Relinquish(58)

Landon sighs, his teeth worrying his bottom lip as he looks at me with longing. That scar right above his lip stands out along his tanned skin. In one swift motion, he slams his lips onto mine, his hand tangling itself deeper into my hair.

His tongue caresses my bottom lip before sweeping between them. My senses are lost, and the music is drawn out. I reach one hand behind his neck, the other caressing the scruff on his cheeks. The whiskers rubbing along the pads of my fingers feel divine. I want Landon like this every day.

He slowly pulls his lips away, allowing me to catch my breath as he trails his nose down my jawline. His hands slide from my hair down my chest, greedily grabbing my clothed breasts before continuing their journey to my hips.

“If you were mine, you would never feel alone again, Charlie,” he whispers against the skin of my neck, giving it a slight nip. His fingers bunch the material of my dress in his palm, hiking it up my thighs. He grabs behind my knees and lifts one leg, wrapping it around his waist and leaving my bare hip exposed. I watch his Adam’s apple bob as he swallows heavily, looking between our bodies.

“Pretend?” I pant, knowing this is where we pretend to be normal, act as if we’re not obligated to hate each other. That we’re ordinary people who want to be together. He slides his palm over my thigh, the feeling of his hand so close to my * causing my core to throb.

He nods, his breath heavy as his hand travels between my legs, a finger trailing up my inner thigh. My body breaks out in a sea of goose bumps as a shiver spreads through my limbs.

I moan, arching myself into him, so desperately ready for him to take me. His fingers find my panties, my * throbbing so hard I can feel it pulsing through my lower half. He pulls the fabric to the side and deftly slides a finger through my wetness. I buck against him, so wound up I can’t contain my reaction. An uncontrollable moan leaves my lips from his touch.

“I could watch you come undone by my touch every day, Charlie,” he growls, resting his forehead against mine, his finger giving another quick swipe against my heat.

“Yes, please. Don’t let go,” I whimper, not wanting him to stop. I never want him to leave my side, the fear of losing his warmth an isolation I can’t bear anymore.

The doors to the ballroom creak, causing Landon to pull from me quickly. My world spinning with lust, I nearly fall on my face from his sudden departure.

“Landon, Father is waiting for our scheduled meeting.” I glance over and see Roman leaning against the doorframe, his hands in his pockets and a wolfish grin across his face. His shirt is untucked and his hair is messed up like the last time I saw him. He’s the opposite of Landon, that’s for sure.

“Yeah, I’ll be there,” Landon bellows, his voice sounding on the edge of angry.

“Right,” Roman remarks, eyeing me and then Landon before leaving.

“You need to keep tension in your arms.” Landon reaches behind my back and pushes my posture upright with force. “Keep it locked,” he demands, his tone taking more of an edge. I sigh. Here comes the mask to Landon’s emotions. The reminder of my reality. I’m just the whore. I feel like I’m nothing to him, and that makes my heart combust with rage.

“Keep practicing,” Landon mumbles, walking away. A whimper falls from my lips as that worthlessness creeps back into my limbs.

“Landon!” I yell, stopping him just before he reaches the doors. He turns his head, looking at me from the corner of his eyes.

“I-” I stammer. “Don’t go.”

Landon looks at the doors, then slowly turns.

“It’s not real, Charlie. It can only last for a few minutes before the reality of what we are, who we are, and what we stand for in this world comes into focus.”

I let out a sob, his words taking a direct hit to my heart. I’ve felt alone in my life; not having a family or friends caused that. But I never feel more alone than I do after Landon pins his mask of darkness over his emotions and leaves me in a heaping mess of hopelessness.

I close my eyes and sigh. “I’m done,” I whisper, looking down at the floor. The words leaving my lips cause my stomach to sink.

“What?” Landon growls.

I whip my gaze from the floor to him and glare.

“I’m. Done.” I grit, anger fueling my temper. “Find another one of your whores to play make-believe with.”

Landon’s face goes pale and falls lax with my words.

“I can’t do this anymore. You know, you once told me I deserved so much better. Remember? The night it was just us in the hotel?” I straighten my spine and lift my chin. “You’re right, Landon. I do deserve better. I deserve better than you.”

Landon’s face turns red, his brows clenching inward as he stomps toward me. My heart panics with a racing beat.

The double doors swing open and Roman returns.

“Landon, everyone is still waiting,” Roman informs in annoyance. Landon doesn’t stop his strides toward me, and my knees tremble with the need to buckle in fear from the furious look on his face.

He grabs my forearm, pulling me toward him with haste, not caring that Roman is watching.

“What did you just say to me?” he seethes.

“You heard me,” I hiss, my words holding more courage than I actually have at the moment.

“You. Belong. To. Me,” Landon grits, his fingers digging into my flesh. My eyes go wide and my mouth parts. I’m not a toy. I’m a human, and I have feelings and wants in life, regardless of what some pimp may think.