I lean forward in my seat as they kickoff and right out of the gate, I knew Auburn would play dirty.
"Come on ref, that's a facemask!" I yell, getting to my feet.
"Damn near ripped his head off!" Mr. Greene adds.
"Typical Tigers!" Everleigh screams right after.
I shake my head, sitting back in my seat and feel eyes on me. I turn and see Landry smirking at me and his dimpled smile causes me to melt a little.
"What?" I ask.
"Nothing, nothing. You just...you're sexy when you get heated like that."
I blush, discreetly looking over towards the girls and Mr. Greene but they're too occupied with the game.
"I...I am?"
"Hell yes you are," he whispers, leaning closer to me as he presses a soft kiss to my cheek. Immediately, my hormones jump at the contact and I have to swallow down the moan trying to slither free.
"What um...what are you doing tonight? Do you...do you wanna do dinner later?" I rasp.
Do dinner. Do me. Either or, maybe both?
"I told you once and I'll tell you again. Anytime. Any place. You want me to do something, I'm gonna do it."
"God," I whisper, squeezing my eyes shut. "Me then?"
"Hmm?"
I snap my eyes open and shake my head, stuttering now, trying to back track.
"I mean, me. Like dinner with me? Six, maybe? I...I wanna shower and stuff and…" Calm myself down before I jump your bones before we even get to dinner.
"That works, I'll pick you up. I have the perfect place in mind. I promise it'll be amazing this time."
I laugh, feeling the tension break as I remember that disaster of a first date.
"Last time was my fault. I didn't know how to tell you I was Siren and…"
The stadium erupts with cheers and I look over to the field and get to my feet, screaming through my hands as Landry does the same with a big smile on his face.
"Go Dawgs! Sic 'em! Woof! Woof! Woof!"
"So I'm really going in for the big guns right now," Landry laughs, slipping his hand to the small of my back as we walk into the elevator of my apartment building.
"Oh?"
"Have you ever been to La Grotta?"
I open my mouth and smile, pressing my lips together. "Italian, huh?"
"Like I said, big guns. If it's terrible, I apologize but it had amazing reviews and I picked out a table for us outside in their garden. It's beautiful."
My stomach growls at the thought of Italian food and I giggle, embarrassed.
"Sorry. My stomach has been weird today," I admit, having spent most of halftime this afternoon throwing up the cookies I scarfed down this morning along with my eggs and bacon.
I thought I was going to get away with not having the dreaded morning sickness, but it plowed its way through today, full force.
Landry smiles and that dimple and eye squint when he does, causes my leg muscles to tighten. I'm apparently hungry for more than just food right now though.
We step out onto the street and the fresh air smacks me in the face, keeping me in check.
Not yet, Magnolia. Not until you tell him.
"I chose it so we can walk. You okay with that? It's only two blocks."
"Of course. These shoes are actually pretty comfortable."
Landry takes a step away from me and his eyes burn across my skin as he takes me in from my heels to my hair.
"God, I'm an idiot. I didn't even tell you how incredible you look tonight. In a Dawgs jersey or dressed to the nines. Always breathtaking."
I blush, shaking my head as I start to walk down the street and Landry catches up to me and slips his hand in mine, curling his fingers tightly around my own.
Something tingles up my arm, a foreign feeling because I've never...held a man's hand before. Giacomo was different. He was cold and what we shared wasn't love, it was obligation.
I tighten my grip around Landry's fingers, looking sideways at him and smiling. "You look handsome tonight too. Even in the Bulldogs hat too."
He winks and we walk down the street, comfortable enough to embrace the silence and not fill it with meaningless conversation. I inhale the air, keep myself in the moment as I look around the city with a newfound appreciation. I'm walking with a man that I can see myself with, a man that has been nothing but amazing to me, a man that gave me a gift I thought was so far out of my reach, it was nearly impossible.
Maybe everything I've had to endure all my life was just preparing me for this. The incredible light at the end of a dark and controlling tunnel.
