“Oh, boys, let’s not do this now,” Mum says. “Claire, tell us about you. What do you do for fun? Where did you two meet? I need details, darling.”
“Oh, of course. Well.” Claire looks over at me, and I nod encouragingly. “I love tennis. And reading. Books. And, of course, dogs.”
Mum leans in, a bit perplexed. “Books and dogs, you say?”
“Yes, well.” Claire waves her hands in the air, laughing nervously. Fuck me, she’s losing it. “Sorry. Jet lag is making me a bit wonky.”
“I don’t want you wonky. Do you need some tea, perhaps?” Mum asks.
“No. I’m fine. I’m sorry. Landon, will you tell them all the lovely details of our life together?”
I cough, grin tightly, and take her hand. “Of course, love. The details.”
Dad smiles encouragingly and I have no choice but to forge ahead, what with Geoffrey sitting smugly across from me, and Fiona practically begging for me to say Claire is a stripper.
“Claire is in hotel hospitality. Her office is at the Spades Royalle where I live. And we met at a business function. You know, how I’ve mentioned the investment property I’ve purchased?”
When my Dad nods, I keep going. “Right, anyway there we were, both talking of investments and hospitality and it was pure….” I pause, clapping my hand there, stalling because I know my explanation is complete rubbish.
“Pure magic,” Claire finishes, getting a second wind. “We were at a business gala, and the moment our eyes met it was magic. The next thing you know we were waltzing around the ballroom at the Spades, reminding each other of our childhoods and falling in love.”
Claire is able to spin a story of Ace and Emmy’s wedding into something that has my parents on the literal edge of their seats.
“Landon, dear, how could you hold this from me,” Mum asks. “I can’t believe you met what, three months ago? And you’ve kept this gem a secret all this time.”
“Well,” Claire says, clasping her hands in apology. “I know we just arrived, but I am absolutely spent. Is there any way I could be shown a bed to sleep in?”
“Of course, dear,” Mum says. “Let me get Clarice. She’ll take you to a room. I had one ready just in case Landon chose to grace us with his presence. We got doubly lucky, though, didn’t we?”
“As did I,” Claire says, standing and reaching for my hand. “Are you coming, love?”
I don’t hesitate. In this moment, I’ll go anywhere this girl wants to go.
Chapter Fourteen
Claire
The room is beautiful. Thick drapes line the window; tapestry curtains hang around the four-poster bed. I wondered how old-fashioned his parents would be, and if we’d be able to sleep in the same room—but apparently this diamond ring works wonders.
Fiona pitched a little fit when she realized Landon and I would be sharing quarters--Landon says she and Geoffrey were together five years before they were allowed to sleep in the same bedroom at the family estate.
“This was your childhood bedroom?”
“Ridiculous right? Fit for a king.”
“I love it.” I fall onto the bed, still dressed, unable to help myself. It has been a long day.
“Are you all right with me sleeping here?” Landon asks. “I know this is a job ... and sleeping together was not in the contract.”
“We didn’t actually sign a contract, did we?” I ask, sitting up.
“No. I just don’t want you to feel forced.”
“Oh,” I say, pouting a little. “I actually want to be forced into a few things tonight.”
“Do you?” Landon throws his suit coat and tie on a chair. Slips off his shoes and shirt. His pants drop next. He’s down to his boxer briefs in a matter of seconds.
“Eager, much?” I laugh, standing up and removing my heels. Truthfully, I want him as much as he wants me. When he pressed me against the wall in the hallway downstairs, I thought I might melt into a puddle on the hardwood floor. I love aggressive Landon, but gentle, insecure Landon makes me equally turned on.
“You were incredible tonight,” he says, walking toward me.
I take off my scarf, pull my sweater over my head. Fold them carefully before setting them on top of a bureau.
“They ate it up,” I tell him, unbuttoning my pants. I take them off and add them to the pile. I don’t want ruin these clothes; they’re worth more than my car.
“You are a good liar.”
“I prefer to call it embellishing the truth. All those things did happen. Just, you know ... not the falling in love part.”
A flicker of understanding crosses Landon’s face, and I turn from him, taking off the necklace I’m wearing and setting it on the dresser. I hate the emotions running through my heart. They make me feel weak.