anyway, but it’s important to keep the rest of the body strong. That’s the advice our club’s doctor gives us when we have an injury. I’m going to keep pestering him to make time to check you. He’s the best.”

“Oh, more doctors. I’m looking forward to it,” Val said dryly. Then she perked up. “Is he hot?”

Jace looked murderous. “He’s not good for you. He’s a manwhore and—”

Val burst out laughing. “I was just messing with you. Jeez, relax.” He opened his mouth, but Val held up a hand. “I believe we were talking about Landon’s love life before we got derailed.” She winked at me. “Is it my imagination, or are you spending a lot of time together?”

I couldn’t tell if she honestly hadn’t noticed I’d only slept a few nights here in three weeks, or if she was trying to take the attention off her by shifting it on me.

“Not your imagination,” I answered. Val beamed with so much honesty that I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt.

Later, I shot Adam a message as we cleared the table.

Landon: Did you talk to Val recently?

Adam: No, man, but Hailey called last week.

Landon: What exactly did you tell her?

Adam: Hell if I know. She started asking me about my dog, and by the end of the conversation I think I even told her what color Sullivan’s logo had. You know how she can get. She’s got that talent for talking until the cows come home, like all business consultants have.

Of course.

After dinner, I was tempted to call Maddie. We hadn’t made plans for tonight because she and Grace would be at the Lucky Bar until closing time, but I missed her. Was she having fun? Was she thinking about me as often as I thought about her? I needed to see her.

For years, I hadn’t wanted to need another being, because losing them crippled you. But when it came to Maddie, I couldn’t help myself. My days here were numbered, and I didn’t want to let one pass without seeing her. I was of half a mind to show up at The Lucky Bar unannounced, but decided to text her first.

Landon: Everything all right? Having fun with Grace?

Her answer came moments later.

Maddie: Inofun. Cowded

Had she typed without watching the screen? I went out on the front porch and called her.

“What was that?” I asked the moment she picked up.

“Hi, Landon. This is Grace. Sorry about my sister’s blunder. She typed before I managed to whisk it away from her.”

“Is she okay?”

“Oh yeah. But Jose, the bartender on shift tonight, thought he’d prank her. Made her a Bloody Mary with one of those fancy vodkas that don’t burn your throat. You can’t even tell it has vodka. He was... quite generous.”

“Doooooon’t tell him that. He’ll think I’m drunk.” Maddie’s voice resounded through the phone, rising over the background noise.

“She still thinks she’s sober,” Grace informed me.

“I got that. How is she getting home?”

“I’m going to get in a cab with her, drop her off at home, and then come back. I’m serving drinks tonight, and I need to be here until the band leaves. Or... we could use your white knight services. Are they available tonight?”

“Yes,” I said at the same time Maddie’s voice rose to a pitch.

“You little traitor. I don’t want him to see me drunk.”

Grace chuckled. “Oh good. She can tell she’s drunk. We’re making progress. How fast can you be here?”

“Half an hour.”

“Great. I’ll keep her far away from the Bloody Marys in the meantime. Jose, if you serve her another drink, I will kill you in your sleep.” She practically yelled the last sentence, making my ears ring.

After a hurried goodbye to my siblings, I hailed a cab and headed to the Lucky Bar.

The place was more packed than the last time I’d been here. I had to give it to the owner; his strategy of booking the place solid with live bands was smart. In a city with bars at every corner, he was thriving despite the competition. I found Maddie on one of the couches on the left from the bar. A wisp of a blonde was doting on her.

“Grace?” I asked when I was in hearing distance. She nodded, holding out her hand. She looked just like Maddie, but about a head shorter, and her eyes were almond-shaped rather than round.

“Nice to meet you, Landon. Our girl here’s not feeling too well.”

Maddie sighed, motioning with her forefinger for me to come closer. When I leaned over her, she immediately wrapped her arms around my neck. I kissed her without a second thought, tasting tomato juice and vodka on her tongue. But underneath all that heady mix was still my sweet Maddie. My sweet and inebriated Maddie. I realized just how inebriated when I had to stop her hand from snaking under my shirt.

“I’ll get you home, drunk girl,” I murmured after tearing my mouth from hers. Straightening up, I turned to Grace. “I’ll take care of her tonight. Don’t worry about a thing.”

Grace sighed. “Wow, my sister is right. You have graduated from the school of perfect men.”

“She says that?”

