Page 48 of Landon (In Safe Hands)
There’sstill something I need to know. “Have you been seeing anyone?” I ask as we walkto my car.
“What?No! Have you?” He looks infuriated at the thought.
“No,so, just to be clear, you haven’t fucked anyone else? No bar sluts?”
Hestops and cups my jaw. “No. You’re all I need. All I could think about. My poorhands are chapped from taking you to bed with me every night and waking up withyou every morning. Even though it was only in my head.”
“Thatwas almost romantic,” I laugh.
Hislips take mine in a fierce kiss. “I’ll show you romance later, baby.” My assstings under the palm of his hand, and I squeal, stepping to the side before hecan swat me again. “Now get in. I’m driving.”
“Savage.”
“Ms.Difficult.”
“Ilove you.”
“Ofcourse you do.”
Landonslows the car and turns into a gas station. “I’m going to grab a drink,” I tellhim, hopping out of the car. “Do you want anything?”
“Nothanks.” I steal a glance at him as he slides the nozzle in and starts pumpinggas. He’s so damn gorgeous. He catches me staring and winks at me, his lipsraised in a crooked smile. Smiling, I turn and head into the station.
I’mgrabbing a cold soda when I hear a familiar voice coming from the next aisle. Ican’t place it right away, but before I can spend any time trying to remember,Jason steps around the corner with another man in tow. I haven’t heard a wordfrom him since our date.
“Zoe,”he exclaims. “Hey, how are you?”
“Fine,”I reply. “How have you been?”
“Good,good.” He nods, looking uncomfortable. “Look, I’m sorry I never called. I had areally good time with you.”
“It’sokay, really.”
Hisfriend remains silent, looking from one of us to the other, trying to work outwho I am. As I turn to walk away, Jason grabs my wrist. “Zoe, wait. I really dowant to apologize. My ex and I got back together. I should’ve called andexplained.”
Astrong arm wraps protectively around my shoulders. “Are you ready, babe?”Landon asks, glaring at Jason.
“Yep.It was nice seeing you again, Jason. No hard feelings?”
“Noneat all.” He grins and walks away.
Landonpeers down at me, and I give him a look of warning. I know he recognized Jason,and I’m prepared for him to act like an ass. “Your ex?” he asks, his voiceeven.
“No.We had one date. He’s just another guy who cut off all communication with noexplanation.”
Hewinces and looks me in the eye, guilt clearly written on his face. “I’m sorry,Zo. I’ll never do that to you again.”
“Good.I’d hate to have to kick your ass.”
Asmile crawls across his face, and we start toward the front of the store, hisarm still around my shoulders. “I can’t take you anywhere.”
“I’msure you have a much longer trail of broken hearts behind you.”
Weclimb back into the car. “You’re my first and only relationship. I’ve nevertrusted a woman enough to tell her about my condition.”
Myhand wraps around his. “Then I guess you’re stuck with me.”
Asmile stays on his face as he focuses on driving. I text Ethan to let him knowI’ll be staying at Landon’s as we head down the highway. “Everything okay?”Landon asks.
