Landon (In Safe Hands Book 1)

Landon

In Safe Hands: Book One

By

S.M. Shade

Copyright
© 2016

All
rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or
transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or
other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of
the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical
reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

This
is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and
incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a
fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual
events is purely coincidental.

Cover
art by Ally Hastings at
Starcrossed Covers
.

Zoe

The
bus is late, but with the stellar day I’m having, I’m not surprised. By the
time I meet Frannie at our favorite downtown café I’m sweating like a whore in
church. It must be nearly one hundred degrees outside, and if it were any more
humid, I’d be drinking the air instead of breathing it.

“Sorry,
Fran, bus was moving at the speed of sloth. Have you been waiting long?”

“Zoe
Page, you need to get your car fixed,” Frannie replies, pushing a lock of red
hair behind her ear. Frannie has been my best friend since we met four years
ago. It was my first day of work at a crappy fast food restaurant, and Frannie
was my trainer.

Her
first words to me were, “Welcome to hell. Flip those burgers.”

“Actually,
I need a job,” I sigh, unfolding today’s newspaper.

“Oh,
girl, what happened? That asshole still harassing you?”

“He
won’t be harassing anyone for a while. I’m pretty sure his balls ended up
lodged in his throat, courtesy of my foot.”

Fran
chokes on her drink. “You kicked him?”

“He
shoved me into a room and tried to stick his hand down my pants.”

“Did
you tell your boss?”

“My
boss is his mother,” I reply dryly.

“Damn.
So, you can’t go back.”

“My
days of cleaning at the Stay-a Nite Hotel are over. I’ll just have to deal with
the disappointment.” My eyes scan the help wanted page of the paper. “I need a
new job fast. I’ve just saved enough to fix my car, but I need a steady
paycheck first.”

Frannie
grins at me. “Let’s go out tonight. My treat. We’ll hit the club, drink and
dance until we don’t give a shit about anything.”

“I
don’t know. I really need to figure out what I’m going to do.”

“It’s
Saturday. You can’t job hunt until Monday. You need to have some fun.” Frannie
blinks her bright blue eyes at me. She’s gorgeous and men always drool all over
her. In addition to beautiful red hair and stunning eyes, she’s got a figure
that would make a Victoria’s Secret model jealous. Not that I’m jealous…much.
I’m no great beauty, but I don’t exactly scare children on the street.

“All
right, but just a couple of drinks.”

“Whatever
you say, girl. I’m getting trashed and finding me a man to climb.” Our waitress
laughs as she places our usual order in front of us and retreats.

“Hey,
look at this. What do you think?” I point to an ad in the paper.
Housekeeper
needed. Must be willing to work evenings and nights. Serious inquiries only.
A
phone number and address are listed below.

“Nights?”
Frannie asks, looking dubious.

“Maybe
it’s cleaning offices after hours or something. I can’t be picky. Besides,
nights work for me. My classes end at two.” I dig a pen out of my purse and
circle the ad with a sigh. I can’t believe I’m job hunting again.

* * * *

“Ethan!”
I call, trying to get through the front door of our apartment while balancing
three grocery bags.

“Damn,
Zo, you should’ve let me go with you,” my brother Ethan scolds, taking two of
the bags.

“I
just decided on the way home we need nachos for dinner.”

Ethan
grins at me and starts putting away the groceries. He’s such a good kid and
sure doesn’t deserve the shitty hand he’s been dealt. He moved in with me a
little over a year ago when our parents kicked him out.

At
only fifteen years old, I couldn’t let him go into foster care. I told him we’d
work it out, find a way to make it. Thanks to the help of a local charity for
homeless gay youth, we were able to put a deposit on this two bedroom apartment
without blowing all my student loan money. I only allow him to work in the
summer when it won’t affect his schoolwork. He’s set to become valedictorian if
he keeps on the way he’s going.

“What
are you doing tonight?” I ask.

“Is
it okay if Rob and Zach hang out? The new DLC is out for Call of Duty.”

