Landon (In Safe Hands Book 1) (14 page)

With
a sigh, I look into her golden brown eyes. “Yes.”

Her
wide eyes and the way she takes a step back tell me she may have suspected, but
she didn’t really believe it. “This…is this what ISH does? Kills pedophiles? Oh
my god. How many people have you? You know what? Never mind. I have to get out
of here.”

I
can’t let her go while she’s in a panic. “Zoe, stop. I’ll tell you everything
you want to know.” At least she doesn’t flinch away when I grab her wrist. She
may be freaked out, but she isn’t afraid of me. “Please…just…let’s sit on the
porch,” I plead.

After
a second of hesitation, she nods and follows me to the wooden porch swing. “Do
you remember when we were watching the program about child molesters and you
said they should be put to death? Did you mean that?”

“Yes,
but-”

“Just
let me explain. Yes, I pushed him off of the bridge. No, I’ve never killed
before, and I don’t want to ever again. ISH isn’t a group of serial killers. We
really do report the offenders to the police department…most of the time. But,
Zo, there are some guys who are nothing but a threat. Repeat or extremely
violent offenders that the courts just keep releasing back into society. In
those rare cases, we take them out before they can target another child.

“Arlen
George had a rap sheet a mile long. He’s been molesting and raping kids since
he was a teenager. He’s spent half his life in prison, yet was able to get out
and abuse your brother’s friend. He never would’ve stopped.

“I
saw how devastated Ethan was and how it affected you as well. I watched you
leap into action and report it to social services. I couldn’t just stand there
and do nothing when I knew we could help, but I only intended to report him to
the cops until I found out about his past.”

Zoe
remains quiet throughout my explanation and for a few minutes after I finish.
I’ve never been so nervous in my life. Finally, she shakes her head. “He did it
before and they let him out. This never should’ve happened to Colin. I know you
don’t know him, but he’s a sweet kid, funny and quiet.” She turns, a blazing
look on her face. “Thank you,” she says fiercely.

Will
this woman always be able to surprise me? I expected fear, disgust, or horror.
She’s thanking me? She gets to her feet. “You never have to worry about me
telling anyone. I should go.”

“Don’t.
Stay with me. I’ve missed you.” My fingers wrap around her wrist, but she
resists when I try to pull her down beside me.

“I’m
not stupid, Landon. You want to fuck. Then when you get bored, I won’t hear
from you again. Sorry, but I have a little more self-esteem than that.”

She’s
trying to sound pissed, and I’m sure she is, but all I can hear is the hurt in
her voice. The pain that I put there. “I know. I know it was an asshole move
and I’m sorry. I know I should let you go. I should leave you alone to live a
normal life with someone who doesn’t have to hide in a shitty hotel. And I
thought I could, but these weeks without you have been torture. You’re all I
can think about. I’m sorry I ignored you, but I’ve never been in love before,
and I didn’t know what to do. I thought I was doing what was best for you—and
maybe I was—but I’m selfish and I love you and I want you back.”

Her
gaze meets mine as she sits down on the swing beside me and whispers, “Say it
again.”

My
fingers slide around her neck, delving into the soft hair on her nape. “I want
you back.”

“Not
that, you asshole.”

Laughing,
I pull her into my arms. “I love you.”

“It’s
about damn time.”

“Come
home with me, Ms. Difficult. I need you in my bed tonight. I’m going to lick
every inch of you.”

Moonlight
sparkles in her eyes when she sits back and replies, “I’ve missed you, too,
Dumbledore.”

“Who
the hell is Dumbledore?”

“The
headmaster, duh.”

Zoe

Wow.
I came here worried Landon was a murderer, and left with it confirmed, his arm
tucked around me. I suppose I should be scared, worried that if a man can kill
once, he won’t hesitate to do it again, but I’m not afraid of Landon. I know
he’d never hurt me, or any innocent person. I want to know more about ISH,
about the risks he takes, and what I may be risking by being with him, but now
is not the time. I just want to revel in the feeling of his warm arm around me.
No matter how busy I’ve kept, or how much I tried to forget him, to pretend I
didn’t care, I missed the hell out of him.

There’s
still something I need to know. “Have you been seeing anyone?” I ask as we walk
to my car.

“What?
No! Have you?” He looks infuriated at the thought.

“No,
so, just to be clear, you haven’t fucked anyone else? No bar sluts?”

He
stops and cups my jaw. “No. You’re all I need. All I could think about. My poor
hands are chapped from taking you to bed with me every night and waking up with
you every morning. Even though it was only in my head.”

“That
was almost romantic,” I laugh.

His
lips take mine in a fierce kiss. “I’ll show you romance later, baby.” My ass
stings under the palm of his hand, and I squeal, stepping to the side before he
can swat me again. “Now get in. I’m driving.”

“Savage.”

“Ms.
Difficult.”

“I
love you.”

“Of
course you do.”

Landon
slows the car and turns into a gas station. “I’m going to grab a drink,” I tell
him, hopping out of the car. “Do you want anything?”

“No
thanks.” I steal a glance at him as he slides the nozzle in and starts pumping
gas. He’s so damn gorgeous. He catches me staring and winks at me, his lips
raised in a crooked smile. Smiling, I turn and head into the station.

