King:Las Vegas Bad Boys(16)

"It's okay, Babycakes," I whisper. "We got this." My words elicit a  smile, exactly what I hoped they would do. Landon needs to be relaxed  and confident when his parents greet us. They need to believe he is  undoubtedly grown-up.

"I will call your parents, Landon," the butler says, bowing at his  waist. "They are having after-dinner drinks in the sitting room, and I  don't think they were expecting you." A footman trails behind us,  depositing our heap of luggage.

"That is quite all right, Brandon. We can greet them ourselves," Landon says, shaking off the butler's words.

"As you wish," Brandon says, shutting the door behind us. "Geoffrey and Fiona are here as well."

"Of course they are," Landon says, smiling tightly.

I watch the exchange, trying to be present, and as observant as  possible. I need to be one hundred percent on my A-game. Landon is  counting on me. And so are my daughter and mother, even if they don't  know it.

Walking down the hall, Landon blows air out of his cheeks, seemingly upset.

"Stop." I tug on his arm, spin him to look at me. "Before we go in  there, you need to remember something. You are Landon, the hottest man I  know. You are the King of Vegas, in ways a guy like Ace never will be.  You aren't the mafia boss's son. You are the heir to a freaking castle.  You are a badass. And you need to remember that. Don't let your brother  make you feel less-than. We are in this together."

In this moment, what I really want is for this to be real. As ridiculous  as that is, for a split second all I want is us to actually be engaged  and meeting his family for the first time. I want the feeling of being  in it with someone else. Forever.

For five years it's been Sophia and me against the world. Earlier, when I  texted my mom in the car, letting her know I got here safely, I  wondered what Landon would say if I told him the truth-the truth about  having a daughter, and the truth about everything else. Would he still  go through this arrangement with me? Still want me as his fake fiancée?

I know one thing: if he knew the truth I'd never be the real deal. The real fiancée, the real wife.

I brush my foolish wishes away; at the same moment, Landon brushes a  strand of hair from my face. His eyes search mine, and his lips press  against my lips. In an instant he has me against the wall, and my hands  run through his hair.

His kiss searches all of me, as if he's trying to find a way to believe  in the words I spoke. My words, meant to encourage him, seem to have  ignited a passion. A desire. My words seem to be working.

Other parts of me are working, too. My panties get wet as he presses  himself against me. His cock is right against my belly, and all I can  visualize is him and me together, sprawled out on some enormous bed in  this castle, him fucking me all night.

Which, I know-not a part of the job description.

But, oh God, as Landon's tongue slides into my mouth, deepening our kiss, I want other parts to slide into me as well.

"What the hell is going on here?" A nasal voice draws Landon and I  apart. A woman about my age in a houndstooth skirt and jacket has her  mouth dropped open in shock. "Geoffrey," she hisses, "get over here,  now."

A man holding a wine glass is a few steps behind her. He wears a frown,  and a slight look of disgust is etched onto the squinty corners of his  eyes.

"Geoffrey, Fiona. Hello," Landon says, stepping away from me and reaching out his hand.

"I cannot believe you, Landon. This is so typical." Fiona's eyes take me  in, head to toe-trying to judge me, but I know I look impeccable. There  is no room for the snotty words she wants to dish.

"You really came, to muck everything up. Just what we need." Geoffrey  shakes his head in disapproval and I watch Landon's eyes find their way  to the floor.

How is it that two people who are complete bores shake the confidence of a man with an ego as big as his cock?

I reach for his hand, and hold my head high. Fiona has nothing on me.  And Geoffrey has nothing on Landon. I just need to convince his parents  of that.

And it seems I need to convince Landon of that, too.





Landon


Claire laces her fingers with mine, and it steadies me the same way her  words did. Her speech filled me with so much unbridled passion I wanted  to fuck her right there in the open. I wanted all of her, and I still  do.







Of course Fiona and Geoffrey, of all people, had to interrupt us. That's  just another log for the fire he is building against me.

