Ignite Me (A Burning Desire Novel) (14 page)

“Plus, I love that you defy me and challenge me to the
point of making me lose my mind, and trust me, you’re my only solace and
comfort Clea.” He pressed me against him and took a harsh breath.

“The fact that you know about it doesn’t change anything.”

I pulled him for a kiss, unable to speak past the lump in
my throat. His voice carried so much honesty and grievance, all I wanted was to
take it away from him and relieve him from his burden.

“Now, shall we get you in the shower and go make those
happy memories you were talking about?” He smacked my ass, and I cried out.

“Yes we shall.” I walked passed him and headed under the
shower.

******

“But mommy, you promised.” Aurelia and Emilia whined in unison
as Landon and walked in the terrace to join my family for breakfast.

“Good morning everyone.” I rounded around the table to
kiss my mother.

“Good morning mom.”

“Good morning Mon bébé.” She returned my kiss and leaned
to pour me some coffee.

Corinne was trying to reason with my two angels.

“I know, but Grandma needs me and your father is busy with
Keith.” She pushed a plate of pie in front of Emilia and begged her to eat her
breakfast.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

Aurelia turned to with big blue eyes and a cute little
pout, “Mommy promised to take us to the zoo.”

I smiled at them, “I’ll take them.”

“Yaaay.” They screeched in unison and jumped to their feet
to hop on my knees.

“But sweetie, you can’t.” Mom handed Landon a cup of tea
and some half-and-half.

“Why not?”

She straightened her posture and grabbed her notebook, “We
have a full day, wine tasting, cake tasting, flowers, and we have two venues to
decide on.”

I turned to Jude, begging him to take them before they
broke my heart with their pout and their teary eyes.

“I’m sorry boo; Nana has me booked for the day.”

“I’ll take them.” Landon interjected.

“You would?” I gasped. Landon never struck me as the
babysitting kind, and with those two, he had no idea what he was dealing with.

He nodded and flashed me his million-dollar-smile, “You
have your hands full so I’ll take them to wherever they want to go.”

“You’re going to regret saying that buddy.” Brandon
commented.

The girls exploded with cheerfulness, and they raced to
him, climbing on top of him, and thanking him.

Landon seemed pleased with them, and watching him playful
and laughing while they introduced their gang of minions to him made my heart
race faster.

“I believe I met this one, what’s his name again.” He
asked glancing at me.

“Focus Uncle Landon, this is Bazooka Dave, and this is
Stuart, and this is Jorge, and this one is….” Aurelia started naming each
minion, and after they finished, they stood up and started dancing and chanting
some incomprehensible lyrics, “Bey la Bey la banana Malaka Moulikilomi…”

When they finished their perfect jiggling, we all cheered
with a round of applause.

Brandon pushed to his feet, followed by Keith, “It was
nice meeting you Landon, and I apologize in advance for what they’re going to
put you through, see you later.”

They waved at us, and mom followed them, urging Corinne
and I to get moving.

“I’m sorry too,” Corinne addressed Landon, kissing the
girls goodbye.

I rushed after them and kissed Landon and Jude, “I’ll see
you later babies.”

It was meant for the two men of my life, but the girls
took it as their greeting and yelled after me.

I grabbed my phone and purse and raced to the door, and
inside the car.

Four hours and two extra venues later, mom, Corinne and I
settled onto the terrace of an Italian restaurant. I was relieved that my mom
had finally chosen her venue. It was sophisticated and elegant, just like the
women herself. She chose a location overviewing the water, and the decorator
had some seducing ideas for an intimate Christmas wedding.

“We have the wine tasting in an hour, and the floral
composition at six.” My mom peered at me from behind her menu.

I acknowledged her while looking at pictures of the girls
enjoying the San Diego Zoo with Landon. I smiled at them and sent him a message
promising to thank him properly for being such a generous man.

“Stop grinning at your screen and tell us your news.”
Corinne pulled out the napkin and dug a slice of fresh bread into the spicy
olive oil.

The waiter walked in on us and we gave him our order, I
chose the carbonara with the fresh parmesan and some garlic bread to share with
Corinne. I was already full from the cake tasting, but my mom insisted that I
ate, pointing out that I lost too much weight.

