Total pages in book: 156
Estimated words: 145676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 728(@200wpm)___ 583(@250wpm)___ 486(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 145676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 728(@200wpm)___ 583(@250wpm)___ 486(@300wpm)
“Last night you said you’ll love me forever. You’ll follow where I lead. Marry me, Landon. One year from now, marry me.” Robert rose, keeping the ring extended, but taking a step into Landon. He wasn’t going to let Landon bring up any more excuses. “Forget the uncertainty. Forget the obstacles. We’ll tackle any that arise together. Be mine. You said forever. I want our forever.”
Landon’s breath hitched, and Robert lifted his lover’s chin, forcing Landon to look him in the eyes. Those black orbs were filled with so much emotion that he couldn’t help the caress of his thumb across Landon’s cheek. One maybe two heartbeats passed before Landon’s face softened, and his sergeant’s strong hand came up, molding around Robert’s, grounding him. Landon took the ring and kissed Robert’s lips.
“In a year.”
The room erupted in a chorus of cheers. Robert paid attention to none of it and wrapped his arms around Landon, holding him close. Landon’s face went to the crook of his shoulder and he spoke low, only loud enough for Robert to hear.
“If you ever think we’ve made a mistake and you want out—”
“I’m not going to let you finish, because I’m not strong enough to offer that in return. I’m afraid I wouldn’t survive losing you.”
The arms around him tightened, lifting Robert slightly off his feet. He smiled, kissing the side of Landon’s head. He was so in love with this man.
Chapter 25
One month later
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Landon asked Robert, juggling their luggage as he pivoted around on the sidewalk leading to the front porch of his parents’ Houston, Texas, home. His nervous energy vibrated wildly inside him, not knowing how Robert would feel about him after this trip. In all his years, Landon had never brought anyone home before, let alone the accomplished son of a vice president. It was a lot to dump on his family at one time.
Shit. Needing an outlet to expel his pent-up anxiety, Landon had hauled all their bags out from the trunk of the Uber they’d taken from the airport. From the backseat, as he finalized the payment, Robert glanced over at him and smiled with the car door pushed open.
Every day over the last month, Robert had persistently tried to convince Landon that their coupling was fated. He repeated over and over how he saw their future and stated emphatically how they were meant to be together. Per Robert, their souls were destined and intertwined regardless of their differences. And maybe, while they were alone together in DC, Landon had to agree because they sure got along really well together. But he couldn’t seem to stop the dread or worry of his parents meeting the sophisticated Dr. Robert Adams.
“Stop, babe,” Robert said, somewhat distracted as he stepped out of the vehicle. His gaze focused only on Landon as he tucked his cell phone in his back pocket then began immediately ensuring his crisp dress shirt was still tucked neatly into his slacks. Like always, Robert looked like he should be stepping off the front cover of some look-at-me-I’m-so-perfect magazine.
Landon’s leg started bouncing as the car pulled away from the curb. He wanted so badly for Robert and his family to work out, but it was hard to see how that could ever be. Robert came to stand directly in front of him, reaching for one of the over the shoulder bags as his eyes narrowed on Landon’s face. “You need to calm down. Do I need to explain to you the heightened risk factors of anxiety on your cardiovascular system?” His blond brow arched in question.
“You aren’t funny. This whole deal’s already scaring me, and we haven’t knocked on the door yet,” he said, exasperated. Why were they even here? They should be easing his family into this whirlwind relationship, introducing Robert to them in baby steps like he had planned to do. Instead, they’d taken a private jet in a fast, twenty-four-hour turnaround trip so Robert could meet his mom. The same mom Landon had only told he was dating Robert a week or two ago. When had he lost such complete control of his life?
“Stop being a snob, Landon. That’s another thing we need to work on. Do we need counseling before we even make it down the aisle?” Robert asked, giving Landon that sexy smirk he liked far too much while hitting the real issue right on the head. Landon was flat overcome with the weight of the class structure differences between Robert, him, and his family.
“Again, you’re not funny. You need to leave the jokes to me.” Landon took a deep breath, letting Robert’s magic ease some of his anxiety. Robert had never given him a reason to feel insecure, not ever. Still, his heart raced in his chest.