Consume Me (A Burning Desire Novel) (16 page)

“I think that will be the second ground
rule.”

I was at a total loss as to what he’d
meant.

“Second ground rule?”

I asked taken aback.

“Yes.”

He acquiesced, gesturing for me to walk
out of the elevator.

I stepped out into the most unexpected
space. The door opened on a vast room, clean and simple; which made me aware of
every intricacy that filled it.

At first glance, I could tell that Landon
had a particular soft spot for art. It was everywhere, in every painting; that
went from soft and tender, bold and expressive. Every individual object, every
canvas had uniqueness in and of itself.

A beautiful U-shaped sofa, with refined
and refreshing lines gave an energetic vibe to the space. It faced the
beautiful view of the city skyline. It was bright and inspiring.

I was drawn to a familiar sight at the end
of the room. A beautiful sculpture stood on its own. I admired the delicate
lines and detailed features of the curvaceous woman represented. However small,
the piece stood strong. It communicated something both dramatic and intimate.
It was awe-inspiring.

“You found her.”

Landon spoke slowly to my ears and wrapped
his arms around me.

The gesture surprised me.

“This is my favorite.
It’s called
La
…”

“La Courtisane.”

I mumbled, cutting him off. I couldn’t
believe it.

The sculpture represented a myth for so
many people. It was the work of Dubois. Allegedly, he had made it for the love
of his life; who was a prostitute. She was stabbed by her ‘Madam,’ who was also
in love with her and got jealous when she thought her leaving. It was never
exposed to the public; which was the reason people thought it destroyed or some
sort of propaganda about the artist late life. It was part of his private
collection and it ended up in some house in Luxembourg.

“How did you come to acquire this? It was
allegedly left behind by Dubois. People said it got painful for him to look at
it, and left it behind when he moved to work at the Beaux Arts?”

I was completely taken by it.

“I’m impressed, Miss Dane.”

Landon walked in front of me and stood
next to the sculpture.

“Those endless hours around the Louvre
must be a passion of yours.”

I shrugged.

“I love museums. I find them fascinating,
and relaxing.”

He nodded with a tender smile.

“Sadly, I have no hand in acquiring this
piece. My father is the only one who would satisfy your curiosity; that is if
you manage to convince him.”

He smiled as if cherishing a memory. His
gaze seemed to travel back in time.

“In fact, you’ll start tonight.”

He said with a wink that made my heart
skip a beat.

I forgot that his father was going to be
at the party. I apprehended the moment with anxiety. I needed to talk to him
before anything.

I gathered my courage and put some order
in my thoughts. I needed to take the lead on the conversation. I didn’t want to
lose any control over the situation. I was going to spend the rest of the
weekend with him, and then I’ll get on with my life. There was no point for me
to lose an opportunity to spend some more time with him.

“What is it Miss Dane?”

I had no idea how he could do that. It
really scared me.

“You said ground rules.”

Landon blinked at me in surprise, and then
nodded.

“I did.”

He breathed out.

“What did you mean?” I interjected
quickly.

He stifled a laugh.

“Would you care for a drink? Have you
eaten?”

I shook my head.

“No, I prefer answers. And yes, I had a
burger and fries.”

“Good.”

He said with a smile.

“So?” I insisted.

“Such an impatient little thing.”

He whispered.

He was teasing me…

“
That is
not true.”

I pouted.

“And so puzzlingly innocent.”

“And you are such a lawyer.”

He cocked his head, seemingly amused.

I shook my head to affirm my statement.

“You’re turning around in circles,
avoiding the real question.”

“Oh am I?”

“Yes, you are.”

“And what do you suggest we do about
that?”

He had such a beautiful smile, arrogant
bastard.

“Jeez, I don’t know. Answer the damn
question?”

“Which question is that?”

He was seriously wearing me off.

“You know what? Forget it.”

I rocked my tennis shoes and walked to the
door.

“Okay, wait.”

I smiled to myself and secretly bowed.

I turned to him and crossed my arms.

“Let’s sit.”

He gestured to the nearest sofa and I
followed him.

Landon fell silent for a moment, his eyes
focused and intense.

“Tell me, Miss Dane, Do you know what the
term
a fortiori
means?”

I shook my head no. I was curious where he
was going with that.

“A fortiori, is a Latin law jargon, it
means an argument from a stronger reason, we use it to point out that if one
fact is true, then another one related and or included, must also be true.”

I was lost.