It was true; I had some difficulties eating lately.

“So?” Mom rushed on, “What’s the news?”

I smiled at her to reassure her anxiety, “Well, Landon
asked me to move in with him.” I sagged back into the comfortable chair and
watched their reaction.

They didn’t.

“Well? Did you say yes?” Corinne grinned at me all excited.

I nodded with a broad smile.

“Congratulations.” My mom beamed at me, “I’m so happy for
you.” She leaned forward and gripped my hands, “You deserve it all the
happiness in the world, my little angel.”

“Yes, you do.” Corinne agreed.

“Thank you.” I said looking at them, “Both of you.”

Corinne took a sip from her glass of wine and relaxed into
her chair, “You got yourself a winner there, Clea.” She stated, “He was barely
seventeen, and he was every girl’s dream. You really hit the jackpot.”

I giggled, imagining a seventeen-year-old version of
Landon breaking the heart of young teenagers, “I did, didn’t I.”

My mom acknowledged with a nod, “He is handsome,
distinguished, and attentive. Plus, he managed to get Nana’s approval, and god
knows, even your father with his status and all his elegance had to fight for
it.”

“Yeah, he has a unique effect on people.” I lounged back
with my chardonnay.

The sound of Fanfarlo cut in on our conversation, and
picked up my phone to see who was calling. It was a private number.

“Hello.”

“Clea Dane?” The woman’s voice asked.

“Speaking, who is this?”

“Hi Clea, this is Audrey.”

What the fuck?

“Audrey.” I mirrored.
 
I felt the blood draining from my face, and giving my mom’s
reaction, it was apparent.

“Yes, Audrey, Landon’s ex.” She asserted coldly.

I took a harsh breath to calm my nerves, “What can I do
for you.”

Her snarky laugh echoed in my ears, “The question is, what
I can do for you.” She stressed on the ‘I’.

“I don’t see what you mean, how did you get this number?”
I queried.

“I’m sure you don’t. Can we meet?”

I took another calming breath, trying not to snap at her
dismissiveness, “I asked you a question, how did you get this number?”

She snorted, “I have my ways. Anyway, that’s not
important. We need to talk. Can you meet me for lunch?”

I straightened my back and used my most composed tone, “We
have absolutely nothing to talk about, and don’t call this number again.” It
wasn’t a plea, it was an order, and I hoped that she took the hint when I
pressed end and stuffed the phone inside my purse.

“Who was that? Was it…”

I urged my mom to stop, she was panicked, and I knew
exactly where her mind went.

“Let’s eat.” I offered and dug into my plate of fresh
pastas and parmesan.

They nodded and we got back to talk about the wedding plans.

I decided that I wasn’t going to tell Landon about the
call and avoid any incident. I was sure I made myself clear to her, and that
she wouldn’t call again.

I wondered about the reason behind her call for a moment,
what could she possibly want to talk about?

Well, it didn’t matter, I had nothing to say to her, and I
wasn’t going to allow that kind of melodrama get between me and Landon.

*****

We pulled outside of the house by nightfall; Corinne and I
were a little woozy from all the wine and champagne. My mom kept admonishing
our poor manners the way back from the winery.

“Come on; let’s feed the two of you.”

Keith was waiting for us at the entrance with Brandon.

“Where is Landon?”

Brandon gripped my arm to steady me, “He’s on the phone,
let’s get you inside, dinner is almost ready.”

I giggled looking back at Corinne who seemed to be in
better shape, “Shh.” She shushed me and walked passed me and inside the house.

She came to an abrupt halt and I bumped into her, headfirst.
I followed her gaze.

Landon was lounged on his back and speaking on the phone,
Aurelia and Emilia groping each thigh and sound asleep. The living room filled
with boxes, packages, bags, and gigantic teddy bears. Clothing brands, toys,
videogames, stuffed animals, and a giant poster of the girls, playing with
dolphins.

I blinked rapidly.

“Oh my god.” I breathed out.

“Oh, I hear you sis.” Brandon appeared behind me, holding
out shopping bags.

“What is all this.” Corinne whispered.

