Hot Summer Nights

31

Chapter Thirty-One

Leah

After talking to my friends about my situation with Landon, I've decided I'd like to spice things up. I haven't had that conversation with him yet, but I plan to.

Soon.

Like tonight.

But first I need to find the right outfit. That's why I'm perusing the lingerie aisle of my favorite boutique with Colin. I have a plan. Landon is coming over tonight to have dinner. Once we finish our meal, I have dessert and a chat lined up.

I have a feeling that once he sees the treat hidden under my dress, he won't worry so much about the tiramisu sitting in my fridge, though. Hopefully, he'll be interested in a different kind of dessert.

He's been so respectful of my wishes so far, even going so far as to remind me to put on the brakes when things start to get steamy. But I don't want that anymore. I want him to let loose with me again and show me how wild he can be.

I miss that.

There have been many nights I've had to get myself off thinking of our past tumbles in the sheets to calm my raging hormones. But it's not the same. Nothing feels the way he does. Believe me, I've tried to find a replacement- it doesn't exist.

And something tells me that this time around will be even better. If that's possible. We're so much closer emotionally this time and I know him better than I ever imagined I could. That means something.

Just thinking of him and how he's been these last several weeks makes my heart melt. He's been a dream, making me feel like I'm floating around on a cloud all day, taking my worries and banishing them away.

And the way he looks at me- swoon!

It's like he's seeing color for the first time in his life. Just the look of awe and pure adoration he shows makes everything else fade away. Any reservations I had slowly melted into nothingness as time passed. Landon has made me feel so cherished, so adored, so special that I hardly remember them anymore.

I want to make tonight a night he'll never forget. I want it to be perfect. For him.

The sound of hangers shuffling catches my attention. Colin is in go mode, systematically sorting through the selection to help me find just the right outfit for tonight.

He shakes his head, mumbling to himself, "Too modest."

He flips to another option, grimacing. "Too desperate."

His hand flies to his chest as he shakes his head, clearly not liking the option in front of him. Mumbling something too quiet for me to hear, he continues his search as I investigate the rack before me.

A few lacy numbers catch my eye and I pull them to show Colin. I'm still leafing through the rack when he saunters beside me with a look of poised determination.

"I have a few options for you," he says, handing me his cache. I admire the champagne teddy he's picked out with tasteful pink accouterments down each side.

He eyeballs my finds, pulling the ones he finds lacking and shoving them back onto a nearby bracket. Two he gives his stamp of approval, nodding at the detailing stitched onto the garments.

"If these don't get you laid, I'm not sure anything will," he says loudly as we make our way to the register.

I bite back a cackle as an older woman gapes at us, clearly having heard my best friend's take on my newest wardrobe additions. She spots the lingerie in my hands and swiftly turns away, her cheeks turning bright red as she tries to hide her reaction.