Consume Me (A Burning Desire Novel) (30 page)

What was he talking about?

"What do you mean?"

I was a little disconcerted, not only by
what he's implying but by the question.

"I mean, who hurt you so profoundly
that you won't recognize a good thing when it's right in front of you?"

His voice was scrutinizing, but I wasn't
ready for that conversation. It was more than I could handle at that moment.

I offered a little shrug, searching my
brain for a way to avoid this conversation,

"No one, am I not entitled to my own
fears of hurt and disappointment."

"Of course you are, we all are, but
we all have our reasons, and I want to know yours."

He seemed to know what he was talking
about, as if he had been through something that affected him.

"Tell me yours."

I inquired.

It was either a way out of the
conversation, or a way inside the mystery that was Landon Davis; he was
too-perfect-to-be-real.

His
face sobered, suddenly unreadable. For a second, I swear I could see a glimpse
of regret in his eyes, but it disappeared as quickly as it had showed.

That man, that beautiful gorgeous man,
with all his wealth, his successful career and looks, had suffered from
something; something that affected him, and motivated his way of life.

I'd never seen it before, probably because
I was too enticed by his looks or his body parts against mine.

He definitely had a secret.

 He'd never seemed to mind showing
how his mother’s loss made him feel; but for some reason, that was much deeper
and he was obviously not ready to discuss it.

"Please stay with me tonight."

He took my hands between his, and brought
them to his face.

Something stirred inside me; somehow, what
had just happened changed everything.

For the first time, in a very long time; I
felt ready to just let go and enjoy the ride with Landon Davis.

"Okay, let me pack a bag and I'll be
back."

I announced with a smile.

"There's no need, Jenna already
packed some things and if you need anything else Calvin will take care of
it."

He was smiling smugly from the corner of
his mouth, just enough for me to know that he was relieved that I didn't say
no, and that he, somehow knew it.

Hence, the packed bag.

I wasn't surprised he got my friend to get
my stuff; Landon Davis never missed on any occasion to prove that he was always
thinking ahead.

We
didn’t talk much after that. Landon had a long telephone conversation with Alec
Avery debating the Buenos Aires office. He held my hand throughout the whole
ride to his apartment. I just squared up in his arms; thinking about the conversation
I’d just had with him; conjuring my brain to decipher the meaning behind
everything he'd said. He said that our relationship was something good, that I
could hurt him and not the other way around,

Doubtful…

The one thing I was sure of, was that he'd
been hurt before by someone important in his life, family or girlfriend or
something, and I was brooding; anxious to see what it was. I didn't feel ready
to talk about my past with him, and for that, I had to wait for him to tell me
about it on his terms; just like I would, eventually, tell him about Caden.

"Have you eaten something?"

Landon got me out of my cogitation.

I shook my head no. I was starving.

I had been hindered throughout the day; I’d
only eaten some pretzels over lunch, I couldn’t swallow anything.

I missed him terribly.

"I thought we would have dinner after
your drinks, so I waited for you."

He winked at me and I felt a little
guilty.

"Ok, so what are you in the mood
for?"

I asked him with a smile to rival his own.

"Well, if I could have it my way; I
would probably get dessert, but since I'm on a carbohydrate-free diet, the
choice is yours."

He was actually amused, referring to my
excruciating punishment.

Bastard.

Two can play.

I feigned disinterest, when in reality; I
was damning myself once and again for making the wrong choice that morning.

“Good for you, you're taking care of your
health, I like that."

I faked my approval; but still sounded
disgruntled.

"I'm glad you do Miss Dane."

I really liked it when he called me that
way; it sounded sexy-as-hell.

"It's late, but I'm craving sushi,
can we take it to go and eat at your place?"

"We most certainly can, baby."

I grinned; I was starving for my favorite
rolls.

"I know just the best place. Calvin,
could you please head to twenty-seventh and Chelsea?"

"Right away Miss Clea."

Calvin smiled from the rearview mirror.

He was probably used to high-end places,
but that little corner was a piece of heaven for me. I indulged in it every
time I could.

