Ignite Me (A Burning Desire Novel) (4 page)

“Clea, I…”

A loud range of applauding filled the room, and Ryan
appeared from behind the screen. We all joined the cheering crowd, and there
were even some echoing whistles. It was Liam. I couldn’t help the tears
coursing down my cheeks. I’d never been more proud of my friend.

Jenna grasped me in a bone-melting hug and joined in
tears. It was worth it, the sleep depriving, the stress, and the long hours in
the atelier, it was all worth it to see Ryan’s triumph. It was our success too.

Jenna pulled from me and wiped her tears.

“Thank god, for waterproof mascara.”

I laughed and wiped my own tears.

Ryan disappeared from the runway, and Jenna dragged me to
go and see him.

“I’ll be back, this conversation isn’t over Landon.”

I kept walking past him.

Something was wrong with him, and his friends looked very unsettled,
exchanging looks and scowls.

I dismissed it as soon as I saw Ryan, gripping the hell
out of his partner in a forceful squeeze. Jenna and I walked to them.

“Oh my god Ryan, that dress is magnificent.”

Jenna squeaked and took him in a hug.

“Thank you, baby girl.”

He pulled from her and took me in a hug.

“Seriously sweetie, that dress was majestic. In fact, they
all were.” I said tenderly, showcasing my proud tone.

Ryan squeezed me and pressed a kiss to my forehead.

“Okay, give it to me. I can take it now, how did people
react?”

We all laughed together.

“You know you’re crazy right? Who do you suppose all those
people outside were clapping their hands for?”

Jude said pulling me to him, and sighed.

Ryan shrugged his shoulders slightly.

“I know, but even so, I want to know, tell me what you
saw?”

“Lots of right twitched lips.”

Jenna announced, and winked at me.

“What’s that?”

Ryan frowned at her, not understanding her insinuation.

I just glared at her.

“Oh, chill, I have journalist ears, I couldn’t help it.”

She turned to Ryan.

“According to Landon Davis, highly ranked micro-expression
specialist, everybody in the room liked your show. Well, except him, he hates
the dress Clea is wearing and wants to rip-it of off her.”

“Jenna!”

I admonished, and she laughed, ignoring the daggers I
threw her way.

“Ok, but what about you?”

Ryan was not convinced. Who would blame him, really?

“It was fantastic, trust us baby boy, this was a success,
on every level and in all the collections.”

I hugged him again, and Jenna nodded to acknowledge my
words.

“Ok, let’s finish and head to the party.”

 
Ryan
suggested.

“You go talk to the press, and we’ll take care of
everything.”

Jude offered, and motioned for his partner to head outside.

I was truly happy for my friend. We walked inside the
room; the models, hair stylists, and makeup specialists were already packing up
their instruments. We joined in to gather everything, before we headed to the
party. I couldn’t help feeling disconcerted about the way I’d left Landon back outside.
It was very unsettling to say the least. I really couldn’t fathom it; one
minute he was all-threatening and hot, the next, he was stunned. He tried to
conceal it the second I turned my attention to him, which was worrisome.

Juggling two flutes of champagne, and my clutch bag, I
walked through the dance floor to rejoin my friends. Ryan picked out one of his
favorite clubs to have his party. We got the VIP lounge, with close friends,
the models, the crew, and some press people who consented to join in.

“You look deliciously edible in that dress, sweetheart.”

A tall, blond person appeared from the crowd and beamed at
me.

I offered a faint smile and brushed past him.

“Seriously, are you one of the models with that Flinch
guy? Can I get your number? I’m Dave; by the way, what’s your name sweetheart?”

“Not interested.”

I snarled at him.

“Oh come on.”

“Move along buddy, the lady said she’s not interested.”

Liam motioned for me to walk with him, and took the
glasses.

“Thank you.”

I did not need another reason for Landon to get angrier.
Ever since we left the Shwarzman, he has been on edge. I couldn’t talk with him
in the car, with our friends riding along, and Jenna’s journalist ears.
 

Once he saw me walking back, Landon strode to us, and
grabbed my arm.

“Come with me.”

I couldn’t discern his mood, so I conceded silently, and
nodded.

He took out his phone, scrambled through it, and then
spoke. He asked Calvin to bring the car in front of the back door.

“Are we leaving?”

As much as I wanted to be with him, I had to stay a little
longer with Ryan and the others.

“Yes, but we’ll be back. I need some ‘you’ time.”

He spoke to my ear and walked outside the club, and into
the alley.

Calvin was waiting inside the car; we walked to him and
got inside.

Landon pushed the privacy screen button.

“Get us back to the parking area, lock the car, and leave.
I’ll call you when needed.”

Calvin nodded in silence, and the blind went up again.

“What’s going on Landon? Why are you behaving like this?”

I was starting to feel some uneasiness.

Landon turned to me; his eyes were dark, and somehow
confused. I couldn’t understand it, but they were. It was bizarre; I’d never
seen him like that.

“I need you Clea, I need to taste you, and then, I need to
be inside you.”

The rasp in his voice made my insides quiver.

“You don’t have to sound so angry about it.”

I was going for confident, but my voice was tight, and
slightly pitched.

He shuffled out of his jacket, and threw it behind him.

“I am angry Clea. It’s been fucking three nights; three,
excruciating, long, nights without the warmth of your body against me, the feel
of your heartbeat under my palm.”

