Maddie

My head seemed to weigh a thousand pounds when I woke up. Thankfully, the curtains were drawn together. My heart filled with joy at the realization that Landon must have done it. Voices filtered in from the living room through the cracked door. I recognized Will’s and Lori’s voices in addition to Landon’s. What were they doing here? I sat up, assessing my condition. I felt relentless pounding at the back of my head and along my temples, but no nausea. I was wearing an old shirt and yoga pants Landon had helped me change into last night. I rose from the bed and discovered I was steady on my feet.

Landon pushed the door open wider. “Thought I heard you move. How do you feel?”

“Headache,” I mumbled. “Are Lori and Will here?”

“We came to the rescue,” Lori called. Landon smiled, taking my hand and leading me to the living room.

Lori and Will were sitting next to each other on my couch. Lori pointed to the plastic bottle on my revolving bookcase, which also served as a coffee table. The greenish liquid inside the bottle gave me the creeps. In my experience, no green drink tasted better than it looked.

“That’s the Connors’ secret hangover cure,” she explained. “Very efficient.”

Will pitched in. “As a tester, I vouch for it one hundred percent.”

“Well, if even someone with a badge vouches for it, I’m sold. Thanks.” I sat on the chair opposite them, still eying the liquid with suspicion. “What are you two doing here? Where’s Milo?”

“Milo has a playdate,” Lori said. “Landon called to ask me for the cure’s recipe. I like you too much to allow my dearest brother to poison you, so I made it myself. Landon’s heart is in the right place, but his skills in the kitchen are not. Will was having breakfast with me, so he tagged along.”

I felt so much gratitude toward the three Connors under my roof, doting on me. Landon grabbed the bottle and headed to the kitchen. Moments later, he returned and handed me my favorite cup, the one that said “Every Day Feels Like Monday Without Coffee.” The greenish liquid looked a little more appealing.

“Thanks.”

“Do you want anything else? I’ll go get it,” Landon said.

“No, I’m good.”

Lori sighed, then nudged Will. “Watch. Learn.”

“Are you implying I don’t know how to treat a woman?” he asked.

“A sister can never be too careful.”

“You mean too nagging.”

I grinned at Landon and fake whispered, “Do you think they remember we’re here?”

Landon kissed my forehead, whispering back, “Oh yeah. They just don’t care.”

I brought my mouth to his ear and whispered for real, “Would you mind if I invite your family for my birthday dinner?”

Even though I’d gone to their Fourth of July party and even to some Friday night dinners, I didn’t want to cross any boundaries.

“Not at all,” he said out loud.

I cleared my throat. “Will, Lori, my birthday is in two weeks, on that Tuesday. If you have time, I’d love if you stopped by. I’ll call everyone else today.”

Lori frowned. “That’s the day our cousin Sebastian is visiting with his family.”

“They can come too,” I said. “The more, the merrier. I’ll probably have to find a new location, though.”

Lori sat up straighter. “I can take over the organization. You know, since I plan events for a living.”

“Excellent idea,” Landon said.

“What? No, you don’t have to go to all that trouble. I can handle it.”

“Baby, let Lori oversee this. Look how excited she is. You can handle me in all that spare time you get.”

“And that’s our clue that we’ve overstayed our welcome.” Lori rose to her feet. “Will and I will be going. I’ll call to talk about the birthday details. Take care of your girl, Landon.”

My cheeks warmed. Truthfully, my entire body did. I liked the sound of that. I liked it very much.

“Thanks for stopping by. And for helping with the party. You can still back out anytime,” I said as I walked them to the door. Landon was by my side, his hand firmly on my back. Once his siblings were gone, he led me to the couch, then shoved the cup in my hands.

“The sooner you drink it, the better.”

I pouted. “Why can’t it be pink?”

“You don’t trust me?”

“Oh, but I do.”

“Take a sip. First one is the hardest.”