"You can stay at the hotel tonight
Cal, just be here by quarter to eight to take Miss Dane to work tomorrow."

We were parked in front of his building.
Of course, he had an apartment in the most expensive neighborhood of Manhattan;
I just hoped it wasn’t the penthouse.

It would’ve been a little over the top; he
didn’t even live in New York.

"You realize my office is like five
blocks away, right?"

There was no need for Calvin to come and
collect me; it would be faster on foot anyway.

"I do, and I don't care. Let's
go."

He got pissy; his voice clipped.

Probably because I paid for the food
despite Calvin's attempts to dissuade me, while Landon was on the phone with
Alec again.

I throttled a giggle and followed him
inside.

We were greeted by a nice door attendant,
and a receptionist in the plushiest lobby I’d ever seen.

"Good evening Mr. Davis."

They said, almost in perfect unison. The
blond receptionist gave me the look-over, and then turned to Landon fluttering
long eyelashes.

I gave her a mocking eye roll and grabbed
his hand.

Mine.

"Sylvia, Monroe."

He shook his head in their direction then
led me in the direction of the elevators.

We stopped along the seventy-sixth floor,
once out of the car; there were only two apartment doors. We turned to the one
on the right, and it opened on a beautiful large space, completely different
from his other apartment. The space carried an Italian Renaissance spirit,
fully carpeted marble floors and much more furniture, there were at least four
couches all over the space along ottomans and tables. A L-shaped sofa governed
on the space. It felt intimate and cozy, but no art to talk about other than
two medium size paintings separating three floor to ceiling glass windows,
overviewing the city skyline and central park.

It was positively breathtaking.

We headed straight to the master bedroom,
walking through several others. I never understood the need for so many rooms
for single men.

I mean, sure you can have some friends or family
over, but if you don't have a roommate or kids, six rooms are just money thrown
out the window.

But the view; it was everywhere, and it
was worth it.

I took
a shower in one of the bathrooms, alone. We’d sat in the living space with our
sushi assortment, and wine, watching the news and talking.

"What do you want to see next?"

Landon asked once we finished eating. I
stood to clear the table, and walked to the kitchen.

"You choose, as long as it has not
news, I'm okay."

Landon didn’t joke with his national news;
he shuffled through all the channels; seemingly searching for something
specific.

I ate my California rolls, and marveled at
him like a little horny teenager.

He was beautiful; his hair damp and
groomed messily. I was warm and wanting.

"I'll look for a movie then."

I heard him smile at my unhidden
frustrated state.

We finally settled in front of a stand-up
show. I looked at the man sitting beside me; he was truly gorgeous and looked
so young, so normal. Nothing suggested that was some high-end lawyer, celebrity
politician fixer and über-wealthy player.

We were just two people sitting in front
of the television laughing at some comedian mocking social networking recurring
fails.

I extended my feet in his lap, and
relaxed.

At some point, I not so accidentally
brushed over his beautiful manhood and he tensed. I smiled discreetly and moved
again feigning ignorance. I wasn't going to settle for the no-sex thing, I
wanted him so much. Especially after the intense day we had, the defiance, the
frustration, the calls, and the fight. I wanted him to make love to me and I
was going to change his mind, one way, or another.

Landon twisted his waist to face me, and
cocked his head with a smirk.

"I know what you're doing Miss Dane,
and it's not going to work."

He bore an unnerving smirk.

"I don't know what you're talking
about."

I stated with feigned innocence.

"If you say so..."

He turned his attention back to the
screen.

"But remember, it was your
decision."

Stubborn Ass.

A vibrating sound interrupted my next
move. It was Landon’s phone; apparently a text. He frowned at it.

“I’m sorry baby; I need to change the
channel.”

His tone worried me.

I nodded with a small smile.

He put on a news channel; I straightened
myself watching his picture on the big screen; along with another kid.

I was completely astounded.

“
Seven
years old Braden Ellis has been admitted into the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
at Chicago’s Northwestern Memorial Hospital. We are waiting on updates from his
family.

Nathan and Katherine Ellis have been seen getting inside the
hospital along with Dr. Blaine; Famous urologist and their lawyer Miss Evelyn
Crawley; from Davis & Crawley.

