44. Landon
Chapter 44
Landon
Focusing on the road was impossible with Olivia riding shotgun. That little sundress was the distraction I didn’t need while driving, but I didn’t hate it. Her long, tan legs were on full display, and all I could think about was her wrapping them around my waist while I lifted her dress and plunged inside her. My hand itched to reach for her, to wrap it around her thigh and tease her until she begged me to come. But that wasn’t what tonight was about. I wanted to reconnect with her on a deeper level, to show her I wouldn’t let anything come between us if she gave me another chance. If that just so happened to lead us back to her place at the end of the night, so be it.
I shifted in my seat and cleared my throat. The pressure behind my zipper was growing uncomfortable, and I needed to stop thinking about what was underneath that dress. Was she wearing a thong or those cheeky little boy shorts she favored?
Focus, asshole.
We made small talk on our short drive to the festival even though what I really wanted to do was tell her what an idiot I was and beg her to take me back. I was falling for her, and when everything went down with my brother, I got scared. I was scared of losing him. I was scared of my feelings for her. And because of that fear, I’d pushed her away.
I felt lost without her, like a ship that drifted off to sea with no tether to dry land. She was warmth and safety and the only thing that ever made me feel whole. It took losing her to make me realize I didn't want to go through life without her. She was it for me, the other half of my soul.
Olivia cleared her throat and angled her body toward mine. I felt her eyes on me and briefly flashed my gaze to her. There was something she wanted to say, but she couldn’t seem to find her voice. I reached over and pulled her hand from her lap, intertwining our fingers.
“Whatever it is, you can say it,” I assured her. I wanted her to feel safe and comfortable with me.
“Does Lyle know you’re taking me out?” I chewed on the inside of my cheek, wishing that wasn’t what she wanted to ask.
“Not yet. I haven’t had a chance to speak to him about it, but I think he’ll be more receptive this time.”
“Oh,” she replied and glanced out the window, heaving a ragged breath. Sensing her disquiet, I gave her hand a gentle squeeze.
“But even if he’s not,” I continued, wanting to reassure her that I wouldn’t let anything come between us this time, “we’ll figure out a way to make it work. I’m not giving you up again.” Whatever happened, however Lyle reacted, we’d work through it. Together. For now, he was safe. We didn’t have to worry about him overdosing again since he was locked up. He was clean and would have time to come to terms with Olivia and me being together before he got out. It was my sincere hope that this was a turning point in his life, and he accepted the counseling he desperately needed.
Olivia turned her wide eyes to me and searched my face. I lifted her hand to my lips and pressed a kiss to the back of it.
Parking was scarce when we arrived. The festival was in full swing. Everyone in Magnolia Grove was in attendance. Once my truck was parked, I hopped out and rushed around the hood to open the door for Olivia. She tugged down the hem of her dress and took my proffered hand before hopping down. Unable to resist her any longer, I closed the distance between us. Her back pressed against my truck as she stared up at me with those wide doe eyes. I lifted a hand to her chin and tilted it higher, ducking my head until our lips were just a hairsbreadth apart.
“Thanks for agreeing to come out with me tonight,” I said, my voice low and husky. I dropped my mouth to hers and captured it in a kiss. She moaned against my lips, and the sound went straight to my dick. Before I could get too carried away, I broke our connection and pulled back. Her eyelids fluttered open, and her chest heaved. The swells of her breasts strained against the neckline of her dress, begging me to free them of their confines and lavish them with my tongue. I refrained, determined to show her a good time tonight and not merely seduce her.
Lacing my fingers through hers, I tugged her toward the festivities. Her hand was warm and soft in mine, and every time we touched, it was like a jolt to my senses. It didn’t matter that I’d felt her hands on me dozens of times or that I’d been inside her and knew what she sounded like when she came. The simple act of holding her hand sent a thrill up my spine.
“What do you want to do first?” I asked. There were carnival games, food vendors, and rides. The options were endless. She took in the scene with wonder.
