Chapter 36

Waking up in a beautifully appointed, sun-washed bedroom at the Manor, I smiled and let out a soft little moan as I burrowed into the luxurious bed. Seriously, it felt like I’d slept on a cloud surrounded by rainbows and fairies.

With my head still on my soft and amazing pillow that I was definitely going to have to steal at some point, I looked around the room, but somehow, even waking up in Styles Manor paled in comparison to what Landon and I had shared last night.

My body hurt like crazy from the sex—in a good way. I even had some bumps and bruises from him taking me bent over a little table for round two, and I felt him inside me from how deep he’d been for round one, but I didn’t mind any of it.

Things had gotten a little crazy between us last night. I didn’t blame him for being rough with me. I hadn’t exactly held back either.

It turned out that scratching at old wounds and revealing your truest, inner self to someone else was not only a major turn-on when it was with the right person, but it also made you need to get out of your head. What better way to do that than to pour all the emotion into the other person, turning the pain of the talk into pleasure?

If there was a better way, I didn’t know it. More accurately, I didn’t want to know it. I was perfectly happy with the way we’d handled things last night.

Sighing dreamily, I glanced at the clear blue skies outside and sat up in bed, ready to start the day. After grabbing another quick shower and putting on the clothes I’d worn yesterday, having washed them last night, I made my bed and took one last look around the room.

It was spacious and magnificent, with high ceilings, antique furniture, and gorgeous, rich hardwood floors. A bay window off to one side had a little reading nook tucked into it and it was easy to imagine myself there, reading with a view of the lake.

I knew it would never happen, but it really was too bad. On the other hand, even that couldn’t get me down. I felt refreshed somehow. Like I’d picked at scabs only to find that the wounds underneath had truly healed over and that the scabs that were now gone had been nothing but an ugly reminder.

It felt freeing. New. I grinned into the sunlight pouring into the room, humming under my breath as I made sure I left the place in the same condition I’d found it. Then I skipped downstairs to track down my host.

Landon and Colten were in the kitchen, cooking up a storm for breakfast. I had to fight the urge to go to them, to give Colten a hug and Landon a kiss. They weren’t my family, but they sure felt like more than just a couple of strangers at this point.

Instead, I tried not to notice how good Landon looked in blue shorts and no shirt but an apron that read, What’s cookin’, good lookin’? covering his chest. “Good morning, gentlemen. Can I jump in and help you finish the food?”

“No!” they both practically yelled at me as they spun away from the stove.

I flinched. “Okay, okay. Sheesh. Talk about intense chivalry.”

Landon grinned, shrugging a shoulder at me as he gestured toward the coffee machine. “Would you like a cup?”

“Definitely,” I said enthusiastically.

When he started moving toward it, I stepped in his way. My skin tingled at our sudden close proximity. “That’s okay, I’ll get it.”

“Nah, I’ll get it,” he countered, his voice soft and gentle as his eyes ran across my face. “You can just have a seat and let us do all the work this morning.”

“Okay,” I said slowly. “I was joking about the intense chivalry thing before.”

“We’re serving you this morning,” Colten said, bending over to check on the tray of bacon in the oven and frowning. “Is it supposed to be sizzling like that?”

“Only if you like it crispy,” I teased. “If you’re one of those sociopaths who like it floppy, then you might have a problem.”

Landon chuckled, poured my coffee, and handed it over. “We like it crispy. Just relax, okay? Have a break. Colt is right. We’re serving you this morning, and once we’re done eating, I’ll take you home. Does that give you enough time to get to work?”

Glancing at my watch, I was surprised by how late it already was, but I nodded. “Sure. That’s perfect. Brittany had the day off yesterday, so I’m sure she wouldn’t mind doing our weekly inventory by herself this morning. Let me just text her.”

As I pulled my phone out of my pocket, Landon went back to the stove and pushed some scrambled eggs around a pan. Then they announced that breakfast was ready. I looked around the spread, pretty impressed even if all they’d cooked were the bacon and eggs.

They’d also made some toast, cut up some fruit, and taken a container of yogurt out of the fridge. “Well done, boys. This looks incredible. Do you eat like this every day?”

They exchanged a glance, both of their heads shaking before Colten blurted out, “We usually just have cereal or eggs on toast.”

I laughed. “That sounds exactly like my usual breakfast. Thank you for this. It really does look incredible. You’re spoiling me.”

Colten flushed but looked pretty pleased with himself as he dished up. Landon passed a plate to me and made one for himself, and we settled down to eat together at the breakfast table in the corner.

