Landon (In Safe Hands Book 1) (9 page)

“No
problem. Listen, Frannie’s with me and wants to talk to Zoe. Put it on speaker,
will you?”

I
comply, and Zoe grins when Frannie cries, “Are you okay? You scared the ever loving
shit out of me, hussy!”

“Relax,
I’m fine,” Zoe laughs, shaking her head. “If you’re going to be trapped, a
spoiled rich man’s basement is a great choice,” she teases, poking me in the
ribs.

I
can’t help but smile at her attempt to cheer me up. She doesn’t know what news
I’ve received, but it’s obviously not good. “Do you have enough water?” Frannie
asks.

“Yep.
Water, food, a pool table if we get bored.”

Frannie
laughs, sounding relieved. “I wish I could do something.”

“You
can,” Zoe replies. “I can’t get a signal, and Landon’s phone cuts in and out.
Call Ethan and let him know I’m fine, but the storms damaged some cell towers,
and I’ll call when I can. He’s in Washington D.C. on a school trip. Don’t tell
him what happened. There’s no need to ruin his fun.”

“You
got it, girl. By the way, the tornado missed your side of town, so don’t worry
about your apartment.”

“Great,
thanks.”

The
phone starts cutting out. “We’re losing you, so we’ll call back when we know
more,” Jeremy promises.

“Don’t
do anything I’d do while you’re trapped in the dark with Mr. Ocean Eyes,” Frannie
adds with a giggle before the call drops. Ocean eyes? Zoe’s been talking about
my eyes.

She
turns to me. “What did he tell you? How bad is it?”

“Let’s
go back downstairs and talk,” I reply, taking her hand. We’re buried beneath a
landscape of total devastation. How do I sugarcoat that?

Zoe

Landon’s
expression is grim as we settle on the couch again. I’m not sure I want to
know, but I still ask, “What did Jeremy tell you?”

His
large hands drag through his hair. “The whole neighborhood is destroyed. Cops
and volunteers are digging through the rubble, looking for survivors. They know
we’re here, but since we’re okay, they’ll look for the injured first. We’ll
probably be here for a bit.”

“That’s
okay. They should help them first.” He nods and grabs me by the waist, scooting
me close to him. All the cuddling has been great. I don’t think I’ve ever been
as afraid as I have in the last few hours, and he’s done his best to comfort
me. At this moment, it feels like he’s seeking solace as well, so I take his
hand and rest my head on his shoulder. “What’s blocking the door? A tree?”

“A
house,” he murmurs, resting his chin on my head.

“Your
house collapsed? Oh, Landon, is it completely destroyed?”

“Not
my house. My neighbors. The tornado picked it up and slammed it into the
kitchen.”

“Oh
god.” There’s an entire house on top of us? I suddenly feel claustrophobic.
“Buried alive,” I mutter, and he pinches my chin, forcing me to look at him.

“No,
it’s just the kitchen. Once it’s our turn, they’ll have no problem getting to
us.”

“I
heard you mention a baby next door. Is it their house in the kitchen?”

“No,
it belongs to the Simmons, an elderly couple across the street. I hope they
weren’t home.”

My
stomach cramps and he must feel me stiffen up. “What is it?”

“Mrs.
Simmons, she knocked on the door right after you left. She wanted to borrow
some ice.” My eyes start to burn at the thought of her smiling face. “Said Mr.
Simmons broke her ice maker and she needed her nightly cocktail.”

He
sighs. “Damn it.”

“Maybe
they’re in their basement too,” I reply, wiping my eyes. I can’t seem to stop
the tears from coming. Who knows how many are dead? That sweet lady could be
lying in the rubble above our heads. The image of her broken body shatters me
and a sob escapes.

“I
know,” Landon croons, pulling me into his lap. Embarrassed, I bury my face in
his neck until I get a hold of myself. His warm hands run through my hair and
stroke my back.

“Sorry,”
I mutter. “I swear I never cry.”

“Sweetheart,
some terrible shit has happened. Cry all you need to.”

My
heart swells. I feel way too much for this man. “Your house, Landon. I’m so
sorry.”

“The
only thing I can’t replace is safe in my arms.”

Oh
god. I can’t keep doing this. I can’t be friends with him. “I can’t keep
working for you when this is over.”

He
shifts so he can look me in the eye. “You pushing for a raise?” he asks with a
small grin.

“I-I
have feelings for you. I tried to ignore them, but…I can’t. I’ll stay until you
can find someone to replace me.” I try to scoot off of his lap, but he pulls me
back.