“I haven’t been to the Magnolia Festival in so long. I don't even know where to start.” Guilt washed over me. I couldn’t help but feel responsible for her missing out on it the last six years. Maybe if I had dug a little deeper and shown her a little more kindness back then, she wouldn’t have stayed away for so long.
And my actions nearly ran her out of town again. It was a miracle she came back, and I’d be forever grateful she'd changed her mind.
I pushed down my regret and tugged on her arm so she faced me.
“Are you hungry?”
“Starving,” she replied with a giddy smile. “And I already know what I want.” I chuckled and held out a hand.
“Lead the way.”
Twenty minutes later, Olivia’s fingers were covered in powdered sugar, and there was nothing but crumbs left on the flimsy paper plate after we devoured a funnel cake. We walked around, letting our food digest before we braved any of the rides. Friends stopped and talked to us while some people gave us side-long glances. I ignored them, but Olivia stiffened every time it happened.
As we neared the bumper cars, I caught sight of JD and Wade waiting in line like two overzealous tweens. JD turned and caught sight of us and instantly abandoned his spot in line. I released Olivia, expecting a handshake or a hug. Instead, he wedged himself between us and slung an arm over each of our shoulders.
“Well, it’s about time,” he mused with a satisfied smirk. Wade sidled up next to him, opting for a simple handshake and a nod to Olivia.
“I’m glad you two finally got your heads out of your asses and figured your shit out,” Wade said with a knowing grin. Olivia and I exchanged a look, and he snickered. “You two weren’t fooling anyone when we went tubing. Especially you, Superman,” he teased, pointing to my chest, “running into the woods to save your girl and then carrying her out all dramatically.” JD threw his head back and laughed, releasing us so he could rejoin Wade. They both looked at us with satisfied smirks, like they had something to do with getting us together.
“We had you two figured out before we even made it to the lake house. The way you tried to fight it was a dead giveaway,” JD claimed, folding his arms over his chest.
“Okay, okay, you’ve proven your point,” I said with a chuckle and wrapped my arm around Olivia’s waist. “And for the record, I was the one who needed to get my head out of my ass.” I looked down at Olivia, appreciation shining in my eyes. “Olivia has shown me more patience than I deserve, but one day, I’ll earn it. You can count on that.”
The sun had set, and stars lit up the night sky. Olivia’s eyes danced with excitement as the lights from the Ferris wheel cast a soft glow over her beautiful face. She sat across from me, peering over the edge and taking in the view around us while the cart ascended. I simply watched her, a soft smile playing on my lips. How had I ever believed I could give her up? She was magnificent, a kind, caring, beautiful woman with a soft heart, yet she was full of grit and determination. Sugar I want to dive right in.” She let out a soft moan, and her head fell back on the seat as I stroked her through the soaked fabric. My restraint was hanging on by a thread, and I briefly considered pulling over to give us both some much needed relief, but we were almost to her house.
I threw my truck in park and hopped out the moment we hit her driveaway. She met me at the hood of my truck, and we collided in a frenzy of grasping hands and frantic kisses. Somehow, we managed to make it inside. I slammed the door shut and pressed her against it.
“I need to taste you,” I confessed. “Now.” She whimpered at the demand and melted against me.
“Please,” she said, and I relished her begging. Lifting her into my arms, I headed for the stairs as she wrapped her legs around me.
“I’ve missed you so much,” I admitted between kisses, my voice strained and throat thick with emotion.
“I missed you too,” she replied, bringing a hand to my cheek and tenderly cupping my face.
“Olivia, I … fuck. I think I’m falling for you,” I confessed, and my voice hitched. “I think I’ve been falling since the moment you lifted that defiant chin and told me you’d rather walk to town than ride in the tow truck with me.” She giggled and shook her head.
“That’s not what I said.” I chuckled and shot her a playful grin.
“I’m paraphrasing.” Her expression sobered, and her eyes filled with an emotion I couldn’t name. There was hope, longing, and trepidation swirling in the bottomless depths of her chocolate irises.