“Oh yeah. So often, I’m gonna start being jealous soon.”

Maddie poked Grace’s thigh. “Don’t get jealous. He’s mine. Not sharing him.”

“Oh boy,” Grace exclaimed.

I whipped my phone out and ordered an Uber. According to the timer it would be here in three minutes.

“Come on, sweet girl. Up you go.” I took both her hands, helped her up. I couldn’t yet determine how steady she was on her feet, but I hooked an arm around her waist just in case. Grace walked us to the entrance, and once we stepped out in the pleasant evening air, Maddie almost became a deadweight in my arms. She was silent on the way home, nestling her body against me.

Grace’s words played in my mind. I was far from perfect, but knowing Maddie had so much faith in me made me want to be the man she saw. I wanted to be the man she needed. I carried her in my arms all the way to her bed.

“How was dinner?” she asked, curling on one side after I took off her shoes. I sat next to her, stroking her hair.

“Good. A bit crazy. Hailey’s taking three weeks off to work with me.”

Maddie did not look surprised. Instead, she tried to hide her smile in the pillow.

“You knew about this?” I asked.

“I might have accidentally on purpose outed you to your sisters.”

I bit down a smile. “How do you do something accidentally on purpose?”

“Well, Val cornered me on my last morning at the house. Started pestering me with questions. I thought it was just girl talk, you know? But then Hailey called too, and I thought she might be up to something. But instead of downplaying how much you work, I laid everything out for her. I sold you out. In my defense, you seemed to need it.”

Her voice came out muffled because she was hiding her face in the pillow in earnest, fiddling her toes against one another.

“I’m glad you did. I was in over my head, but I’m not used to admitting it.”

She perked her head up. “You’re a strange white knight. You rescue everyone else, but I think you need a rescuer yourself. Far from me to overplay my abilities, but I’m the perfect candidate. Can I apply for the position?”

“It’s already yours, Maddie.”

“It is? What are you doing?” she asked in alarm as I stretched next to her on the edge of the bed.

“Lying next to you. Or next to the bed. I’m gonna fall over if you don’t make space for me.”

“But you’re not sleeping here, are you?” She sounded even more alarmed, even as she made space for me.

“Why the hell not?”

“B-because I’m not feeling well. I might barf, and that’s messy and—”

“Maddie! I’m staying!”

“Oh, by all means, go all bossy and melt the pants off me when I’m down. Damn Slutty Marys.”

“What?”

“I asked Jose to make me a Bloody Mary, but light on the vodka because I was helping Grace. I didn’t want a Virgin Mary. That’s boring. It should be illegal to have to drink nonalcoholic cocktails on a Friday night. Anyway, he did a number on me. Said I looked like I needed it.”

“Did you?”

I’d thought she’d felt strangely tense, but I put it up to her not wanting Grace or me to see her drunk. I should have known there was more to it.

“A little. I’d just gotten off the phone with my parents, who said they wouldn’t make it to my birthday because they’ve booked a gig. They didn’t have time to get together for Christmas, so I was hoping they’d make it to my birthday in two weeks. I wasn’t planning a big party. I’d love one, but I don’t have time for that. Just a small dinner....” She was silent for a moment before adding, “I sound so silly, getting worked up over this.”

“You’re not silly. It’s important to you.”

She shrugged. “I should let it go. I just miss them so much. But I have Grace, and my friends.”

“Aren’t you forgetting someone?” I teased.

“Hmm. I’m friendly with the postman. Maybe I should put him on my list. Think I’m missing anyone?”

“Me.” I leaned in closer, kissed her earlobe. “You have me, Maddie.”

I wanted to be important to her, to be on that list of people she wouldn’t hesitate to call close, to reach out to.

“Not really. I’m just borrowing you from your life in San Jose. I love our time together, but I don’t want to fool myself.”

Her words were true, even though I didn’t want them to be.

“But you have me now.”

She scrunched up her nose, looking at me intently. “Hmm. That’s a vague statement. I’m pretty sure I can claim ownership of this.” She cupped my cock over my pants. “But which other part of you? Your brilliant mind? Or that squeezable ass?”

“Squeezable?”

“More than that. Bite-worthy.”

She moved her hand over my chest, her eyes locked on mine.

“You have all parts of me, Maddie. You have all of me.”

She smiled sheepishly, burying her face in my chest.

“Will you still be here in two weeks, for my birthday?”

