“What was the result?”
“Huh?”
“You said it was an experiment.” A crease forms between his brows. “What was the result?”
My heart hammers in my ears. “Oh. Well, they’re both good kissers…but they’re not you.” My chest contracts and my belly buzzes, just like it always does whenever he’s near. “You’re the only one who gives me butterflies, Preston.”
Reaching for my necklace, I grip the poker chip. My admission changes everything between us. I feel it the way you feel autumn approaching before the leaves change color and the air turns crisp.
“I don’t know what it means.” I lift my gaze to his. “All I know is, I’m your exception…and you’re my anomaly.”
He takes a step closer, and then another, invading my space.
And I welcome it, because I want whatever this is.
The moment our lips meet, the butterflies swarm with a vengeance. I cling to him for dear life as his urgent tongue collides with mine, never wanting this feeling that only he can give me to end.
“Don’t ever kiss anyone but me again,” he grunts between deep, consuming kisses that have my head spinning.
“Promise.”
It’s a vow I’ll never break.
My spine meets the door as his mouth finds my neck. “You’re mine.” His fingertip traces the long line of my collarbone and I fight back a shiver. “All mine.”
I know.
But it’s the knowing smirk on his face as he drops to his knees that seals my fate.
I’m so lost in him I don’t know how I’ll ever find my way back.
Not sure I want to.
He tugs my leggings and panties down in one swift motion. “Eyes on me, Bishop.”
I couldn’t take them off him if I wanted to.
Chapter 30
Kit
I’m filling up the tub so I can give Lola one of his much-needed baths when the doorbell rings.
His relief is tangible when I reach over and turn the water off. “Saved by the bell.” I kiss the top of his smelly head. “For now.”
After giving me a slobbery kiss, he takes off running, no doubt hoping I’ll put this whole bath business behind me.
I trudge down the stairs and open the front door.
Landon’s standing on the other side of it.
“Hey.”
“Hey.” I don’t know what to make of the expression on his face. “Do you have a minute?”
I gesture for him to come inside. “For you? Always.”
Hands in his pockets, he looks around the foyer. “Is your husband home?”
Can’t say I blame him for being cautious given Preston was a straight-up caveman the last time he saw him.
Fortunately, Landon doesn’t have to worry about a repeat episode.
At least not right now.
“Nope. He’s out running some errands.”
Errands he didn’t go into detail about, but we’ve been joined at the hip—or rather, another body part of mine—for days, so he probably wanted some alone time.
I force myself to keep my clingy in check.
Space is good. Healthy.
Who am I kidding? Space freaking blows.
If I had it my way, I’d spend every waking second with him because he makes me laugh just as much as he frustrates me, teaches me new things, makes me feel safe and secure…
And gives me mind-blowing orgasms.
“I was hoping we could talk,” Landon continues, pulling me from my thoughts.
“Sure.”
“About the other day…” he begins, but I’m quick to put the kibosh on that.
“Whoa, Nelly. That was a one-time thing.”
Confusion pulls at his face. “I know, but—”
Uh-oh. “I know I’m a fantastic kisser, but we can’t—”
“I’m not here to kiss you again, Kit,” he interjects, looking thoroughly frustrated. “I’m here to talk about why you kissed me.”
“Oh.” I lead him to the living room. “You should have started with that.”
He plops down on the sofa and I take the chair across from him.
“I tried to.”
“Right.” I tug my bottom lip between my teeth, feeling embarrassed. “I’m sorry I kissed you…and your fiancée. I was going through some shit and it seemed like the right solution at the time. I should have never put you guys in that position. It was really selfish of me.”
Which seems to be a frequent trait of mine lately.
“You don’t have to apologize.” He leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “I get it.”
I’m not exactly sure what he means by that, but I appreciate him being so gracious about it. “Thanks.”
“Kit?”
I reach for the bottle of water on the coffee table. “Yeah?”
“Do you remember the conversation we had when I got back from England? The one that helped put everything into perspective for me.”
I feel the color drain from my face, because that conversation is one I’ll never forget.
It’s what led to us both being in the cafeteria when Kyle showed up with a gun and unleashed his mental affliction on innocent people.
I forced Landon to buy me food in exchange for giving him advice, but in the end, it cost him so much more.
He almost died because of me.
“I’m sorry.” I press a hand to my quivering stomach. “I’m so sorry.”
Landon reaches for my hand. “No…shit. I didn’t mean to make you think about that. I was hoping to help you the way you helped me that day.”
My mouth drops open. “Help you? Landon, I almost—”
“You didn’t.” He taps his chest. “It was my choice to grab a bite to eat with my friend and my choice to take on Kyle, remember?”
No matter how many times he reiterates that, I’ll always feel like I’m to blame.
I stand. “Do you want some water?”
“No.” Sighing, he rises off the couch. “I wanted to talk, but I kind of fucked that up.”
I feel guilty for a whole new reason now. He saved my life, therefore I owe him.
“I’m sorry.” My ass hits the chair. “Let’s talk. I’m all ears.”
He returns to the couch. “I’m guessing you kissed me and Breslin because you’re confused about your sexuality.” His face goes slack. “I’m probably overstepping, but you really helped me that day, and I’m hoping I might be able to do the same for you. Given I’ve been in your position before.”
I was willing to talk about anything with him…except this.
However, his last statement leaves me puzzled. I know Landon identified as straight before Asher, but he adapted to bisexuality effortlessly. Heck, they were already bumping uglies before Breslin’s trip ended.
“No offense, but I don’t think you can help me with what I’m going through. The conversation we had was about you loving Asher and Breslin and how you shouldn’t feel like the third wheel because they loved you, too…not your sexuality.”
Not that I would have minded giving him advice about that. He just didn’t need it.