“We use the term, along with another one;
bona fide
,
which implies something done in good faith, regardless of the outcome.”

He straightened himself and pressed closer
to me.

“What I mean by this is…”

Landon paused, and then continued, fixing
me with blazing, sincere eyes.

“Well, I heard you yesterday. You made
your argument and I understand it perfectly. I’m in the habit of living by some
rules. When I say bona fide, it simply means that every relationship I get
involved in, starts with good faith and good intentions. I never meant to hurt
anyone, and especially not you.”

I nodded my head in understanding. I
might’ve been getting closer to understand him some more.

“Only for you, I’m willing to make an
exception.”

My heart leaped into my throat, my pulse
going over the charts.

I swallowed hard, glancing down at my
hands.

“You’ll be what we, arrogant lawyers.”

He said with a wink and a knowing smile.

“What we call an
ad hoc
.”

I smiled at the technical term. I wished
for something a little more romantic.

“What’s an ad hoc?”

I asked trying not to sound flustered by
the whole situation.

“Well, it usually signifies a solution
made for a specific situation, non-applicable in any other one.”

I eyed him, suddenly confused.

He tried to hide his smile.

“It basically means; you’re my only
exception. We will build our own relationship from the ground up.”

I couldn’t believe what he was saying. It
took all my best efforts not to jump on his lap and kiss him. But I needed to
hear him.

“You mean no expiration date?”

I asked.

“No, no expiration date Miss Dane.”

Landon smiled sheepishly.

“But we will need some rules.”

I could live with that…

“I live by strict rules in my business and
personal life. I’m willing to get rid of what was, until yesterday, the most
important one. But since you’re not used to it, we will make our own rules.”

I looked at him wondering.

“Yes Miss Dane?”

“What’s the first rule? You said the lying
was second.”

I asked dryly.

“Well, the first one has been implied, but
not noted.”

“Which one is that?”

He tugged me further to him and pulled at
the shirt.

“You Are Mine.”

Landon stressed every syllable and spoke
with a warning tone.

“I don’t know who this Noah Crosse is, but
you’ll never, ever wear something that is branded with someone other than
something around Oscar De La Renta.”

He slowly tugged the shirt and took it
off.

“You know your brands Mr. Davis. Ryan
would be falling in love if he was here.”

I said as a way of lightening his mood.

“That is my most important rule concerning
you Miss Dane.”

I looked down at my naked stomach.

“Does it stand the same for me?”

My voice came out small, and hesitant.

“What do you mean?”

I puffed at his feigned ignorance.

“You’re mine too?”

He stifled a smile.

“Is that a question or an affirmation?”

I shrugged. I meant it as a question, but
wanted to state it as some confirmation of sorts.

“I guess it is only fair.”

He nodded.

“I guess that too.”

I
couldn’t believe what had happened. Landon Davis agreed to having a real
relationship with me, rather than letting me go. I had never felt happier.
There was no way of telling what the future had stored for me, but I was
hopeful and content. It wasn’t perfect, the rules implied so many things; it
meant there would be several adjustments, and tricky situations that would need
dealing with.

A relationship with Landon Davis was going
to be a real roller coaster of emotions; I had absolutely no doubt about it.

I woke
up in a dazed state, the warmth of a naked chest against my back, and wet
kisses draping the back of my neck. For a moment, I felt at a loss as to where
I was, and then I recognized the familiar feel. I was in Landon's arms, I had
no idea how long I had been sleeping. I grinned to myself thinking about what
he did to me before I drifted off to an apparent long nap.

I could get used to it.

I moaned, and pushed further into his
embrace. It was bizarre how comfortable and soothing being so close to him felt
like. He puzzled me, his intensity and tenderness, his passion; those eyes I
could get lost in; they were engraved in my mind no matter how long the
relationship would’ve lasted.

I turned to face him, and offered a weak
sleepy smile, it felt like a dream and I wasn't ready to wake up just yet.

He squeezed me in his arms.

“As amazing as having you in my arms
feels, we need to get ready"

I pouted a little protest against his neck
and he chuckled.

“Come on, we'll be back before you know it
and your appointment is here, also I have a few calls to make"

"What appointment?"

I asked looking into his beautiful eyes.

“Hair, make-up, dress.”

He said kissing my forehead and turning to
sit on the bed.

“Oh my god, I forgot to call the guys,
they must be freaking out!"