“Yes, I will.” And even if I wasn’t, I’d fly back for the occasion. I’d fly back to spend Christmas and every other holiday she wanted with her. Truth was, I couldn’t imagine a day when I wouldn’t want her. Could she? “See, you’ll have me too on your birthday. I’ll make it a day to remember, I promise.”

“Oooh, you’re about to bestow more of that charm on me. By all means, go ahead.”

She lifted one of my wrists, pointing to my forearm. “This should also not be legal. Do you know how hot you look with your sleeves rolled up?”

“I thought you liked the cuff links.”

She scooted closer to me on the bed. Her arm was wedged between us, but I still felt her right breast press against my chest. I was barely refraining from tearing her clothes off.

“Oh, I like those too. They say I’m in charge, and that’s hot. But this says, I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty.”

She licked across the vein on my inner arm, and I could feel the lick on the length of my cock.

“Maddie, fuck.”

“I like when you’re dirty with me.” Her tone was pushing me further to the edge. She was begging for it.

“Not tonight, sweetness.”

I couldn’t be gentle with her tonight, and I risked her getting sick if I had my way with her. She shifted the hand wedged between us, stroking my erection until my control nearly snapped. I cuffed her wrist, bringing it to her stomach.

“He wants me.” Lowering her voice to a whisper, she added, “Why doesn’t your boss allow us to have some fun? He’s being mean.”

Maddie tried to lower her hand again, but I switched tactics. I climbed on top of her, pinning both her wrists above her head, trapping her legs between mine.

“What are you going to do now?” I teased.

Her eyes were wide, her breath frantic. “Whatever you want me to do, Landon.”

Fuck, she was going to undo me. I couldn’t resist this forever. But I knew what she needed. Her eyes glittered with desire, her body humming with the need for release.

I clasped her wrists firmly with one hand, brought the other to her jeans, undid her button and lowered the zipper. When I slipped my hand into her panties, I groaned. She was wet.

“Maddie, beautiful, since when are you so wet?”

“Since you carried me inside,” she whispered, like it was a dirty secret. I stroked her slit up and down slowly. So damn slowly it was killing us both.

“Faster, Landon.”

I kissed the corner of her mouth, went up to her cheek. She was so turned on, I knew she’d come for me in ten seconds flat. But that would be an unsatisfying release. I wanted to draw it out, coax her to a peak so high that the release would melt away all the tension she’d gathered in her body and mind today. I was going to make her forget all about it by giving her the kind of pleasure she could feel in her bones.

“No,” I said.

She tried to push herself against my palm, but I took my hand away.

“No,” she whimpered. “Don’t stop.”

“You said you liked it when I was in charge.”

She stilled, and I brought my hand down her center again.

“This is me being in charge, Maddie.”

She pinched her eyes shut. I was shaking from the effort of not giving in to my instincts. I needed to be inside her badly, but tonight was all about her. I stroked her even slower than before.

Her legs began to shake first, then her belly. I held her in my arms while her entire body convulsed, riding out her orgasm. She cried my name over and over again, until she was spent.

Then I moved, pulled her shirt over her head, then her jeans down, kissing her legs.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

I smiled against the skin of her upper thigh. “I’m going on a search for those birthmarks again.”

She laughed. “Missed some spots on your last search, huh?”

“Doesn’t hurt to double-check.”

“Well, you are a thorough man.”

She took off her bra, and I pulled down her panties too. I kissed her breasts, teasing her nipples with my tongue. She opened her legs wide for me. Her complete trust and surrender nearly undid me. I sucked on her clit, sliding two fingers inside her and curving them. She dug her heels into the mattress, shimmying her hips.

“All of this is mine, Maddie.”

“Only yours.”

I moved between her legs, teasing her clit.

She cried out, and her thighs were shaking a little. “Landon, it’s too soon. I don’t know if I can get there again.”

“You will. For me, you will.”

She came apart soon after. Then I moved next to her, cradling her to me. She was still panting softly when she lowered a hand to my zipper. I caught it, bringing it up to my lips.

“I’m not going to make love to you tonight, Maddie. I’ll just hold you.”

She sighed, scooting over until she was half lying on top of me. Her body was relaxed. I couldn’t feel one ounce of tension anymore.

“You put me first.”

“You deserve nothing less.”

“You’re so good at dismantling my walls, Landon. Brick by brick. You’re very, very thorough.”

I chuckled, holding her even closer. I knew what she meant. She was blasting through mine.