Maddie

I spent my weekend pampering Grace, who’d been told by her doctor that she’d better stay indoors and rest a lot while taking flu medication. On Monday morning, I showed up at Val’s house with two workers in tow. I had taken one look at them and knew they were in for the very short-term only. I estimated they’d work for me for a week, at most, but I had already cast my net wide, and I was confident I’d find the right people soon.

“Ben, Derek, I’m going to give you a rundown of the project, and then tell you about what we’ll be working on today.” Even though tomorrow was the Fourth of July and we wouldn’t be working, I’d wanted them to start today so I could show them the ropes.

Ben smiled. “Sure. This is a great place.”

Derek was inspecting the ground cover. “Good thinking, covering this up, or we’d have a serious problem on our hands.”

After instructing them on their tasks, I set out to inspect if the storm over the weekend had done any damage. I also kept peeking at the house out of the corners of my eyes. There was no movement whatsoever, and when I entered to leave my backpack, there was no sign of Landon. I couldn’t help the twinge of disappointment. I’d gotten used to my daily dose of gorgeous-man appreciation. I’d especially counted on it to kick-start the week.

This was a suckier Monday than usual, and a girl had to do what she could to get through the day. Just to be completely sure he wasn’t around, I went to the backyard too. Nope. I’d missed my chance to see Landon out for his daily run. Maybe he’d come back later for his training with Milo.

It was for the best that Landon wasn’t here, I told myself. Was I attracted to him? Hell yes. Not only because he was sexier than any man I’d seen, but because I genuinely loved being around him. He made me laugh. I liked making him laugh. But he wasn’t the man for me for about a million reasons.

I concentrated on those as I started peeling away the tarp.

My line of work was usually unsexy, but unhitching wood spikes from a moderately dry earth made this Monday especially messy. By ten o’clock, I was pretty sure my boots were full of mud. Two hours later, I was convinced I’d find mud even in my teeth.

“Boss, we’re going on our lunch break,” Ben announced sometime later.

I stood up, stretching my neck. “What time is it?”

“Almost one o’clock. Wanna join us? My girl packed enough sandwiches to feed three of me.”

“No, thanks. Enjoy your lunch.”

“We’ll be just outside the front gate in my car,” Derek said.

After they left, I sighed, trying hard not to think that Landon and I had lunch at one o’clock on the dot every day since he’d arrived.

I’d just turned my back to the front gate when I heard it open. I knew without looking it was Landon. It was as if my body reacted to his mere presence. My heart began to hammer, my pulse quickened. I didn’t look up until he was right next to me. Wow. He was wearing a suit, and it fit him so well I could swear it was custom-made.

He held up a takeout bag. “Lunch?”

Drawing on every ounce of self-preservation skill, I took a step back. But not before I caught a whiff from the takeout bag.

“Are those burritos?”

“With extra cheese and guacamole, just the way you like it. You can’t say no.”

“Oh, but I can,” I teased, even though I couldn’t believe he’d bought burritos, that he’d paid such close attention to our conversation. “You’re not the boss of me.”

He gave me a smile so perfect, I could swear my underwear caught fire.

“Eat with me, Maddie.”

Oh goody! He was using the same tone as when he’d told me to break the rules with him that night at the Lucky Bar. I knew without either of us saying it out loud that this—our need for togetherness—was breaking yet another rule.

I seemed to be even more susceptible to him after our kiss. But the man was wearing a suit and bringing my favorite food. I could indulge in my daily session of sexy man appreciation and enjoy a burrito at the same time. How could I say no?

“Let’s go in the kitchen,” I said.

I took off my shoes before stepping inside the house and followed Landon to the kitchen. The second we entered it, I felt the walls press in on us, forcing us closer together. I was aware of Landon’s every move. He shrugged out of his suit jacket, draping it on the back of a seat. The sleeves of his shirt were rolled up to his elbows. What the sight of those muscle-corded forearms did to me....

“I’ll get us some plates,” I offered, opening one of the overhead compartments from which I remembered Landon taking out plates last week. My memory was playing tricks because I was facing glasses.

“This is the one with the plates.” Landon came up behind me, reaching to the compartment to my right, retrieving two plates. When he lowered his arm, his elbow brushed the side of my breast. A sizzle bristled through me, stoking a fire deep inside. I felt Landon’s sharp exhale against the side of my head and realized I was gripping the counter for no reason at all. I let go as Landon stepped back, and we headed to the small kitchen table. I sat opposite Landon, careful so our legs wouldn’t touch under the table. The room seemed to have shrunk in size in the past few seconds, but I suspected any space would feel small when filled with so much sexual tension.

“So, when are you training Milo today?” I asked.