“You
aren’t going anywhere,” he growls. “Now or later.”

“Landon…”

“Hush,”
he interrupts, cupping my face in his hands. “I feel the same way, Zoe. You
haunt me. I can’t get you out of my head. From the second I wake, I look
forward to seeing you walk through my door. Hearing your latest insult.”

“I
don’t share, and you said yourself you don’t do relationships.”

His
chest rises and falls with a resigned sigh. “There’s a reason for that. I have
a condition and most women find it too difficult to deal with. Too depressing.”

“A
condition? You’re sick?”

“Not
exactly. It’s an inherited condition called Xeroderma Pigmentosum.” He chuckles
at the confusion on my face, but I’m not laughing. What if he’s terminal? I’ve
come to care so much for him so quickly.

“It’s
a mouthful, I know. XP for short. My body lacks the enzyme that repairs DNA
damage caused by sun exposure. It means I burn almost instantly. I can’t be in
the sun, even for a minute or two without a major risk for skin cancer.”

“So,
you always have to wear sunblock?” I ask. That’s not so bad.

“Sunblock
isn’t enough. I can’t go outside in the daylight. Ever.”

“You
yelled at me for opening the drapes,” I murmur, thinking out loud.

“Yeah,
I’m sorry. I sort of panicked.” His expression is devastating. “I didn’t want
you to know. You’re the only person who doesn’t look at me and see a freak.”

My
arms tighten around him. “You’re not a freak. Don’t say that.” Silence falls
between us for a moment before I ask, “You have to stay in the dark?”

“Not
exactly. I have to avoid natural light.”

“So,
if it’s cloudy or raining?”

“Doesn’t
matter. Ultraviolet rays still filter through. I can’t leave the house between
dawn and sundown. It makes it impossible to have a normal life. I want you,
Zoe. I want a relationship with you, but believe me, I understand if you don’t
want a boyfriend who’s basically nocturnal.”

My
heart shatters, not because I can’t be with him, but for the way he’s suffered.
No wonder each girl was temporary. Gone before sunrise. I adore the sunlight.
Even though I know it’s bad for me, sunbathing is one of my favorite past times
in summer. To live your whole life without feeling the sun on your skin. Shit.
I’m going to cry again.

“Have
you ever been able to go outside?” I ask, swallowing my tears.

“No.
I was diagnosed as a baby when the doctor noticed I was getting freckles.
Babies don’t usually develop freckles.”

I
run a fingertip across his cheek and down his nose. “I like your freckles.
They’re adorable.”

“I
believe you mean masculine and sexy.”

“Nope,
adorable. Your body is masculine and sexy.”

His
hands wander up my sides. “And yours is soft and curvy…perfect. I’m dying to
see your tits.”

“What
a romantic,” I snort.

“I
don’t know much about romance, but I can make you feel good. I can make you the
center of my world, worship you and this sexy little body.”

Fire
races through my veins and I’m sure he can hear my heartbeat. “I can live with
that,” I breathe, and his lips land on mine. They’re soft and insistent, and a
little moan escapes me when his tongue slips between my lips. I run my hands
through his soft hair, tilting my head to give him better access when he kisses
my neck. He shifts me until my back is against his chest and rests his chin on
my shoulder.

“Damn,
I’ve wanted to do that again since you turned up at my door,” he says, wrapping
an arm around my waist. I can tell he’s restraining himself because of the
situation. It’s a good thing, because if he kisses me like that again, I’m
going to attack him with my vagina. “I don’t want to take you here, with
tragedy surrounding us, but be warned, the first time I get you alone I’m going
to fuck you ragged.”

His
words and his hot breath on my ear make me squirm in his lap, and he chuckles.
“You like me talking dirty to you.” It’s a statement, not a question, and after
my reaction there’s no denying it. “You’re all worked up. I’ll bet you’re wet,
aren’t you?”

My
face heats, but I can’t stop the words from escaping. “See for yourself.”

A
low groan rumbles his chest, and he slides his hand down the front of my jeans,
into my panties. “Christ, you’re so ready. Now I have to make you come.”

No
arguments here.

Maybe
it’s not right. I shouldn’t be turned on with all that’s happened, but my body
doesn’t care. “Spread’em sweetheart,” he orders, using his other hand to undo
my jeans.

