Lies in Love (27 page)

Holy hell, he’s
amazing.
It
was the only coherent thought she could form as he worked her over,
his tongue darting in and out, around and around in those tormenting
circles. “God, Landon. You’re so good.”

He lapped up her center one
last time then briskly moved over her and slammed into her. It was a
take-no-prisoners assault. He hit every single intense spot, sending
her on a mind-numbing spiral out of control. That beating against her
most sensitive of places had her in a frenzy. She couldn’t
think or even see straight. She could only focus on the sound of his
breaths, rough and ragged as he continued to thrust into her.

When every inch of her was
just a worn-out shell, he flipped her over and thrust into her again,
his movements even more agonizing as his sack beat heavily against
her mound. She was completely euphoric with every plunge, her pussy
gripping him as she began to tremble beneath him. He continued to
crash into her until she could barely catch a breath. When he finally
fell over the brink he collapsed on top of her, kissing her neck,
then her cheek, then placing a soft kiss on the side of her nose.

“What have you done to
me, Petal?” His head nestled in the crook of her neck as he
panted against her skin.

Talia laughed at the
nickname. “Why do you call me Petal?”

“I’m sorry. I’ll
stop.” He fell alongside her, softly smiling.

“No, I kinda like it
now. It’s growing on me.”

Landon laughed but didn’t
answer.

When Talia was tired of
waiting, she asked again, “So why Petal?”

“It’s stupid.”
He rolled to his back and stared at the ceiling.

Talia rolled to her side,
leaning against him.

“My grandfather called
my grandmother Petal. I’d never used the term before, but when
I met you it just…” he looked over at her, “fit.”

Talia looked at the truth in
his deep blue eyes, feeling the weight of a thousand words that
neither of them said. When he extended his arm above her, she cuddled
in next to him, resting her head on his chest. She lay there simply
listening to the sound of his heartbeat as it returned to normal.
When they were both calm and breathing, Landon startled her with a
question.

“So how did it go with
the girls?”

She wasn’t expecting
that. She wasn’t quite sure he wanted an honest answer. “I
think they’re still hung up on my ex-fiancé.” It
was the first time she had mentioned him to Landon. She didn’t
want to go into great detail, but it was the only thing she could
attribute to their unwavering discord.

“An ex-fiancé?”
Landon sounded intrigued.

“Yes, ex, as in out of
sight, out of mind.”

“That bad, huh?”

Talia didn’t say
anything. She knew the silence spoke volumes.

“So what happened?”

Talia rolled her eyes,
certain Landon couldn’t see her. “It could never work.
There wasn’t that spark between us, not like the spark I feel
with you.” She nuzzled into his neck, nibbling along his
jawline as she moved down his body. When she’d straddled him
with her body strategically placed, she rubbed her breasts up and
down his chest. She hoped it would get his mind off of the subject
and onto more stimulating matters.

“God, Talia. You’re
insatiable.” He gripped her hips and eagerly began round two.

“You
leaving again?” Talia rolled over when she heard the alarm
going off and found Landon sitting up on the edge of the bed.

“I’m
going to get in some gym time. Gotta keep looking good for my Petal.”
He smiled then leaned over and kissed her on the forehead.

“I’ve
got a better idea for working out.” Even through a sleepy haze,
Talia wanted Landon back in bed with her.

“As
tempting as that offer is, I think it would be best if I wasn’t
here when the girls came into work.”

Talia
nodded while feeling a little rebuffed.

“I’ll
be back soon.” He kissed her forehead once more as her eyes
fell closed. “Oh, don’t make any plans this evening. I
want to take you out somewhere special.”

Talia’s
eyes opened, a mix of excitement and exhaustion.

“Go
back to sleep. I’ll see you in a few hours.” After
another quick kiss, he was gone.

She
laid in bed thinking of the possibilities. Where was he taking her?
They hadn’t been out on an actual date since she hired him on
at the shop. Inundated with anticipation, Talia was certain she
wouldn’t fall back to sleep anytime soon.

Getting
through the day was agonizing. With few deliveries to keep him busy,
Landon spent a large part of the day watching the clock tick slowly
by. He couldn’t wait to show Talia the place that was his
saving grace after his parents’ divorce. It was where he met
Ethan for the first time and held so much significance for the way
his life turned out. That time in his life served as a turning point
for him and this time now was another turning point in the road
ahead. It had been years since he’d been back, but it was
important that he return there, with Talia, to close that chapter in
his life. He had fallen for Talia fast, and he had to tell her
everything if he was going to take their relationship any deeper. She
had to know who he was and that because of her, because of who she
made him want to be, he had changed. She was making him the person he
was meant to be.

While
trying to stay out of the way he sat in the back room deep in thought
and was startled when Talia snuck up behind him.

“I
convinced Sara to close up shop for me so we can get going a little
earlier than planned. Is that okay?” She had a giddy smile on
her face.

“That’s
perfect. Maybe we can catch the sunset while we head out.”
Landon formed a smile as Talia jumped up and down. He couldn’t
remember a time when he’d seen her this excited. The thought of
telling her about his escorting days filled him with guilt knowing
that her elation would soon be doused with news she probably never
expected to hear. He wondered if he could really do this. He didn’t
want to break her heart and he feared what he would lose if he told
her everything, but he didn’t feel like he could go another day
without telling her the truth. It was eating away at him and keeping
him from fully embracing what was growing between them.

