Better than Sexy (The Sexy 3)

Her gaze slid to his. “You said you used to play piano.”

He debated how much to reveal, then found himself talking. “I can hear music and repeat it from memory. Levi had the same ability. After he passed away, it felt wrong to perform.” But Landon’s fingers were still touching the keys.

An understanding expression on her pretty face, a compassionate look in her eyes, she began to play the same tune she’d been singing earlier, then stopped and waited.

Drawing a deep breath, his hands hovered on the ivories, his insides trembling. Then, in a different octave, he repeated her tune. Suddenly they were playing together, leaving him stunned. His fingers felt odd, rusty from disuse but at the same time, a peace flowed over him along with the sense that his brother was with him. Approving.

He stopped and met her gaze. “That was…”

“Incredible,” she said, her eyes wide. “Your ability to play by ear is astounding.”

He shrugged. “I didn’t realize how much I missed it. Thank you.” Reaching out, he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and leaned toward her.

He paused, giving her an out if she wanted one, and when she didn’t pull back, he leaned in and sealed his lips over hers. This time wasn’t as slow and sensual. His body came alive just as his soul had moments before. Thanks to Vivi.

He kissed her hard and she responded, quickly scooting across the bench to get closer to him. Her fingers threaded through his hair and he reciprocated, tangling his fingers in her long strands. Tipping his head, he slid his tongue into her mouth, teeth clashing, desire exploding between them.

He pulled her over him so she straddled his waist, and he dropped a hand to her hips, holding on to her, their mouths never breaking contact. She rocked her sweet pussy into his dick, and it was all he could do to keep the bench upright as she writhed against him.

Suddenly a glass crashed behind them, the sound startling them both.

“Sorry, boss!” Paul, his main bartender, called from by the bar. “Just came in to do some inventory.”

Vivi jumped, the noise ruining the moment and, if her stricken expression was any indication, any chance he had of getting her into bed in the near future.

“Oh my God. I… This … this never should have happened.” She stared at him, lips damp, cheeks flushed and her hair definitely messed from his fingers.

“I can’t say I regret it,” he told her.

She swiped the back of her hand over her mouth. “But I do. We shouldn’t do this. We can’t do this.”

She scrambled back, looking panicked, and he narrowed his gaze.

“Why not? We’re two consenting adults. I don’t understand the issue.”

Laughter sounded from behind them, and he heard Jason’s and Tanner’s voices, joining the bartender. Son of a bitch. The last thing Landon needed was another interruption.

“I’m going to go upstairs,” Vivi said. “I’m sorry, Landon, but this can’t happen again.” She started to walk away but he wasn’t ready for her to go.

“Wait,” he called out.

She turned, her expression sad. “Yes?”

“I’m going to find out why you’re running from me.”

She shook her head, spun, and headed for the elevator, leaving him frustrated and confused.

He glanced at his partners and Paul, talking and laughing at the bar, and cursed them for interrupting and causing Vivi to overthink. Because when she got out of her own head, things between them were combustible, and he couldn’t imagine why that alone would frighten her.

He curled his fingers into frustrated fists, his cock hard and annoyed with him. He needed to find out what was behind her reticence to get involved, because it was clear that something had her spooked. And that whatever was bothering her was clearly a hell of a lot more than her just being too busy with her career. And Landon liked her too much to pretend the chemistry and emotions that flowed between them didn’t matter.

* * *

Vivi rushed to the elevator and up to her apartment, her breathing coming in harsh, shallow gasps and not because the kiss had knocked her on her ass. If they hadn’t been interrupted, who knew how far she’d have gone with him in the middle of the club. She could really have ended up naked on the piano or on the floor. She’d been that lost in Landon.

What had she been thinking?

Clearly she hadn’t been.

She clicked the lock on the door and slid to the floor, her thoughts in turmoil. In playing the piano tonight, Landon had bared his soul to her. He’d shared a part of himself that he’d closed off after his twin died … at her brother’s hands. She knew for sure that the hazing had been deliberate even if Levi’s death hadn’t been.

But Vic had never taken ownership or responsibility during the investigation or after his arrest, insisting the death had been an accident. But there was nothing accidental about putting rocks in a drunk man’s backpack and forcing him to run the stairs. Or slapping him when he fell and hit his head.