Looking across at me while we ate, Landon smiled, those green eyes sparkling like emeralds in the sunshine on a hot summer day. “I just need to grab a shirt once we’re done. Then I can take you home. I’ve already showered, so we won’t hold you up too much longer.”

“Yeah, uh.” I shot a pointed look at his apron-covered chest. “Do you make a habit of cooking half naked?”

He laughed. “I don’t make a habit of cooking at all, but I didn’t want fat or oil spattering all over my shirt. This seemed like the safest option.”

I chuckled. “Well, you might not be wrong. How’s the hunt for the chef coming?”

He shrugged. “Nothing yet. I can’t really believe there’s no one in this town who seems to want the job for the summer, but hey. Maybe the right person just hasn’t seen the advert yet.”

“Most of the people in town who are cooks work at the resorts in the area during the summer months,” I said. “I could try to ask around for you.”

“That’s okay. We’ve been managing alright so far. As long as Colten keeps enjoying burgers and pizza, we should survive.”

I laughed. “If you say so. Just let me know if you change your mind. I know some people I could talk to.”

“Thanks, but right now, you’re the one I’m worried about,” he said conversationally. “Do you need a vehicle to drive to your other jobs?”

“Scott said I could use his truck this week. He’s off work and next week? Well, I’ll figure it out next week.”

Landon nodded, but Colten glanced at him like he had something to say. He looked back at me though, sighing as he finished the rest of his breakfast instead of letting us know what had been on his mind.

When we were done eating, I helped them clean up and load the dishwasher. Then we piled into the truck and Landon drove me home. In the backseat, Colten talked our ears off about chess, excited to show Brody some maneuver he’d learned from his book last night.

“You may want to park around the back,” I said as we neared my place. “At this time of day, parking on Main Street is usually impossible.”

“Got it.” Landon took a right and navigated around the building to the street behind it. As he parked, he twisted in his seat to look at Colten. “Wait here, okay? I’ll be right back. I’m going to walk Jewel to her door.”

Colten nodded at his father and waved at me with the sweetest smile on his lips. “Bye, Jewel. See you soon.”

“See you soon, bud,” I replied, giving him a wave in return as I climbed out of the car.

Landon got out too, taking my hand as soon as we were around the corner from where he’d parked. A happy shiver ran through me as I wound my fingers around his. Then I dragged him up the stairs with me and looped my arms around his neck. He stepped into me without hesitation, his mouth coming down to meet mine in a steamy kiss that made me tempted to lock him inside with me.

The only thing that stopped me was knowing Colten was waiting in the car. Groaning as I slowed the kiss to a grudging end, I smiled against Landon’s lips. “We should both get going, but before we do, I just wanted to tell you that last night was the best night I’ve had in a long time. Thank you again for listening to me and for understanding, and then, uh, for taking my mind off it, I guess.”

A low chuckle rumbled in his chest as he arched a dark eyebrow at me. “Is that what we’re calling it now? Taking our minds off things?”

I shrugged. “If the shoe fits.”

Sliding his hands into the back pockets of my shorts, he cupped my ass and held me close to him. “You know, uh, if it was such a good night, why don’t you come stay over with us again tonight? I’ll make it worth your while and I can always come pick you up again when your workday is done?”

I pinched my bottom lip between my teeth. The thought of spending another night with him was almost too much. I needed another shower. A cold one.

“I’d love to,” I replied softly, my fingers trailing into his hair. “Wouldn’t it be weird for Colten, though? I mean, I don’t really have a reason to stay there tonight.” I paused. “Oh. I know! I could say I’m going to be your live-in cook.”

He blinked. Hard. “Huh?”

“Think about it.” I tapped his temple playfully. “Colten won’t think anything of me staying over if I’m going to be your cook. It’ll allow us to avoid the awkwardness of it all and I’d get to try out some new recipes I’ve been eyeing that are too big for one person.”

Without waiting for him to respond, I took a big step back when excitement surged through me. “I’ll go to the grocery store after my last clean. It’s the least I can do. I’ll see you later.”

Landon was still blinking strangely hard and fast, and he rubbed the back of his neck as he nodded. “Okay. Goodbye, Jewel. I’ll see you later.”

“See you later.” I blew him a kiss before heading inside, closing the door behind me, and sighing dreamily.

How is this my real life? When is someone going to pinch me and pull me out of this dream?I made a mental note to take down Landon’s ad for a cook when I was at the grocery store later. He definitely didn’t need the help anymore.

He had me now, and I was going to do everything in my power to keep living this dream and squeezing as much joy out of it as possible, for as long as I possibly could.