Hearts Aligned (Eternal Love #1)

by Cheri Marie

“Do you want to watch a movie?”

  “Sure, any chick flick will do.” I grab a movie off the shelf and put it in the DVD player. I grab a couple slices of pizza and sit in my favorite chair.

  “So what did you and Damien do the rest of the weekend?” I ask. She blushes and I immediately know the answer. I giggle at her, shaking my head.

  “Yea, same here, amongst other things.” I touch the necklace he bought me and contemplate telling her about what he told me. I think better of it and decide not to tell her right now.

  “What’s that?” she asks when she notices me touch the heart pendant.

  “I forgot you haven’t seen this. It’s the necklace that Landon bought me on Friday when we went to the movies,” I lean forward so she can get a good look at it. Her jaw drops, nearly hitting the floor.

  “That is gorgeous Ari, and the engraving on the dog tag is so sweet.”

  “I know. I nearly melted when I read it,” I gush. We sit and talk about how our weekend went, upcoming events at work, and what we should do for the upcoming holidays.

  Work is busy but somehow time still seems to drag along. I’ve missed Arianna from the time we pulled out of the driveway and went in different directions. I’m head over heels in love with that woman and I want the whole world to know it. I try to keep busy; going to meetings, doing paperwork, the usual. I had planned to go to lunch with Ari but she was busy so I had my assistant run out to grab me something to eat.

  The day is almost over so I finish up what I’m doing and then head out. I call Arianna to see what she’s doing. She’s spending some time with Ashlan so I head home to my apartment. I haven’t been there in almost a week, it doesn’t feel much like home anymore though it never really did in the first place. I park in the parking garage, head to the elevator and type in my access code. The elevator opens up and it sweeps me up to the tenth floor.

  The apartment is empty and cold. I walk to the fridge, grabbing a bottle of beer and popping it open. My phone dings and I grab it off the counter hoping it's Arianna. I open my text messages and it’s Damien.

  Hey bro, you want to go out for a few brews?

  I text him back…

  Sure, where at?

  His reply is immediate.

  Let’s hit up Guy's Bar, our old stomping grounds. I heard some of our buddies are going to be there tonight.

  I’m not really sure this is a good idea, many of the women of my past hang out there but I agree to go anyways. I change into a pair of jeans and a T-shirt and head out the door. When I pull up in front of Guy's, Damien is climbing out of his car. We head inside and immediately run into a few guys we served in the Marines with. It’s good to see some old familiar faces. We all grab drinks and head for a table in the back corner to sit and catch up. I scan the bar and notice a tall blonde standing at the bar eye fucking the shit out of me. I stare at her for a minute and then it registers who it is; it’s Rowan, a chick I used to fuck occasionally.

  She smiles and starts walking my way. Fuck, I knew this was a bad idea.

  “Hey baby, I haven’t seen you in a while,” she purrs at me as she runs her fingernail lightly down my arm. Before I can respond she straddles my lap facing me. I can see Damien giving me that ‘what the fuck are you doing dude’ look. She leans down and kisses my neck, nipping my ear.

  “I’ve missed you. You want to have some fun?” she whispers in my ear.

  “No, actually I don’t. I have a girl.”

  “I bet I can make you forget all about her. I know you remember the fun we use to have.”

  Her comment instantly pisses me off. I stand abruptly and she falls to the floor.

  “Fucking asshole!” she yells from the floor.

  “Sorry D, I have to go.”

  “No it’s cool, don’t be sorry. Get out of here. I’m going to finish my beer and head out myself.”

  I say my goodbyes to our buddies and promise that we’ll get together for a beer again soon. I climb into my car and take off in the direction of Arianna’s. I know she’s spending time with Ashlan but I have to see her. I pull up into the driveway. I head up to the door and ring the bell, Ashlan answers.

  “Hey Landon...” she says with a raised eyebrow.

  “Hey Ashlan, is Arianna still up?”

  “Yea, come on in.”

  “Ari, Landon is here.”

  Ari comes walking into the foyer looking as beautiful as ever in her pajamas. They were clearly having a girlie chick flick kind of night.

