Page 21 of Legally Binding
Before the car has a chance to come to a complete stop, I’ve got the door open and am hurrying inside my building.
“Good evening, Mr. Adair,” the doorman calls, and I manage a wave as I jog to the elevator.
My heart is racing as I scan my card and beg the elevator to hurry. Why does every moment I’m with Piper speed by while every moment I’m away from her drags for eternity?
“Come on,” I beg the door, and then the elevator comes to a stop. Finally, they open, and when I step off, I’m completely shocked.
Chapter Thirteen
PIPER
I’m a ball of excitement and anxiety after spending the day getting things ready for Landon. I wanted to do something special for him because he’s been an angel. Who would have thought I’d ever say that about Bob’s lawyer? A man I thought would be out to destroy me. Instead, Landon’s been saving me at every turn and never falters.
“Daddy will be home soon,” I tell Garfield before kissing him on the nose. The name stuck because of how much he eats, and I kind of love it.
He lets out a small meow as I put him down in his little bed in the living room. It's been moved next to the cat tower we got the other day. It doesn't go with any of Landon’s décor. In fact, it appears cheap even though it wasn’t. Well, cheap to me. A couple hundred dollars for a cat tower sounds like a lot, but to Landon, it seems like nothing.
Landon waved off my protests, saying the cat tower fit us. The way he said that word has been lingering in my mind every day since. He’s always calling the three of us a family, and it’s so magical, I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to it.
Everything is perfect, except he hasn’t kissed me again since that first night. There are times I think he’s going to, but then he’ll suddenly pull back. It’s driving me a bit crazy, and I’m starting to wonder if he’s had a change of heart. Deep down, I feel like he’s waiting on me to make a move, so tonight, I'm going to put myself out there.
I know I should let things settle between us and that it's likely for the best that I don't allow myself to fall in love with him. Being friends would be safer for me all around. If we were to let things progress, it means they could end. If we didn’t work out, where would that leave me?
It would be awkward, but I know myself, and I would be wrecked to see him date another woman. In my mind, the only way this can work out is if we take a chance. It’s clear my heart is already in this, so why not give Landon a chance to see that I’m willing to try?
When I check my phone, I see it’s almost time for him to come home. I notice that he often returns earlier than he says he will. I tell myself it’s because he misses us, but I’m not sure.
Tonight, I dressed up and put in more of an effort than normal. I’m sure I’m not as polished as the women he’s used to being with, but I got this dress years ago and never had a reason to wear it.
As we’ve spent time together, he’s told me some of his past. It wasn’t all pretty, and some of the parts he left out I had to piece together. Landon doesn’t talk much about it, but the more we’re together, the more he opens up. We still discuss all kinds of things, and I know a lot about him, but the dark parts of his past might be something he shields me from forever.
When I hear the sound of the elevator, I rush over and stand there waiting. I want to be the first thing he sees when he comes home. I’d like to play it cool, but I'm dying to see him.
"You're back!" I say the second the doors open, and I rush toward him.
In my eagerness, I snag the heel of my shoe on the rug and go flying. I let out a small scream, close my eyes, and wait to make contact with the ground. I’m going to make a fool of myself, but in true Landon fashion, he quickly catches me and pulls me into his arms.
Heat rushes to my face as I open my eyes to stare up at him. All that planning and I embarrass myself the second he gets home.
"Careful, baby girl." Landon smiles down at me, tugging me closer.
“Sorry.” My fingers are digging into the front of his crisp white button-up shirt. “I guess I got excited.”
“Don’t ever be sorry for throwing yourself into my arms,” he says, and I let out a small, awkward laugh.
“I’m sure that happens to you a lot.” I try to make a joke out of it, but my own joke lands wrong even to me. There’s a queasy feeling in my stomach, and I wish I could redo all of this and make it perfect.
“Want me to be honest?” He lifts his brows, and I know I shouldn’t say yes, but it’s like I have to know the answer. As much as this might sting, I nod. “If it was anyone but you, I likely would have stepped aside.”
“Really?” Another laugh leaves me, and this time it’s genuine. Only Landon doesn’t join in as his face remains neutral. “No way. You’re too nice to do that.”
“I’m not nice,” he says, leaning closer. “But you’re different from everyone else.”
“Oh yeah?” I flutter my eyelashes playfully. “Is it because I’m special?”
“You’re more than special, Piper.”
The way he’s looking at me is so intense all my playfulness falls away, and I bite my bottom lip. I really, really want that to be true.
