“Now that’s not a good enough answer.”
“Is that so? Not to your liking, Mr. Connor?” I challenged. He brought his mouth to my ear.
“Not at all, Ms. Jennings. You need more convincing?” He cupped one of my hips in his large hand and whirled me around to face him. He was only a breath away from me. “What if I add another kiss to the mix? Would that tip the balance?”
“Landon!”
His leather and wood scent enveloped me. It wasn’t fair. Why did he have to be so attractive?
“Was that supposed to be a protest?” He gave me a devilish grin. I was fully aware I’d sounded breathy and needy. “I can’t stop thinking about you, Maddie.” He brought a hand to my face, splaying his fingers.
Oh, Landon, Landon, Landon.
“Just say yes,” he said.
“You’re not leaving me much of a choice.”
“I know.”
Those green eyes grew even more determined. His entire body language reminded me of the way he’d looked when he’d pulled me out of the rain, when he’d announced he’d carry me over his shoulder if I wasn’t being reasonable. An image flashed in my mind, of Landon breaking into my bungalow and carrying me over his shoulder to the party if I didn’t agree. I grinned. Why did that idea amuse me so much? I liked being on my own two feet, in control of my life. But standing here, merely a breath away from Landon, I realized I wouldn’t mind being whisked away by him.
“Okay, I’ll be here tomorrow for the party,” I relented.
“Good. After that, I’d like to take you to watch the fireworks. Just the two of us.”
I narrowed my eyes, even as my heart thundered in my chest. “Landon,” I whispered.
“Still didn’t sound like a protest.”
“You’re using dirty negotiation tactics on me.”
“Oh, beautiful, I can get much dirtier than this. Would you like proof?”
I cleared my throat. “I’ll take your word.”
“Go out with me. You know you want to.”
“Oh, you can read my mind too, in addition to playing dirty?”
He tilted his head forward until our foreheads almost touched. “No mind reading needed. On Friday, you kissed me back like you wanted me to make you mine on that porch. And I nearly did.”
Holy crap. Testosterone was oozing off him, and my defenses were no match. Maybe it was a good thing he was here on vacation. Surely my heart couldn’t get involved too much in a matter of days? He was leaving in a week, after all. My mind was racing, but having him this close was messing with my ability to remain rational.
“We have chemistry. It’s more than chemistry. Go out with me, Maddie.”
“Fine, Mr. Connor. You can take me to watch the fireworks.”
He tipped his head a little lower, almost touching my lips. “I can’t wait.”
The sound of the front door opening cut through the sexual tension.
“Landon, are you in the kitchen?” Val’s voice filtered to us.
“Yes. Coming right out,” he said, without taking his eyes off me.
I drew in a deep breath, watching that gorgeous ass of his as he left the kitchen. Both Landon and Val were on the porch when I stepped out a few minutes later. They were sitting on the small wooden bench, hunched over a laptop. I made no noise as I put my shoes back on.
“But won’t that seem like I don’t have enough production capacity?” Val asked.