Her attack of lust faded as her insides turned to mush. She was going to miss this exuberant kid. Much more than she’d anticipated.
“I showed my new paintings to Gloria,” Evan told her. She recalled her friend’s earlier claim about how Evan was “hot with two Ts” and wondered if Glo had flirted with him. Probably. Glo was never one to hold back, and he was obviously a complete flirt.
“How did they turn out?”
“She loved them.” His eyes held a guarded sparkle. Because Gloria appreciated his hard work? Or… something more? The way he’d said her name made Kimber think he and Glo might have discussed more than business… without clothing.
She felt a displaced stab of jealousy. She’d lost the opportunity to make love to Landon tonight. They might be able to sneak past Lyon, but Evan was another problem entirely.
“Glo has good taste,” she said noncommittally.
Evan narrowed his eyes, his thick, dark lashes almost obscuring the blue. “So.” He smirked. “What are you doing tonight?” The tone of his voice suggested he knew full well her intentions.
“I’m turning in,” she said, folding her arms over her chest. “Just… came in to say good night.” Yep. Just wandered down here to say good night to the Downey clan before returning to my lonely room. Alone. And by myself.
Landon stood from his casual lean against the countertop. “Lyon, how would you like to sleep in the bedroom with the giant bathtub?”
“Can I take a bath in it?”
Evan and Landon exchanged glances. “Up to your dad,” Landon said, eyeing his brother intently.
“You mean the bedroom on the opposite side of the house.” Evan pointed to the room beyond the kitchen. The only bedroom on that side of the house. “Instead of over there.” He pointed in the other direction. “Where yours and Kimber’s bedrooms are.”
Her face grew warm with embarrassment.
Landon didn’t balk. “Right.”
Evan looked over at her and she swore she flushed twelve shades of red. They were arranging the sleeping situation around the fact that Landon and she were going to… going to…
Lord. She had to get out of this room. “Good night,” she blurted.
“ ’Night,” Lyon said, not looking up from his coloring.
She knelt next to him before she went. “Don’t forget to say good-bye to me in the morning, okay?” Lyon nodded and she kissed his cheek. He hugged her neck, and the feel of those small but strong arms made her chest tighten. She was going to miss this kid. Before her haphazard emotions got the better of her, she said a hurried good night to Evan, but didn’t speak to Landon at all. He watched her silently, his face still and unreadable. Bravery gone, she ran for her bedroom and shut the door behind her.
The knock came fifteen minutes later.
She’d been lying on top of the covers, dressed, wondering if Landon would come to her. Her nervous heart was pummeling her ribs by the time she pulled open the door—just a crack—and found him leaning a shoulder on the jamb. He hadn’t changed from his slacks and shirt he’d worn to work today, though he’d long since lost the tie he’d worn this morning. She allowed her eyes to trickle down his throat, to the top of his chest and back up again.
His lips quirked into a sharp, predatory grin. “Hi.”
Her everything began to tingle. “Landon, I—”
He pushed on the panel and she let him in, holding the door open and waiting for him to enter. She flicked a quick look to the empty hallway, feeling stupidly guilty and nervous. Like they were doing something wrong.
But we’re not. We’re grown-ups. He was comfortable with this situation, why couldn’t she be? Because you’re as adventurous as a thumbtack.
He took off his glasses and dropped them on the dresser, then held up empty hands. “Look. No baby monitor.”
“Yes. And you’ve conveniently reworked the sleeping arrangement for your brother and nephew so we can be alone.”
He put one hand over hers and pushed the door closed, palming her hip with his other hand. “Only fair. We watched Lyon while Evan got something going with Gloria.” Both hands on her waist now, he pulled her toward him.
“Did he really?” she breathed, her pulse picking up on contact.
He shrugged. “Just a call.” He considered her. “You look surprised.”
“I’m not.” She wasn’t. Not really. Gloria said she’d wanted Evan, and… “Glo usually gets what she wants.”