Page 35 of Why Not Me?

“In May. The new contractor has been working overtime to speed up the process on her end, but you know how slow things move on our end, especially after all the incidents last year. The design is incredible and it’ll be complete just in time for them to pour water onto the new skating area. It’s a trail that will weave through the park, but in the winter, they’re going to turn it into a skating trail. The plan is to have Christmas lights in the trees all along the path and hot chocolate stands at a few different checkpoints.”

“That sounds incredible. We’ll have to check it out.” His voice is full of pride, his eyes light with interest.

Warmth floods through me as I nod. Ever since he’s been back in my life I’ve been replaying scenes from seven years ago over and over in my head. Something I’ve just realized is that we never made plans outside of a few days and even then, that was rare. Most of the time we were flying by the seat of our pants.

Now when we talk about things we want to do, it includes plans for the future, things we want to see and do together, and that makes me want to squeal like a teenage girl.

Landon tilts my chin up, leaning down and kissing me. He takes his time, the sensuous movements of his lips against mine show me he is feeling the same way. When he wraps my hair around his hand, deepening the kiss, I slide my hands up his chest and wrap my arms around his neck.

Everything about this moment is unhurried. We savor the way each other tastes, enjoying getting to know what we like and dislike all over again.

Landon grabs my hips and pulls me onto his lap, I grind into him, his erection pressing into my core. I know taking things slow is a wise choice, but right now all I want to do is strip down and feel every part of him.

Running my hands through his hair, I pull gently and move my lips from his mouth and down his neck. I move my lips all over his exposed skin, the sound of his groans fueling me.

“God, I love the way you taste,” I mumble against him before pressing my lips against his again.

Landon grabs my hips and stands up. Wrapping my legs around his waist, we don’t stop kissing as he moves. I can’t help the giggle that escapes as he bumps into the coffee table. He smiles against my lips before kissing me harder as he stumbles his way through my condo to my bedroom.

He sets me on my feet at the foot of my bed, pulling back to yank his shirt over his head. Before mine can join his on the floor, I glance at the bed and see Blade sleeping. I put a ramp up to the bed so he would be able to sleep next to me if he wants to.

Landon follows my gaze. “Looks like he’s settled right in.”

Smiling softly, I turn back to Landon and press a kiss to his chest. Backing up, I sit on the bed, careful not to disturb Blade, and slide back, curling my finger at Landon.

“Come here.” I chew on my lip, heat rushing into my cheeks at the throaty sound of my voice.

He smirks at me, crawling up the bed before lowering himself over me. I wrap my legs around him, pulling his head down to kiss me again.

“I love your lips. I love kissing you.”I love you.The thought is so sudden, my lips freeze. It’s not that I didn’t think those feelings were still lingering in some part of me, I just didn’t expect them to resurface so quickly.

Landon looks down at me when I stay frozen.

“Are you okay?” His expression is worried, I can see our past hanging over us like a ghost that haunts our present. I know a part of him is worried I’m not going to trust him and his feelings, but I do. I know this time will be different.

Nodding, I hug him close. “I just can’t believe we’re here. Life has a funny way of turning out, doesn’t it?”

“Sometimes things are meant to be. Maybe not right away, but we just needed to live a little first.” Landon leans down to kiss me again, his hips grinding into me when there is a loud knock on the door.

Landon huffs out a laugh. “Oh yeah, pizza.” He kisses my forehead before jumping out of bed and throws his shirt on before rushing to the door.

Closing my eyes, I groan in frustration before rolling off the bed and making myself presentable. As much as I want to continue on the trajectory we were heading, I know it’s for the best.

We eat dinner, talking about a pet playdate. PeeWee has never met a cat before, so it should be entertaining. By the time we finish, we’re both exhausted so we head back to bed. This time we cuddle in close, Landon curling around me, kissing my cheek as he wraps me into his arms. “This feels right in a way I think was missing before.” His tone is sleepy, but I can hear the smile in his voice.

“I know what you mean. I’m really happy, Landon.” Closing my eyes, I smile at his agreeing hum.

We fall asleep wrapped in each other’s arms. Our first night together. Landon doesn’t push for more intimacy, something I’m both thankful for and frustrated by. It feels right to wait, to develop a relationship on more of a foundation than our physical attraction to each other, but the craving is there. That draw that we were never able to resist before pulling at me. I don’t think I’ll be able to wait much longer.

The crowd screams in excitement asBrothers Osbornetakes the stage. Landon’s brother, Josh, won tickets but couldn’t make it, so he gave them to Landon when he found out I’m a huge fan. I love this band and tried to get tickets, but they sold out before I had a chance, basically I owe Josh big time.

When the first song comes on, I scream with the rest of the crowd causing Landon to laugh at me. He’s not a country music fan, but he knew how much I wanted to come tonight and he said he wanted to enjoy it with me.

I can feel him watching me as I sing along to the words. Turning to look at him, I return his grin and take his hand. Standing onto my toes, I kiss him quickly.

Song after song plays, until the band is leaving the stage and the lights are coming back on. Landon and I have spent as much waking time together as possible over the past month, but aside from that one night he’s always gone back to his house at the end of the day.

As he leads me to the car, his hand holding mine, I watch him. I want to fall asleep in his arms. But before that, I want to finally let myself be with him. I want to feel him moving inside of me, I want to see if we fit together as well as I remember.

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