Chapter Eight
Landon sat back in his chair, enjoying the way Gloria ate her food. It was refreshing to take a woman out who didn’t pick at her meal as if consuming calories would kill her. With every morsel Gloria slid between her luscious lips, Landon wanted nothing more than anything than to be her fork. He shifted in his chair, trying to ease the ache in his throbbing dick.
She looked up from her tilapia, a half smile tilting her lips. “What?”
He smiled back. She was so lovely, but he knew she wouldn’t believe him if he told her. If he had his way, he’d make sure she knew how precious he thought she was. “Nothing.”
“Then why are you staring at me like that?” Her smile fell. “I don’t have any spinach between my teeth, do I?”
A chuckle erupted from his throat. Gloria was adorable. “No. Your teeth are perfect.”
“Then stop staring. Didn’t anyone ever tell you it’s rude to stare?”
“I can’t help it. I like watching you in motion.”
She placed her silverware back on the table with a laugh. “You’re making me self-conscious.”
“That wasn’t my intention. I guess it’s hard to believe you’re here with me after all this time. Did I tell how lovely you look tonight?”
She grinned. “Only a hundred times, and that’s rather nice of you, considering we’re both still disheveled from our workout session.”
“You’d look good under any circumstance.”
Gloria giggled, her mirth light and melodious. “If you keep those compliments up, I just might have to keep you around.”
“That’s what I’m banking on. I don’t want this to be our last date.”
“We’re barely halfway through this one and you’re already thinking about a second one?”
“Absolutely. I want more than a second date. I want more a third, fourth and—”
Gloria held up her hand halting him. “What about the part of the date where we chat and get to know each other again? I mean, we knew each other when I was your teacher, but now the circumstances have changed. I want to know all about how you went from being the kid I used to know to this successful self-assured man before me.”
Landon smirked. “I have no problem telling you about me but that won’t deter me from asking you on another date.”
She raised a brow.
“Okay. Fine. We’ll play it your way. So here goes, that year that you mentored me meant the world to me, Gloria. You were literally the first person that seemed to genuinely care about my well-being. I could barely read and the kids made fun of me because of it. So, I lashed out and was a big bully. The teachers would contact my mother about my behavior but she cared even less about me than I did for myself. I guess some of the teachers felt sorry for me and let me pass out of pity, while others let me move to the next grade because they were tired dealing with me. But, no one had really taken the time to reach out to me the way you did.”
“You keep saying that Landon, but I wonder if this attraction you feel toward me is out of gratitude.”
Landon reached across the table and took her hand. “I’ve been grateful to many people but I’ve never felt this strong attraction toward any other woman.”
“But a man, like you, usually dates women like that redhead at the gym.”
Landon laughed. “Sharon?”
“Is that her name?” She sniffed snatching her hand away.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were jealous.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m not. I could care less about that plastic bimbo.”
“That’s not very kind of you, Gloria.”
She huffed. “You’re right. That comment was uncalled for, even if it was true. Look, Landon, you have to see things from my perspective. I’m not the kind of woman most men chase after. I mean, I’m not Quasimodo or anything like that, but even you have to admit that you and I don’t exactly match.”
“In what way? Age? Race? I thought we went over that already. Those things only matter if you allow them to. I’m an adult man and I need a woman, not a little girl playing dress up. You’re that woman. I just wish you could see in yourself what I see in you. You didn’t always used to be this way. What happened?”
She shrugged. “It’s not really easy for me to talk about. I’d much rather talk about you. You were telling me about what happened after you and I lost contact.”
Landon could tell getting Gloria to be honest about her feelings toward him would be like pulling teeth so he figured he’d play her game a little longer. “Well, as I was saying, we know that I was angry, frustrated with my home life and all the men coming in and out of my mother’s life. When she wasn’t drunk off her ass, she was telling me how she wished she’d aborted me.”
“Oh, Landon. I didn’t realize things were that bad for you.”