"Is that smoke coming out of your ears from thinking or you're just a straight up smoke show tonight?"
I shake my head, snapping myself out of it and look over to Landry with a laugh. "I'm sorry, I'm just a little distracted tonight."
"Anything I can help with?"
I gaze up at him and unfortunately, I opted for contacts tonight. The safety I feel behind my glasses, the barrier between me and Landry, the ability to block his penetrating eyes from seeing into my soul is gone.
The look he gives me is pure primal, and I've never craved that look from a man before. I've seen it on Giacomo and the men at the club but it usually disgusts me, makes my insides twist. Landry though, Landry can look at me like that all night and I wouldn't stop him from acting on it.
"Eventually, yeah," I whisper, my voice hoarse and dripping with a need I've never heard in it before.
I drop my gaze down to his full lips and he smirks, a knowing smirk as he twirls a piece of my hair in between his fingers.
"Eventually is right. Let's go before I make eventually right here on the street."
"Landry," I gasp. "I may dance for people but I'll never...do that in front of anyone."
"And I never want to see the envy on anyone else's face if they ever see you do that."
"How do you do this?" I whisper. "How do you make me feel so...sexy. I feel it when I'm on that stage but when I step off, it's gone. How do you make me feel this when the music stops?"
I close my eyes as his fingers trail up my cheek and wrap around my ear.
"Because you are sexy, Magnolia. Not just from the outside, but this," he says, tapping my head, "and this," he continues, tapping my chest, right above my heart, "are my favorite parts about you."
"My hair and my breasts?" I tease, trying to break the seriousness of the moment.
He laughs as I open my eyes to look at him and he pinches my nose. "Your brains and your heart, you goof. Now come on. I promised you a meal to die for, I have to make sure I deliver."
He pulls on my arm as we continue down the street and stop in front of a quaint little restaurant. Landry guides me toward the side garden area as he rattles off his name and the girl shows us to a table for two in the corner of the patio.
Colorful flowers line the entire space and tea lights twinkle above us as a candle flickers in the middle of the table.
"Enjoy!" the waitress says with a smile, handing us two menus and disappearing.
"So, I love Italian food but you tell me what you're gonna get, if it looks authentic enough."
"I've actually never eaten here before. Everything sounds delicious," I gasp, my mouth watering as I read over the menu, knowing I need to control how much I eat.
"Do you like shrimp? We can order it as an appetizer?"
Crap, can I have shrimp? Think, Magnolia, think. Crap, crap, crap. Maybe better safe than sorry.
"I...do but I'm not really in the mood for that tonight. You can order it, though. I was gonna go with the Bruschetta."
The waitress comes back with Caprese and I swear I drool for a hot second. I lift my fork and then something in the back of my mind tells me to stop. Ah crap, I can't have fresh mozzarella either. Well, this sucks.
"Not a fan of Caprese?"
"I...am tryna watch my cheese intake. I think I may be lactose intolerant."
"Damn, that would suck. It came out of nowhere?"
What an awesome conversation t
o have on a date. I mentally smack myself and nod, taking a sip from my water. "So, what do you like to do for fun?" I ask, changing the subject.
"I like to develop video games. Sounds boring and nerdy, I know, but it's something fun and relaxing for me."
"No, not at all, that's really interesting. What type of video games?"
"Mind games, riddles. I'm a problem solver so I like developing games like that."
I nod, wondering if that's why he's intrigued by me. He sees me as a woman he can solve? Change?
I take another sip of water as I see him scooch his chair closer to me, putting a hand on my thigh. I flinch, hating that I do but it's hard to change a reaction my body has been used to for so long.
"Is...is that why you're pursuin' me? You want to solve my problems?" I whisper.
"Magnolia, look at me," he commands, pulling my chin to the side to force my gaze to his.
His eyes are determined as I watch his throat bob with a swallow.
