Page 110 of Only With You

And don’t get me started on his hair and beard, and how his pants just…fuck.

I expect an arrogant smirk or something witty, but what comes out of his mouth almost makes me stop in my tracks.

“I was just thinking about how pretty you are.” Notlookbutare. My stomach dips the way it would on a rollercoaster and something warm ignites from the tips of my fingers and sets off throughout my body like fireworks. “I’m glad they persuaded us. We look good together.”

I exhale a breath, but it leaves shakily. I’m spasming out and trying to find any hint of a joke or humor in his voice, but I don’t find anything but genuine sincerity.

“Is it because of my boobs? They do look pretty great.”

I shouldn’t have said that, but I don’t know how to act. Not when he’s so close, I can feel his body heat, or how the scent of his cologne makes me delirious. Especially the way he worded that, and how it easily slipped from his mouth.

“That’s a plus.” I hear the smirk in his voice, and it somewhat steadies my heavy beating heart. “So…what did Brook want?”

“Brook?” I stare up at him confused.

“The guy you went out on adatewith.”

I smile. “You mean River?”

“Same thing.” he mutters.

I fight the urge not to laugh and call out what sounds like jealousy. “It’s not the same thing. Those are two different names. And aren’t you supposed to have a great memory?”

“River is a big stream of water. Brook is smaller than a river.”

Turning to look up at him, I find his blank expression and bust out into laughter. “You’re so petty.” I would’ve never thought of that. Who thinks of stuff like this? Landon Taylor, that’s who. “He just complimented my costume.”

Displeasure mars his face. “Mmm, I’m sure he did.”

I cough to mask my laugh. “Jealous?”

He sneers. “Of Brook? Nah.”

“If you say so.” I say as we approach the building. I quickly unlock the door and punch in the code before the alarm sets off.

I tense momentarily at how dark it is, and before I can give myself a mental pep talk, Landon takes my sweaty hand in his and turns the flashlight on his phone.

“The light switch isn’t too far.” I guide him to where it’s located and he easily follows me.

“Do you ever have to open or close alone?” he asks.

“Not usually.”

“Which days do you work?”

“My schedule just switched, so it’ll be Tuesdays, Thursdays, and sometimes on Sundays. I play the piano here, so occasionally, if there’s a gala or the students at NCU are presenting their projects, I come to play. I’m also part of this program where I teach kids to play different instruments at the community center. It’s amazing and the kids have so much fun. It’s—” I stop talking.

“It’s what?”

“It’s nothing. I swear, I’ll ramble forever about it.” We stop in front of the light switch and I flick them on, but not all so they don’t illuminate the entire building.

He stands in front of me, still holding my hand. “You’re talking, not rambling. Talk to me.”

I tuck my hair behind my ear. “It’s my favorite part of the week. If I could, I’d make it an everyday sort of thing.”

“You know there’s thisthingcalled a music teacher.”

The tease in his voice loosens the tight knot in my stomach. “I know, but I’m going to medical school.” I bite the inside of my cheek. “What do you think?”

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