That same imagination tended to use itself against me. There had been nights over the last few years, as much as I hated to admit it, where I wondered if Landon was with another girl. If he had left knowing there was someone better out there. If hewantedsomeone better. Someone prettier or more experienced or more sexual than me.
This helped.
Landon: What are you wearing?
Kira: I’m changing into my pajamas.
Landon: Oversized T-shirt and panties?
Another thing that hasn’t changed, I thought with a blush.
Kira: Yes.
Landon: I always loved that look on you. You’re always so casual and cute, it makes me want to lock you to my bed and call you mine for a week straight.
Kira: Landon. I don’t even want these pajamas on anymore. I’m so wet it’s making me blush.
Landon: Fuck. Okay. Take them off.
Landon: Touch yourself.
Landon: If you want.
Kira: I will.
Ididwant. Very, very much. That was almost as shocking as me diving headfirst into sexting Landon. My feelings for him never truly left. Now that they had upped in their intensity, I had begun to reacquaint myself with the feelings of lust, too.
Rocking my hips against my hand, I imagined it was histhigh there instead. Maybe his mouth was watering for a taste of me. I thought he wanted me that bad. I hoped he did. I thought of all the ways he might want it, imagined myself held and caressed and fucked, Landon’s deep voice in my ear whisperingyou’re so wet for meandI want you to come.
The phone made no sound when I dropped it against the bed so I could touch myself, fast and desperate, until I did come, twitching and gasping in my full-size but otherwise empty bed.
Oh my God.Where did that come from?
Kira: I did it.
Landon: Good. I did too.
Kira: Good.
Landon: I know it hasn’t been long since I last saw you, but I miss you.
Landon: I’m going to fall asleep any minute.
And that, above the sexy words and actions, was what meant the most to me. Maybe it was because I was still basking in the warmth of my orgasm, but his words touched me in a way fingers could never.
Kira: Good night, Landon.
Landon: Good night, Picasso.
I caught my breath and instinctively reached for the book on my nightstand. It was a romance book I’d read a few times, one that I turned to when I needed a mood booster. But when my hands grazed the cover, I realized I didn’t need it tonight and hadn’t in a while.
18
LANDON
“Your girlfriend is so talented.” Mom swung an arm around me.
The two of us stood behind the counter at the diner, watching Kira crouch near the wall, paintbrush in hand, adding the last delicate stroke of white to the corner of a swirling cloud. Morning light streamed through the windows, making each color on the freshly painted mural appear very bright.
