Forever (Always & Forever 2)

Landon studied him, searching his face with uncertain eyes as if Robert’s words hadn’t been truthful. Landon started to turn away then looked back at him again. Robert was serious—dead serious. But he could tell Landon struggled to understand exactly how serious he’d been. Robert stepped forward and the man backed away again. They repeated that move once more, until Landon lifted a hand to keep Robert at a distance.

“What’re you saying?”

Feeling completely undone, Robert’s heart demanded he do whatever it took to halt the sudden derailment of this magical night. They’d had a great evening together. Better than he’d dreamed. The connection they’d shared in Germany was right back, drawing him like a moth to a flame. All he wanted to do was get closer to Landon.

Take a breath, be patient, and don’t get frantic.

He slowly drew in a breath, allowing the fresh air to fill his lungs, and forced himself to calm down.

“I need you to answer the question, Doc.”

“I want this to be our first date, and I’m asking for more dates with you. I want to get to know you now that we’re both healthier and located on the same side of the world. I feel a connection with you that I can no longer ignore. I felt drawn to you in Germany. The second I stepped into your room everything in my life shifted. I don’t want just a friendship with you. I’m asking for more.” He lifted a hand toward the restaurant, reminding Landon about the wonderful time they’d shared less than five minutes ago. “We get along very well together. You’re all I’ve thought about for the last month. I can’t get you out of my head.”

Robert’s words trailed off as energy charged the air. He could almost hear the transfer of negative to positive the moment Landon grasped the meaning in his words. Their connection snapped back into place. There was no mistaking what he felt. Their attraction was a tangible, physical force. An amatory current raising the hair on the back of his neck, sending tingles down his arms. Landon shook his head as if trying to clear the haze of the recent revelation.

It was a lot to digest, but Robert would be a fool if he let Landon walk away without fighting for him. Landon was his future. Those dark eyes locked onto his, passion swirling in their depths, but the uncertainty that blanketed the sergeant’s brow had Robert’s breath trapped in his throat. What if Landon rejected him? Pain lanced his heart as it hammered frantically against his ribs.

Landon’s hand curled into a fist, grabbing the front of Robert’s shirt. Robert was wrenched forward, completely caught off guard as Landon’s open mouth forcefully met his lips. Emotions arced wildly before their bodies ever connected. Landon’s tongue thrust forward, demanding and eager. His casted arm locked around Robert’s waist, holding him in place.

In a whiplash of emotion, Robert’s head finally caught up and his heart sang its praise. Landon’s mouth was as greedy and sweet as Robert had dreamed it would be. He surrendered to the passionate kiss, melting against Landon’s hard body, kissing him with total abandon. Every single one of his senses flared to life as he palmed Landon’s face and sucked the sergeant’s tongue deeper inside his mouth, so hungry for more.

Robert took the kiss to next level when Landon tried to break free. He wasn’t having any of that and slid his hands down Landon’s sides, tightening his arms around the man’s waist, determined to keep him right there. There was no denying the chemistry they shared or the passion that ignited in his belly as the kiss slowed. Landon drew back to look at him, his dark eyes still full of desire.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.” Landon’s shallow breaths puffed across his heated skin. “I’ve been dreaming about kissing you.” The pad of Landon’s thumb stroked sweet desire with each caress across his cheek. “I couldn’t stop myself.”

“I’m glad you didn’t,” Robert replied, refusing to move away from Landon, their lips so close all he had to do was lean forward to taste their sweetness again. He was addicted, one taste was all it took.

An unseasonably cool breeze whipped around them, sending a welcome chill along his overheated skin. Landon shivered and pressed into him. Robert took advantage of the moment and bent his head again to take Landon’s mouth in a softer sampling of his lips. This time the kiss was slower, and for Robert, it was a claiming. A way to show Landon exactly where he belonged—right there with Robert.

The moment didn’t last as long as he’d wanted. The sounds of the busy harbor penetrated his lustful haze, and he reluctantly pulled away to give Landon his space. “That was amazing, better than I thought it would be.”