I’m
grabbing a cold soda when I hear a familiar voice coming from the next aisle. I
can’t place it right away, but before I can spend any time trying to remember,
Jason steps around the corner with another man in tow. I haven’t heard a word
from him since our date.

“Zoe,”
he exclaims. “Hey, how are you?”

“Fine,”
I reply. “How have you been?”

“Good,
good.” He nods, looking uncomfortable. “Look, I’m sorry I never called. I had a
really good time with you.”

“It’s
okay, really.”

His
friend remains silent, looking from one of us to the other, trying to work out
who I am. As I turn to walk away, Jason grabs my wrist. “Zoe, wait. I really do
want to apologize. My ex and I got back together. I should’ve called and
explained.”

A
strong arm wraps protectively around my shoulders. “Are you ready, babe?”
Landon asks, glaring at Jason.

“Yep.
It was nice seeing you again, Jason. No hard feelings?”

“None
at all.” He grins and walks away.

Landon
peers down at me, and I give him a look of warning. I know he recognized Jason,
and I’m prepared for him to act like an ass. “Your ex?” he asks, his voice
even.

“No.
We had one date. He’s just another guy who cut off all communication with no
explanation.”

He
winces and looks me in the eye, guilt clearly written on his face. “I’m sorry,
Zo. I’ll never do that to you again.”

“Good.
I’d hate to have to kick your ass.”

A
smile crawls across his face, and we start toward the front of the store, his
arm still around my shoulders. “I can’t take you anywhere.”

“I’m
sure you have a much longer trail of broken hearts behind you.”

We
climb back into the car. “You’re my first and only relationship. I’ve never
trusted a woman enough to tell her about my condition.”

My
hand wraps around his. “Then I guess you’re stuck with me.”

A
smile stays on his face as he focuses on driving. I text Ethan to let him know
I’ll be staying at Landon’s as we head down the highway. “Everything okay?”
Landon asks.

“Yep,
Ethan’s staying at a friend’s house tonight, but I wanted him to know where I’d
be just in case.”

“How
is he dealing with everything?”

“He’s
worried about Colin and what will happen when he gets out of the hospital, but
he’s a strong kid. He’ll be okay.” He’s been through worse. I hate it for him,
but it is what it is. “He’s excited about moving and getting his license.”

“You’re
moving?”

“Oh!
Yeah, I forgot to mention, I bought a house.”

A
bright smile cracks his face. “That’s great! Is it nearby?”

“North
side of town. I’m having furniture delivered tomorrow. Maybe you could come by
tomorrow night?”

“I’d
love to.” He veers onto an exit that’s nowhere near his hotel.

“Where
are we going?”

“It’s
poker night at Dare’s place. I just want to stop by and let him know I’m
sitting this one out.”

I
rest my hand on his thigh, the firm muscle under my fingers is enough to make
me want to get him naked. “You don’t have to cancel on your friends. We can get
together tomorrow night.”

His
ocean eyes are illuminated by a streetlight. “I’m not letting you out of my
sight. Besides, I want you to meet the guys.”

I
guess he’s serious if he wants me to meet his friends. “What am I supposed to
know about ISH?”

“Just
what I told you before, that we track predators and report them. I’ll talk to
them later, but for now…”

“I’d
rather they not know I know about ISH’s extracurricular activities,” I assure
him.

Dare
lives in an apartment complex that makes mine look like a ghetto. Well, judging
by the gunshots and overall poverty of my neighborhood, I guess it is a ghetto.
We drive by a large swimming pool and clubhouse before parking outside of a
small building. It looks like there are two apartments per building, and Landon
leads me to the door on the left.

“You
assholes better have clothes on,” he calls out in lieu of knocking, and pulls
me through the doorway. “I have my girl with me.”

“Who
the hell is that?” a voice calls from a back room.

“Looks
and sounds like Landon, but he said he has a girl, so I can’t be sure,” Dare answers
with a grin. A large folding table with four chairs is set up in the center of
the living room. Dare and Jeremy are seated on opposite sides, arranging piles
of bills and coins. Dare gestures to the couch across the room from them. “It’s
good to see you again, Zoe. Have a seat.”

“Holy
shit, what happened here and where was I?” The mystery voice belongs to a blond
man with a long, lean, muscular body. I know this because he struts in wearing
only a towel, a razor clutched in his hand.

“Justus,
get some damn clothes on before I tear you a new asshole!” Landon demands.

“I
had to shave. I have to perform in a few hours.” Good god, what kind of
performance are we talking about?

“Well,
take it back in the bathroom. Nobody wants to see that shit,” Jeremy gripes.

“Women
of all ages pay to see my shit,” Justus retorts, giving me a wink before
retreating back to the bathroom.

“Don’t
mind him,” Jeremy advises. “Strippers have no manners.” He regards Landon.
“Justus is only staying for a few hands. Are you bitching out on us, too?”

Landon
sits beside me, throwing an arm around my shoulder. “I have more important
things to do tonight.”

“And
you know I’ll take all your money,” Dare taunts.

