âI know I messed up. You donât need to remind me.â Jasper snubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray.
âBut thereâs no going back for me anymore. I want Lyse. No one else in this life but her.â
Lauren slept until the evening hours. When she woke up, Landon had prepared her dinner.
you being serious when you said you wanted to go home with me, Laurie?â Landon asked, half-
âWere teasing.
Lauren bit her lip and nodded, then shook her head. She wrapped her arms around her knees, toes wiggling lightly on the bed. 1 The sight made Landonâs breathing quicken slightly.
âI-I want to live with Grandpa, but I need to wait till Iâm better⦠so he doesnât worry.â Laurenâs eyes were moist with tears.
âI understand.â Landon gently caressed her hair.
With a sly grin, he asked, âDo you trust me that much, Laurie? Do you know who I truly am? Do you have any idea how badly the world thinks of me? Arenât you worried youâll find yourself in danger if you come with me, hm?â
Lauren slowly met his gaze. âI donât care what everyone else thinks. I know youâre a good person, just like my brother.â
Landonâs heart pounded, warmth surging through his being. He gently stroked her hair, hand cupping her nape.
Seeing his silence, Lauren asked worriedly, âWould I be troubling you, Landon? Do you not⦠want to take me home with you?â
How innocent and direct her words were. Lauren had no idea what she was saying in an adult setting.
Landon murmured but suddenly tensed up, eyes widening in shock.
Lauren had wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning so close to him that all he could see was her.
She then pressed her lips against his own.
Landonâs heart leaped into his throat as he grew rigid with shock.
Lauren closed her eyes lightly and recalled their first kiss. She gently pressed her tongue against his lips, Electric fire surged through Landonâs veins. He swiftly pulled away, panting heavily as he gazed sharply at her. âWhat are you doing, Lauren?â
âI⦠Iâ¦â Lauren stuttered, asking innocently, âI thought you liked that, Landon? I want to make it up to you.
âMake it up⦠to me?â Landon could barely think straight at this point.
âIâm not going to just take advantage of your kindness. I thought you liked stuff like that? I can learn to be better at it.â
Landon swallowed harshly, blood boiling in his veins. âDo you have any idea how dangerous it is for you.
to be saying that right now?â
âDangerous?â Lauren asked, meeting his dark gaze.
Landon couldnât shake the thought that Lauren might be the cause of his downfall.
He slowly leaned in and kissed her again. Lauren shivered as Landon wrapped his arms around her waist, slowly pressing her onto the soft bed.