Two
Elijah
“What do you think?” Landon spins around, sticking out his hips.
“I think I like what I see,” I say, hooking my fingers onto the bottom of his shirt to pull him closer.
Laughing, he shoves me away, stopping my hand from slipping inside. “Quit, cabrón. We don’t have time for that and you’re wrinkling my new outfit.”
“You bought new clothes for our date?”
He kisses my lips briefly. “Yes. It’s not just any regular date night. We’re celebrating. We’re going to stuff our faces with too much steak, get drunk off the good wine we’ve been saving, and you’re going to rip these clothes off my body.”
“Sounds like you have the whole night planned out. What’s the occasion?”
He rolls his eyes. “Oh, you know, just you opening the bookstore slash wine bar of your dreams.”
“Ah yeah, that.” I grin, tossing a hand in the air.
“Yeah, that.” He rolls his eyes. “It’s a big deal. You’ve wanted this for so long.”
“Yeah, I know.” I kiss his nose. “I wouldn’t have been able to do it without you.”
Sighing, he slaps his hand against my chest. “Yeah, you would have. You never needed anyone but yourself.”
“And the money you helped me scrape up after opening the second restaurant on the other side of town. Me working my ass off at Bentleys certainly wasn’t enough.” Bentleys was the bar I’d been pulling doubles at every chance I got up until two weeks ago when I worked my last shift. I’ll miss some of my customers and people I worked with but not getting home late to Landon.
“I only helped a little. You’d have found a way without me if you’d had to. You always did before.”
Pulling him closer, I rub my nose over his. “I’d rather not have to find out what that’s like.” I really wouldn’t. I forget what it’s like to live a life without this wonderful man beside me, and I’m not sure I want to go back to remembering. No, our relationship wasn’t perfect, but whose was?
Smirking, he wraps his arms around my waist, his fingers resting in the center of my back. I’m not a huge hugger and he knows that. I don’t mind the occasional closeness, though, and this is the right moment for it. No one understands me better than Landon. Not sure anyone else ever could.
“Don’t worry. You won’t have to. From the moment you slipped that ring on my finger, you’ve become forever stuck with me.”
“I won’t even complain about it either.” His lips are warm and familiar when I capture them with mine. I used to feel like he moved too quickly for me in every situation but now we go the exact same comfortable speed. My life has come with plenty of bumps in the road, but with Landon, the journey has been more smooth sailing than before we met. He makes sure it is with all his planning and picking up my slack. I do wish he’d let me take care of him more, but what matters to me most is making him happy.
Our tongues tangle, his nails digging into my back and his cock hardening against mine. Today is worth celebrating, but I’d rather do that in bed with the man I look forward to growing old with than be surrounded by other people who don’t matter. This is all that does. Him. Us. Moments like these where we can’t help but get lost in each other.
We both break apart a little, staring into each other’s eyes, breathless and smiling.
“You sure you don’t want to stay home instead?”
Cheeks flushed and eyes darkening with arousal, he shakes his head. “I already made reservations, and a change of scenery will be good for us.” It’s not a secret that Landon’s more outgoing than me. When we first met, I was sitting on the floor in the horror section of the bookstore, reading, and he nearly tripped over me trying to find the travel section. It’s not that I don’t like going to new places, it’s just, where Landon craves to climb mountains and get as close to the sky as possible, I’d rather keep my feet on the ground.
I breathe out a laugh, running my thumb over his puffy bottom lip. “Okay, but only because you insist. I want you to enjoy your night off too.”
He laughs when my stomach growls. “You want food too, apparently. Come on, big guy, I’ll drive, and afterward we can stay home all weekend if you want and only leave the bed when necessary.”
Letting him go, I search for my jacket and car keys. “Let’s do this then.”
His whole body shakes as he laughs louder. “I knew that would work. The way to your heart is through your stomach.”
“There really aren’t any more secrets between us, are there?” Grinning, I pluck the keys from the hook by the door and toss them into Landon’s open hands. He shoves them in his pocket when his phone rings. His eyes fall to the screen and he holds up a finger, answering the call. It’s probably work. As I slip on my jacket, he’s pacing the room while arguing with someone.
“This is the third time this week. I’m really trying to be understanding, I am, but every time you call at the last minute I get left in a bind.” He sighs loudly. “Look, if you don’t come for your scheduled shift tonight, I’m going to have to let you go. It’s not fair to the other employees who have to keep picking up the extra slack. I understand you don’t want to leave your husband alone so close to him being released from the hospital. I do and I’m sorry, I really am, but I really need more advance notice than this.” Nodding a few times, he apologizes again and ends the call.
“Everything okay?” I ask as he shoves the phone in his back pocket.
He pinches the bridge of his nose, shrugging. “I’m not even sure, honestly. I get that her husband is sick but I need someone I can rely on. It’s been two years of her coming in late and calling in at the last minute. I don’t know how much longer I can put up with it.”
