then I feel the loss of him and moan as he slips from my body. Reaching down, I grab hold of my panties and shimmy them up my legs as he takes off the condom and rights his pants.
I watch as he ties a knot in the rubber and tosses it in the trashcan. Thankfully it’s one of those larger ones with a big black bag, since this is also the shredder room, and nobody will ever see it.
When we’re both presentable, Landry doesn’t leave the room like I expect, instead he takes a step toward me, lifting his hand to cup my cheek. His amber eyes search my own and his lips twitch into a smile.
“Come to dinner with me after work.”
“Holden,” I mutter.
He chuckles. “When I invite you to dinner or something, please know that my invitation includes Holden.”
“It does?” I ask.
He nods, his lips turning up and he smiles, showing his teeth. Smoothing my skirt down, I take a step toward him, lifting my hand, I wrap my fingers around the back of his neck. Tipping my head back, I look into his eyes and I wonder how this could possibly be this good? Then I wonder if it’s all going to disappear, is it all just too good to be true?
“Yeah, honey, it does. You’re a package and I quite like it all.”
Tears prick the back of my eyes as I watch him for another moment. Inhaling a deep breath, I let it out on an exhale.
“Okay, dinner,” I say, then my lips curve up into a smile.
He grins back down at me, dipping his chin to touch his mouth to mine. “Dinner, but first, have lunch with me?”
Smiling, I shake my head. “I have plans with Bethie, I’m sorry.”
“Bethie?” he asks.
“The receptionist in the lobby, Bethie.”
His lips curve up into a small smile. “Then, dinner.”
“Dinner.”
Landry walks over to the door, opening it and walking through, then holds it for me. I’m not in the mood to file anymore, honestly, I don’t think that I can stand on my shaky legs much longer without sitting anyway.
My face heats and when I lift my eyes to Julie, I know that she knows exactly what has happened. Her lips curve up into a grin and she chuckles to herself. I ignore her, at least I try, before I sink down in my chair.
“Seems like all is right between you and Mr. Astor,” she says softly in a singsong voice.
Pressing my lips together, I attempt to continue to ignore her. She laughs to herself. Thankfully, she doesn’t say anything else. Instead she focuses on her own work and I attempt to focus on mine as well. The keyword is—attempt.
LANDRY
Sitting in my office, I can still smell Tennessee’s scent. I want her again. I don’t know how this has happened, but I feel like a teenager again. Maybe it’s her, maybe it’s me and the newfound freedom that I have since filing and moving forward with the divorce.
My phone rings and I jump, lost in a haze of thoughts about her. The way she felt, the way she looks, the way she tastes and smells—all of her.
“Where are you?” Bash demands.
Looking at my watch, I curse as I stand to my feet. I’m not late, yet. I am, however, going to be there right on time.
“Shit. I forgot.”
Hanging up, I start to grab my things. I’m usually early and Bash wanted me at mediation fifteen minutes before it started. Fuck. Opening my office door, I do something that I know I shouldn’t. Looking to my left, I grin at my woman. Mine.
“Can you grab your iPad and laptop? I have a meeting and I’d like for you to take notes for me.”
“Landry,” Julie warns.
Lifting my hand, I show her my palm to quiet her. This is probably wrong, but I just can’t face Susan and her demands alone. I don’t know why, but I want Tennessee there with me. I want to be able to see her and know that she’s right there.
Once she gathers her things, we head toward the elevator car. I don’t say anything right away. Placing my hand at the small of her back, I keep her close, without looking too suspicious. Once we’re in my car, heading toward the office, that’s when I decide to tell her the truth.
“We’re going to my divorce mediation,” I announce.
The air in the car goes almost static electric around us. I wait for a moment, taking a breath as