We follow Fiona and Geoffrey into the sitting room and, the moment we  walk in, Dad and Mum are up, wrapping me in undignified hugs.

"Landon, you came. You came home," Dad says, clapping my back. "I ask. I always ask, but it rarely works."

Geoffrey and Fiona have found their way to a sofa, and sit with looks of disapproval on their faces.

"A family summit seemed rather important," I say, smiling. "Wouldn't  miss it for the world." Obviously, I'm trying hard to sound easygoing  and relaxed. The sort of man Dad would want representing him.

Mum clasps her hands to her heart. "We are so pleased. I just can't  believe you didn't call first," she says, swatting my arm. "And who is  this sweet thing?" she asks, looking between Claire and me.

"I think she's another bird he found on the way from Heathrow. Guessing  she flew right into his lap," Fiona says smugly, reaching for her  cocktail glass and taking a drink.

"Play nice, kids," Dad says, his brows furrowed. Obviously Fiona's  referencing last Christmas when I brought home a woman I met in the  airport bar. Fiona's being a snot, but I understand why. She usually has  reason to be. I've ruined enough family events with my drugs, drinking,  and women to make her pissy. I deserve it.

But Claire does not.

"That's funny, Fiona," Claire says. "Landon actually calls me his little  Bird." She embellishes the truth, but I don't mind. Not if she can iron  things out with Fiona. "Though I don't think I spend nearly enough time  in his lap to elicit that sort of comment from you."

"Oh, she's feisty," Dad says, laughing. I think he's relieved to hear  that Claire isn't a girl I just met in passing. "Tell us, who are you  then?"

"Landon," she says demurely, her eyes lowered, a small smile on her face. "Tell them, love."

"Love?" Mum's eyes widen, and she covers her mouth.

"This is Claire," I explain, reaching for her hand. "She's my fiancée."

Fiona literally spits out her drink. Chocking back her shock, she  reaches for a napkin, a poor attempt to wipe away her surprise.

"You're engaged!" Mum wraps her arms around Claire and me, her eyes instantly brimming with tears.

"Brandon," Dad calls. "Champagne, we need champagne!"

"The prodigal son has returned," Geoffrey says, his face revealing everything. Resentment. Jealousy. Loathing.

"It just happened," Claire says, beaming. We find seats in the richly  upholstered chairs, and sit facing one another. "We've been dating for  months, and we decided this would be the perfect time for me to come out  and meet you all, but then ... you'll never believe it," she says,  laughing. Her green eyes are wild with intensity and pure absolute joy.  She is a fucking amazing actress, because everyone is on the edge of  their seats, eating this up. "Then, after we landed here today, he got  down on one knee at the airport and proposed. It was magic. People were  cheering, and wishing us good luck, and it was like a movie. I just ... I  can't believe it's our life."

She reaches over and kisses me softly on the cheek.

Mum and Dad are crying literal tears. Fiona is speechless. She stares at us with a look of empty hatred.

"Can we see the ring?" Dad asks.

"Of course," Claire says, sticking out her hand.

"Now, this is a special ring," he says. "The three stones are for the  past, present, and future, I presume?" Of course he has an analogy for  this. He has one for everything related to promises of forever and  commitments and why he went into this bloody business in the first  place. "But Landon, tell us about the emeralds?" He's commenting on the  two emeralds flanking the solitaire.

I breathe a sigh of relief. This is an easy answer. I'm sure there will  be plenty more that I won't have any words for. But this, I do. "Just  look at Claire's eyes and you'll understand."

Claire smiles coyly as all eyes fall on her green ones once again.

"That is very romantic," Mum says. "But Landon, we have family jewels."

"I know but, Mum, I couldn't wait another moment to propose."

"I didn't even know you were dating anyone, dear. We have so much to catch up on."

"Later, dear. Now, we must share a toast," Dad says, smiling.

Brandon carries in a silver tray with six champagne flutes and a chilled  bottle of champagne. Once we all have a glass of bubbly in hand, Dad  stands and offers a toast. "To Claire and Landon, and a lifetime of  love."