“I’m not. He’s at a friend’s house.”

“Oh, I see. What were you up to today?” I bit into my burrito, savoring the rich flavor.

“Met up with an old school friend.”

I swallowed the mouthful quickly. “You meet your friends wearing a suit?”

“Might have doubled as a business meeting, so I went business casual.”

“Which is the casual part?”

He pointed to the rolled sleeves with a smile.

“What’s the dress code for strictly business?”

“Cuff links.”

Well, I hoped I’d never be privy to that sight. Nothing spelled sex appeal like cuff links. Not every man could pull them off, but I suspected Landon wore them very well.

We chitchatted about his friend while we ate. He’d married his high-school sweetheart and they were now about to have their third child.

“That’s the fairy tale come to life, huh? Lucky them, finding each other so quickly. No kissing frogs to discover the prince... or princess.”

“Why are you still single, Maddie?”

“More than half the population is.”

“I don’t care about them. I want to know about you.” Landon rested his elbows on the table, a twinkle in his eye. “Come on, you know all my deep, dark secrets. Share some of your own.”

“Well, technically Val told me all of yours.”

“So you prefer I ask her?” he challenged, luring chuckles out of me.

“I don’t have any deep, dark reasons for being single. I came close to getting married to that ex I told you about, the one I moved to LA for.”

“What happened?”

I felt his gaze on me as I bit into my burrito again, chewing carefully.

“He was an architect too. We studied together. He specialized in buildings, I in landscape. He was very successful. All that success turned him into an ass. He was working on a lot of high-profile buildings, even worked with Warner Bros. on a few movie sets. He got snippier with me as time went by, making snide remarks here and there. I thought it was just all the stress from work getting to him. Turns out he just thought I was beneath him.”

“What?”

“Yeah. One evening I kept rattling about a new project, and he just blurted out that I’d wasted all that time getting my architecture degree to be a glorified gardener. He felt I wasn’t ambitious enough.”

Landon’s eyes turned hard. “He told you that?”

“And more. Said that when he took me to whatever awards he received, he felt... ashamed. That it was clear I didn’t want more from life, and I’d drag him down. I called off our engagement right away. He seemed almost... relieved.”

“Why hadn’t you dumped his ass before?”

My body warmed all over at the indignation in his tone. “No one’s perfect. I thought if we put a lot of effort into it, we could make it work.”

“Being in a relationship shouldn’t feel like pulling teeth, Maddie.”

A question popped up in my mind, but I wasn’t sure if it was appropriate. In the end, my curiosity won. “Was it always easy for you and Rachel?”

I’d expected him to tense at the name, but he merely dropped his head back, as if recalling memories. “We had our fights, like every couple, but it definitely didn’t feel like pulling teeth.”

“Did you meet here or in San Jose?”

“Here. I met her in the early days of setting up the software business, and we hit it off right away. We had a few beautiful years together before she got sick.”

“What happened to her?”

“Brain cancer. It’s a cruel disease. We found out late, but doctors said they couldn’t have done much even if they had found it earlier.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Thank you. Sometimes I can’t believe it’s been four years since she died.” He looked into the distance, then shook his head. “But back to your ex. That guy sounds like a douchebag. He didn’t deserve you, if he looked at you and all he saw was someone who’d drag him down. Do you want to know what I see?”

“What?” I whispered.

“A hardworking woman who’s built a business doing something she loves and is damn good at it.”

“Oh, Landon. How can you say that? You caught me having a mini breakdown because my employees quit.”

“And today you showed up with new ones. The key to running a successful business isn’t not having problems, it’s finding solutions for them, which you did. I’ve had plenty of breakdowns myself. Don’t be so harsh on yourself. You’re doing a great job.”

“Thank you.” My mood skyrocketed. I was proud of myself and my business—at least on days that didn’t include breakdowns. But it felt nice to be appreciated by him. “I do love my business.”

After a few seconds of silence, he asked, “How is Grace feeling? Still sick?”

“She’s much better. Went to the doctor on Friday.”

“What are your plans for the Fourth of July? Spending it with her?” Landon asked. I couldn’t believe it was already tomorrow.

“Nah, Grace’s going to celebrate with her study buddies. Two of my friends moved near Desert Hot Springs a few months ago, and they invited me. I’d love to catch up with them, but driving so long just for a day trip is putting me off. Traffic will be a nightmare for sure. I think I’ll just work on some designs for my next project.”

“Join us. We’re having a small party here.”

“Thanks, but I’m not sure it’s a good idea. It’s a family gathering, and....”