Hardest might be an understatement. It was terrible... and then it wasn’t. It left a bittersweet aftertaste, but I focused on the sweet part and took gulp after gulp until I emptied it.

“That’s my girl,” Landon said as I plunked the cup on the floor and then lifted my feet up on the couch. I’d barely noticed Landon move when I felt his hands at the back of my head, pressing his fingers into my throbbing skull.

“Ooooh, this is good. So good.” It felt even better when he peppered gentle kisses at the top of my head.

“Are you up for breakfast yet?” he asked.

“Yeah, but I really want you to keep doing that.”

I remembered last night crystal clear, even with the Slutty Marys on board. He’d been so loving.

When my stomach started to rumble, he said, “We’ve got to get some food into you, sweetness.”

“Okay. I already feel better.”

“Told you that cure is magic.” He left my side to mill around my kitchen. “I’ll make you some toast, and I saw jam in one of your cupboards the other day. How does that sound for breakfast?”

“Great.”

I loved seeing him as comfortable in my house as if it were his own. When he brought me a plate with toast, he also held out my phone to me.

“Your phone keeps making noise.”

I took the plate and the phone, discovering messages from Grace.

Grace: Morning. How’s your head? Do you still have Advil or should I bring you by some? Thought I’d message since I don’t know how your tolerance for noises is this morning.

Maddie: I’m all set up, don’t worry.

Landon sat on the couch, pulling my legs in his lap, scooting closer to me until my ass touched his outer thigh. Hmmm... if I shifted a little, I could even press my crotch against him. I wondered if I could do it without him catching on? He looked so delicious that I wanted to climb him.

He put the toast between us. Sharing a breakfast plate felt so intimate, and I’d become used to our coupley tendencies. A knot settled in my stomach. Nope, I would not go down this road. I was determined to focus on what Landon and I had now, not waste time with pesky questions about the future.

“What are you thinking about?” he asked. “You look like you’re fighting with yourself.”

Wow. I was an open book for him. How had that happened? Still, I didn’t feel brave enough to admit I even entertained thoughts of more than just for now. We both knew the score. I was just extra sensitive this morning because... well, because Landon was here treating me like I was precious to him. He really had to stop being so Landon-ish.

“Come on, I know it’s about me,” he teased. I sighed, deciding to admit to a lesser sin.

“I was thinking that you look so delicious that I want to climb you. Am I shameless or what?”

“Not at all. That’s just solid proof that you can’t resist me.”

I liked how in stride he took this. I set the empty plate on the coffee table, then shifted onto the couch until I straddled him.

“I’m torn. I want to tell you how great you are, but I’m afraid it’ll go to your head,” I said. He skimmed a hand up my arm, resting it at the base of my neck. “You’re so amazing, Landon. Perfect.”

He stilled. “Don’t say that.” I’d been expecting more cocky answers. Instead, his eyes were vulnerable, almost sad. “I lost too much for that to be true.”

“You just don’t see what I see,” I said, aching for him.

He fisted my shirt as I kissed his jaw, moving closer to his ear.

“I want to become the man you see.”

“You already are.” I nuzzled his neck, inching closer. He smelled amazing. Like wood, leather, and man. “You’re kind and caring and the greatest man I know. And you make me so happy, Landon.”

“I do?”

“Yeah. Happier than I’ve ever been.”

Surprise flitted across his features, which I thought was completely unacceptable. It was my duty to convince him.

“You give me foot rubs, cover my culinary mishaps, and you brought me flowers. The list is endless.” In a lower voice, I admitted, “You make me feel appreciated.”

“You deserve to be appreciated, Maddie. Don’t for one second think you don’t.”

“Well, I suppose when someone keeps making you feel small, you start believing that’s how things should be.”

“Just so you know, if I ever run into your ex, I’ll punch him. On principle. With no explanations.”

“See, that’s just more proof that you’re a great man,” I said lightly, climbing into his lap, running my hands over his broad shoulders and the lean muscles in his arms.