We remind you that the Ellis family have been engaged in a
lawsuit against Bowler Pharmaceutical; alleging that their latest drug had led
to their son’s condition. Braden Ellis has forgone several surgeries and has
been on the waiting list for a kidney transplant for the past six months. He’d
lost one kidney, and according to Dr. Blaine, the damage caused by the drug has
spread to other organs.

Elite lawyer and CEO of Davis International, Landon Davis has
been representing the family against Bowlers Pharmaceutical for the past three
months. He took on the case after the passing of the Ellis’ previous lawyer
Peter Candish.

After Landon Davis’ last statement to the press; in which he
accused the pharmaceutical company of changing the qualitative and the
quantitative formulation of the drug product after the FDA approval.

This was his statement:

 
The Ellis family and I; have no intention of turning
this suit into a Class Action lawsuit. We’ve just handed proof to the District
Attorney that Bowlers Pharmaceutical changed their formula, and by doing so;
they showed intent to commit murder. Therefore; it’s a Voluntary Homicide with
intent to kill; and giving the number of families affected by the drugs; we are
moving the case to Mass Murder charges.

Landon Davis raised the bar higher than ever; the case moved to
be argued in front of the federal court. Bowlers Pharmaceutical denied all the
accusations and fought the alleged proofs in front of the federal court. The
ruling has not been pronounced as of yet.

We are still waiting for updates on Braden’s health; the
family refused to give any statement. We are all waiting for Landon Davis to
give his next statement.”

Landon’s
face was of pure poignant fury. His jaw clenched and he kept silent.

I had no idea what to do; how to react.

Mass murder…

That must have been unusual; I thought
mass murder was supposed to happen in the same place and in the heat of the
moment. How could he argue such a thing?

I didn’t understand anything about the
Law; all the information I’d had were from shows or some courses in school. I
had an intuitive feeling that his plea was unusual.

That little boy was dying; it saddened me.

I didn’t know what to do; or what to say,
so I just shuffled uncomfortably, until I was settled behind him. I put my arms
around him; he was brooding. His muscle shook nervously.

It was only after a minute or two, that he
reacted and grasped my hands; getting me to squeeze him further. His grip was
stronger than mine was; much stronger, and it hurt.

After a beat, Landon let out a breath. He
seemed calm, his usual-controlled-self, and scrambled through his phone.

He called Evelyn, and I went to go grab
another drink from the fridge.

I only
heard tits and bits of the conversation. I decided to make him some tea; it
might relax him, although I understood his state of mind. I wouldn’t imagine
myself holding the fate of a family on my shoulders, as he did.

I wished I could do something to make him
feel better. I felt guilty that I might’ve been the reason he wasn’t in Chicago
right then, standing beside the family like Evelyn. The video they screened of
his statement was heart stopping. There wasn’t a glint of doubt in his eyes; he
was fueled, his stature lean and confident, his words cutting.

I really pitied that company.

I’d never seen so much determination.

I turned to the kettle and inserted the
tea infuser. It smelled of cinnamon and vanilla; it felt heavenly. I could hear
him on the phone.

His tone was affectionate and poignantly
worried. I had no doubt that Landon cared about the case; and more so about the
kid. He was such a cute, freckles and blond curls. He looked happy on the
picture; playing with some gadget. I couldn’t dare imagine how his mother
must’ve felt; how he’d felt. He’d barely lived; seven years old.

It hurt my heart.

I put the teapot and cups on a tray and
walked back to the living room.

Landon’ smile didn’t reach his eyes; but
I’d guessed he didn’t want me disturbed by his state.

“What do we have here?”

After I’d laid the tray on the table,
Landon pulled me to him.

“I thought I’d make us some tea.”

I smiled at him; hoping to change his
mood.

“Well thank you baby. A cup of tea does
sound greatly appealing to me.”

I nodded, and leaned to serve him.

He was fixing me; his gaze sent shivers
through me.

I brought the cup to him, and he took it,
brushing his fingers against mine.

I took a shallow breath and held it.

"Does it bother you Miss Dane?"