Frowning, I walk closer and pull him into my arms, sensing how much he needs it. “Today is supposed to be a good day, remember?” I press a kiss to the side of his head, breathing in his lemon scent. Him smelling like food all day long is something I’ll never get tired of.
“Yeah.” Sighing deeply, he rubs his head over my shoulder. “You’re right. The rest can wait until tomorrow. I’ll really have to bring her in for a one-on-one chat. I think it’s time.”
“You do whatever you feel you have to do. You have to think about your business and other employees too. Don’t let people take advantage of your kindness and sympathy.”
“Yeah,” he breathes out. “Definitely something I need to work on.”
With his family too, but I don’t have to tell him that. They keep calling for money and he gives in the moment his sister or mom shed a single fake tear. I’m sick of it. He is too, but won’t ever admit it out loud. He’s a much nicer person than me. Landon is my good on my worst days and the first place I go to when I’m feeling lost.
“Well, you can’t always be perfect, can you?” Gripping his chin, I lift his face so our eyes can meet.
“No, but I’ll still try anyway. At least in your eyes.”
“You are exactly how I want you to be.”
“On the days I’m angry and yell too?” He cocks his head.
Things I hardly get from him and sometimes need. I’m not the kind of person who requires life to be easy all the time. Unlike him, I like a little fight and struggle. To have a reason to make up and work hard to prove myself. To possess the passion from feeling too much. I don’t only want his good emotions—I want them all. Not just when he’s trying to be perfect, but when he allows himself to be messy too. “Especially those.” I smile and it’s as contagious as I’d hoped it’d be, causing his lips to mirror mine.
His eyes widen and his smile fades quickly. “Shit. We can’t be late. We have to go.”
“You were serious about reservations?”
“Si. Let’s go before I have to pay extra for wasting the man’s time.”
“Wait, who are you paying extra to? What kind of restaurant is this?”
He winks at me, sliding on his jacket and snatching the keys from my hand. I arch a brow as he drags me through the front door and toward the car, not bothering to lock the house up. He’s trusting in that way. We live in a small neighborhood filled with good people. That hasn’t stopped the bad from getting into places before though. After a life full of hardships, I know better. There’s hardly anyone in this world you can trust or rely on. I happened to find one of the very few by pure chance. My stubbornness had almost led to him getting away. What a mistake that would’ve been.
We both get in the car and as he’s pulling out of the driveway, I turn on the radio. “Since you’re going to play the secret game, I’m going to play all your least favorite songs on the way there.”
Smirking, he speeds up, and I scroll through my playlist on my phone.
“You mean all the ones you love?”
“Exactly. Starting with a little Pearl Jam.”
His face wrinkles. “Not Pearl Jam.”
“Want to tell me where you’re taking me then?”
He shakes his head, his lips bunching in the corners.
Hitting play, I turn up the volume and “Just Breathe” starts playing, earning me a groan. Laughing, I sing along and he side-eyes me through the whole song. He doesn’t give in no matter how loud I blast the whole album, and by the time the tenth song starts he’s pulling into the lake parking lot.
More curious than before, I turn off the music and glance around. “The lake?”
“Mi amor.” He casts his eyes down. “Stop questioning everything and trust me.”
Unbuckling my seat belt, I shoot him a side grin. “Fine. Fine. I’ll stay quiet while I follow you the rest of the way to my death.”
Huffing out a laugh, he gets out of the car and mutters under his breath, “So damn dramatic,” before shutting the door behind him. Following suit, I exit the car and head in the direction he’s walking in.
“We aren’t going swimming, are we?”
“What happened to you not questioning me anymore?” He glares in my direction, stepping onto a dock leading us to a line of parked boats. An older man wearing a blue trucker hat waves our way. “You made it. I was starting to think I had another no-show today.”
“Sorry. The day got away from us.”
“No worries. It happens. This must be the husband?” His eyes flicker between us.
“It is.” Landon perks up, smiling. “Hank, this is Elijah. Elijah, this is Hank. A customer from work recommended him.”
“Nice to meet you, Hank.” I shake his hand. “Are we going on a boat tour or something?” I ask, pulling back my hand slowly.
Landon shakes his head. “Not exactly. We’re having a romantic dinner on the water. Hank rents out boats and has package deals. One of them includes dinner and two hours of being out on the water.”
“This is definitely a surprise.”
“You don’t like it?” Landon’s brows wrinkle with worry.
“Of course I do, baby.” I reach for his arm to give him a gentle squeeze. “It’s perfect.” Being on top of the water isn’t as bad as being in it. I can handle a little rocking and splashing for him. I glance toward the water, shoving down the memories of my mom’s reaching hands.
“Really?” His excitement pulls me from my reverie. When he leans in closer, I’m so tempted to capture his lips with mine, but knowing how much Landon hates public affection, I decide against it.
“Really.” I settle for squeezing his shoulder gently instead, and luckily it’s enough to help lessen the tension in his body but not too much for him to shove me away in embarrassment.
