Page 54 of The Close-Up
He shrugs, his expression teasing.
“You know, for two guys who don’t get along, you have pretty similar views.”
“How’s that?”
“Well, when I told Simon that you and I were just hanging out, he said the same thing basically. That you’d be up for it if I suddenly wanted to get physical with you.”
A moment passes with Landon saying nothing. His expression softens while the look in his eyes goes dark. “He’s not wrong.”
My heartbeat skids. “Oh.”
I shouldn’t be surprised. The whole reason I’m spending time with Landon is because he’s a charming and good-looking guy who’s fun to flirt with. Still though, to hear him outright admit that he’s up for getting physical with me catches me off guard. So few people have ever said that to me.
I take a step toward him. “So that means...”
Landon’s hands fall to my waist. “That means I’d really, really like to kiss you, Naomi.”
His voice is a soft growl I can’t resist. Leaning my face up, I press a kiss to his mouth. I hum at the firm pressure combined with the soft feel of his lips.
For a few seconds, I let myself enjoy the sensation of my lips on his. But then he parts my lips open with his tongue. I’m nibbling at his bottom lip and teasing him back with the tip of my tongue. I run my hands through his thick blond hair, tugging at it to hold him steady as I go to town on his mouth.
The sharp sound of a whistle from down the block jolts us apart.
“Damn! Get a room already!”
Landon and I fall back at the stranger’s comment, wiping our mouths and chuckling at the same time.
I drop my hands to my side. “Well. That was...”
“Hot?” Landon wags an eyebrow at me.
“Definitely that.”
Crossing my arms, I shuffle my feet along the cracked pavement. Part of me is overjoyed that my first kiss in months was so natural and passionate. But the other part of me knows I need to make my intentions very clear to Landon—I don’t want to lead him on.
“Look. I—that kiss was great, but I don’t want to start anything right now, especially since—”
A soft smile spreads across Landon’s face as he reaches for my hand. “It’s okay, Naomi. It’s not a big deal. Let’s just have fun.”
“So you’d be fine if all I wanted to do is meet up with you for drinks or dinner sometimes and make out?”
His smile doesn’t budge. “More than fine.”
I let out a small puff of air in relief at his response, then kiss him. I check the time on my phone and see that it’s almost eleven. “I’d better get home. Long day of editing tomorrow.”
I order a rideshare on my phone. He stands with me until the car comes and gives me a quick kiss on the lips before opening the car door for me and waving good-bye.
It seems like Landon’s going to be an interesting new buddy to have. I try not to think about just how pissed off Simon’s going to be.
Chapter Twelve
I’m on hour three of ignoring Simon’s texts and calls at Harper’s apartment.
He probably wants to apologize for going off on Landon last night, but I don’t have the patience to deal with him right now.
I hit Save on the video footage I’ve been cleaning up for the next episode ofSimply Simon, then hop up from the sofa and head to the kitchen for my third cup of herbal tea when there’s a knock at the door.
Mug in hand, I check the peephole and let out a frustrated sigh. There’s another knock, but I don’t answer. Instead I plop on the couch, hell-bent on letting him have it out with the door until he tires himself out, gives up, and leaves.