“Go
kick his ass,” I tell Landon, and he grins down at me. “I’m not in a hurry.”

“Just
a few hands. I’m in a hurry to get you home and naked,” he murmurs in my ear,
before joining his friends at the table.

Justus
emerges from the bathroom, this time wearing jeans and a T-shirt. Dare gestures
to him to join the game, but he flops onto the couch beside me. “I’ll sit this
one out.” I’m met with a teasing grin. “I want to get to know Zoe. She’s
gorgeous.”

He
scoots closer. “So, Zoe, since Landon’s busy, why don’t you come to my show?
I’ll get you a great seat right up front.”

Landon
is on his feet in half a second, pulling Justus to the table. “She’s not
watching you strip, asshole. Leave her alone before I beat your ass.”

Dare
and Jeremy laugh as Justus blows me a kiss before taking his seat, and Landon
tries to give him a dirty look, but the corner of his mouth twitches up. Justus
was obviously trying to rile him up. Something tells me it’s not out of the
ordinary for these guys.

I
don’t know how long they’ve all known each other, but they’re obviously close.
I suppose the work they do brings them closer together, makes them trust and
depend on each other, and I’m glad they have Landon’s back. We stay for a
little over an hour, and I have to admit, they’re funny. Listening to them
taunt and insult each other is hilarious.

It
doesn’t hurt that they’re all too hot to be real. Seriously, I don’t think I’ve
ever been in a room with so many lickable guys. I’m not surprised Justus is a
stripper with his lean, muscular body, and blond curls. Dare is a pile of
muscle topped with dark hair and a wicked grin. That smile must drop panties
all over town. Jeremy is more classically handsome, clean cut with neatly
trimmed brown hair and a slender build.

I
wonder why I’m the only woman here. Surely, men like these can’t all be single,
unless—like Landon—they don’t date, just fuck.

It’s
after ten when we finally say goodbye, and return to Landon’s hotel suite. The
weeks apart have been as difficult for him as they were for me, judging by the
way he tears my clothes off the second we get through the door. My back is
pressed against the sitting room wall as our lips slam together, tongues
battling for dominance. I make short work of his clothes as well, and after a
peek at how hard he is for me, I can’t resist dropping to my knees.

I’m
rewarded with a yelp when I suck him in, showing no mercy. My hands find his
firm ass and squeeze while he fists my hair, making me groan. His moans and
curses encourage me and I work him faster, rolling his balls between my
fingers. “Zoe, I’m going to come if you don’t stop,” he warns, breathing hard. He’s
losing control and I love it. His hands slam against the wall, holding him up
as he comes, and I swallow, making him groan.

He’s
still catching his breath as I slide up the wall until we’re eye to eye. His
lips tilt and an eyebrow climbs his forehead at the sight of my expression.
“I’m going to wipe that smug little smile off of your face,” he warns, grabbing
me around the thighs and carrying me over to the couch. I’m bent over the arm
as he pushes my feet apart with his foot. A gasp escapes when I feel his tongue
delve between my legs, and I start to stand up. “No, you don’t. Bend back over
that couch. Keep your hands on the cushion.”

“Or?”
I taunt.

“Or
I’ll tie them together and spank your little ass.”

My
heartbeat triples. “Not exactly a deterrent.”

Chuckling,
he plants a palm on my back and pushes me down again. His cock prods my ass as
he bends over me, his chest to my back, and murmurs in my ear. “In due time,
baby. I’m going to spank that ass, and fuck it, but tonight I’m going to eat
you until you can’t stand up, then fuck you until you can’t walk. Now, hold still.”

His
palm meets my ass with a delightful sting before he plants both hands on my
thighs, holding them apart while his tongue resumes its divine torture between
my legs. His fingers join in, dipping and rubbing. Fuck, but the man is
talented. And true to his word. After too many orgasms to count, my legs are
shaking as I hear him unwrap a condom.

A
moment later, I’m filled with him, stretched to the limit.

* * * *

It’s
afternoon, but we’re still lounging in bed. After last night, I may never walk
again. I hate to leave, but I’ll have to soon. Peeking up at him from my comfy
place curled against his side, I tell him, “Schools are closed this week for
teacher’s meetings, so I need to spend some time at home. I don’t want to leave
Ethan alone too much.”

Landon
is quiet for a few moments before a smile climbs across his face. “Let’s go
somewhere. Do you like the beach?”

“Of
course, but, surely you can’t…”

“We
can have fun after the sun goes down. You and Ethan can enjoy the beach during
the day. He could bring a friend to hang out with in the evenings. Panama City
Beach wouldn’t be crowded this time of year and I’ll arrange for a suite for
us, plus a room for Ethan and a friend.”

His
eyes burn with the excitement that’s clear in his voice and I really don’t want
to disappoint him, but we can’t just up and run to Florida. “Last minute plane
tickets cost a fortune, and I can’t let you-”

“I’ve
got more money than I’ll ever be able to spend, Zoe,” he interrupts. “You work
so hard to take care of Ethan. You deserve a week away, and after the month
he’s had, I’m sure Ethan could use a break. Plus, I’d like to get to know him.
We can take a night flight tomorrow night, and be checked in before dawn.”