Ignite Me (A Burning Desire Novel) (25 page)

“My client, he wanted to discuss some work strategies.” I
lied.

“He must be very dedicated; it’s after midnight in New
York.”

Choosing not to discuss the matter any further, I decided
to distract him, “Don’t worry about my client’s dedication.” I wriggled around
to face him, “Why don’t you worry about your own?”

He smirked, “I’m very dedicated to my clients. When
Landon
works,
Landon
works very hard.”

I laughed at his goofy expression, “I wasn’t talking about
your dedication to you work, but to your personal life, which in basics, means
me
.”

His smile broadened, making my core tight, “Oh, I’ll show
you dedication Miss Dane.”

Lifting me up, he made me cry out in surprise, I wrapped
my arms around his neck and whispered, “Not now, my brother will punch you, not
to mention Jenna. She’s been cooking for hours.”

He undressed me with a smothering gaze; I followed the
path of his sight getting hotter. When he pouted at my insisting look, I
suppressed a smile, “Have you met Aurelia and Emilia Dane? That pout won’t get
you anywhere, except at the dinner table next door.”

“Okay, but after dinner. You, Me, and Bed.”

I shook my head again, “No after dinner I’m initiating you
to some Christmas classics. Eve says that the three of you never watched any.”

The way his eyes sparkled, I could tell that he was thrown
away, as if in another time.

“And bed after that?” He queried, resigned to please me.

“Yes.” I kissed him, “I mean, if you’re still up for it.”
I challenged.

“Baby, it’s been eighteen days since I’ve been locked out
of heaven.” He breathed in my neck, “You think I’m going to wait for another
night?”

It had been pouring all afternoon, but in the midst of a
San Diego winter, it was still warm. I, on the hand, was steaming hot. My skin
flushed and eager for the feel of his warm hard abs against me, and all over
me.

“I hope not.” I purred, my toes curling with pure desire
and anticipation.

“Seriously Jellybean, you should reconsider your career
choice.” Corinne swallowed some delicious Chardonnay, and beamed at Jenna.

“Yeah, little sis, this soup is to die for.” Brandon
confirmed dipping a slice of fresh bread in his tomato and basilica soup.

“Well, it can always be her backup plan, once she screws
up her career in journalism.” Evelyn snarled jokingly.

Jenna gave her the look over, “Remind me why we’re friends
again?” she took a sip of wine, “Ah yes, because you Pissyface’s best friend.”

“And Simon’s wife.” Evelyn added.

“Pissyface?” I mirrored, tilting my head in amusement.

She shrugged, “It grew on me, and I have to say, Landon does
seem pissed most of the time.” She chuckled, “It’s very adequate.”

Landon shook his head and laughed, ignoring her snarky
comment, as he always did.

“You think he’s pissy?” Simon interjected, “You should’ve
seen what he was like before he met you guys.” He paused, “and by guys I mean
Clea.”

I looked over at him, he was sitting next to me, his hand
on my knee, while the other busy with food.

“You mean that’s a happy Landon?” Jenna gasped, teasing
him more than anything else.

“I’m always happy when I’m with Clea.” He spoke in a low
voice, unmistakably sincere.

Unable to eat anymore, I put my knee over his legs and
slid myself onto his lap by gripping his nape. I was unashamed and churning
with happiness.

He held me, stilling my legs with his grasp.

“I missed you.” I murmured in his ear and bit his lobe
gently.

I felt his body getting heavy. He trembled, unable to
control the response of his body.

“Stop it.” He rasped, “Otherwise, let’s leave.” He was
pleading with me.

I shook my head no, “I’m in the mood for some foreplay.” I
murmured and bit him again, “Keyword, play.”

“Your brother and his wife are sitting at this table; do
you really want to engage in that game?” He challenged.

I pouted and raised my shoulders in protest. He was right.
I didn’t want to take that risk and be disrespectful.

I was glad Nana had chosen to spend the night pampering
herself at a hotel, otherwise, I wouldn’t be allowed to do what I was doing
right then.