I jumped out of the bed in a hurry, I was
looking for my phone, and realized I was completely naked. I flushed crimson at
his gaze and ran back to cover myself. He was laughing.

Landon pulled the sheets I was trying to
wrap around my bare body.

“Let go Davis."

I yelled at him

He shook his head

“You let go Miss Dane, you have no reason
to hide from me"

He wore a wicked smile.

“Fine I'll go downstairs this way."

I defied him and strode to the door, hoping
he won't let me do it.

“Suit yourself"

He said leisurely.

”But I should warn you, Calvin is down
there, along with Antonio, your hair stylist”

He announced.

I froze in my path, there was no way I was
letting other men see me naked. I turned and looked around me.

“Where are my clothes?"

“I don't know, probably somewhere around
here."

He said feigning ignorance.

“What do you mean somewhere around? Give
me my clothes you bastard"

I groaned at him.

He brought his hands up.

“I don't have them."

“Fine.”

I walked outside the room. I opened every
door I’d stumbled upon in my path; a library, an office, and a locked one,
until I found a gym.

 I got inside and looked around;
thankfully, I found some towels on a shelf, they were all too small, but they
had to do. I wrapped one around my body, and head downstairs. Reaching the last
step, I glanced around but didn't see anyone. I ran to the couch for my phone.
I had three missed calls from Jude and a text from Ryan.

~ Get your pretty ass back here ASAP~

I had to go back to our suite and see what
happened. But I was stuck there, since I couldn’t find my clothes and the lying
bastard upstairs was hiding them somewhere. I couldn’t understand why he was
hiding them. If it was his idea of a joke, I was obviously not laughing.

Well maybe a little…

Getting down there despite what he said
was gratifying.

Thank god, he was only trying to scare me
off, the towel was barely covering anything, and I needed to find my clothes
and go find my friends.

“Ahem “

I jumped to a coughing sound and turned to
find Calvin staring down at his shoes.

“I’m sorry Miss Dane; I didn't think that
you were... um... downstairs."

He said still looking down. I completely
freaked out!

Oh my god!

“Calvin, I’m, err, I'm so...”

“Get out!"

Landon's voice came from behind me, angry
and serious.  

Calvin turned in silence, without even
glancing in our direction

“I’m sorry!"

I yelled to his back.

“What the fuck do you think you're doing,
walking around like this?”

His voice was screeching and his eyes
dark.

Seriously?

“Well if you gave me my clothes, we
wouldn't be in this situation.?"

I answered him with my coolest tone.

“No, we wouldn't be in the situation if
YOU didn't defy me”

“Defy you?"

I feigned shock.

“Yes, you defy me. You hide from me, Clea;
and it wounds me.”

He pulled at the towel, exposing my naked
body to him.

I felt my knees weaken; watching his
bewitching gaze burning a path through my skin.

"You are stunning, Clea; so pure, so
intoxicating.”

Landon spoke slowly, burning desire inside
me.

“For my eyes only, Miss Dane. Only mine.”

He finished, lifted me swiftly in his
arms, and walked us toward the stairs.

He carried me upstairs and made me climax
again, in the most possessive way. He took a long shower. When he came out, all
steaming hot and mouthwatering, he pulled my clothes from one of the drawers.
He offered me a sheepish smile and let me get dressed.

"I'll
be back in twenty, I have a few calls to make, take everything you need for
after the party. I have some plans for later."

Landon pressed a kiss to my cheek and left
me in front of the doorway wondering what he possibly meant by that.

“About time you came back and explain this
circus."

When I walked through the door, Jude pushed
to his feet and strode towards me.

He looked angry.

“What’s going on?"

I asked him incredulously.

“Boo is that you?"

Ryan came into the living area holding two
tuxedos followed by Jenna.

“I’m sorry guys; I forgot to call you
back. Are you close to getting ready?”

“Oh my god Boo."

Ryan grinned widely

“What’s wrong Jude?”

”Oh ignore him. He’s just being a pain in
the arse.”

Ryan spoke with a faulty British accent,
and Jude glared at him.

“What’s with the accent?”

I asked with an amused grin.

“We received the invitations; the charity
will be Casino Royale themed.”

Jenna announced happily.

“Yeah, and Ryan here, thinks he’s Daniel
Craig in James bond”

Jude followed, seemingly annoyed by the
whole thing.

“Let him have his fun, you know he loves
plush events.”

I reasoned.

“Damn right. Plus, who am I to miss on an
occasion to wear one of these? “

He said extending the tuxedos.

