It’s been so long since he’s been this close, and I’m unable to put a halt to the volcano brewing deep inside me.
“And you are?” Kayden asks with a less welcoming tone than the one he used with me.
“Landon King,” he says as if everyone is supposed to know his identity.
The sense of narcissism in this man is absolutely mind-blowing.
“Mia’s boyfriend. Though she might prefer the term lover.”
I stare at him with an open mouth, but I quickly recover and sign, “You’re not my lover, asshole.”
“We can define our relationship in due time, little muse.”
“We can’t be in a relationship since, wait, that actually requires someone who cares.”
“I would’ve shown you my utmost care if you hadn’t shoved me into a nonconsensual relationship with your bodyguards. In case you failed to notice, they’re far from being my type.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I’ll make sure to employ female bodyguards who are your type. Maybe that way, you’ll finally stop the stalking behavior and leave me alone.”
“Unless you’re in the mood to be a bodyguard yourself, that plan is doomed to fail. I’ve been developing a new type that only you can fit.”
My lips part and my hands remain suspended in midair.
Why the hell would he say things that he definitely doesn’t feel or believe in? What does he have to gain from lying at this stage?
“I assume he’s the one you learned those stratagems from. Am I right?” Kayden asks.
Shit. I completely forgot he was right opposite us and listening in on our conversation.
Well, on Landon, since he couldn’t possibly understand what I was saying.
“Indeed.” Landon’s grip tightens on my shoulder. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, we’re going to play. You can go to Frank.”
Kayden doesn’t move, silently refusing to comply. “Why don’t you play against me instead?”
“Not interested.” He drops a kiss on the top of my head and goosebumps erupt all over my skin. “Mia is the only one I’m willing to spend my precious time with.”
Kayden remains still for a beat, but then he unhurriedly stands up. “Very well.”
I expect him to play against Frank, but he merely exchanges a few words with him at the entrance. He throws one last glance at me before he leaves.
My chin is suddenly jerked up so that I’m staring into Landon’s merciless eyes. “I’m over here, muse. You should know by now that I don’t appreciate not being the center of your attention.”
“You should know by now that I couldn’t care less. Aren’t you supposed to have gotten bored already?”
“I am, but I’ve come to the bitter realization that this is different.”
“Different because I keep telling you no and you don’t like that word? Or is it different because for the first time in your life, you won’t get what you want?”
“Different because I’m taking drastic measures I’ve never entertained before.”
“Such as?”
“One, being patient. You’ve been pushing it for a while now. In fact, you’re so past my limits that I don’t see them anymore. Two, playing nice with your brother and cousin despite the countless death threats they dropped in my inbox. Three, not kidnapping you the fuck away so you and the world will finally admit that you belong to me. In conclusion, I’m being such a good sport, and not only is it unlike me, but it’s also a first. Isn’t that absolutely fantastic?”
“Finally being decent isn’t fantastic. It should’ve been a given.”
“It’s not a given for me, Mia.” His tone darkens. “What you think of as normal isn’t in my repertoire of reactions. In fact, I learned social cues so I could emulate normal, but it remains a foreign concept to me. It’s fucking torture to go against my instincts and nature to placate you.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re so fucking difficult, it pisses me off.”
“Why would you take all these drastic measures for me? I’m sure you’d prefer kidnapping and forcing me to do your bidding until you’re done with me. So why didn’t you do that?”
“Because, according to Bran and Glyn’s amateurish empathy classes, that means I have to risk losing you.”
“And you care about that?”
“Apparently, I do.”
“Why?”
“Figures.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“It’s the only one I have.”
I see it then. In the depths of his mystic eyes that have a personality of their own. Landon himself doesn’t understand the full extent of his strange obsession with me.
And for some reason, that makes me feel triumphant and absolutely elated.
I like that I’m the first who can provoke this side of him. That, somehow, he’s not the only one of us who has power over the other.
“I still won’t get back with you, Landon,” I sign. “You’re anarchy in fancy clothing and will eventually ruin me and my relationship with the people closest to me.”
“I won’t.”
“You can’t stop your nature.”
“I’ve been doing it just fine for a week.”
“A week is nothing.”
“Considering I used to fuck your tight hole multiple times a day, I would say this period of abstinence is fucking something.”
My cheeks heat and I clear my throat. “I still can’t do this.”
“Why? Is it because you’re scared?”
“I’m not scared.”
“It looked that way the night of your birthday. You weren’t ashamed of me. You were ashamed of your reaction to me. To the fact that you want me despite the galore of red flags. You still do, Mia.”
“Leave me alone.”
“Never.” His words are whispered in my ear before he releases me and sits opposite me. “How about a bet? If you win, I’ll leave you alone. If I do, you’ll do something for me.”
“No, thanks.”
“Is that the coward in you speaking?”
“I’m no coward, asshole.”
“Then you won’t mind this harmless bet.”
There’s nothing harmless about Landon King. I know exactly what he’s doing, but I still sign, “If I lose, you can’t ask for sex.”
“Cruel, but okay.”
I narrow my eyes. “Really?”
“You want me to disagree with your condition?”
“No, but I expected you to demand it.”
“I have no interest in your reluctance, little muse. When I fuck you again, you’ll be begging for it.” A smirk tilts his lips. “Now that we got that out of the way, are we doing this?”
“You’re on.”
His wolfish grin makes an appearance again and I regret agreeing to the bet.
I’m being lured into his den again.
The worst part is, maybe I don’t want to resist it anymore.
27
MIA
I expected many demands from Landon, including trying to trick me into having sex, forcing his way into my life, or suggesting we get back together.
Surprisingly, he does none of the above.
In fact, he merely asks me to go on a date with him.
A date.
No kidding.
Landon King, who would be elected as the leader of psychopaths if given the chance, actually wants to do something as normal as a date.
Not only that, but he invited me over to the Elites’ mansion, where he set up an extravagant setting on the open terrace on the roof.
Dim yellow lights hang above the table like a halo.
Two blue candles sit on the aesthetically pleasing tablecloth, casting a soft edge on the otherwise sharp atmosphere. A few dishes lie on the table and I lick my lips at the mouthwatering smell.
Lentil soup, Mediterranean salad, pasta with meatballs, and a delicious-looking lamb tagine. Landon definitely picked up on my favorites and the fact that I love eating everything at the same time without the common order of appetizers, a main course, and a second course.
A large hand lands on the small of my back and the smell of intoxicating male cologne fills my nostrils as Landon leads me to one of the chairs.
He pulls it out and helps push me forward once I’m seated, like he’s some sort of chivalrous prick. He looks the part, too, dressed in a casual black sports jacket and pants with an off-white shirt.
He sits opposite me with infinite elegance and pours me a glass of cola and himself a glass of wine.