“No
idea what that means, but sure.” Rob and Zach are his two best friends. “I’m
going out with Frannie, so try not to burn the house down.”

Most
people would be hesitant to leave a bunch of sixteen year old boys on their
own, but as a self-professed group of geeks, these boys are as trustworthy as they
come. They’ll spend the night playing video games, guzzling Mountain Dew and
watching those horrible Japanese cartoons.

His
friends show up right after dinner as I’m preparing for a night at the club. I
rarely go out like this, bars and clubs just aren’t my scene. I study my closet
with a frown and finally decide on tight jeans and a clingy red blouse. I have
no desire to spend the evening stuffed into a dress and uncomfortable heels.

“Jeans,”
Frannie moans, barging into my room.

“Save
it. I want to be comfortable, not attract assholes.”

“Babe,
you’ll do that no matter what you wear. Come on, the cab’s waiting.”

“Just
a couple of drinks,” I remind her.

“Yeah,
yeah.”

Fran
squeals with excitement when the cab drops us at Chaos, one of the most popular
Indianapolis nightclubs. Fran’s painted on mini skirt and low cut blouse get us
past the line and into the club. “What do you want to drink?” Fran shouts over
the music and chatter.

“Kamikaze.”

“That’s
what I’m talking about, girl!” She’s right. I’ve had a terrible day and I just
want to forget about it.

We
grab a table upstairs, overlooking the dance floor, where the music isn’t as
loud, and dive into our drinks. “I’m going to fuck…him,” Fran says, pointing
out a tall, dark headed pretty boy.

“Pace
yourself,” I laugh. “There are plenty to choose from.”

“So
choose one.”

“You
know I don’t do one night stands.”

“You
don’t do anyone.”

Sighing,
I down my drink and move on to the next. “I have enough to worry about without
any bullshit man drama.”

“I
love this song!” Frannie squeals, grabbing my hand. “Let’s dance.”

Once
I’m on the crowded dance floor, the drinks and music lighten my mood. Eyes
closed, I let the music flow through me and join the throng of writhing, sweaty
bodies. I can shake my ass with the best of them and there’s no shortage of men
to dance with. Frannie laughs and flashes me a brilliant smile when she spots
me dancing between two men.

The
guy facing me is a cutie. Blond hair, blue eyes and a muscular body. He rests
his hands on my hips, grinning at me when the song ends and says, “Thanks for
the dance, beautiful.”

“You’re
welcome.” I swat at the guy who seems to think dancing behind me gives him the
right to put his hand on my ass.

Blond
Guy pulls me away and glares at him until he takes off, grumbling. “Can I buy
you a drink?”

“I
shouldn’t. I’m seeing someone,” I lie. “But thanks.”

“Anytime,
sweetheart.” He heads off to sweet talk his next prospect while I head to the
bar for another drink.

I’m
really happy Frannie convinced me to come out tonight. It’s the most fun I’ve
had in months. I’m only twenty-three, but some days I feel forty. With so many
responsibilities, I just don’t have the luxury of partying and dating like a
normal young woman. There’s a kid depending on me to feed him and keep a roof
over his head.

The
young bartender nods at me as I order another Kamikaze and an ice water, hoping
to fend off a morning hangover.

“Put
it on my tab.” A shiver runs through me at the deep voice coming from behind
me, and I turn to gaze into the most amazing eyes. I stare for a moment, trying
to decide whether they’re blue or green before I remember what he said.

“Thank
you, but I’ll get it,” I tell him, causing the corner of his mouth to tuck in
with disapproval.

“I
want to buy you a drink.” His stubborn entitled attitude annoys me.

“And
I want to be ten pounds lighter and a million dollars richer. I don’t get what
I want, neither do you.” I’m being a bitch, but I’m not in the mood to deal
with another pushy male who can’t take no for an answer.

After
handing my money to the bartender, I make my way back to our table where
Frannie is cuddled up with a dark headed stranger. She always goes for the
tall, dark and handsome type. “Zoe, this is Jeremy. We met last week when he
delivered a package to me.” The package she’s hoping to receive tonight is
clear on her face, and I have to laugh at how outrageous she can be. It’s why I
love her. We’re complete opposites.