“You like them? Do they fit?"

“Like them?”

Jude snorted.

“He’s been all shades of crazy for an hour,
those are Brioni, Boo. I really didn’t expect this when I accepted to go; it’s
just too much.”

Jude was definitely annoyed.

“Are they expensive?”

It didn't really mean anything to me. I
just shrugged.

"Oh you're hopeless! Danny wore those
during his most important events."

Jenna condemned, still fully aware of my
father’s wardrobe.

"Those are the best suits you can
find, all kinds of expensive, worn by all the James Bonds, and made of the
finest fabrics."

She explained

“Oh ok."

I was stunned by the act of generosity.

”So it's suitable for the party."

I breathed out, trying to hide my
disbelief.

I
poured myself a much-needed glass of wine and gulped it down. I thought about
the expensive things Landon had sent to my friend and I agreed with them that
they wouldn’t keep any of it; even Jenna got a Badgley Mischka beautiful
strapless chiffon blue gown.

I wondered what I was getting, then what
he’d said before he left me outside the room. I didn't know much; except for the
certainty that it was probably going to be a night to remember. I cooled off
after my second glass of wine. I was ready for tonight, I was going to make it
count, and after all I had nothing to lose. Well maybe one thing, but it was my
choice and I was feeling ready for it; especially after we’d established some
points about the kind of relationship we were going to have.

It was time for a change of skin; I had to
quit being scared of everything it involved.

The good news was, if he does it as
breathtakingly as he gave me my first orgasms, I'll get a win over so many bad
stories I’d heard from so many girlfriends.

I went
into my room, and went through my clothes; I picked out some fitting underwear
courtesy of Jenna and a mini medallion tie-neck dress, then got inside the
shower.

I got out of the bathroom, got dressed,
and put everything into my purse. I took a sharp breath and decided on another
glass.

I head back outside. I heard a woman’s
voice, and saw a brunette with bright eyes standing next to Landon and Jenna.

“Hey C., this is Mindy, she's here for our
hair and makeup."

Jenna introduced our guest and I extended
my hand to the woman.

“Hello."

I said smiling at her.

“Actually Clea is going to get ready in my
apartment. We will meet you in the lobby by eight thirty.”

He said not taking his eyes from me

“Oh okay, you should get going then and I
should get ready."

Jenna said cheerily.

”Oh, and thank you for the beautiful
clothes."

“Don’t mention it; I hope you'll enjoy
your evening."

He gave her a light kiss before he took my
hand and walked us outside.

“Thank you."

I murmured once inside the elevator.

”It's really generous, but you still
didn't have to."

“Nonsense!"

“That’s what money is supposed to be for.”

“What? Offering obscenely expensive
clothing to strangers?"

I retorted dryly.

He looked at me in utter bewilderment.

“That’s what you think you and your
friends are? Strangers?"

“Well, they don't really know you now, do
they?"

I argued.

“And neither do I, for that matter."

He turned and held my chin, bringing me at
eye level with him.

“So you would let a stranger do what I do
to you?”

I blushed.

“Well…"

“I am no stranger Clea; you keep hounding
me."

The hurt echoed in his voice

I slapped myself mentally for what I said.

He really didn't feel like a stranger. I
just felt the recurring need to defy him and I was more than a little puzzled
by him; by the way he affected me. His generosity toward my friends, I was not
used to all that.

“I’m sorry, you're not a stranger, I
wouldn't let a stranger do what you did to me, nor would I take a flight across
the country scheming and looking for him.”

I said truthfully and wrapped my hands
around him.

“But as I’d said; I'm not used to this
kind of generosity, other than from those three crazy persons"

He caressed my hair and nuzzled at it.

“Hopefully, you'll get used to include me
in your circle of trust."

“But just to be safe, let’s make it a
rule.”

He suggested strongly.

“A rule?”

I repeated, bemused.

“Yes, you will never turn down any gift,
no matter how big or small.”

“Can we address a veto?”

I interposed, not feeling comfortable with
the idea of any more presents of any kind.

“Nope.”

Landon interjected quickly. He felt so
youthful and carefree.

“Can I address a Veto on that?”

I added with a grin.

He raised a beautifully shaped eyebrow,
signaling the obvious answer.

We got inside the apartment to find Calvin
standing with a loud-laughing Italian, and a middle aged lady wearing a blue
and navy skirt suit. They stopped talking when they saw us. Calvin avoided my
gaze.