“Then why,” he drawls, his voice maddeningly sure, “are you so flustered?”
“I’m not…” The words tumble out too fast, my cheeks blazing hotter, revealing just how much he affects me. I shoot him a glare, desperate to hide it, but it only makes the corner of his mouth twitch upward in that barely-there smirk.
“God, you’re insufferable,” I bite out, annoyed. “Not everything revolves around you, Landon.”
“Not everything revolves around me?” he repeats, his eyes narrowing just enough to make my stomach twist. He adjusts Liala in his arms, never once breaking that steady gaze. “Funny, Anna, because the way you are reacting now… it certainly feels like your world still spins around me.”
“You’re delusional,” I fire back, but my voice comes out all squeaky and shaky around the edges, because he’s right. And that thought terrifies me. Staying here and playing house with him is twisting everything I thought I had under control.
Before he can push further, Mick walks in. He greets me with a kiss on the forehead, and I don’t miss the way Landon’seyes harden instantly. A slow smirk tugs at my lips. I know exactly how much it bothers him. Yes, Landon may have played his part well, ignoring me and keeping his emotions in check to torment me, but controlling his jealousy has never been his forte. Maybe it’s time he feels what I’ve been feeling.
Mick crosses the room to crouch in front of Liala.
“Hey, princess!” he says, tapping her nose, his grin widening as she squeals and reaches for him.
Landon’s jaw ticks, and his arm tightens around Liala just enough to make a point, reminding Mick, in no uncertain terms, exactly whose daughter she is.
“I’m having our father-daughter time,” he bites out, his gaze flicking from Mick to me before snapping back to Mick. “And I’d appreciate it if you didn’t interrupt me.”
Mick lifts his hands. “No worries. You carry on, man. I’m here for Anna anyway.”
He glances over his shoulder at me and flashes a wink, then leans in to press a quick kiss to Liala’s forehead before dropping onto the couch beside me.
I stifle a laugh as I catch the way Landon’s entire frame goes rigid, his eyes darkening with a possessiveness he doesn’t bother to hide as Mick casually drapes an arm around my shoulders.
“Anna, I’ve missed your pancakes. Only you can make them exactly the way I like,” Mick says, pulling my attention to him.
“I just cooked for you yesterday,” I remind him, almost teasing.
“That was yesterday’s breakfast. I already miss them. Why don’t you make me some for dinner?” Mick says, pulling a ridiculous puppy face.
Before I can even reply, Landon speaks. “Princess, we haven’t opened a restaurant where people can drop in anytime with their order.”
I turn to look at him. His eyes stay fixed on Liala in his arms, but it’s clear the jab is meant for Mick.
“He’s my friend,” I say evenly. “And he’s always welcome, especially for my pancakes.”
Landon’s eyes finally snap to mine. “Well then, tell your friend that my house isn’t his diner, and my family isn’t here for his convenience.” His voice is deceptively calm, but the glare he shoots at Mick leaves no doubt as to what he means.
“If that’s a problem, Anna, you can always come back home and cook for me there,” Mick says, completely unfazed by Landon’s glare. He flashes me that boyish grin that only makes Landon’s jaw tick even harder.
“Not happening,” Landon grits out.
I raise an eyebrow, tilting my head at him. “Well, you don’t get a say in it. And I’m going.”
“You sure as hell aren’t going back to his place to cook for him,” he says, his eyes boring into mine, every inch of him daring me to defy him.
But right now, I’m very much in the mood to push him over the edge.
I open my mouth to remind him that he has no hold over me, but Mick beats me to it. “Oh, come on, man. It’s just a dinner. Don’t get all territorial over pancakes.”
“Territorial?” Landon repeats, his voice low and dangerous. “Try protective. There’s a difference, and you’d better learn it fast.”
“Well, Landon, we are not together, so my going out shouldn’t bother you. Besides, it’ll give you and Liala some bonding time,” I say, enjoying the way I can see it getting under his skin.
Landon’s eyes never leave mine as he exhales slowly, his voice calm, belying the storm simmering beneath. “You don’thave to go to his house for me to have bonding time with my daughter.”
“I do,” I reply, and before he can get another word out, I turn to Mick. “I’ll be there by seven.”
