Maddie

On Thursday evening, I put on one of my fancier dresses, dark pink and bandage style, and paired it with black heels. I was equal parts giddy and nervous. Landon had sent me flowers every day. Every day.

I arrived twenty minutes too early at the restaurant where we were meeting. Some might say I was overeager. Some. Not me. I had too much energy to wait in my car, so I headed inside the restaurant. A petite blonde in a black uniform stood behind a Wait to be Seated sign.

“Hi! I arrived a bit early, but I’d like to be seated in case the table is free already. Reservation under Landon Connor, I think.”

“Mr. Connor arrived already. I’ll show you to your table.”

I grinned as I followed the waitress. So I wasn’t the only one who was impatient. She led me to the far back of the room. I took in the splendid view of the ocean through the large windows. When I saw Landon, my breath caught.

“Someone will be taking your order shortly,” the waitress informed me before heading to the front.

Landon stood up as I approached, flashing me a huge smile. His green eyes were molten and one-day stubble covered his jaw and cheeks.

“You look beautiful, Maddie.”

“Thanks.”

He kissed my hand, then pulled me into a hug, holding me tight, as if he didn’t want to let go. I didn’t want him to let go either. But he did let go and held out the chair for me, which was when I realized the chairs weren’t opposite each other but on adjacent sides. I was sure the idea behind that was so that both of us could enjoy the view of the ocean through the windows, but I saw it as an opportunity for accidental-on-purpose touching.

He took my hand in his, pressed it to his cheek. “I’ve missed you, Maddie. Since I got into that cab, I’ve been missing you like crazy. I couldn’t even stand being in my condo. I felt like I didn’t belong there, and I don’t. I belong with you. I love you so much, Maddie.”

I covered my mouth with my free hand, swallowing a small sob. Next thing I knew, my vision became blurry as tears sprang in my eyes.

“These are happy tears,” I whispered. “I promise.”

Landon moved his chair right next to mine and wrapped me in his arms. I thought I might explode from the sheer emotion building up inside me.

“I love you more than I can say, Landon.” My voice shook, but I repeated the words again and again. And then his mouth was on mine, and I brought my hands to his face. I was so greedy for him that I didn’t know where to touch him first. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I remembered we were in a public place, so the touching had to adhere to standards of common decency. He loved me. This wonderful man loved me.

“I missed your lips,” he whispered, holding me in his arms. I rested my nose in the crook of his neck. “Your skin. All of you. I wasn’t looking for love, but you’re part of me now. We belong together.”

At that, I pulled out of his arms, straightening up. “Yes. I gave this some serious thought. I’ll move to San Jose. I’ll start my landscaping business there, or maybe even work for a local company for a time.”

If anyone had told me a few months ago that I’d be uttering these words, I wouldn’t have believed it. Last time I moved for love, things ended in a fiasco. I never thought I’d take such a risk again, but Landon had changed me. I was ready to start over for him. I could build my business there. Since I’d been ready to partner with Elise, maybe I could start with a partner there from the get-go. I certainly had the portfolio and awards credentials to be an appealing business partner.

“You’d do that for me? For us? My sweet Maddie. It means a lot to me that you’d consider it.”

He smiled, kissing the tip of my nose. Hmm.... Why isn’t he jumping up and down with joy, or whatever the manly equivalent is for that?

A waiter arrived at our table, pad and pen in hands. “May I take your order?”

“We haven’t looked at the menu yet, but bring us some sparkling water and champagne.”

I took the champagne as a good omen. Landon scooted his chair back into its place once the waiter left.

“Why did you move away? I could get away with feeling you up much easier,” I said.

“That’s exactly why I moved. You’re distracting me.”

“From?” I challenged, batting my eyelashes.

“Telling you that I’ve decided to sell DBC Payment Solutions.”

It took me a second to realize what he meant. “Wait, you’re selling your company?”

He nodded, looking genuinely thrilled about it.

“But you went back because you wanted to stop the sale,” I said slowly, not quite understanding.

“We’re not selling it to Sullivan or any of his associates. I won’t hand over my employees to dishonest people. But others have expressed interest in acquiring us in the past. We’re reaching out to them.”

