“I’m gonna come.” My voice slurs with passion.
He keeps humping into me at a furious pace. “Get there faster.”
I open my mouth with a silent scream as the shatter takes over. The simmer rockets into a boiling explosion as I twitch on top of him. I fracture into a blazing inferno. My pulse is hammering to deafening volumes, booming and thrashing, as the climax claims me. I’m lost to the stimulation at my center, barely aware that Landon has gone rigid beneath me. At some point, I collapse against his chest with aftershocks quaking my limbs. My body rises and falls with his labored breaths.
A thought crosses my groggy mind as the dust settles. “You’re not just going to up and leave now that we’re done, right?”
“Oh, sweet Savannah. I’ve already told you.” His amusement puffs a hot stream against my temple. “We’re far from done.”
With a shrug, I slip into my tuxedo jacket and smooth the lapels. Normally, I wouldn’t be caught dead in yesterday’s clothes—but Vannah is worth another punch to my dignity. She’s lying sprawled across the white sheets, toned limbs and fiery hair spread in all directions. The air is rich with musk and sated desire, yet I could take her again. I stare at her for far longer than appropriate. Creeper status sinks in as another minute ticks by.
Vannah blew my rules out of the atmosphere. We fucked until exhaustion took hold and dragged her from my clutches. It’s just after five in the morning. The dawn hasn’t yet crept over the horizon, allowing deep midnight to protect our sins. That endless black contrasts the vision I’m leaving behind in bed. I should’ve woken her for a quickie. There are always spare moments for that.
Karl is waiting for me along the curb as I exit the hotel. My appearance is mostly concealed by darkness. I avoid the spotlights with purposeful steps. No one will have the opportunity to gossip about me leaving the Waldorf before sunrise, donning the same tux I’d been wearing at the fundraiser.
“Take me to Global Winters.” My instructions are a sharp clip as I slide into the car.
His nod is visible from the rearview mirror. “Right away, sir.”
It’s not rare for me to arrive directly at the office from a sleepless overnight. I hadn’t been lying to Vannah about providing entertainment for my visiting guests. But those evenings typically consist of too much booze and droning conversations—not the company of a beautiful woman.
It takes less than thirty minutes for me to shower, shave, and tug on a crisp suit. My routine is reliable and automatic, unlike certain aspects as of late. I swipe at my damp hair while leaving the executive lounge. Walt is already at his desk.
He stands as I approach. “How was the planetarium, sir?”
I straighten my tie. “Was that the location? I barely noticed.”
“That doesn’t surprise me.” He passes me his tablet, open to a popular entertainment column. The site features an article about the fundraiser. “She’s making headlines as the one to capture you.”
There’s a picture of us from the gala, posing as the main attraction. Vannah is smiling at me, which isn’t shocking. What has my stomach knotting is the grin I’m giving to her in return. We look like a fucking couple, happily embracing while sharing a private joke. I predicted this result, but seeing the evidence doesn’t make the impact easy to swallow. It seems Vannah will be feeding them fodder for weeks to come.
I shove the screen from view. “That’s out of context, not to mention disturbing.”
“Is it, though?”
“Offensively.”
“You seem different. Less hateful.” He tilts his head while continuing his examination.
“Fuck off, Walt.” I stomp into my personal domain where privacy is expected.
My assistant follows over the threshold without hesitation. “She’s changing you.”
“For the worst. I’m well aware.” I jut my chin at his beloved device.
His dark eyes widen. “No, this is good. Very good.”
“This discussion’s expiration date hit before it even started.” I drop onto my chair with a snarl.
“I know that look, Landon. That’s the look of a man in lust.” Walt is gay, so I suppose that means something coming from him.
I jiggle my mouse to avoid wringing his neck. “Why are you still standing here?”
“Would you like me to send a car to fetch her from the hotel?”
The glow from my computer illuminates the dim room. “Sure, if that’s what it takes to get you out of my face. Coffee and some decent lighting would be good too.”
“You got it, boss.” Walt dashes off to do my bidding, flicking a switch on his way out.
I lose track of time rather quickly. My flow is just hitting optimal efficiency when a noticeable shift boots me from the numb headspace. Vannah sweeps into the room with a force that knocks me immobile. Well, not every part of me. My cock leaps to attention as she prowls closer. The straining frustration from our illicit photograph dulls as another catalyst rushes in. Her appearance is wreaking immediate havoc on my newfound resolve. That’s when I notice her legs.
“Fishnets aren’t appropriate office attire.” My tone booms louder than I intend it to.
Halfway in her pursuit to my desk, Vannah pauses and stabs me with a glare. She skims a finger along the snug hem of her dress. “Are you making rules now?”
I grunt at her brazen display. “Wouldn’t dream of it. You just seem like the type of woman who prefers being taken seriously.”
“And this outfit offends you?” She still hasn’t relented in her attempts at exposing my weaknesses.
A flare in my nostrils is all she gets. “I’d have to care in order for that to be true.”
Vannah rolls her eyes. “It seems someone is reverting back to Angry Lannie. I was wondering when he’d make a reappearance.”
“I just needed a reminder why being nice is overrated.”
She pinches the useless material clinging to her thigh. “It’s a tad vampy for my regular taste, but I’m feeling extra saucy this morning.”
“You look it.” The bulge in my slacks agrees, pushing the zipper to its limit. This battle against my arousal is turning into a nonstop affair. A smolder erupts in my veins, aiming south at an alarming rate. I need to get my reaction to her under control before real damage can be done. I can’t afford to slip.
“And here I thought we were making some progress.” Her wink lashes at the fire racing beneath my skin.
“Certain disputes are being handled quite well. We’ve laid the worst to rest,” I mutter.
“You have a talent for making everything sound like an innuendo.” Her answering laugh is a twinkling tune.
“I’m glad my point is coming across.”
“Oh?” She struts to the windows, turning her focus on the awakening city.
The image of us joining as one in that exact spot cements in my brain. Everything else I’d planned to accomplish grinds into useless pulp. That demise happened quicker than I care to admit. “I need you again.”
She peeks at me from over her shoulder. “Already?”
I’m standing in the next beat, all other agendas forgotten. “You should be glad I left without sinking between those welcoming thighs again. The idea was tempting.”