Page 32 of Yearn

In the morning, sunshine flooded though my sad, small window, somehow giving me hope. Maybe it would all work out. Maybe Landon and I were meant to be together. Maybe some music producer would see my show and contact me. Maybe everything I wanted would finally happen.

I made some toast, grabbed a banana, and sat at the table with my coffee. When Max called, I needed to drag in a calming breath before I answered the Facetime.

“What’s up?” I asked casually.

“Did you think I wouldn’t find out, asshole?”

I closed my eyes and wondered why I’d even bothered to hope. I should have learned my lesson.

Because Max kept talking, and my world blew up.

Chapter Fourteen

Max

Listen to Good Luck, Babe!

By Chappell Roan

Icame back late from my parent’s house and headed directly to Landon’s. I figured she’d be pissed about missing Adam’s big night, and dissing her for the long weekend, but when I crawled into bed with her, she only murmured and burrowed into me. She smelled of vanilla and spice and I kissed her neck where it met her collarbone, knowing it was her sensitive spot. When she was on the verge of orgasm, if I bit her right there, she’d always come with a throaty scream that made me feel like fucking Ironman, ruling the world before he had to die to save it.

Landon always did that to me. She was a pain in the ass. She was demanding, controlling, and thought she was better than anyone around her, including me.

She was also sexy, sweet, and addicting. No matter how many girls I’d been with in the past, no matter how many times I’d sworn I wasn’t into serious relationships, Landon made me wantto change. I wanted to be the only one in her life. Before her, I wouldn’t give a shit if a girl I was with flirted or chased after another guy. There were too many options for me, and no one was that important.

But now? Landon had fucked me up for anyone else. Sometimes, her hold got me riled up and I wanted to prove I didn’t need her. I’d tested the bond several times before, and each time, I came running back. She was my addiction, better than drugs, alcohol, or straight sex. And I was getting more comfortable with the fact. I didn’t want to run anymore or screw it up. I only wanted…

More.

My dick was hard and aching but I didn’t want to wake her. She was curled up in my arms, her ankle hooked around mine. Her beautiful face was relaxed in sleep, her full lips slightly parted. Underneath that queenly exterior was a heart I wanted to own. She made everything else fade around me. Hell, she made me want to be better.

Too bad I was still an asshole. But I was working on it.

I stroked back her hair and reminded myself she was going nowhere. She loved me and wasn’t afraid to say it, though Landon liked to lead me on an obstacle course to prove my worth.

I didn’t mind. Working for something made the goal more desirable, and Landon was always raising the stakes, demanding more. No woman had ever dared to challenge me, and I liked it. I’d been pushing moving in together, figuring she’d jump at the chance. But she’d been dragging her feet and it bothered me. This past week, I doubled down on all the reasons we should go to the next step. I hadn’t meant to spend the entire weekend away though, so my absence may have set me back.

I’d have to do better. But I’d convince her. Once I focused on a goal, I got it. Maybe that’s why we were so perfect together.

No one was ever able to say no to either of us for long.

Ignoring my hard on, I lay back on the pillow and stared at Landon’s perfect profile. Things were going to be different now. I was fully committed to this relationship. No more stepping out when I was drunk. No more mistakes. Coop had covered me this weekend, but I couldn’t keep being sloppy and expect to keep things tight.

My stomach lurched. I thought I’d had it under control, but the last round of shots sent me into oblivion. I hadn’t meant to screw that girl. God, she wasn’t even my type! One moment we were dancing, and the next I woke up naked. It was like that awful time in Long Beach, which had almost broken me and Landon up. It had taken forever to try and convince her there was no video and I hadn’t cheated.

Both lies. I regret them. I wasn’t a bad person, though. If you loved someone, and knew your mistake wouldn’t be forgiven, was it so wrong to keep them in the dark? Especially when it meant nothing to our relationship? I loved Landon. Sex with faceless women who I didn’t care about was bad, yes, I wasn’t in denial. But once we moved in together, it would never happen again. I felt it in my very soul, because I’d finally have enough to lose.

I wouldn’t screw up again. I had to convince Landon to give me the shot.

I finally drifted into sleep. When I woke up, the scent of coffee and bacon hit my nostrils and led me to the kitchen. My jaw almost unhinged at what I saw.

Landon in her short silky robe, barefoot, at the stove. Pans were on the burners and bread in the toaster. I caught her low curse as her head whipped back and forth, giving her attention to various pieces of the meal in confusion. She’d never made me breakfast. My girl didn’t cook and didn’t try.

“Landon?”

She spun around with a gasp. Then stuck her hands on her hips and glared. “About time you got your ass up. I made you breakfast but you have to eat it now.”

I walked up to her and took in the absolute chaos she’d created over eggs, bacon, and bread. I noticed the stack of burnt toast shoved to the side, the fatty, dripping bacon and grease that exploded over the pans, and the overdone eggs that wiggled like plastic. “Why did you do this?”

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