A Sweet Mess Read online

  “Well, it’s not over yet. You still haven’t tried the olallie-berry pie.”

  “Don’t tell anyone I said this, but there’s no way I could fit pie into my stomach right now.”

  “Okay, then. Let’s make like tourists and check out downtown Cambria. I’m sure we can burn off our lunch and make room for pie.”

  “Could we take a nap first?”

  “Up you go, lazy buns.” Landon lifted her by her arms, and happy Buddha had no choice but to waddle along beside him.

  Downtown Cambria reminded Aubrey of Weldon, but it had a slightly more laid-back, beach-town feel to it. Fewer diners and more cafés with outdoor seating. She’d forgotten how fun it was to be a tourist. The streets were studded with stores full of local art, wines, and olive oils and everything else Cambria. She was particularly drawn to a quaint shop with delicate handblown glassware. As she browsed the shop, soaking in all the lovely globes, jars, and bottles, Landon gestured to her that he’d be outside to take a call.

  She was roaming down the aisles when a row of graceful glass bottles caught her eye. The teardrop-shaped bottles had oversize globe stoppers that gave them a bold, startling look. They felt kind of off—just enough to draw her attention—but not wrong. The odd proportion and balance of the bottles gave them a unique beauty that entranced her. She gasped a little at the price tag, but she just couldn’t walk away from them. They’d be perfect for her moonstones, and she wanted to give one to Landon for the wonderful day trip.

  Well, you only live once. Aubrey picked out a green bottle for Landon and a light blue one for herself. She marched with determination to the cashier but had to take a deep breath before she could actually put the bottles down for her to scan and wrap.

  “I didn’t mean to neglect you for so long. We might actually start shooting as scheduled if the stars line up for us.” The bottles were safely packaged and stored in a sturdy shopping bag when Landon walked in with an apologetic smile. “Been shopping? What did you get?”

  “Oh, just a small souvenir.”

  Landon cocked his head at her but didn’t pry. He took the shopping bag and linked his fingers through hers. They strolled hand in hand, glancing at the shops lining the street. Aubrey couldn’t help her heart from fluttering from the simple pleasure. He’d been incredibly attentive and sweet the entire day and found ways to touch her every chance he got—holding her hand, guiding her by the small of her back, tucking a lock of her hair behind her ear. All the while, Aubrey’s heart beat—more, more, and more.

  “So are you ready for your olallieberry pie?”

  “Yes, please.” Anything to stop this day from ending.

  He chuckled softly while his eyes lingered on her face and his thumb traced a circle on the palm of her hand. She exhaled a quiet sigh. He wanted time to slow down, too.

  * * *

  The famous olallieberry pie was famous for a reason. The bakery was housed in a converted two-story cottage that was bursting with cozy charm and pie-hungry customers. Their table was on the second floor, overlooking a trinket shop that Aubrey wanted to clean out. It was cuteness overload.

  “There you go,” their server said, placing two picture-perfect slices of pie in front of them, then bustling off to serve the other slices of pie balanced on her arm.

  “Wow,” Aubrey said. “Their definition of a slice is a quarter of the pie?”

  “Trust me. It’s the perfect size. A wimpy one-eighth slice would leave you licking the plate, consoling your stomach’s unfulfilled need for more pie.”

  Aubrey laughed and broke the golden, flaky crust to scoop up her first bite. She stopped laughing. She stopped talking. It was all about the pie as she savored the intensity of the tart and sweet filling and the richness of the buttery, short crust. Olallie-berries looked similar to a blackberry but had the soft skin and delicate seeds of raspberries, so the deep, royal-purple filling had a fun, slightly chewy texture.

  When she finally glanced up from her plate, Landon was watching her with the Smile. Of course she smiled back. She couldn’t stop herself even though she suspected her teeth were tainted purple and dotted with olallieberry seeds.

  “Good?” he said.

  “So, so good.”

  Aubrey exercised a heavy dose of restraint at the gift shop and kept her purchases to an olallieberry refrigerator magnet for Tara and a jar of olallieberry jam for herself. Landon casually strolled the shop, stopping here and there, then lined up at the register. She waited for him by the door, dying to know what he’d gotten, but she kept her curiosity to herself in case he asked her about her purchases from the glass store.