“You never mentioned you wanted to sell it.”

“In the initial business plan, I did envision selling it about one or two years ago, but for the past four years, I wanted to lose myself in my work. The truth is, I held on to the company for too long, and now it’s time to let go.”

I understood what he meant. If we were alone, I’d lace my arms around his neck and kiss him with all I had. But I stayed put, because I didn’t think I could keep it decent this time.

“Are you sure?”

“Absolutely. I’ll be flying back and forth until we kick off the sale, but in the meantime, think you can make a place for me in your bungalow?”

“I don’t know. What do I get in return?” I teased.

He leaned in so close that our noses were almost touching. “I promise to hold you every night. Make your coffee in the morning.” He veered left, brushing my cheek with his, bringing his lips to my ear. “I’ll sink so deep into you every night that you’ll still feel me when you leave the house in the morning.”

Pulling back, I pouted, pretending his words hadn’t tugged at my heartstrings and made me all hot and bothered.

“Think you can sweeten the deal, Mr. Connor?”

He kissed my hand. “I will love you with my whole heart, Maddie. Every day.”

The need to be alone with him slammed into me. Landon’s gaze fell to my lips, and when he rested his hand on my thigh under the table, I felt my need mirrored in his grip.

The waiter appeared, carrying the tray with soda and champagne.

“Are you ready to order appetizers? Or do you want to move on directly to the main course?”

I wanted neither. All I wanted was Landon. The thinly disguised desire in his eyes only stoked my fire.

Without taking his eyes off me, he said, “I’m afraid something came up, and we have to leave right away. We’ll take the champagne with us.”

***

We barely made it past the threshold of my house before we started undressing each other. My dress landed on the floor of the living room, my bra and panties in the hall. Landon’s clothes became a heap next to the bed.

“I love you, baby.” He peppered kisses on my shoulder, fondling my right breast, then the left one. “I’ve missed them.”

“I knew it,” I teased. “You made all those life-changing decisions for my girls.”

He licked a nipple and gripped my ass in his hands. “Don’t be modest. This beauty sealed the deal for me. Begs for a little biting.” He spun me around and I felt him lower himself. I laughed when he bit my right ass cheek.

I turned around, lavishing him with attention. I started kissing his torso, insisting on the defined squares of his abs, then tracing the V-shaped obliques with my tongue, feeling his erection against my clavicle.

The look in his eyes when I stroked his hard-on was so intense that heat rushed between my legs. Gripping him at the base, I squeezed him tight, and as I moved my fist up to the tip, I licked every inch of him my hand freed up. When I reached the tip, I took my hand away completely, swiped my tongue across the head. I was rewarded with a heavy and masculine groan, and his thighs quivered almost imperceptibly.

I wanted to take him in my mouth, but Landon hoisted me up, effortlessly laying me on the bed on my back, thighs spread wide.

Settling between my legs, he eyed my center, licking his lips. Then he dragged his thumb from my clit right down to the entrance. My entire body shuddered. He slid on protection and rubbed his length along my clit, until my thighs were shaking.

Then he entered me. I cried out as he filled me, inch by inch, stretching me. He held my gaze, brought a hand to my face, touching my cheek gently, kissing my chin, the tip of my nose.

“I love you, Landon.”

He started sliding in and out of me slowly, never breaking eye contact. We were both coming apart at the seams. Every inch of my body was on fire. When a burst of pleasure coursed through me, every muscle tightened, my breath caught, my ears were ringing. I felt our connection growing deeper with every thrust until I was completely lost in him.

I laced my arms around his neck, touched my forehead to his. So many emotions bubbled up inside me that they overwhelmed me. He was back in my arms. He was mine to keep and to make happy. Oh, I had such great plans to make that happen.

“What are you thinking about?” he asked after a beat.

I smiled sheepishly. “That I will shower you with love every day.”

“I like the sound of that.”

“Fair warning, I might go overboard and smother you.”

“That’s really not possible.”

“Ah, that gives me so much leverage. You’re never going to win another negotiation.” He tugged with his teeth at my lower lip while his fingers feathered the sides of my breasts.

“I look forward to proving the opposite, my love.”