He nodded solemnly. “It was why I was always acting out. Anyway, after I was diagnosed with my learning disability that changed my life for the better. I liked to read, I did better in school and I started working with the school’s guidance counselor to see about getting me on track to go to college. And that was all because of you. By then, you’d transferred to Seattle with your fiancé. So anyway, I was able to pull my grades up and I got help applying for financial aid and scholarships. It was a big deal when I got into college. I felt like I’d earned my place in this world.”
“And what did your mother say about it?”
“She just snorted and told me that I’d blow it and when I did, don’t come back expecting her to take care of me. When I packed up to go to school, I never went back. I met Pete and he really inspired me to get fit and work out. I got into personal training and eventually, Pete and I decided to open up our own gym. The rest, as they say, is history.”
“That’s really impressive. I don’t mean to bring up a sore topic, but did you ever see your mother again?”
Landon grimaced as his last memory of his mother came to mind. “I did, actually. In fact, I saw her maybe a year ago. It was around the time Pete and I had opened our third gym. I guess, she’d gotten wind of my success because she tracked me down. At first, she pretended as if she’d gotten her act together and she wanted us to have a mother son relationship—the way it always should be. But then, it soon became pretty clear that she was looking for a meal ticket.”
“How did you figure that?”
“Well, she wasn’t really interested in my life at all. She never asked how I was doing, what my goals were or anything that didn’t have to do with my finances. Plus, she stared to hint that she should move in with me so that she could look out for me. It was then, I realized that she wanted me to take care of her. When I pointed that out, that’s when she showed her true colors. She got real nasty and told me that I’m being selfish and that I owed it to her for not aborting me.”
“Oh, no, that’s horrible. I’m sorry you had to go through that.”
“Honestly, it didn’t hurt me as much as it should have because part of me was waiting for the other shoe to drop. I was already suspicious when she’d reached out to me after ignoring my existence for years. But I figured, if I had changed, maybe she had, too. Unfortunately, she had not. I’m thankful that we’d met in the middle of a restaurant. She’d picked it by the way. I didn’t mind that she chose the most upscale restaurant in town but when she proceeded to order a bottle of the most expensive wine, I got uncomfortable. My mother has been an alcoholic most of her life and I figured that if she’d changed, she would have left the alcohol alone. Clearly, nothing about her had changed except her ability to tolerate my presence. So, I paid the bill and wished her luck before walking away for good. She screamed after me until I was out of earshot.”
“That’s sad.”
“No, it’s sad that my mom is in her fifties and she still expects to be taken care of and never learned to value herself. Life obviously hasn’t been kind to her. But I don’t need that toxicity in my life.”
“Good for you. I can’t say it enough, but I’m so very proud of you, Landon.”
“Thank you.”
Gloria swirled the food on her plate. “You know, I’m surprised that you’re currently single. You’re successful, attractive and from what I’ve seen, a sweet guy. I’m trying to figure out what the catch is.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m no saint. I’ve dated around and there were a couple women who I actually saw a future with.”
“What happened?”
“Since I left college, I’ve been focused on building my business which means I didn’t have a lot of time to spare for my relationships. They got tired of me not being able to devote enough time to them. It was probably for the best, since they’ve both moved on and seem happy with their lives. So how about you, Gloria? Why aren’t you dating?”
“Well, actually I’d recently started dating not too long before I started training with you. My mom and my best friend, Rae, thought I should get out more and honestly, the three dates I’d gone on sucked. The last guy was the worst because he kept bringing up how out of shape and disgusting I was.”
It made Landon angry that Gloria had to deal with a jerk like that. But what was someone else’s loss, was his gain. “That guy didn’t know his head from his ass if he thought it was okay to make those kinds of comment.”
“Yeah,” Gloria laughed. “He catfished me, anyway. He was at least five inches shorter than his profile said. But after him, I thought I was done with dating for a while. And then, you asked me out. I have to admit that this is the most pleasant date I’ve been on in quite some time.”
Landon smiled, finally seeing his opening. “So, you’re enjoying yourself?”
“Absolutely. I like talking with you. This evening has been enjoyable so far.”