“Good. I thought it could be fun. Something new for us both.”
“I can’t wait to be floating and stuffing my face full of food with you.”
He sends me a look, chuckling. Hank hands Landon the keys. “Here they are. Take good care of her. I’ll be back a little before eight p.m. You two enjoy.”
“Thank you, I’m sure we will.” I beat Landon to it.
Hank smiles and heads toward another boat as we both turn around to get a look at our ride for the night.
“Ready?” Landon asks with sparkling eyes, reaching for my hand.
I take it, squeezing his fingers. “If you are, then I am too.”
He gets on first and I follow after him, unhooking the boat from the dock once we’re both on. Our hands don’t separate until we’re in our seats. Sitting on the floor is a small ice chest and picnic basket.
“Fancy,” I say, peeking through all the stuff Hank left behind. Sandwiches, fruit, veggie sticks, cheese, meats, crackers, champagne, and bottles of water. Looks like he has the whole thing covered.
“So, who made the sandwiches? Hank doesn’t strike me as a kitchen kind of guy.” I lay my feet out on the back seat.
Landon rolls his eyes and drowns me out with the roaring engine of the boat. I laugh and he drives us out to the middle of the lake. The short ride is nice and the water hitting my face doesn’t feel as cold as I thought it would. We’re still a long way from summer, and I’m so ready to be done with the cooler days, but I let him convince me to come anyway. This is fun. Being alone with him away from others is a plus.
He shuts off the boat and lowers an anchor to keep us from drifting off too much. I reach for the glasses and champagne, not opening the bottle until he’s plopping down beside me.
“It’s beautiful out here.”
“Yeah.” I look around, taking in the breathtaking sunset and how the remaining light bounces off the water. The sky is a mixture of pinks, reds, and yellows. “It’s the perfect night for this. Thanks for bringing me.”
“Well, my boyfriend canceled so—”
I whack him softly in the chest with the back of my hand, cutting off the rest of his words, and he chokes on a laugh.
“Oh sure, and I’m the one with the bad jokes.”
“Who said I was joking?” He waggles his brows.
The cork shoots forward with a pop and I quickly guide the rising champagne to one of the cups. After filling both, I hand one to him and set the bottle on the floor. Scooting closer to me, he sips his drink, and I don’t care about anything else but him at this moment.
“What?” He tilts his head. “Why are you looking at me all funny?”
“I love you, you know that?”
Smiling, he lowers his glass. “I do.”
“Very much.”
“Is that so?” His mouth inches closer to mine.
“Si.”
“Good thing I feel the same way then.” It’s always been me too, right back at ya, or ditto. Not once the actual words. But I don’t need to hear them to know he feels them. His eyes say it all and so does the way he kisses me. Our lips touch and loud clicking sounds go off in my ears. My heart quickens as panic rises in me at the strong smell of burning rubber, and before I can say anything, an explosion has us flying out of the boat.
Water wraps around me, filling my lungs. Limbs aching and head fuzzy, I swim to the surface. Landon’s eyes are closed as he floats away from me. Pain stabs at my body and the side of my face burns. I reach for him, but before my fingers can grab onto his arm a piece of the boat hits me in the head. The blow is so hard I lose consciousness and everything fades away from me— the lake, the world, and him. I see my mom’s face below, she’s frowning and reaching for me, right before I fully shut my eyes.
Loud blares of a siren add to the throbbing pain in my face and head. My eyes slowly open and everything is a blur. Obscure figures amble around me and hard plastic is being shoved on my face. I slap it away, trying to sit up. Strong hands hold me down and their voices make it sound like they’re talking under water.
“Landon,” I say too quietly at first.
“What?” someone asks from nearby. The first word I’m finally able to make out.
“My husband,” I speak again. “Where’s my husband?”
“Husband? Was there someone with you? You’re the only one we found, hun.” The woman the voice belongs to leans down and her face finally comes into focus as her last words continue to stab at my ears.
“You have to go back,” I yell, suddenly filled with a burst of energy, ready to fight whoever gets in my way. “Please. He’s in the water, he’s unconscious.”
“Shh, easy, hun. There are still guys out there looking. If he’s out there, they’ll find him. I need you to relax. You have a severe concussion and second degree burns.”
“I don’t care. I need to go back. Please,” I beg, my eyes growing heavy and my head spacey.
“We have to get you to the hospital,” a man says. “Your husband might already be on his way too. We have to make sure you’re stable first before you’re able to visit him. Let us do our job so you don’t have to wait longer than needed.”
I rest my head back and the lights start to fade away, the paramedic and EMTs’ faces appearing like smudges. “Okay,” I finally answer. I want them to be right about him being found. The next time I open my eyes I want to be lying in a hospital bed beside him, or at least be able to feel him somewhere close by. Losing the fight to stay awake, I shut my eyes and allow sleep to take me again, holding onto the image of Landon’s smiling face in my head for as long as I can, not ready to imagine a life without him.
“I’d rather not have to find out what that’s like.”