"There is nothing I want to change about you. Do I want you to be comfortable enough where I can touch you and you don't flinch? Of course. I understand that it'll take time, though. You need to trust me and that's on me, not you. I want you, Magnolia. I want every single thing you—"
I lunge forward, gripping his cheek as I press my lips to his, feeling my body react to him, his words. He makes me feel so different, he makes me feel how I always thought I would feel when I met the man I was supposed to spend my life with. My other hand comes up, cupping his other cheek and I move closer to him, leaning up out of my seat as our lips move so passionately together, I moan.
"I want you too," I gasp against his lips. "God, I want you so much."
I go back at his mouth, not letting him respond as my tongue pushes against his lips for entrance. I've never taken control like this, never taken what I wanted aside from that night with him at the club. Now though, now I don't have my mask in place. I'm just Magnolia and I am taking what I want for once in my life.
"Oh sorry! Was just about to take your order," the waitress interrupts.
I slowly pull away from Landry, keeping my eyes on him as I lick my lips, the sexy side of me slithering it's way up and taking a hold of my voice.
"I doubt y'all have what I want on the menu but my second choice will do," I coo, lowering my gaze to Landry's lips as they quirk up into a smile.
"Same," he rasps.
"We'll do the Gnocchi and Bruschetta as an appetizer, the veal chops and the filetto di manzo," I order, never taking my eyes off Landry.
"Excellent. Wine?"
I shake my head as Landry does the same.
"Water is just fine," he reassures.
I see the waitress leave out of the corner of my eyes and Landry's hand slides up my thigh, hovering between my legs.
"So am I what you want, Magnolia? Because I sure as fuck want you," he whispers, his breath tickling my ear.
"Yes," I gasp. "Yes, I...I do, I want you but...it's fast, it's...let's um...get to know each other a little, okay?"
His hands stay where they are, gripping my upper thighs as I feel my breathing pick up and my eyelids get heavy.
"What's your favorite movie?" He starts to move his hands up higher and I close my eyes, trying not to moan.
"I...I'm not sure at the moment b-but I like romantic comedies," I sigh, turning my head as his hand grips the side of my neck. "What about you?"
"Any Bourne movie," he answers, tracing his thumb over my bottom lip.
"T-those are good too, I like those."
My tongue juts out, touching his thumb and then he grips the back of my head.
"Favorite TV show?" he asks against my lips.
"The Office. I have a c-crush on John Krasinski," I blurt out, trying not to focus on his other hand inches away from my center.
"Hmm. Mine's Ozark. Favorite season?"
"S-summer," I pant, as his finger traces along my thong.
I grip his wrist, finally letting out the moan I've been holding in. "Landry, I...I need to—"
"Gnocchi and Brushcetta. Do y'all need anything else right now?" the waitress asks politely.
Yes, I need Landry to keep moving his finger higher so I can finally come. Ten weeks. Ten long weeks but who's counting?
"We're fine, thank you," he answers cooly, pulling his hands away from underneath my dress.
He moves his chair back to where it was, taking his fork and plating the Gnocchi for us, and I try not to pout like a toddler that didn't get the candy she wanted.
"Hungry?"
"Starvin'," I mumble.
He lets out a rough laugh as he passes the plate of Gnocchi to me and I momentarily forget about my sexual appetite and focus on my regular one. Please Lord, let me keep this down.
We eat in silence, but I can still feel the sexual tension hovering over the table between us like a glass wall. One sudden movement and I'll shatter and I'll be too busy jumping his bones to care about the mess it'll leave.
"Good?" Landry asks, as I lift the fork to my mouth and wrap my lips around it.
"Mmmm," I moan with a nod, "delicious." His blue eyes darken as he focuses on my mouth and my tongue slips out, licking the sauce off them. "Do you like it?"
"I haven't tried it yet but I think it's gonna be the most delicious thing I've tasted in my entire life."
I gulp, knowing full well he isn't talking about the Gnocchi and my cheeks flush. He's an enigma of a man; one minute stuttering and nervous, admitting I intimidate him and the next, he's throwing down the gauntlet of dirty talk and making me question if we can get away with banging in the bathroom.