  “Hey baby. Is everything okay? I thought we were going to wait and see each other tomorrow.”

  I reach out for her and pull her into my arms, “Yea, everything is fine. I just needed to see my girl, even if just to say goodnight and get a kiss,” she smiles up at me, I lean down and press my lips to hers. I see Ashlan out of the corner of my eye. Her cheeks flush pink as she stands there while we kiss. Eventually she excuses herself. Reluctantly, I release her. As much as I don’t want to leave now that I’m here, I don’t want to invade their girl time any more than I already have.

  “Okay, I’m going to head home.”

  “Okay baby, drive safe.” She reaches up and gives me another sweet kiss, “I love you,” she says with a wink.

  “That will never get old.”

  “What?”

  “You telling me you love me,” I watch as her cheeks blush. I kiss her on the forehead, “I love you too my angel,” she smiles that smile that makes me weak.

  “Goodnight my hero.”

  “Goodnight,” I say with a wink, and I’m out the door.

  I watch Landon as he leaves. I thought about asking him to stay but I need this girl time with Ashlan. I wave bye to him as he pulls out of the driveway. I lock the door and head back into the living room with Ashlan.

  “What was that about?” she asks when I sit back down with her.

  “He just wanted a goodnight kiss,” I gush. She rolls her eyes and I laugh at her.

  We finish watching the movie we were watching and then I head to bed. My bed feels empty without Landon here. With him being at my place all weekend, I got used to him being here. I hug the pillow he usually uses and to my surprise it still smells like him. I smile as I drift off to sleep.

  The next morning at work is busy, there are appointments almost every hour for families needing assistance. I help each one as much as I can, if I can’t help I refer them to any organization I can that would be able to assist them. I wish I could help all of them, but it is nearly impossible. I finish up my last appointment for the morning at noon. My line rings and it’s Tristan.

  “Arianna, Mr. Holt is here for you.”

  “Thank you. Send him in please.”

  “Yes ma’am.”

  Landon walks in my office, looking as beautiful as ever. He’s wearing those dress pants that fit nice around his sexy ass. As he walks towards me, I can’t help but notice how they outline something else. He clears his throat, my eyes shoot up to look into his beautiful face and he’s wearing a grin from ear to ear. I feel my cheeks blush as I realize I’ve been busted.

  “Hey baby, what a pleasant surprise!” I exude innocence.

  “Pleasant indeed,” his eyes are hooded now and he gives me that sexy up to no good grin. “I brought you lunch.”

  “Thank you, that was very thoughtful of you,” he hand me a carry out container from our favorite Italian restaurant. I open it, it’s Chicken Marsala and it smells delicious. He sits across from me, opening his container and digging into his lunch. I take a bite of my lunch and let out a light moan at the amazing taste. I look across at him and his eyes are full of desire and I know exactly what he’s up to.

  “Oh no, this is not happening. Not here.”

  He gives me an innocent; I don’t know what you’re talking about look.

  “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “I mean it Landon, we are NOT having sex in my office. Tristan is right outside, she would hear everything,” suddenly my phone buzzes.
/>   “Yes Tristan.”

  “Arianna, do you mind if I go to lunch? Mr. Holt arranged lunch for my boyfriend and I at an exclusive restaurant I’ve been dying to try.”

  “Oh he did, did he?” I look at Landon and that mischievous grin is in place on his face again. I’ll be damned if he didn’t have this whole little surprise lunch all planned out ahead of time.

  “Sure, you can go. Enjoy your lunch. Be back by two okay?”

  “Yes ma’am. Thank you, and tell Mr. Holt I said thank you as well.”

  “Oh don’t worry honey, I will,” I hang up the phone. He stands to come towards me and I put my hand up.

  “Don’t you even think about it, if you think I’m just going to give in because you bribed my assistant you are sadly mistaken.”

  “Bribed? I’ve never bribed anyone. It was merely a kind gesture.”

  “Mmmhmmm… I hardly believe that,” I say to him as I cross my arms across my chest.

  He closes his carry-out box, reaching across he grabs mine and closes it, setting them both on the chair.