“Enjoyable enough to do it again? Dinner is a nice getting to know you exercise, but I’d like for us to do something fun together next time. Say you’ll go out with me, again.
She hesitated for only a moment before her smile deepened. “I’d like to go out with you again, too.”
It did his heart good to hear her admit it. Soon, he’d break down all barriers between them. “Great, because I would love to take you to that jazz concert at the Keswick this weekend. That is, if you won’t have a problem getting a babysitter.”
“I love jazz!” She bounced in her seat, making her breasts jiggle. Landon’s cock jumped to attention. Shit. It was going to be a testament of his willpower if he was able to get through this dinner without dragging her out to his car and fucking her senseless.
When he managed to drag his gaze off her chest, Landon noticed she was frowning. “Huh?” Heat rushed to his face.
“Where were you just now? It looked like you zoned out on me.”
He wasn’t about to admit he couldn’t stop imagining what she’d look like naked beneath him, or if her nipples would be the color of luscious blackberries. “Umm, I’m sorry. I was just thinking how lucky I am to be with you tonight.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere. A girl could get spoiled hanging around you too long.”
“You deserve being spoiled, so… Saturday night?”
“Yes. As I was saying before you started looking at my breasts, if my roommate, Rae, isn’t available, my mother would be happy to oblige staying with CJ. She thinks I should get out more.”
Landon groaned. “Ugh. So, you noticed.”
She winked at him. “Well, you did make it kind of obvious, but I forgive you. I’d be lying if I denied that it was nice being admired by someone as hot as you.”
“Oh?” He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. “You think I’m hot? I can make things a lot hotter for us.”
Gloria giggled. “Slow down, Romeo.”
He took a bite of his chicken. Landon couldn’t remember the last time he’d enjoyed a date as much. Gloria was a great conversationalist and even when they weren’t speaking, the silences were the comfortable kind where talking wasn’t necessary. She was a fascinating woman and he wanted to know everything about her. “Tell me about your son.”
Gloria’s face lit up. “CJ is an amazing kid. He’s a straight-A student and he plays the trumpet, although he’s more into science than he is music. He’s already skipped a grade and his IQ is extremely high. I’m considering having him tested to see if he’ll be a good fit for high school because the work he’s given now clearly isn’t challenging him. He’s always doing some kind of experiment around the house. I swear one day that kid is going to find the key to solve world hunger.”
“He does sound pretty awesome but I’m not surprised with a mom like you.”
Gloria beamed. “I know most parents believe their children are angels, but he’s truly a godsend. I guess, my only complaint is that all of the random experiments can get a bit messy. When he was five, he made a paper mâché volcano but it exploded all over the apartment. His father was so mad. We found goo all over the house for weeks. Someone has to supervise him when he’s working with his chemicals but he knows way more about them than I do. He’s 9 years old, going on 40. I worry about him sometimes, though.” She placed her elbows on the table and rested her chin on clasped hands, a thoughtful look on her face.
“Why is that?”
“My ex was such an asshole. I wish, I’d seen it sooner. Instead of being proud of how smart his son is, he was disappointed because CJ wasn’t into sports or the manly things Cordell thought he should be interested in. Before Cordell asked me for the divorce, I was on the verge of asking for one myself for the sake of my son. He didn’t even bat an eye when I told him that I was moving back to the East Coast and taking our son with me. I mean wouldn’t most parents care that they’d be separated from their child?” She snorted.
“But I guess, he was much more interested in having a wonderful life with his new woman. I know I may sound bitter about it and maybe I am, a little, but it’s mostly about the way he could just discard me and his child, like it was no big deal. He sends child support when he remembers to but the money doesn’t mean a thing if he can’t be bothered to connect with his own son. I get so mad when I think about it because he’s missing out on so much of his son’s life. I just don’t understand how you can help bring a child into this world and then, basically ignore them. If he could only see how brilliant CJ is, then maybe, he’d put forth more of an effort. But he seems to be content with the way things are. He even forgot to call CJ on his birthday. The irony of it all, was that I knew our marriage was having problems but it was Cordell who insisted that we have a child because he wanted someone to carry on his name.”