  Landon tucked her into the passenger seat, then slid into his seat and turned to her. “You want to see what I got?”

  “Yes.”

  He pulled out his find with a flourish and dangled it in front of her nose.

  “What is that?” Aubrey said, drawing back to get a better look. Then she burst into a belly laugh. “Is that an olallieberry pie air freshener?”

  Grinning broadly, he broke open the plastic packaging and hung the cartoony pie behind his rearview mirror. He looked so mischievous and gleeful that Aubrey bit hard on the inside of her cheek to stop from mooning over him. This adorable and carefree Landon might be worth risking everything for.

  The stars filled the sky, and a sliver of a crescent moon lit the road on their drive back, and Aubrey retraced the details of the day, committing them to memory. Landon drove at a leisurely pace. Perhaps he wanted to prolong the day as much as she did. It really was a perfect day, and a part of her wanted it to lead into a perfect night.

  Unable to shake off the dangerous path of her thoughts, she stole sideways glances at Landon, turning away with a blush only to look back again. Every time he caught her staring, he made her heart perform acrobatics with his sexy dimple. He could probably see what she wanted plastered across her face, but she couldn’t stop staring.

  When his cell phone rang, she jumped as though she’d been caught being naughty. Aubrey’s heart plummeted when she heard Aria weeping on the other side.

  “Landon, please. I need to talk to you.”

  Before she could hear any more, Landon transferred the call to his handheld.

  “Where are you?” He paused and nodded as though Aria could see him through the phone. “It’s okay. I’ll be there soon.”

  When the call ended, tension blanketed the quiet happiness that had permeated the car. Landon seemed distracted, and Aubrey pulled on her lower lip, torn between concern and curiosity.

  “Is everything okay?” she asked hesitantly.

  “Yes.” He glanced at her and then turned his eyes back to the road. “No. She needs someone to talk to, but she’ll be okay.”

  “Let me know if I can do anything to help.”

  Landon smiled a little and gave her knee a squeeze, but his mind was elsewhere. Aubrey wished they could’ve enjoyed the rest of their evening together and then immediately felt like a brat. She’d only known Aria for a little more than a week, but Aria was her friend and she needed Landon’s help. Aubrey couldn’t believe how selfish she was.

  The remaining drive to the villa dragged on for what felt like hours. The car had barely rolled to a stop when Aubrey jumped out and ran for the front door. If she lingered, she might want to hold on to him. Besides, he’d never leave Aria in tears to stay with her. Their one night together wouldn’t—and shouldn’t—trump ten years of friendship.

  Too busy lecturing herself, she didn’t hear Landon behind her and jumped when he grasped her arm.

  “Are you okay?” A frown creased his forehead.

  “Yes, yes. Of course. I’m just tired.”

  “Get some rest, then.” But his gaze bored into hers, seeking the truth behind her transparent lie. “I’ll be out for a while. Will you be okay?”

  “Yes, I’ll be fine,” she said, tilting her chin up. “Good night.”

  “Hey, wait.” As she stepped toward the door, Landon tugged her into
his arms. “I had a wonderful time today. Thank you for coming with me.”

  “You’re welcome.” Her smile wobbled in the corners. “It was lovely.”

  They stood with their gazes locked, and his arms loosely wrapped around her waist. Their smiles dimmed as the space between their bodies became hot and charged like a stormy night in the tropics.

  “I should go,” he said, but he made no move to leave and stared at her lips.

  “Yes, of course.” She tried to step back, but his hands tightened on her waist. Aubrey cocked her head to the side. She really hadn’t wanted to keep him from Aria. “Landon?”

  His eyes darted around her face, tortured and frantic. He was going to stand there all night, fighting an inner battle. Oh, for God’s sake. She rose on her tiptoes and tugged his head down and then kissed him. It was soft and lingering, and he sighed into her mouth. His tongue traced her bottom lip, coaxing her to let him in. Her lips started to part before she remembered Aria, and she pushed against his chest.