  “Hey! I wasn’t finished with that,” I protest. He ignores me and slowly walks around my desk; he grabs the arm of my chair and spins it to face him. Reaching down he tilts my head up so that green eyes meet hazel and I lose my breath.

  “Do you know how much I’ve missed you these past couple days?” he asks. I shake my head no, because right now I’m just trying to concentrate on breathing.

  “Haven’t you missed me?” he asks as he places feather light kisses down my neck leaving my skin ignited with desire. I choke back a moan, his little seduction is working. It’s hard to resist this man, but I’m not going to give in so easy. I try to act unaffected by his kisses and charm.

  “Of course I’ve missed you, but we all can’t take a long lunch to surprise and try to seduce our girlfriends at work,” I say and raise an eyebrow at him. I watch him as he walks behind me and closes the blinds on the windows.

  “Speaking of work, maybe you should go. I do have a lot of work to do, and I would like to finish my lunch.” I get up and walk around my desk and grab my box, I lean against my desk. I open it and take a bite, letting out a moan intentionally. I watch Landon for a reaction, his jaw tightens but he doesn’t break eye contact. I take another bite, throwing back my head and moaning a little louder.

  “Mmm… oh my God, this is so good!” I look back over at Landon, he’s slowly unbuttoning his shirt; he takes a slow cautious step towards me.

  I shake my head no at him and he stops moving but continues to unbutton his shirt. He finishes the last button and lets his shirt fall open. I look him up and down, taking in every sexy, toned bit of him. I crave to run my hands over his pecks and abs but I resist. My eyes drop a little lower and I can see the bulge in his pants getting harder. I lick my lips and nonchalantly shimmy against my desk, causing my skirt to ride up my thighs. I unbutton the top couple buttons of my shirt so he can see my cleavage. I watch Landon as he stalks me like a tiger stalking its prey. I turn around and deliberately bend over to pretend to grab something. When I stand up I feel rather than see Landon right behind me. He wraps one arm around to cup my breast while the other presses against my abdomen pushing my ass back against his hardening cock. He nips my shoulder, sliding his hand from my abdomen down under my skirt to cup my sex. He fondles me through my panties and I moan. He nips my earlobe and then spins me around to face him and he grinds his hips into mine. He steps back, pushing my skirt up over my hips; he hooks his fingers in the sides of my panties and strips me of them quickly. I step out of them. He pushes me carefully back onto my desk and then he’s on his knees. I feel his breath as he inhales at the apex of my thighs.

  “Mmm, you smell amazing,” he slides a finger inside me and lets out a low growl. “You’re so wet. I can’t wait to taste your juices exploding on my tongue.” I almost come at the sound of his husky sexy voice. He slides another finger inside me; slowly, agonizingly fucking me with his fingers. I grind into his fingers and moan.

  “Tell me what you want baby.”

  “I want you, only you,” I hear a deep growl and then his mouth is on me. Teasing my clit with this tongue, he lightly nips and sucks on it while he continues to fuck me with his fingers. I reach down, thrusting my hands into his hair and grinding my hips into his face. We moan together and he dips his tongue deeper inside my sex. I feel my legs start to quiver. He stops abruptly and stands leaving me wanting, needing him. He quickly undoes the button on his pants and strips himself of his slacks and boxer briefs. His erection springs free; I reach for him, wanting to taste him but he grabs my hands pinning them above my head. He kisses me deeply then suddenly without warning he slams into me. I scream out in pleasure, thankful that Tristan isn’t here. He pulls out and slams into me again and my body arches, I moan loudly. I reach for him pulling him down to me and I kiss him deeply. I want to feel his skin against mine. He reaches down and takes one of my breasts into his mouth. Sucking and teasing the nipple, lightly rolling it between his teeth. Our bodies work into a slow rhythm then gradually picks up. Our bodies meeting thrust for thrust as he nips and sucks on my breasts. I can feel my body building, ready to meet my release. I wrap my legs around him tightly, pulling him deeper into me. A few more pumps and I’m screaming out his name as I come. He slams into me once more and comes deep inside me. I reach up and kiss him deeply, he kisses me back then slowly eases out of me. I reach into my desk and grab some towelettes. Landon takes one from me and cleans me up. He takes another to clean himself up while I fetch my panties and put them back on. I straighten my skirt and button my shirt back up then straighten my hair. Landon dresses and then looks at his watch.