A
thick finger slides inside me, finding that perfect spot other men fumble
around for. His thumb lands on my clit and rubs gentle circles. My head falls
back against his shoulder and I’m almost embarrassed about how fast I come. I’m
barely aware of his voice in my ear as I gasp his name.

“Fuck,
I love to hear that. Next time you’re going to scream my name.”

Damn
it. The man just owned me. I’ve never come so fast. “Of course you love to hear
your name,” I tease, relaxing against his chest.

“Are
you implying I’m arrogant?” He scrapes his teeth across my neck.

“Does
extremely self-confident sound better?”

“But
I can back it up,” he claims.

A
yawn interrupts my giggle, and he pulls a blanket off of the back of the couch.
“It’s almost morning. We should get some sleep.” We stretch out on the couch,
and he turns off the lantern. The room is plunged into darkness, but with his
arms around me, I feel safe and content as I drift off.

* * * *

It’s
disorienting to wake up in solid blackness, like I didn’t even open my eyes. I
like to sleep in the dark, but even with all the lights out in my apartment,
light filters through from the street. This is different. The sound of a steady
heartbeat beneath my ear is calming, and the events of the night before come
back to me.

We’re
trapped in the basement. I made out with Landon and let him finger me to
orgasm. Let him? If memory serves, I begged him not to stop at one point. Shit.

Landon
sits up when I fumble around the couch for the lantern and finally turn it on. “You
okay?” he murmurs, tucking a wild lock of hair behind my ear. I must look like
a mess, and he’s perfect as always. Okay, maybe his hair is a bit mussed and
his face creased with sleep, but on him, it just looks sexy. I don’t think he’s
capable of being unattractive.

“Yeah,
I’m good.” My stomach picks that moment to give a loud growl, and he chuckles.

“Let’s
find something to eat.” He picks up his phone to check the time. “No wonder
we’re starving. It’s four in the afternoon.”

“Will
you call Jeremy and see if he has any news?” I ask, yawning.

“Sick
of being trapped with me already?” he teases.

“I’d
rather be trapped with some pancakes and sausage.”

“Go
see what’s in the fridge, and I’ll call Jeremy.” He smacks my ass before
grabbing his phone and heading up the stairs.

The
food choices leave no doubt this is a man cave. I grab a box of toaster
pastries from the top of the fridge and a soft drink from inside. It’s still
cool even though the electric has been out all night. After a few minutes,
Landon joins me as I’m perched on the edge of the pool table, munching a
pastry. “Any news?”

“We’re
next on the list. They expect to get to us in about four hours or so.”

“That’s
good.” He leans over and takes a bite of my pastry, a grin on his face.
“Beast,” I scold, handing him his own.

“Better
you know now.”

“So,
it’ll be dark when they get to us?”

“Most
likely.”

“What
would you have done if it was daylight?” I mean, there has to be times when he
can’t avoid the sun. When he has to go somewhere. What if there’s an emergency
and he has to go to the hospital?

Grabbing
a bottle of water from the fridge, he sits on the couch. “I have a suit that
covers me head to toe.” His voice is reluctant.

“Like
one of those hazmat suits?”

“Yeah,
a yellow monstrosity. Makes me look like a Teletubby. I only wear it for
emergencies.”

He
pulls me close when I join him, and I curl up against his side. “You’re not
going to be able to stay here. Where are you going to go?” I’m tempted to offer
my apartment, but I just can’t. It’s so far below what he’s used to, I’m just
too embarrassed.

“Jeremy
just told me he’s made arrangements at a hotel. They’ll prepare a room for me
with blackout curtains.”

“You’re
going to owe him one,” I tease.

“We
owe each other so many we’ve lost count.” His lips find my forehead with a soft
kiss. “Come to the hotel with me.”

“What?
I…my apartment’s okay.”

“I
know, but Ethan’s still out of town, right? I still need to get you alone and
finish what we started.”

“Not
going to argue with that.”

We
spend the next few hours talking and playing a word game on my phone. It’s not
useful for anything else at the moment. A sudden bang, following by the
cracking sound of splintering wood makes me jump. A few seconds later, a voice
calls down to us. We’re saved.

Moonlight
illuminates the catastrophic scene surrounding us when we’re pulled to safety.
The houses around us are demolished, in some cases down to the foundation. The
few remaining trees are stripped of branches and leaves, many lying haphazardly
about like piles of matchsticks. It hits me how lucky we were, how lucky
I
was Landon came back. My body starts to shake at the thought, and Landon wraps
his arms around my waist, pulling me into a hug.