Page 141 of Snap Shot

He places the bags on the kitchen counter. “To eat.”

Flipping open one paper bag releases a delicious, familiar spiced aroma. “I lucked out and India House was still open. There's bhindi masala and roti. And some saffron and pistachio ice cream.”

My stomach growls.

“And I went to the drugstore and picked up some things.” Each bag gets unloaded as he lists out the various items and lines up their boxes. “We've got Cadbury Dairy Milk bars, we've got Smarties. The Twinkies are for me—an extra boost of energy—while I'm taking care of you.” He winks, then continues. “The trainer always gives us these heat pad sticker things when our shoulders are tight.” Landon taps on the box's picture. “I figured you could stick them on your back or lower belly. They didn't have any electric heat pads for some reason.”

I gape at the next box. “You bought me tampons?” Tears well but don't fall. I still can't believe he brought all this stuff I complained about earlier. I was such a jackass.

“Sure, you said you were out. And then I found the craziest thing—do you know what a menstrual cup is?” The small box looks smaller in his large hand. “It's like silicone and reusable and medically safe and eco-friendly and—”

Surprise morphs into an overwhelming sense of gratitude for this sweet fucking human, despite him mansplaining feminine products to me. Unceasing tears stream down my face, ugly sobs wracking my chest as I launch myself onto him.

He catches me, adjusting my arms over his shoulders and legs around his waist before propping up my ass and carrying me to the couch. “Aw, no. I didn't want you to cry. You don't like it?”

“I do! I like it.” I cry harder, muffling the unattractive gasps of air into the crook of his neck. “No one—has ever—done anything—like this—for me—ever. And—this week—was the worst—”

“Tell me about it,” he says, nodding. “You had me so worried, baby.” Soothing strokes on my back help relieve the held tension. His patience is truly astonishing.

My shoulders jolt through the last of my sobs, shallow breaths lengthening as I calm. “Why are you—so good to me? I'm so mean—to you?”

Landon forces an attentive gaze by palming my nape. “It's not mean to say what you feel in the moment. It's sincere. I know you, Indi.” His thumb draws small circles onto the back of my neck. “You're anything but mean.”

A swallow pulls at the column of my throat. I brace myself around him once more, burrowing my face against his warm chest, and hope that he's right.

Chapter 37: Bright Like A Diwali Tree

Landon

Indi calms in my hold, then lifts her head and grimaces at the black streaks staining my sweatshirt. I tip her chin up with my forefinger. “Do you forgive me for the lame joke?” Giving her my best puppy dog eyes, I jut my lip out.

A sniffle putters through her nose. “Yes. Even though you've ruined my makeup with your niceness.” The back of her index finger swipes at the dark smudges below her eyes before she asks for my opinion. “Better?”

I leave an encouraging scratch on her lower back. “I've never seen anyone more beautiful.”

“Liar,” she says with a sarcastic sneer. Her hands settle under my jaw and draw out our mirroring smiles. “But an exceptionally handsome one.” Head tilting right, she leans inwith a lingering kiss to one cheek, pressing those soft lips against the bristles of my stubble. “Thank you.”

I exhale, eyelids drooping from the tender contact. My chest fills with a warm sense of comfort, though the goosebumps on my skin say otherwise.

“For dinner. For being thoughtful,” she whispers. “For being here.” She switches sides, the next kiss to the opposite cheek lasting longer.

A sigh hums through my nose. Indi pulls away but I bring her back. My eyes struggle to stay open under the sedation of those delicate kisses.

“I can't think of anywhere I'd rather be than here: you sitting on my lap, being sweet to me.” Take it back! my dick screams. Say you'd rather be rearranging her guts!He-Man twitches in rebellion.

“Sweet? I'msweet?”

“You are to me.”

Rueful eyes flutter as she rests her forehead onto mine. “I still can't believe you'd do all this to make me feel better.”

“Don't you know, Indi? All the things I'd do for you?” Anything. Everything. I'm so tempted to kiss her. Dying to kiss her. “Up, baby.” I pat Indi's round ass to pry her away before she notices the one-eyed delinquent on the move. “Let's get you fed.”

Her scarfing down a meal is one of the hottest things I've ever seen. Every bite brought to her mouth with her bare hands and how she sucks the fingers clean only spurs on my cock's stubborn need to remain upright. She grabs the chocolate next. Smarties scatter across the tabletop. She scours them, collecting the orange ones in one cupped palm and popping a couple into her mouth every few seconds.

“What are you doing?”

Cheek bulging mid-chew, Indi lowers her gaze. “The orange ones are the only ones I like.”

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