“Nice
to meet you,” I reply.

“He’s
here with a friend. You should meet him.” Here we go again. Frannie is
determined to find me a boyfriend.

“Here
he comes,” Jeremy says, waving to someone behind my back. “Landon, this is
Frannie and her friend…uh.” He struggles to remember my name.

“Zoe,”
I say reluctantly, reaching to shake his hand as he takes a seat beside me.
Well, hell. It’s the ocean eyed guy who tried to buy me a drink.

“Zoe.”
I’ve never been crazy about my name, but coming from his lips it sounds sexy.
“That’s a beautiful name.”

“Thank
you. I got it for my birthday.”

A
dimple appears in his cheek when he smiles. He really is attractive, with dark
hair that curls over his ears and thick shapely lips any woman would love to
kiss. “Can I buy you that drink now?”

I
shake my glass at him. “Still working on this one, thanks. Then I should be
going.”

“Dance
with me.”

“Is
that an order?” I snort. This guy really needs to work on his social skills.

Frannie
pulls Jeremy to his feet and grins at me. “Come on, Zo. One dance before you
go. It’s still early.”

Landon
smirks, and I want to kick him, but I agree to one dance, and we all head back
to the dance floor. The man can move, I’ll say that for him. He grins at me and
places his hands on my hips, guiding me to the beat. “So, do you hate men in
general, or did I do something to offend you?”

“I’m
just not interested in dating right now.”

Damn,
though, the way he moves his body against mine makes me want to rethink that
decision. The song switches to a slow sensual beat and he spins me around,
pulling me back against his body. His chest and abdomen are rock hard, and I
love the feel of them pressed to my back. They aren’t the only thing that’s
hard. He’s as turned on as I am. His scent fills my senses, fresh and clean
like the forest after a storm, as his soft lips brush up my neck to my ear.

“Good,
I’m not interested in dating either.”

“Glad
we’re on the same page,” I breathe, trying to remember why I don’t want this
man. His hand travels up my ribs while his other arm keeps me pinned to his
chest. The second I turn my head to look at him, his lips land on mine. Smooth
and full, they push every rational thought from my head, and his tongue wastes
no time finding its way into my mouth, licking and tasting. He completely
devastates me with just one kiss, and the smug grin on his lips when we break
apart says he knows exactly how he affected me.

My
heart thrums as his lips travel back to my ear to proclaim, “I’m interested in
getting you back to my place and planting my face between those luscious tits
before I bend you over my bed.”

My
breath flees my body and I freeze, sure I must’ve heard him wrong. “Excuse me?”

“You
heard me, Ms. Difficult. I’ll make it good. Fuck you like you need. You’ll love
it. I promise.”

Taking
a step away, I turn to gape at him. “Does that actually work for you? Telling
women you just met you want to fuck them?”

A
smirk twists his lips, and I want to smack the smug look off his face. “Pretty
much.”

My
phone buzzes in my pocket with an unfamiliar number, and I look up to see
Frannie waving Jeremy’s phone. Nodding, I wave to her and she grins, shaking
her ass. We developed this little system since Frannie is no stranger to one
night stands. If she leaves with someone we don’t know, she calls my phone from
his, so I’ll have his number. If she ends up chained in a basement, the cops
will know where to look.

I
glare up at Landon. “My friend is leaving and so am I. Good luck finding a
woman willing to overlook your crude mouth and lack of social skills.”

“Babe,
my mouth can be crude in all the right places.”

“Charming,”
I murmur, shaking my head as I push through the crowd and into the cool night.
It only takes a moment to get a taxi and I settle back against the seat,
closing my eyes. God, what a jerk. A rude conceited asshole. Who talks like
that to a woman they just met? Bend me over the bed and fuck me like I need.

His
words are still echoing through my head when I curl up in bed, though they have
a different effect on me in the dark. That body. Those lips. I doze off and
dream of the crude things his mouth could do.