***

Landon

I threaded my fingers through her hair. I needed more of her. I’d never get enough of her. Maddie’s fingers worked the buttons of my shirt, undoing them as I kissed her with all I had. I had no idea when we’d moved to the bedroom. I was lost in her, and I wanted to lose myself even more. I wanted to show her how important she was to me.

I peeled her clothes off, one item at a time, stroking her. When we were both naked, I lowered her on the bed, straddling her. My erection was touching just below her breasts. She slid her hand up and down the length a few times, squeezing me good and tight. Her hair was splayed on the white sheet, her skin flushed. I spread my palm on her chest, inching to one breast, dragging my thumb in a circle around her nipple. She licked her lips, her chest rising and falling with a deep breath.

“You’re so beautiful, Maddie.”

I kept moving my thumb around her nipple, feeling her quiver, lightly in the beginning, then stronger. Briefly I wondered if I could bring her to climax just by touching her breasts, but I knew I wouldn’t be testing the theory today, maybe never. When it came to Maddie, I was always greedy for more. I wanted to feel her all around me. Be inside her, kiss her, touch as much of her skin as possible.

Gripping me at the base, she lifted her head, her intent obvious, but I was too far away for her to be able to take me in her mouth. Looking up at me, she gave me a wicked wink before squeezing her arms under my thighs, sliding under me until her head was right in front of my cock. I squeezed her shoulders between my thighs, and her eyes flared. She had given me complete control over her.

“Look at me, Maddie.”

I needed the sweetness of eye contact. I wanted us to watch each other as we pushed past yet another boundary, moved deeper into intimacy. I wanted her to know how utterly and completely she owned me right now. I wanted to own her the same way.

When our gazes locked, she clamped her mouth around me. Watching her trust me like this was the most beautiful thing, a damn privilege. The way she opened up beckoned to me to do the same. I wanted to give her everything I had. But I didn’t know if I could, or if it would be enough. When I was close to climax, I pulled back.

“I need to be inside you.” I put on a condom before driving into her. She felt slick and tight. I braced my forearms at her sides, then slid in and out of her until we both climaxed.

“Wow,” she exclaimed a while later, lacing her arms around my neck. I loved being in the circle of her arms.

“Sounds about right.” I kissed the tip of her nose while she tried to wiggle out from under me. “Where are you going? Stay here.”

“Nope. I have big plans for you today.” She tried to wiggle out some more, but I pinned her against the mattress.

“And what are those plans?”

“Let me go and I’ll tell you.”

“That’s not how it works, sweetheart. I’m in charge here.”

She licked her lips, and I felt her nipples harden against my chest. Maddie was driving me crazy. I might have fooled myself into thinking I was in charge, but the truth was Maddie had all the power. I lowered one hand between our bodies, strumming her clit. She gasped. I kissed one corner of her mouth, then the other.

“So, are you going to talk?”

“You terrible man. If you must know, I want to do something for you to relax. Something nice.”

“You already give me everything I need, Maddie. Coming home to you? Waking up next to you? Those are the best parts of my day.”

“That’s lovely to hear.” Her voice caught, and she paused for a moment, clearing her throat. “But I was thinking something more proactive. Like a hot bath or a massage. And then something outdoors. It’s the end of July. Best time in LA, if you ask me.”

“I have another proposition for relaxing. I want this. You.” I lowered my head and flicked my tongue around her nipple until she bucked her hips.

“You’re taking advantage of my goodwill,” she muttered between moans. “But since I’m enjoying it so much, I might let you get away with it.”

“Let me?” I placed open-mouthed kisses on her chest, looking her straight in the eyes. “You need to be reminded who is in charge here, sweetness.”

“Is that so? Well, I’m looking forward to being reminded.” She flashed me a bright, beautiful smile.

I’ll miss that smile. All of her. I’d go to war for that smile.