  “You have to go.” She sounded winded. Gah. She was in trouble. “I hope Aria’s okay.”

  “Me, too.” He shoved his hands through his hair and took a backward step. “Good night, Aubrey.”

  “Bye.”

  Long after Landon drove off, Aubrey stood exactly where he’d left her, blinking like an owl. The chill in the evening air nudged her to action, and she stumbled into the dark villa.

  She already missed him.

  14

  Their lovely day together had filled her with energy, and Aubrey paced her room, twitchy with cabin fever. Nothing made sense where Landon was involved. She was in a perpetual haze of conflicting desires—want him, can’t have him, fuck it, be practical. It was time to make up her mind, and there was only one wise choice. No more kissing. No more testing the line. They were going to be friends. With no benefits.

  She heaved a loud sigh and parked her bottom on her bed, but her feet danced around the floor, enchanted with angst. How am I supposed to still this restless energy? Oh yes. The villa’s lovely swimming pool.

  She hadn’t brought a swimsuit, but it shouldn’t matter; the pool was surrounded by trees and hills as far as the eyes could see. As for Landon, he’d be gone for God knew how long. Will he want to continue our kiss when he gets back? The wayward thought made her want to kick something, preferably Landon. It was unfair. She was a strong woman, and her brain, not her lady bits, ruled her actions. No man should be so irresistible. Taking a deep breath, she crammed serenity down her throat.

  Swim. Now.

  The late-summer night held hints of the autumn chill, but the sun-warmed water felt luxurious on her naked skin. Despite the accent lighting glowing out of the pool, the stars poured down from the sky, outshining the artificial lighting. Even the grace of the crescent moon seemed to pale in comparison to the brilliant diamonds blinking in the heavens.

  The rhythmic laps around the pool calmed Aubrey’s clattering mind and released the tension from her body. Soon her heart resumed its steady beat, and the soothing balm of nature spread peace through her. After a while, Aubrey lay floating on her back, stroking one arm and then the other, making herself circle slowly around the pool. Her mind wandered lazily until it settled on Landon—the dark intensity of his eyes, his full, sensuous mouth, his firm, muscular chest, and his long, strong legs. In her calm, relaxed state, thinking of Landon made her mouth curve into a lazy smile.

  The quiet scrape of the pool chair shattered her reverie, and Aubrey stood up in the pool, clumsily splashing water in her hurry. Landon sat a few feet from the pool, his arms crossed over his chest. He was apparently waiting for the second act of the show. His face was partially hidden in the night, so Aubrey couldn’t read his expression.

  On the contrary, she was in a glowing pool with the moonlight shining down on her—her nudity spotlighted from top to bottom. Embarrassment flaming her face, Aubrey stopped treading water to cover her breasts with her arms. When she started sinking, she released her arms to tread water again.

  “Go away.”

  “Not on your life.”

  “Then at least have the courtesy to look away,” she snapped.

  “I’m not feeling particularly well mannered at the moment.”

  “Well … I…” She clamped her mouth shut to stop sputtering.

  Aubrey couldn’t see his face, but she felt his gaze follow her across the pool. She had nowhere to hide, but creating some distance was better than nothing. By the time she reached the far end of the pool, her mortification had morphed into anger.

  He had suddenly shown up in her life, unreasonably attractive and amazing in bed. But he’d written a judgmental review, which still might cost her Comfort Zone. Then, he unilaterally announced he didn’t want to resume their affair, then made her a business proposal. It’ll be strictly business. Blah, blah, blah. They were starting to become some sort of friends, and they had gone on a lovely day trip. Now, here he was, watching her like a man dying of hunger. Hunger for her. He had no right to confuse her like this.

  Indignation doused her fury with fuel. The fire burned her modesty and inhibition into ashes. Aubrey spun around to face him and draped her arms over the edge of the pool. Her breasts jutted forward, the top curves breaking water. She held her position for a long minute, daring him to explore every last inch of her.