“I think I’m falling for you too.”
Those seven words were my undoing.
I laid her on her bed and tore off my shirt. I was ready to feast and planned to make a mess of her. Gliding my hands slowly up her thighs, I watched as her chest heaved, her ragged breaths revealing her excitement.
I hooked my fingers in the thin straps at her hips and tugged. She lifted her ass and shimmied, her movements fueled by a ravenous impatience. I leaned in and pressed a kiss to her mouth, sliding my hand beneath her skirt. It inched higher until I reached the apex of her thighs, and I brushed a single finger over her slit. It was slick with her arousal. My cock strained against my zipper.
“It looks like your needy little cunt is just as eager for my mouth as I am to taste you.” I plunged a finger inside her and curled it forward.
“Ah,” she groaned, and her legs fell open. Slipping the fingers of my free hand beneath the straps of her dress, I slid them down her shoulders one by one and pulled the front down, exposing her lace-covered breasts. I yanked at the cups, freeing the soft globes from their confines. Her nipples peaked, and I bent to draw one into my mouth. Her hands went to my hair, and she clutched me to her as I circled it with my tongue.
“More,” she panted. I moved to the other breast, cupping it as I flicked my tongue over the rosy tip. A second finger joined the first inside her, and she let out a soft mewl.
“Landon.” My name on her lips was a plea, and I was prepared to give her exactly what she was asking for. I dropped one final kiss to her mouth before I moved down her body, settling my shoulders between her thighs. Her pussy glistened, and I leaned in for a taste, no longer able to resist the temptation.
She arched off the bed at the first swipe of my tongue. The scent of her arousal filled my nostrils, and I grinned wickedly as she squirmed beneath me. Her fingers tangled in my hair, and I growled, spurred on by her enthusiasm. I circled her clit, applying the exact amount of pressure she craved. She bucked against me when I drew the swollen bud into my mouth and sucked with gentle pulses before releasing her. Her ankles dug into my flanks, and she tightened her grip on my hair. She was close. It only took a few more flicks of my tongue before she arched off the bed, and her entire body shook with the intensity of her orgasm.
I crawled over her, peppering kisses over her flushed skin until I reached her lips. She wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me closer. My cock strained against my zipper, and I flexed my hips, letting her know how desperately I needed her.
Her gaze heated as I yanked her dress down her body and tossed it over my shoulder. Her bra was next, and soon she lay before me, completely bare.
Standing, I hastily removed my shorts, and my boxer briefs followedquickly after. I bent to retrieve a condom from my pocket and brought the foil square to my mouth, fully prepared to rip it open with my teeth.
“Wait,” she said, and I lifted my gaze to her. My stomach sank as she watched me with trepidation, her lower lip trapped between her teeth. Did she not want to have sex with me? Fuck, had I damaged our relationship to the point where she didn’t fully trust me with her body?
“I-I’m on birth control, and…” She glanced away, her words trailing off. She took a moment to gather herself, and I remained silent. Finally, she returned her gaze to me, and the heat in the amber depths made my stomach tighten with need.
Olivia rose to her knees and crawled across the bed, resting back on her heels when she reached me. Her gloriously naked body was on full display, and watching her crawl to me did something inexplicable to my insides. It made me feral and want to push her down onto the bed and have my way with her. But I refrained, curious to see what her next move was.
“I haven’t been with anybody else in a long time. I’ve been tested since my last partner.” She brought a shaky hand to my chest and slid it over my shoulder. My pulse thundered in my chest.
Is she saying what I think she’s saying?
“I don’t want there to be any barriers between us,” she said finally, and I nearly wept. I wanted so badly to slide into her tight heat and feel all of her.
“I’m clean,” I assured her. Hell, I’d pull up the results of my last test on my phone if she wanted proof. I just wanted to feel her, to have that connection I’d never shared with anyone else.
She brought her hand to my face and cupped my cheek. Her eyes stared into mine and said the one thing I never expected to hear from her again.
“Make love to me, Landon.”