Page 32 of Landon (In Safe Hands)
“Yeah,I’m sorry. I sort of panicked.” His expression is devastating. “I didn’t wantyou to know. You’re the only person who doesn’t look at me and see a freak.”
Myarms tighten around him. “You’re not a freak. Don’t say that.” Silence fallsbetween us for a moment before I ask, “You have to stay in the dark?”
“Notexactly. I have to avoid natural light.”
“So,if it’s cloudy or raining?”
“Doesn’tmatter. Ultraviolet rays still filter through. I can’t leave the house betweendawn and sundown. It makes it impossible to have a normal life. I want you,Zoe. I want a relationship with you, but believe me, I understand if you don’twant a boyfriend who’s basically nocturnal.”
Myheart shatters, not because I can’t be with him, but for the way he’s suffered.No wonder each girl was temporary. Gone before sunrise. I adore the sunlight.Even though I know it’s bad for me, sunbathing is one of my favorite past timesin summer. To live your whole life without feeling the sun on your skin. Shit.I’m going to cry again.
“Haveyou ever been able to go outside?” I ask, swallowing my tears.
“No.I was diagnosed as a baby when the doctor noticed I was getting freckles.Babies don’t usually develop freckles.”
Irun a fingertip across his cheek and down his nose. “I like your freckles.They’re adorable.”
“Ibelieve you mean masculine and sexy.”
“Nope,adorable. Your body is masculine and sexy.”
Hishands wander up my sides. “And yours is soft and curvy…perfect. I’m dying tosee your tits.”
“Whata romantic,” I snort.
“Idon’t know much about romance, but I can make you feel good. I can make you thecenter of my world, worship you and this sexy little body.”
Fireraces through my veins and I’m sure he can hear my heartbeat. “I can live withthat,” I breathe, and his lips land on mine. They’re soft and insistent, and alittle moan escapes me when his tongue slips between my lips. I run my handsthrough his soft hair, tilting my head to give him better access when he kissesmy neck. He shifts me until my back is against his chest and rests his chin onmy shoulder.
“Damn,I’ve wanted to do that again since you turned up at my door,” he says, wrappingan arm around my waist. I can tell he’s restraining himself because of thesituation. It’s a good thing, because if he kisses me like that again, I’mgoing to attack him with my vagina. “I don’t want to take you here, withtragedy surrounding us, but be warned, the first time I get you alone I’m goingto fuck you ragged.”
Hiswords and his hot breath on my ear make me squirm in his lap, and he chuckles.“You like me talking dirty to you.” It’s a statement, not a question, and aftermy reaction there’s no denying it. “You’re all worked up. I’ll bet you’re wet,aren’t you?”
Myface heats, but I can’t stop the words from escaping. “See for yourself.”
Alow groan rumbles his chest, and he slides his hand down the front of my jeans,into my panties. “Christ, you’re so ready. Now I have to make you come.”
Noarguments here.
Maybeit’s not right. I shouldn’t be turned on with all that’s happened, but my bodydoesn’t care. “Spread’em sweetheart,” he orders, using his other hand to undomy jeans.
Athick finger slides inside me, finding that perfect spot other men fumblearound for. His thumb lands on my clit and rubs gentle circles. My head fallsback against his shoulder and I’m almost embarrassed about how fast I come. I’mbarely aware of his voice in my ear as I gasp his name.
“Fuck,I love to hear that. Next time you’re going to scream my name.”
Damnit. The man just owned me. I’ve never come so fast. “Of course you love to hearyour name,” I tease, relaxing against his chest.
“Areyou implying I’m arrogant?” He scrapes his teeth across my neck.
“Doesextremely self-confident sound better?”
“ButI can back it up,” he claims.
Ayawn interrupts my giggle, and he pulls a blanket off of the back of the couch.“It’s almost morning. We should get some sleep.” We stretch out on the couch,and he turns off the lantern. The room is plunged into darkness, but with hisarms around me, I feel safe and content as I drift off.
* * * *
It’sdisorienting to wake up in solid blackness, like I didn’t even open my eyes. Ilike to sleep in the dark, but even with all the lights out in my apartment,light filters through from the street. This is different. The sound of a steadyheartbeat beneath my ear is calming, and the events of the night before comeback to me.