He
was brooding when she came back down the stairs in an electric-blue
form-fitting mini sweater dress with a deep V-neck, smoky gray
tights, and black furry boots with a mid-calf rise, a black leather
jacket hung over her arm. He’d taken the whole outfit in, but
his eyes were continually drawn to the swell just above her deep
neckline. Her hair was down, flowing over her shoulders and falling
just next to her breasts. Her red hair against that electric blue
kept his eyes locked in place as her chest rose and fell with each
breath.

When
she reached the bottom of the stairs she stopped and stared at him.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” She slipped on her
jacket as she waited for an answer

Her
question pulled his gaze back to her face. “I’m sorry,
you just look so delectable. Maybe we should stay in this evening.”
He was moving toward her when her words stopped him.

“Oh
no you don’t. Get your head in gear, because you promised me a
night out and we are going.” Her face was plastered in a
teasing smile.

“Yes,
ma’am.” As he extended his arm to her, he wondered if he
could go through with his plan. He wasn’t sure he was willing
to potentially destroy what he’d built with her.

“So,
where are we going?”

Landon
shook his head. “It’s a surprise.”

“Fine.”
She immediately began sulking.

He
couldn’t help but laugh. She looked so innocent, pouting like a
child. He innocently whispered in her ear, “Half of the fun is
the thrill of the surprise.”

Talia’s
pout immediately vanished as they walked arm in arm to his bike. She
waved merrily at the girls as they left.

Landon
slipped on his jacket and climbed on his bike first then handed Talia
his helmet. He wished he could watch her climb on in that mini dress,
but he knew it was safer if he was on first for stability. When she
was nestled against him with her hands grasping his waist, he pulled
away from the curb. He went back and forth with whether or not it was
truly the right time to tell her about his escorting days. If he told
her about his past, he would have to tell her the real reason they
met. He had to avoid that topic, because he promised the girls he
wouldn’t divulge their secret. He was caught between a rock and
a hard place with what to say, and was glad when the sunset
surrounded them and he heard Talia gasp in his ear.

“It’s
so beautiful.”

He
wished he could see her face, the awe that he knew was there as they
drove. He was thankful they were on his motorcycle when they got
caught in traffic. He made his way around the gridlock and got them
to their destination quicker than he expected, or maybe it was just
that time seemed to pass so much more rapidly when she was this
close. Her nearness always had his head swimming. No amount of time
with her ever seemed long enough. He had every intention of making
the most of this evening as they arrived to their destination and he
backed his Harley to the curb. When they were off of the motorcycle
and Talia had removed his helmet, she looked to him, bemused.

“A
pool hall?”

“It
means a lot to me.” He took Talia’s hand in his. “Come
on.”

Inside,
the hall was smoky and dark. There were several men scattered about
enjoying a beer or two with the occasional woman sprinkled in. Talia
nestled closer to him, looking a little uneasy until Landon slipped
his arm around her and escorted her to the bar at the side of the
room.

“Well
if it isn’t Mr. Heartbreaker? How you doin’, Landon?”
Joey, the owner, approached them from behind the bar, his bald head
reflecting the beer lights.

“I’m
good, Joey. It’s been too long.”

“Damn
right.” Joey reached across the bar to shake Landon’s
hand. “What’s it been, five years?”

“Six.”
Landon felt a pang of guilt surface. This place meant so much to him,
but he hadn’t returned since the day he moved in with Ethan. He
still wasn’t sure why he decided to leave everything about his
past behind. He had to make that right, now.

“Damn,
six years? What ya been up to, kid?” Joey was leaning on the
bar, fiddling with a toothpick in his mouth.

“Same
old same old.” Landon went for nonchalant to avoid the honest
answer to Joey’s question. He pulled Talia close to him, trying
to change the subject. “I brought Talia here to see the place
that saved my life.” He knew he was saying so much with those
few words.

“Bah,
you were alright, kid. You were just having a tough time. It
happens.” Joey pulled the toothpick from between his lips, his
full belly bouncing as he laughed. “Looks like everything’s
working out pretty well for ya now.” He waggled his eyebrows at
Talia and she immediately squirmed in Landon’s arms. “Joey
Worsham.” He wiped his hand on a rag that he’d pulled
from his jeans then extended his hand to her.

“Talia.”
Landon saw her smile, but he could sense the nerves behind it. This
wasn’t a place she was used to frequenting.

“Well,
make yourselves at home. Mary will be in later if you’re still
around. I know she’d love to see ya.” He smiled brightly
as he placed two beers on the bar and walked away.

“Who’s
Mary?” Talia looked up at Landon.

“Mary
is Joey’s wife. She was like a mother to me after…”
He looked at Talia and decided they should sit down before he started
spilling the gruesome details of his past. He took her hand and
uttered, “Let’s grab a table.”

“Are
you okay?”

He
knew she was reading him like a book. “When I’m with you,
everything is perfect.” He kissed her hand and led her to a
table in the back of the hall, far away from prying ears. “I
brought you here because I wanted to tell you about my past. I feel
like what’s between us really means something and I feel it
wouldn’t be fair to go on without you knowing where I come
from.”