I keep my mouth shut, stuffing my face, and luckily, the waitress comes out with our dinner so there's a little break in the tension.
"Do you wanna split both?"
He nods, taking a fork full of the filetto di manzo and slowly bringing it to my lips. I wait until his eyes lock with mine and then I open my mouth and wrap my lips around the fork full of deliciousness and moan.
God, everything tastes so much better pregnant.
I savor the taste for a few more seconds and then finally open my eyes, reaching for the other fork as I scoop some up. I lift it to Landry's mouth, holding my breath as I watch his sinful lips wrap around the fork and then his eyes close.
"Shit," he hisses. "This may give that pussy of yours a run for its money," he whispers.
"Landry!" I gasp.
"Just kidding," he laughs. "Your pussy is a shit ton better, but I'm gonna need a reminder. It's been too long."
My nostrils flare and I tighten my hold on the fork as we both try and figure out what the hell to do from here. "Let's um…" I clear my throat and look down at the food. "Eat?"
Landry nods as we eat in silence, taking forkfuls from both plates, stealing glances at each other and smiling.
Before we know it, both plates are empty and when I reach for the check, Landry swipes it so fast he almost gives me a paper cut.
"Sorry," he mumbles. "Did I hurt you?"
"No, no. I...thank you for dinner. At least let me pay the tip," I offer.
"Not a chance." He winks, putting a few bills into the binder as he shuts it and pulls my chair out for me.
We thank the waitress as we make our way out onto the street and with every step toward my apartment, I feel the pull in my lower belly, the need.
When we approach my apartment building, I don't give Landry any time to think. Hell, I don't give myself time to think.
I grip his hand tighter, thanking our door man as he holds it open for us and we walk toward the elevator, our bodies buzzing. When the doors ding open and no one steps inside with us, I do a secret happy dance.
I want him. I want him so badly, but I know I have to tell him the truth. He stomps toward me, lifting me in one smooth movement and my back presses against the wall. His lips attack my own as my dress rides up and his fingers dig into the meat of my butt, skin to skin and I whimper.
I need to stop this. I will
stop this. In a second. Just a few more seconds.
Floor by floor the elevator climbs and so do we, grinding and kissing, licking and sucking, gripping and clawing every inch of bare skin we can. Finally, we reach the top floor and Landry carries me out, stumbling down the hall as my back collides with a door and I let out an oomph.
"Not my door," I pant. "The one over there."
He turns us to the other side of the hallway and before I can fish my key out and shove him inside my apartment, my stomach drops when I hear the opening of a door.
"Well, hello. Would rather not have a face full of ass despite how gorgeous it is," Everleigh drawls.
I quickly scramble out of Landry's arms, my heels hitting the floor as I pull my little black dress back down over my butt.
"H-hi, hey, Ev, we were just—"
"About to bang against my door?" She arches an eyebrow and I grit my teeth, motioning for her to cut it out as Landry turns to face her, putting his hand up for her to shake. She looks down at it and shakes her head.
"Rather not, honey. Lord knows where those hands have been or where they were about to be. Have fun, y'all and congratulations," Everleigh winks.
I close my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose as Landry turns to look at me.
"Congratulations?"
"She thinks she's funny. Congratulations I'm actually gettin' some action probably or…"
Landry pushes a piece of hair off my face and kisses my forehead then the tip of my nose and then my lips. "I should go."
"Are you sure?" I ask, almost sounding...needy.
I need to tell him. Tell him to come inside, Magnolia. Talk. Just talk. Stop kissing him and tell him, dammit.
"Yeah, I'm sure. Slower, right? You got plans tomorrow?"
"I'm dancing at the club tomorrow."
"Think you can save me a dance?" Landry asks, cupping my cheek.
"I'll see what I can do, blue eyes." I cup his cheek back, giving him a soft kiss as I open my door and disappear behind it, pressing my palm to it with a big smile on my face.
Delivered in Sin Page 11