I could only imagine the things she would say.

“It’s true what Ryan says about you two.”

Turning around, I offered my attention to Brandon, “What’s
that?”

He cocked his head, motioning to the way I was wrapped in
Landon, “He said that whenever the two of you are together, it’s like the whole
world around you stops existing.”

“It’s true.” Jenna seconded.

“Well, I can’t take my eyes of off him. Sue me.” I bitched
jokingly.

“Noooo, thank you.” Jenna chanted.

“Good choice.” Evelyn said proudly, “Because he’ll be
defending her.”

“Okay.” Corinne said pushing to her feet, “Men are on dish
washing duty.” She announced rounding the table to pull me out of Landon’s lap.
He groaned. He really didn’t like it when people did that.

“We’ll get drinks and dessert set in the living room.” She
pressed Eve and Jenna to join us.

Brandon grumbled under his breath, but the two Davis men
didn’t blink and started cleaning out the table.

“I can help.” I suggested pulling my hand away.

Landon stopped me. Juggling several plates between two
hands, he found a way to press a swift kiss to my lips, “We’ll do it; you go
and relax with the girls.”

A flash snapped while we were kissing, and Jenna grinned,
“Landon Davis. Domesticated.”

He smiled ruefully, and turned to walk inside the kitchen.

“Just don’t let the scoop-bitch in you get any crazy ideas
with that picture.” Evelyn snarled, only half-jokingly.

Twenty minutes later, we finished setting up the sound
system, had a movie selection ready, and the table filled with delicious
homemade pies and cinnamon buns. The men filed in with the wine, Landon
appeared last and took his place next to me and Jenna on the big sofa.

Evelyn and Simon were wrapped up in each other’s arms on
the floor, while Corinne and Brandon hogged the small couch on the left.
 

For a moment, my mind drifted off to mom and Keith, and
then my dad. It was my second Christmas without him, and I couldn’t help my
nostalgia. Christmas was two nights away, and I remembered how he always made
it special for me. How we used to wake up on Christmas Eve and go out to buy
each other something that costs less than five dollars but that could be kept
forever. It was our special thing, and when Jenna came along with Keith, we
included her.

I remembered the first Christmas Jude had spent with us.
He was hiding from his father after a fight they’d had. I’d sneaked him inside
the residence and we stayed in my room for hours before the security staff came
to report that they suspected a breach.

Alarmed, they started looking around the house and in
every room. I was completely freaked out, and out of my mind about my father’s
reaction, so I ran to Nana for help. When the frenzy came down, Jude and I were
summoned by my dad in his office. He was fuming; accusing me of childishness
and irresponsibility.

At that time, my dad and I had grown apart. I hated living
in different countries, never settling down, having to make new friends, and be
subjected to all kinds of scrutiny by security and media. It was hard for me,
even with Jenna being around. She was vivid and full of life, but then again,
her life wasn’t as exposed as mine was.

That was until Jude came along; he was my savior. My life
had taken a turn to the best after I met him.

Once I’d told my father about Jude’s situation, and worked
him into a guilt trip about the way he treated me, he calmed down and asked for
a private moment with him.

It was one of the rarest moments, I’d seen Jude getting
emotional and crying; my dad had welcomed him in our family, and from that day
on, he never left me.

Reminiscing about those times forced me to relive some
dark moments, and it wasn’t until Landon had stroked my back did I realize that
I was gripping the hell out of his arm.

“Where did you go?” He asked softly, pressing hot kisses
on my temple and down my cheek and jawline.

“I’m right here.” I said, returning his tenderness, “And I
wouldn’t have it any other way.”

His hand slipped under my shirt and he pulled me closer
from my waistline, “And you never will.” He emphasized with a grin.

Looking at him, I felt a little pinch in my heart. Eve had
told Ryan about the kinds of Christmas Landon and Simon were used to.

Their mother was extremely dedicated to her patients,
which meant being on guard during Christmas Eve and until the next morning.
Uncle Robert was supportive, and he used to spend it with her inside the
hospital, taking care of patients, decorating, and opening gifts.

