I stared, unable to form the words because I swore this man had the ability to scramble my brain in seconds.
I heard the door come open behind me, followed by the clicking of heels. “Chloe, I said we—” The clicking paused, my heart raced, and Landon looked past me to the woman standing behind me.
“Hey you.” I watched his face for any reaction that would confirm he felt an ounce of attraction toward her. “Did you finally stop by to take me out for that drink you promised me?”
I felt her arm brush up against mine, and I held my breath, waiting.
“Actually, I think it was you that offered that.” My heart sank.
“Tomato, tomahto.” She laughed, and something shifted inside of me. Something dark and ugly. I wanted to slap her, face Holly and just give it all I had. More like punch her in her nose. I wanted to release all the frustrations I felt on this woman and not feel an ounce of guilt. This was not me; I was not this person.
“If you’ll excuse me.” I held on to my bag a little tighter and moved toward my car. I heard my name, followed by Holly’s annoying coos, but I didn’t stop. I just wanted to distance myself from this entire situation and figure it out in the privacy of my own home with a bottle of wine.
Just as I rounded the end of Landon’s truck, I found myself trapped between his and mine. I felt him grab my hand. I stumbled, and he held on a little tighter, forcing me to face him.
“Hey, Kitten.” Again my heart felt like it seized in my chest. “Why are you rushing off?”
My chest shook annoyingly as I took in a deep breath. I was hoping he hadn’t noticed, but when concern filled his eyes, I understood that Landon was a very observant man.
“I didn’t promise her anything.” Looking away, I squeezed my eyes tightly to ward off the rush of emotions I did not want to feel. Landon stepped in closer, and with his hand, he cupped my cheek, using his thumb to guide my chin up. My gaze met his, and a shiver ran through me. “Talk to me.”
“I’m fine.” Pressing my lips into a tight line, I counted in my mind over and over, refusing to give in to all this dramatic bullshit that had managed to fall in my lap suddenly.
“You’re not, but I get it.” The way his thumb soothingly traced over my jaw was comforting. “I told you before that I’m not interested in Holly.”
I closed my eyes, again feeling my emotions get the best of me.
“I thought I’d made it clear who I was interested in, but someone has clarified the situation to me recently. A wise woman gave me a little nudge and told me to man up, make it clear, and not to leave anymore for guessing.”
Opening my eyes, I found Landon staring at me with a softness in his eyes. His hand still cupped my face, his thumb still exploring the contour of my jaw.
“You, Chloe Rigdon.” I shuddered at his words. “I’m interested in you, only you.” I nodded like some damned fool, but I couldn’t think of anything else to offer. I was a little thrown about everything that was happening.
Chapter Sixteen
Landon
She was so beautiful it hurt. My chest felt tight, and my legs felt heavy as I watched and waited for just the right moment to bring this unsettled uncertainty between us to rest. I wanted Chloe, not just for now, but I wanted to see where this thing between us could go. And when I said that, I meant I was looking toward the future, far off and not just a month from now.
I’d only spent a little time alone with her, but in that time, I’d come to realize that there was so much more to this sweet woman, and I wanted to know it all.
“I came here tonight to ask you if I could take you out on a date.” Her brows wrinkled in the cutest way. “No fishing, no night out with the crowd, just you and me.”
Again she nodded, and I wanted to laugh, but I held strong.
“That’s a yes?” I gripped her hip with my free hand and took one more step closer. “Say it.” My nose grazed hers, and her breath hitched.
“Yes,” she whispered.
I leaned in, and she closed her eyes, expecting me to kiss her. I wanted to, more than anything, but I didn’t want it to be here. Not after everything that had just taken place. I would save it for tonight. I also knew it would kill me to do so. Instead, I pressed a kiss to her cheek, directly at the corner of her mouth.
“You head home.” I stepped back, creating space between us before I decided to throw it all out the window and pin her against the side of my truck or hers. “We’ll both get cleaned up, and then I’ll be by to pick you up at seven.”
We were back to the nodding thing as she repositioned her purse on her shoulder. Fucking beautiful, breathtaking, and the woman didn’t have a single clue of her beauty.
I led her to her truck with my hand on the small of her back. After she was safely tucked inside, I offered
