Lara (Reynolds Ranch)
Page 8
Chapter Four
Landon
I’ve watched her all fucking night, and she’s lucky that she told every other man no to dancing or I’d have to bust some heads. I swear, never in my twenty-eight long fucking years have I looked at a woman and thought she belonged to me like I needed to bulldoze every other soul in the way to get to her. Still, it’s my job to keep the safety and security of this event running efficiently, so I can’t just up and claim my woman in front of everyone.
I may be the host, but it didn’t entirely work that way. I have someone who was the true face of the party, and everyone knows that. It had always been the way I operated.
No one here knows that my men have eyes and ears out everywhere looking for trouble, so when a matter arises, I have to deal with it instead of socializing with the guests, including two uninvited guests. They weren’t on the list. I know for certain that she snuck in, but she isn’t so slick. What she didn’t know is that I let her in because I wasn’t going to let her leave before I learned who she was and what her dreams and goals in life were.
“Danny, you will be escorting one of our uninvited guests home, now.”
“Coming.” I feel a sense of relief that I’ll get her alone and that her roommate will be safe with my second-in-command because he’s more than duty bound. He’s a perfect gentleman.
As she comes out of the bathroom, the words from her lips piss me off: Time to look for a sugar daddy. I’ll kill every fucking asshole in here if they even dare to offer her a dime for a bit of her attention. She’s mine.
I look straight at the blonde and address her. “Excuse me, Ms. Wills. That gentleman will be driving you to your dorm.”
“What?” she gasps slightly.
“You are safe, but I think you’ve had enough fun for the evening.”
“Ms. Reynolds, will you honor me with this dance?” I ask. It’s not really a question, though, because I won’t be taking no for an answer. I take her hand and lead her away from her friend.
She pulls back on my hand, aggravating me. I turn and face her with a scowl, hoping she doesn’t choose to cause a scene because she’s not going to win. If she wanted to sneak in and play with the big boys, she’s going to learn that I’m not one to lose.
“What do you mean? How do you know our names?” she asks, pressing her finger into my chest as if she has the right to challenge me. I like the spirit she possesses, which will be wonderful when I have her riding my dick tonight, creaming for me, but right now, I’m not in the mood to put up with it.
I snag her offending finger and bring it to my lips, kissing the tip before pulling her body firmly to mine. My hand braces her chin as I tilt her face up to look me in the eyes. “How do you think you got in here? Do you think my men bought your fake invites or IDs?” She gasps slightly. I don’t know if it’s from my touch or from the news that she’s been caught. “Beautiful, I let you in because I wanted it to be so. Now, sway with me.” I lead her to the dance floor and pull her back tightly into my arms as Michael Bublé sings for us.
Her eyes meet mine and her soft, pillowy, glossy lips part. I want to bend down and taste them, watch her blush, but I hold back. Twirling her in my arms feels so natural, as if we’ve been doing it all our lives.
The room feels like it’s just us as I hold her close, my hand on the small of her back, pressing her hips firmly against my thighs so she can feel my need running through my body for her. She’s so tiny compared to me that I know I’m going to break her when I slide inside her warmth, but I’ll gladly put her back together again lick by lick.
“So tell me, Lara. Who were you looking to fleece for a nice ride?”
“I don’t need to fleece anyone,” she huffs, attempting to pull away, but it’s pointless because I don’t budge.
“Don’t lie to me, love. I heard you and your little friend, and I know just what these women here are after.”
“And that’s why you come to these, don’t you?”
I spin her around and then pull her back close, bringing our bodies flush again. Our faces are almost touching when I say, “No, I don’t come here to get laid, but I didn’t expect you.”
“Who are you?” I suppose I should introduce myself to my future wife. It’s the kind of pertinent information she would need. The light from above us shines into her eyes, amplifying her anger.
“Forgive me for not introducing myself sooner. I’m Landon Black, and you will be Mrs. Black very soon.”
“You’re hilarious.” She giggles softly, arching her brow at me like I have to be joking, but I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life and the second the words are out of my mouth, I know them to be absolutely true.
“I’ve never been considered funny, princess.”
“Listen, I’m not willing to be bought.”
“Good, because that’s not what’s happening here. What I want is more than just a night of transactions of goods and services, baby. What I want from you is too fucking crazy to even comprehend myself.”
I growl, letting frustration at myself set in. Dragging her to the edge of the dance floor as the song comes to an end, I lead her away. I know there are eyes on us and have been from the moment everyone saw me actually dancing with a woman, but my men do their job and block our way. I lead my woman upstairs to the private room I exited earlier.
“Where are you taking me?”