  Then she kicked off the wall and swam to the other end. She didn’t rush and enjoyed the caress of the water against her sensitized skin. Slowly and deliberately, she drew close to her sole audience. Landon sat motionless in the shadows. She dove under at the last stretch and broke through when she reached the edge. Tipping her head back, she let the weight of the water smooth her long bangs back.

  “If you won’t look away, the least you could do is help me out of the pool.”

  Landon was so still, he could’ve been a statue, and Aubrey’s courage faltered. Then, with a suddenness that nearly knocked the chair over, he stood and reached the edge of the pool in two long strides. Uncloaked from the darkness, his eyes blazed with desire, and her body caught fire in response.

  When he reached out, Aubrey wanted nothing more than to put her hand in his so he could pull her into his arms. She wanted to press her wet, cool body against the hard heat of his and kiss him with all her pent-up desire.

  There was nothing she wanted more. Maybe except for this—

  Once she had a firm grip of his hand, Aubrey planted both of her feet on the wall and leaned back with all her strength. She heard rather than saw Landon land in the water. While he remained stunned for a split second, she pushed herself up and out of the pool.

  The thick towel she’d brought dwarfed her, leaving only her feet visible. Grateful for the armor, she glanced at Landon from under her lashes. He was resting his chin on his forearms, leaning out of the lip of the pool. He wore an amused grin on his face, but his eyes raked over her like hot coals. She was afraid he’d singe the towel off her.

  Now would be the time to make a pithy remark and trot away. But all her anger and bravado had seeped out of her, and she stood trembling. In fear or desire, she couldn’t say.

  “Run, Aubrey,” Landon warned quietly. “If you’re still there when I get out of here, I guarantee you won’t be going to bed alone tonight.”

  She knew she should do as he’d said, but her legs refused to take her back to safety. Just take one step. The next ones will be easier. Even when Landon pushed himself out of the pool, his wet clothes clinging to his hard body, all Aubrey could manage was a wide-eyed gasp.

  He stalked toward her with measured steps—his large body taut with control and dangerously graceful. His face was a mask of lean hunger, and she wanted. She wanted him with a fierce desperation that stole her breath.

  She’d shared one night with him, and the memories were seared into her mind. But it was nothing—nothing—compared to the carnal fever that seized her now.

  He stopped mere inches from her, and his heat engulfed her. “Look at me
.”

  Helpless against his command, she stared into his eyes. It was going to end in heartbreak, but she had no choice. Fighting what raged between them was a slow death. When Landon lowered his head, she tilted her face and parted her lips to receive his touch fully. It was surrender. It was freedom.

  She pushed her body against his and fisted her hands into his hair. Answering her unspoken demand, he deepened the kiss with a shuddering groan. Hunger eclipsed sanity, and she plunged her tongue into his mouth and tugged his head down, struggling to get closer to him.

  Aubrey writhed against him and bit his bottom lip hard. With a low growl, he wrenched the towel from her body and pressed her against him. His hands were rough and hot on her bare skin, and a muffled moan escaped her.

  Still not close enough.

  Frustrated with the barrier between them, Aubrey tugged at his damp shirt with fumbling hands. She whimpered in protest when his lips left hers for the second it took to pull his shirt over his head.

  He’s so beautiful.

  Spreading her fingers wide on his chest, Aubrey buried her lips in the hollow of his throat and traced open-mouthed kisses along his jaw to capture his lips again. Their touch held no gentleness—only rough urgency. Landon drew his hands up the side of her body and cupped her breasts. When he grazed his thumbs over their hard peaks, Aubrey whimpered and rocked her hips against him. He released her mouth to taste her neck, sucking and nibbling on the sensitive skin.

  “God, I need you.” His voice was a husky plea. “All of you.”

  Landon’s words pierced through the fog of passion and buried themselves in Aubrey’s mind. She jolted awake from her dream. She couldn’t do this. She couldn’t risk her livelihood. Her future.

  But it was more than that. She was falling for him.

  Her parents’ wreck of a marriage had convinced her love and forever weren’t for her. If he grows tired of me, I’ll become invisible even when I’m by his side. I’ll disappear like Mom. She couldn’t risk becoming a ghost, floating through life, unseen and unheard.