“That’s a shame.” Landon’s heart went out to Gloria and her son. He understood what it was like to be abandoned by one’s father. His father had been in and out of his life for the first eight years, before he took off one day and never came back. “But CJ is lucky to have you as a mother. I was a hungry kid, starving for affection—until you came along and showed me I was someone special.”
She reached across the table and grazed his hand with her fingers. It was the first time Gloria had initiated contact with him and his body tightened from wanting her. “You had it in you all along, Landon.”
She patted his hand. “I only gave you the extra push you needed, kind of how you’re pushing me in our workouts. You have no idea how sore I was after our first three sessions. I had to soak in my tub with Epsom salts. My roommate had to help me off the couch on the first night because my muscles ached like you couldn’t imagine.”
“I can imagine, although I live in hope that I’ll be able to make you ache in a different way.” He wanted there to be no doubt in her mind exactly what he meant. It was all well and good she was comfortable around him, but he didn’t want them to slip into a friendship role.
Gloria gasped, breaking eye contact. “Landon, you shouldn’t say things like that.”
“Why not? It’s true. I’m not going to pretend I don’t want you in my bed. It’s been a struggle getting through our workouts without thinking of how much I want you. I know you feel the same, otherwise you wouldn’t have gotten so wet for me. Now that I have the taste of you, I want more.”
A scandalized expression crossed her face. “You are determined to make this dinner uncomfortable for me, aren’t you?”
“No more so than you’re making me. My dick has been hard for the past half-hour. I’m not trying to be a creep. I just want to be completely honest with you. Look, Gloria, I want you to know that this isn’t a schoolboy crush I have on you. I’ve had many crushes before but none of them have made me feel the way you do. I want you to stop looking at me as your former student and see me as a man.”
“I do see you as a man. That’s the problem.”
“Why is it a problem, Gloria?”
“Because, I’ve been hurt before and I’m wary. I’ve been taught that if something is too good to be true, it probably is. And you definitely seem too good to be true.”
“Gloria, I’m the real deal. What makes you think that I’m not attracted to you? And I swear if you say anything to disparage your physical appearance, I’m going to bend you over this table and tear your ass up. I think you’re beautiful inside and out and I hate to hear you speak about yourself with so much doubt.”
“You’re just saying that.”
“Am I?” He slid from his side of the booth and sat next to her.
“What are you doing?” she squeaked.
“Proving you wrong.”
The tablecloth was long enough to cover their laps. Landon took her hand and placed it on his crotch. He rubbed it against his erection. “This is how you make me feel, Gloria.”
Unable to resist, he leaned over and pressed his lips to hers, dying to savor their sweetness again. Landon was fully aware they were in a restaurant and there wasn’t much he could do about his needs here, but he vowed he’d have her.
Landon pulled back, knowing if they continued he couldn’t be held accountable for what happened next.
“This is happening so fast,” she whispered, even though her body trembled in response to him.
“Is it? To me, it feels like this is a long time coming. We will make love.”
She licked her lips and nodded. “Yes. I want that too, but—”
He placed his index finger over her lips. “When?”
“It’s not that simple.”
“Why isn’t it?”
Her lids dropped and she clenched her hands together in her lap. “I may not be good at it. Cordell said—”
“Don’t ever bring up his name again. I’m not him. He may not have realized the prize he had in you, but I do. When we kiss, no other woman can make me feel the way you do. I didn’t know what real desire was until you touched me.” He put his hand on her thigh and moved it back and forth. “Let’s get out of here.”
“Do you mean you want to do it tonight?”
“No. I want our first time to be special. Tonight, I just want to hold you.”
“I can’t stay out that late. Rae is keeping an eye on CJ for me but I told her I’d be home by eleven.”
“That gives us plenty of time.” He took out his wallet and threw some bills on the table. Slipping out of the booth, he held his hand out to her. “Come with me, Gloria.”
She hesitated for the briefest of moments.
“Do you trust me?”
Gloria nodded before placing her hand in his.