Page 24 of Sweet Southern Heat

He slowly made his way toward me, his hands skimming over the surface of the pool and creating gentle ripples. His gaze was intense as it roved over me from my head to where my lower half disappeared beneath the water. A shiver ran through me, and goosebumps spread over my skin.

“I should probably head inside. JD will be back soon.” Landon’s voice was gravelly, and his muscles flexed as he ran a hand through his damp hair. I took in the sight of his bare chest glistening with water, the droplets clinging desperately to his perfectly sculpted torso. My mouth went dry, and I swallowed thickly as I lifted my gaze to his. He studied me, his jaw setin a hard line and uncertainty flitting in his icy blue irises. He moved closer, his eyes trained on me as he neared. What was he doing? Why was he so close? Would he try to drown me while there were no witnesses? It was dark out with only a few strands of string lights illuminating the deck and pool area. This side of the pool wasn’t visible from inside the house since the deck obscured the view. Nobody could see us since everyone else was inside changing. Surely, they’d hear me if I screamed.

I shook away those thoughts. It was silly. He didn’t hate methatmuch. Did he?

He stopped a foot away from me, and I stared up at him. There was something in his eyes I hadn’t seen before, a rawness that left me unnerved and a little intrigued. It was primal and masculine. My stomach clenched as his gaze raked down my body.

“I should really get going,” Landon said, and I realized I was blocking the ladder and his path to escape. My shoulders sagged with disappointment. He wasn’t looking at me like he wanted to devour me. He just wanted me to get the hell out of his way so he could leave. Before I could move, he reached out and grabbed the metal handle bars, caging me in. I inhaled sharply and instinctively brought my hands to his chest. My skin prickled with awareness, and his muscles bunched beneath my palms. He drew closer, his tongue darting out to wet his lips as his gaze dropped to my mouth. Only inches separated us now, and I was all too aware of the heat radiating from his body. He heaved a deep breath, and that all too familiar muscle ticced in his jaw.

“This can’t happen,” he proclaimed as though trying to convince himself. Nothing could happen between us. He hated me. Just because he found me attractive didn’t negate the fact that he'd always blamed me for ruining his brother’s life.

“Never,” I agreed, my voice trembling with anticipation.

“There can never be anything between us.” Despite his proclamation, he drew closer. My bikini-clad breasts brushed against his chest as my breath heaved in and out.

“You’re right,” I whispered just before his lips crashed down on mine. His kiss swallowed my shocked gasp, and for a brief moment, I let him kiss me. It felt good to be in his arms, better than it ever had with his brother. With that thought, I pushed against his chest and broke our kiss. I stared up at him in wide-eyed surprise, panting as I tried to catch my breath. His heated gaze scorched me, the look of desire burning in his eyes igniting something inside me I didn’t know existed.

Without another thought, I wound my arms around his neck and pulled his lips down to mine again. He pressed into me, wrapping his arms around my waist and lining up our bodies. His arousal dug insistently into my belly. I let out a soft moan when his hips flexed, letting me know just how badly he wanted me. Correction: just how badlyhis bodywanted mine. This was nothing more than physical need fueled by mutual attraction. He didn’t like me, and I didn’t like him, but there was no denying our explosive chemistry any longer.

He ground into me, his tongue exploring my mouth as I wove my fingers through his hair. I scraped my nails over his scalp, and a growl rumbled up his chest. He nipped my bottom lip in warning, and I smiled into his kiss.

I was contemplating wrapping my legs around his waist so I could feel him against my needy core when he suddenly pulled away. His gaze fixed over my shoulder, and he took several steps back. He ran a frustrated hand over his face and shook the water from his hair. Turning his back to me, he cut to the right where the steps led to the shallow end. Voices filtered through the air, and I looked over my shoulder to find Lucy coming down the steps, her bag slung over her shoulders. Shit, we almost got caught. Magnolia Grove was a small town, and if anyone sawLandon and me making out, the entire population would know by tomorrow morning.

Landon casually strode across the patio, no sign of his unease save for the tense set of his shoulders. He didn’t spare me a single glance as he grabbed a towel and ran it over his body before heading inside.

“Hey, Livy, we’re heading out,” Lucy called as I climbed out of the pool and scooped my towel and phone off the concrete. I straightened and forced a smile I most certainly didn’t feel.

“Thanks for coming,” I offered graciously.

“Wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”

Wrapped in a beach towel, I headed up the stairs. Honey came through the back door just as I reached the top step. She slid it closed and cocked an eyebrow before placing a hand on her hip.

“You wanna tell me why Landon just left out of here like his ass was on fire?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Cut the shit. JD barely made it through the front door, before Landon pushed him out onto the porch, telling him the party was over.” She snickered and shook her head. “What did you do to that poor man?”

“I didn’t do anything,” I replied incredulously, my voice rising an octave. She shot me a disbelieving look.

“Okay,” I growled, lowering my voice and motioning her closer. She leaned in, angling her ear closer to my mouth so there was no risk of anyone overhearing. “He kissed me,” I confessed, and she reared back to look at me as though trying to decide if I was pulling her leg.

“You’re kidding!” I shook my head gravely. “Why does it look like you’re not happy about it?”

“Why?!” I exclaimed, wondering if she had forgotten all that had happened the past six years. “Hmm, let’s see,” I began,ticking items off with my fingers. “He’s my ex’s brother. He hates my guts. Oh yeah, and there’s that pesky little issue of him blaming me for the accident that almost killed his brother.” She canted her head to the side and studied me a moment before responding.

“I don’t think he hates you anymore.” I scoffed, but she continued despite my disbelief. “I think you got through to him. I think he believes that you weren't to blame for the accident anymore.

“Why on earth would you think that?”

“For one, he kissed you. Secondly, I could tell by the way he looked at you tonight that something’s changed. That hard edge was gone. He looked at you like he was seeing you for the first time.” I swallowed past the lump in my throat as her words sank in. Did he truly believe me? He hadn’t said as much. Then again, that kiss said a lot more than words ever could.

Chapter 24

Olivia

My skin buzzedwith nervous energy, and my stomach tangled in knots. I hadn’t seen or spoken to Landon since the kiss, but he was set to arrive at the bakery any second. If all went according to plan, this would be his last week here. There were just a few finishing touches left for him to complete, and then he’d be done. No more seeing him first thing in the morning. No more greeting grunts or surly goodbyes. Oddly enough, I was going to miss those.

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