I glanced at the kitchen counter, where we’d shared that heated moment. When I looked back, our gazes crossed. Landon touched my ankles under the table, and energy zipped from the point of contact up between my thighs, which I pressed together. Heat rose to my cheeks. The way he looked at my mouth made it clear he was all too aware of the sizzle between us. The weight of this unspoken thing between us only fueled the tension. My entire body was wound up tight just from sitting across from him, and our ankles touching.

“I’d love for you to be here, Maddie.”

“Thanks. I’ll think about it.”

I rose from the table and carried both our plates to the counter. I’d barely placed them on the wooden surface when I became aware that Landon had come up right behind me.

“Now that’s not a good enough answer.”

“Is that so? Not to your liking, Mr. Connor?” I challenged. He brought his mouth to my ear.

“Not at all, Ms. Jennings. You need more convincing?” He cupped one of my hips in his large hand and whirled me around to face him. He was only a breath away from me. “What if I add another kiss to the mix? Would that tip the balance?”

“Landon!”

His leather and wood scent enveloped me. It wasn’t fair. Why did he have to be so attractive?

“Was that supposed to be a protest?” He gave me a devilish grin. I was fully aware I’d sounded breathy and needy. “I can’t stop thinking about you, Maddie.” He brought a hand to my face, splaying his fingers.

Oh, Landon, Landon, Landon.

“Just say yes,” he said.  

“You’re not leaving me much of a choice.”

“I know.”

Those green eyes grew even more determined. His entire body language reminded me of the way he’d looked when he’d pulled me out of the rain, when he’d announced he’d carry me over his shoulder if I wasn’t being reasonable. An image flashed in my mind, of Landon breaking into my bungalow and carrying me over his shoulder to the party if I didn’t agree. I grinned. Why did that idea amuse me so much? I liked being on my own two feet, in control of my life. But standing here, merely a breath away from Landon, I realized I wouldn’t mind being whisked away by him.

“Okay, I’ll be here tomorrow for the party,” I relented.

“Good. After that, I’d like to take you to watch the fireworks. Just the two of us.”

I narrowed my eyes, even as my heart thundered in my chest. “Landon,” I whispered.

“Still didn’t sound like a protest.”

“You’re using dirty negotiation tactics on me.”

“Oh, beautiful, I can get much dirtier than this. Would you like proof?”

I cleared my throat. “I’ll take your word.”

“Go out with me. You know you want to.”

“Oh, you can read my mind too, in addition to playing dirty?”

He tilted his head forward until our foreheads almost touched. “No mind reading needed. On Friday, you kissed me back like you wanted me to make you mine on that porch. And I nearly did.”

Holy crap. Testosterone was oozing off him, and my defenses were no match. Maybe it was a good thing he was here on vacation. Surely my heart couldn’t get involved too much in a matter of days? He was leaving in a week, after all. My mind was racing, but having him this close was messing with my ability to remain rational.

“We have chemistry. It’s more than chemistry. Go out with me, Maddie.”

“Fine, Mr. Connor. You can take me to watch the fireworks.”

He tipped his head a little lower, almost touching my lips. “I can’t wait.”

The sound of the front door opening cut through the sexual tension.

“Landon, are you in the kitchen?” Val’s voice filtered to us.

“Yes. Coming right out,” he said, without taking his eyes off me.

I drew in a deep breath, watching that gorgeous ass of his as he left the kitchen. Both Landon and Val were on the porch when I stepped out a few minutes later. They were sitting on the small wooden bench, hunched over a laptop. I made no noise as I put my shoes back on.

“But won’t that seem like I don’t have enough production capacity?” Val asked.

“No, it’ll make him understand you’re in high demand,” Landon replied.

What was happening? I placed my hands on my hips, stepping right in front of them. “What’s this? Val, you made me spy on your brother and now you’re the one corrupting him?”

Val winced. “You’re right. He offered to look over a pitch I prepared for a potential client I’m meeting on the fifth. He was just supposed to glance at it last weekend, but it kind of spiraled into... this. His fault entirely.”

I would have argued, but I’d just had firsthand experience of Landon’s convincing prowess. I turned my glare to Landon, who winked at me.

“Landon tells me you’re joining us tomorrow.”

I eyed the two of them. “Yes. You’re sure I won’t be intruding on your family time?”

Val glanced at her brother. “Gee, now that she asks, maybe we should change our minds.”

Landon crossed his arms over his chest, flashing a grin that bore an uncanny resemblance to his sister’s.

“Everyone’s required to bring a homemade dish,” Val informed me.

I dropped my jaw in mock shock. “First your brother coerces me into joining you, and now you tell me I have to cook? Sneaky.”

“That’s my middle name,” Val confirmed. “How do you think I convince everyone to do my bidding all the time?”