“It means I don’t want to fight.”
He sighs. “I don’t want to fight either, but babe, these guys have proven they’re ruthless. They found me and my apartment, which means they have connections. Putting you out there is dangerous.”
“What’s the alternative? We hide out in different apartments for the next ten years?” I give him a little nudge even though it doesn’t move him so much as an inch.
“I don’t know. That’s what Dan and I were discussing.”
“If we’re going to be together, we have to communicate. It’s important to me. Otherwise, this is never going to work.”
He opens his mouth but then closes it again. Like he wanted to say something but thought better of it.
“I told you I wasn’t sure if I was going to be a good boyfriend,” he says after a moment.
“And I’m helping you with that by expressing what I need. Which is to discuss things. Everything. Even when we disagree.Especiallywhen we disagree.”
Landon watches my face for a beat and then winds his fingers through mine, tugging me down the hallway and toward an area I’ve never been in before. There’s a staircase around the corner and he pushes open the door, letting me walk in ahead of him.
“Okay. This area is still under construction,” he says. “So, we should have a modicum of privacy.”
“Why do we need privacy?” I tease, moving closer to him.
His hands slide around my waist, holding me in place. “Don’t tease me, woman.”
“Why not?”
“I thought you wanted to talk.”
“I do.” I lean up on my tiptoes and lightly press my lips to his. “But kissing is nice too.”
He growls in response and yanks me hard against his chest, mouth finding mine.
“You think you’re distracting me,” he murmurs against my lips, “but I know what you’re up to.”
I chuckle as I wind my arms around his neck. “Yeah? What are you going to do about it?”
His eyes darken and the next thing I know he’s lifted me off the ground and thrown me over his shoulder. One hand comes down, smacking my ass, as he takes the stairs two at a time.
“Landon!” I shriek, though I’m laughing. “Where are we going?”
“You wanted a distraction—I’ve got one for you.” He pulls open the door to the second floor and it’s nothing but a chaotic mess of ladders, paint cans, random pieces of drywall, and unopened boxes of tile.
He carries me past all of it to a small room in the back that has a love seat, some folding chairs, and a mini fridge.
“What is this?” I ask, twisting to see even though I’m still over his shoulder.
“Chaos was staying here for a while but he found a month-to-month rental.” He sets me on my feet and gives me a devilish smile. “Your choice—you want to talk or fuck?”
“We can’t do both?” I ask.
“Not at the same time.”
I look around. “Here?” My voice comes out more like a squeak.
“You have three seconds to pull your pants down,” he says.
I’m only torn for a heartbeat—we really do need to talk—but sex is more fun.
I slide down my shorts and panties as he points to the little love seat. “Bend over the back.”