For Simon and Landon, that was the only Christmas memories
they had until they were around seventeen. It was their choice after that to
carry with their tradition, and maybe that forged their empathy and generosity.
However, it also meant that they never spent the day watching Christmas TV,
enjoying a greasy dinner, or nibbling on snacks and sweets before going to bed.

I couldn’t believe it and felt sad about it, which was the
reason we were gathered around ten of our favorite holiday movies, and ready to
initiate the two of them to a new kind of Christmas.

Landon had announced earlier that he was still going to
the local hospital the next morning, and I offered to join him. He was honoring
his mother, and his family tradition.

“I think we should leave these two for tomorrow, and start
with A Christmas Carol.” Brandon suggested. It was his favorite one.

Getting up, I strode to the screen and removed the DVD
from his hand, “No!” I cackled, “The women, who constitute a majority, voted on
Miracle on 34
^th
Street.” I argued and pulled the compact out.

“That’s not fair, you chose your favorite.” He whined and
I stuck my tongue out.

“So what? I’m sure I would have won anyway.” I revealed
cockishly.

He puffed at all of us and went to sit back next to his
wife.

 
Inserting the
disc, I gloated happily and walked to hog Landon and a piece of exquisite apple
pie that had me salivating since it was out of the oven.

I offered Landon a piece of my pie and he pulled in his
mouth ogling me with his beautiful gaze and arching one sizzling dark brow.

“Delicious.” He purred, making my toe curl with the sound
of his voice.

He watched my reaction, seemingly pleased with himself.

“Stop it you insanely hot piece of manhood.” I whispered.

He doubled over in a deep, loud, hearty laugh.

Teasing him, I clenched my muscles and bowed my back,
emphasizing how much I wanted him. He surprised me by responding in the same
fashion, jostling his thickness in the back of my thigh. Every fiber in my body
quavered, reminded of the effect his arousal had on me, and I whimpered
silently.

He was back…

I was going to sleep in his arms again…

The realization filled me with an immeasurable feeling of
happiness and bliss. I crawled up in his arms and settled my head on his
shoulder to watch the movie.

I felt the weight of his absence dispersed by the
lightness of his presence, making it easy for me to breathe again, to live
again, until I was asleep in his arms.

Feeling a wet cold blow over my nipples, I scrabbled for a
way to cover myself. I blinked rapidly when I found myself completely naked in
bed. Landon was on his knees, hovering over me, his soft touch tracing every
inch of my body.

I moved my hands, reaching for his touch, scared that I
might be dreaming it.
 

Stilling my hands over my head, he gave me a warning look
with a mischievous gleam that made my heart leap. He skimmed over every line,
drew on every shape, circling my breasts.

I moved my hips reflexively, he was disabling me, my legs
wide open and subdued by his hard body and parted, flexed knees.

“Am I dreaming?” I asked sleepily.

He shook his head and stood up abruptly, leaving me aching
to retrieve his touch. I let out a loud protest.

“I’m right here baby. I have something for you. Don’t
move.” His voice was rough and low, almost inaudible.

I watched him as he reached down in front of the bed and
removed his guitar. I smiled tenderly at him. My heart raced with anticipation.

“We don’t have much time. The girls are about to go to
sleep.”

I nodded. My mouth got dry and I swallowed.

“This is the perfect song for me to tell you what I came
to realize.” He pulled the strings lightly and hummed.

The memory of his hypnotic voice surged back as soon as he
started playing with the chords. That is how I imagined Angels would sound
like. It took me a moment to register the melody, but as soon as he sang the
first words I was taken. Hypnotized by him, the way he looked, the way he
sounded. It was out of this world, an
eargasm
for all
my senses. He was surreal.

It took me a moment to register the melody, but I
recognized the song as soon as he pronounced the first words. His voice was
like chocolate dipped strawberries with a side of whip cream, delicious and generous.
He was a beautiful sight too.

Nothing
goes
as
planned

Everything
will
break

People
say
goodbye