I've never felt like this, this desire to be told what to do. Kneeling in front of him, I find myself wanting him to direct me with his commanding, seductive words. I want him to entice me with a provocative warning of what he has in store for me. My body melts under his alluring spell, hungry for him to take me to the bliss he has hinted at.
His fingers move to undo the belt of his slacks. He pauses, taking in my watchful, wanting gaze as he finishes unbuckling it, and then moves to the zipper on his slacks.
I'm sure that my desire is evident as I stare at him greedily. His sinful, conceited smile tells me he's very aware of the effect he has on me.
"Do you want me, Juliet?" he asks, pushing the slacks lower so that I can see more of that delicious trail.
"Yes," I breathe out, my voice wavering.
"And what else would you like?" he asks, his zipper now all the way down. I can see him straining beneath the white boxer shorts he's wearing.
"Tell me, baby. Do you want me to devour your sweet body? To make you feel full until you scream?"
"My gosh," I mutter under my breath.
"Juliet!" comes a scream from upstairs, effectively dousing my sexual haze like someone's dumped icy water all over me. I immediately stand up and gather my gown, knowing that its Clara having one of her nightmares that she's had since the attack.
I rush out of the room, taking one last look behind me at the heavy-lidded man I've left behind me. The hint of promise is heavy in the air.
The following morning comes too soon. The bright light of day makes the events of the night before seem like a dream. A deliciously, dark dream. I fell asleep next to Clara after her nightmare, and I feel a pang of anger when I remember how terrified she still gets almost every night as her mind forces her to relive that night.
Watching her for a moment to make sure she's still asleep, I slowly get out of the bed and walk back to my room. Since we had moved into Landon's home so soon after I met him, I didn't feel comfortable sleeping in his room yet, much to his displeasure. He set me up in a bedroom right across from his, and the temptation builds to go to him with every passing nightfall. I have a feeling that after last night, I should probably just accept defeat.
After I pull a robe over my nightdress, I walk down to the kitchen to see if the cook has made something to eat for breakfast.
I step into the kitchen and am shocked to see Landon at the table, calmly reading a newspaper and drinking his coffee. Like always, he looks perfect. Dressed in a pinstripe suit, the coat portion of his three-piece suit draped on the back of his chair, he looks the very image of a powerful man.
A rush of heat passes over me as I think about the events of last night, and just how attractive he made taking off a suit look.
"Hungry?" he asks, letting me know that he is aware of me watching him.
The dark, aggressive mood from the night before is still there, and I wonder when we will get to the point where he tells me about things that are troubling him.
Taking the cue that he's not in the mood to talk, I eat the hard-boiled eggs and buttered toast that the cook has thoughtfully prepared for me, knowing that it's my favorite.
We eat in silence, both lost in our own worlds. After he's finished with his coffee, Landon stands up and grabs his jacket, kisses me on the cheek with a muted goodbye, and leaves the room.
I stare after him wondering what's going on.
When he comes home that evening, I'm waiting for him on a chair in the front entryway. He's home a bit earlier than usual, but his forehead still raises in surprise when he sees me.
"Juliet?" he asks, a question in his tone.
I straighten up from the chair and walk over to him. I then lead him down the hallway into the back deck where Clara and I spend most mornings enjoying the beautiful property that stretches behind Landon's mansion.
I sit him down on one of the outdoor couches, and then straddle his lap. His eyes grow hooded with pleasure at my actions. I'm never like this.
"I want to know you," I tell him quietly. He starts to speak but I lay a finger on his lips. "I want to really know you. The good, the bad, the ugly," I continue, looking into his eyes so he understands what I'm trying to say.
He stares at me for so long that I'm afraid that he's angry about my forcefulness.
"Once I tell you all of that you won't be able to go back," he tells me. "Every part of you will belong to me."
I think of the part of my heart that he can never own because it still belongs to James, but I obviously don't tell him about that.
"I'm ready," I say.
Landon leans his head back on the couch cushion and takes a deep breath.