Brandon leaned down to spoke in a low voice, “He took them
to the zoo, the SeaWorld, and some other attractions. He bought them enough
toys to last them a lifetime, not to mention he fed them. They’ve been attached
to him for the past hour or so.”

“But it’s barely seven.” Corinne didn’t seem to believe
it, and neither did I.

I steadied myself and scrambled up through my purse to
remove my phone,

“You look perfect.” I mouthed to him, and snapped a
picture of the three of them.

He shrugged and smiled at me.

Corinne and Brandon walked passed me and leaned down to
relieve Landon from the girls. They mumbled a protest and wrapped their little
arms around each one of their parents.

“What is all this?” I exclaimed once he ended his call.

Landon moved up and wrapped his arms around me, “I’m
sorry, I know I should’ve asked you, and Brandon.’ He pressed a swift kiss to
my lips, “But they are tenacious, not to mention so damn adorable, just like
their aunt. I couldn’t refuse them anything, except PB&J, as I know they’re
allergic to it, and they didn’t make easy either.”

I wrapped my arms around him, and squeezed him, “Landon
Davis. Owned by two four years old.”

He chuckled lightly, “Don’t be deceived, those two can ran
the mafia.”

I giggled. He was probably right; my nieces could be
extremely persuasive, and manipulative with their big eyes.

“But how did you manage to get them to swim with dolphins,
isn’t there an age restriction?”

He nodded, “There is, which is why I had to get inside the
water and hold them throughout the interaction.”

“Thank you.”

He brushed my strands off my forehead, “You’re welcome
baby.”

“Dinner is ready.” Keith peered at us from behind a stack
of boxes, seemingly astonished by the state of his living room.

“I hope you still have enough money left for you to get me
into a nice hotel later.” I gestured to the bazar surrounding us and he
shrugged again.

“I believe I can manage, Miss Dane.”

“We’ll see.” I slipped my hand under his arm and we went
to join the others.

“He is so hot.” I jumped out of the bed and ran to the
mini bar, “Baby, press pause, I don’t want to miss anything.”

We were settled inside our hotel room and watching one of
my favorite, TV shows. I ran to grab a bottle of water, and raced back to
snuggle under our warm blanket.

“Is there a reason why you’re making me watch this toxic
crap?” Landon has been nagging for the past hour. I found a recap from ‘suits’
and we were going on the second episode.

“Stop bitching and watch. You may learn a thing or two from
Harvey Specter.” I handed him a bottle and cracked mine open.

“Who the fuck is Harvey Specter?”

“Only the hottest lawyer in the history.” I lounged back,
glancing at his frustrated expression and amused by it.

“Stop saying things like that.”

I suppressed a smile, “Things like what?”

He ignored me and turned on the volume.

I wriggled around to answer my phone. It was Jenna.

“Hey Jenna.”

She sounded a bit drunk, “Hey Clea, what are you doing?”

“I’m watching suits with Landon.”

“You’re back?”

I shook my head as if she was in front of me, “No Landon
surprised me this morning.”

“Oh ok, how’s dad? How did the planning go?”

“It was good, the venue is exquisite, she settled on white
roses for the flowers, and chocolate supreme for the cake.” I poked Landon, and
pressed pause on the remote control.

“Where are you?”

“We’re in a hotel for the night.”

“Oh right, and you’re watching Suits. Great idea, Landon
could learn a thing or two from Gabriel Macht.” She giggled.

“That’s what I said.” I doubled over in laughter.

Landon was staring at me, “Jenna says that you could learn
something from Harvey Specter.” I told him and put her on speaker.

“Hey Jen, you’re on speaker. You’re drunk aren’t you?”

She snorted, “Just a little tipsy, Hi Landon.”

“Hi Jenna.” He chanted.

“Why aren’t you two banging?”

“Jenna!”

Landon suppressed a laugh,

“I mean, you’re watching suits, and I know for a fact that
Clea gets horny whenever Harvey says something smart in one of those Armani
suits.”

“Jenna!” I admonished.

“Is that so?” His mouth twisted ruefully. He picked up the
phone, and killed the call.

He moved onto his knees to face me. Abruptly, he gripped
me from both legs and had me sprawled with my legs spread all over the bed.