  “Do you have to go now?” I ask, suddenly disappointed.

  “Yea, I have to get back to the office,” he pulls me to him and kisses me.

  “Okay. Well thank you for lunch… and dessert,” I wink at him.

  “You are most certainly welcome,” he grins and winks back.

  He kisses me again, gives me a quick smack on the ass and he’s out the door. I grin stupidly as I watch him walk out the door. I get to work to quickly organize the mess that has become my desk and open the blinds on the windows. Tristan arrives back at the office just as I finish.

  “How was your lunch Tristan?”

  “It was incredible. Will you tell Mr. Holt I said thank you again?”

  “Of course I will,” I smile at her.

  I sit down at my desk and busy myself with work. I go through more applications, having Tristan set up appointments for the families I need to interview. I also work on planning the next fundraiser. The holidays are coming up and these families are going to need help with holiday dinners and gifts. I’m planning to do a food and gift drive. I have pulled help from every connection I have and I think it is going to be a great turn out. After I’ve finished, I decide to call it a day. I say bye to Tristan as I leave and head home. When I pull into the driveway, Ashlan is already home. I head straight up to my room to shower and change. After I wash up, I decide it’s a pajamas kind of afternoon. Pulling on my favorite pair of soft cotton pajama pants and a camisole, I head downstairs to see what Ashlan is up to and wait for Landon.

  When I get downstairs I find Ashlan with a bottle of wine and a pint of chocolate ice cream. I know what that means, she and Damien must have had a fight. Wine and chocolate ice cream is her cure for a broken heart. I grab a spoon, sitting next to her I steal a bite of her ice cream.

  “So do you want to talk about it?” I ask.

  “Talk about what?” she says as she angrily stabs the ice cream with her spoon.

  “About whatever has you stabbing at your ice cream like you’re trying to kill it?”

  She scoffs, “there’s nothing to say. He kissed another girl, or she kissed him so he says,” my jaw drops open.

  “When did this happen?”

  “The other night when he and Landon went out for a drink… apparently some chick tried to hit on Lan
don and he gave her the cold shoulder, so after he left she moved on to Damien. According to him he was walking down the hall and she just kissed him,” she laughs and shakes her head. “What a joke. Does he really think I’m an idiot?”

  “Ashlan, come on. Maybe he’s telling the truth. I mean why would he tell you what happened if he wanted it? You know how many of the girls are around here.”

  “I don’t know Ari. You know what I’ve been through in the past and this just makes me feel like history is repeating itself. I don’t think I can go through that again.”

  “Ash, I really think he’s telling you the truth. You need to talk to him and work through this.”

  “I’ve fallen for him; hard. Why does my life have to be a big ol’ clusterfuck of shitty relationships?”

  I don’t know what else I can say to comfort her. I understand her pain but I really think Damien is telling her the truth. I hug her,the flood gates open and she sobs into my shoulder. I hate seeing her like this, it hurts my heart.

  I leave the office and head toward Arianna’s house when my phone rings. It’s Damien. I hit the talk button and his voice echoes through the speakers in my car.

  “Hey D, what’s up?”

  “Landon… man… I don’t know what to do. I think I really fucked up,” he’s talking fast, panicked.

  “What happened?”

  “Ashlan bro, I think I fucked things up.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, after you left last night I was walking down the hall to the bathroom and Rowan was walking toward me. Next thing I know she grabs me and kisses me. Of course I pushed her slutty ass away from me. I was so pissed! I didn’t want Ashlan to hear an untrue version of what happened from someone else, so I told her.”

  “And I take it that didn’t go well...”

  “No, she thinks I’m lying. She’s been hurt so many times before. I never meant to hurt her I just didn’t want her to hear it from someone else. I love her man…” his voice trails off.

  “Listen, I’ll see if I can help with some damage control but I think it’s best if we steer clear of our old hangouts.”