He paused, and brought his hand between my thighs.

“Three fucking long nights without the feel of your tight
cunt squeezing the life out of me.”

My breath caught, causing my heart to jump into my mouth. Every
word he spoke, sent a rush of strong desire, burning to my core.

“I’m so desperate to be inside you, that I’m not going to
punish you, for letting that fucker touch you today.”

My heart reeled in anticipation, pushing further inside my
mouth.

I loved the way I affected him. It happened to him a lot,
but he’d make me regret it after that, and double my torment.

In one abrupt motion, he launched himself at me, and took
possession of my mouth, and my entire being with it. His kiss was
hunger-fueled, his tongue twirling with mine, reaching deep inside my mouth,
his breathing ragged. His fingers flexed restlessly, ripping my tights, into
bits of twirled fabric.

I was scarcely aware of the car door slamming.

Landon rose to his knees, his erection bulging behind his
fitted pantsuit. He pulled my panties, and reached to my cleft, pushing his
dexterous fingers inside me. I moaned, circling my hips, asking for more, more
of him, more of the delicious pleasure. His thumb stroked my clit, slowly
building up an unrelenting rhythm.

“You’re always wet for me Clea.”

He breathed and crouched down, brushing his velvety
tongue, and sending a chunk of electricity through me. My palms clenched around
the leather seat. I was unable to take my eyes away from him, I never could.

His breath was hot against my skin, his tongue twirled in
a slow motion, causing me to lose my brain, again, for the millionth time. He
drove a long middle finger deeper, making me clench. He groaned, taking me
closer, with his vibrant desire, transpiring through my skin.

Landon pulled from me, leaving me aching.

He pushed his tie to hang behind him, and extended his
hand. I didn’t know much about Landon, but the look on his face, was one I
recognized. I grew accustomed to his needs, especially when he was in such an
unfathomable mood.

Slowly, I slid to my knees and positioned myself between
his thighs. I unbuckled his belt, and unzipped his pants. Landon pushed them
down, along with his boxers, and gripped my hand, languidly thrusting his cock
into my palm. He let out a low groan.

“Take me in your mouth Clea.”

He ordered hoarsely.

I complied, pushing him deep, filling my thirst of him. I
moved up and down, wrapping my lips around my teeth. I felt the warmth of pre-ejaculate,
against my throat. I gripped him firmly with my palms, stroking him hard, from
the root to the tip.

“Fuck me, Clea,” he gripped my wrists, and stilled them on
his hips.

“Take all of me, all of me, with your mouth Clea.”

I pushed as far as I could; holding back the tears, I could
barely breathe; but he needed it.

“Yes, Clea, take me, I’m yours baby, all yours.”

Landon’s words fueled my determination; I drove him
relentlessly, long, and deep.

“Ok stop.”

His breath ragged and labored.

He grasped my arms and moved me up, spreading my legs over
him, and guiding me to his erection. My insides clenched by the sight of his
yearning, he drove his thick cock inside me, hungrily, and pushed deep, deeper
than he’d ever been. My nails dug in the back of his neck, extracting a grunt.

Landon grabbed my waist, restraining me from any movement,
and licked his way to my mouth. He circled his hips, sinking deeper. I couldn’t
take it; I couldn’t moan my pleasure. I was running out of breath.

“Are you mine, Clea?”

He spoke inside my mouth, and I cried out my answer,
shaking my head agitatedly.

“Then say it.”

It was an order; he was torturing the words out of me.

I clammed up, motionless, and unable to move, with him
buried inside me, circling restlessly. He was too strong for me to control.
Every time he did it, it made our lovemaking much more intense. I had to fight
the frenzied assault of both my emotions, begging me to let go and say the
words, and, the feel of having him toying with my orgasm as he wished, bringing
me close, then taking me back. It was a challenge for my weakened soul.

“Damn it Clea! Just say it! I need you to say it!”

He bit out, enforcing his grip on me.

I shook my head no, leveling my gaze with his, hoping he would
see it in my eyes, and settle for it.

Landon pulled me to him, ravaging my mouth, signaling it
was okay; but just for the time being.

My orgasm crept over me, possessing me forcefully. My
thighs clenched and released, as I moaned my pleasure in his mouth, exploding
around him, and focusing on the swell of emotions I was barely able to contain.

I loved him dearly. I loved him wildly, and beyond any
limits.

Landon climaxed, pouring himself inside me, gripping my
hair in his fists. His fingers flexed against my scalp. His eyes sparkled,
through long, dark, lashes.

His arms fell, gently skimming over every inch of my naked
back. I threw myself against him, my front to his chest. I settled into my
favorite spot in the universe, the warmth of his crook, was all the safety I
needed, to shield away my weakening resolve.

Landon stroked my back, playing gently with the spread
strands. His breath was slow, and controlled.

“Are you okay baby?”

He was my tender lover, right there, and I spotted him. His
voice was tender and understanding.

I nodded against his neck and pressed a light kiss.

“I missed you,” I admitted, “terribly.” I added.

He pulled me from him, and looked into my eyes.

“You won’t miss me again, ever. I won’t allow it.”

He acquiesced, firmly asserting his words.

I couldn’t keep away from kissing him. I didn’t get my
fill of him, at any rate, not in the emotional way. Every time I kissed Landon,
I felt a rush of growing love and adoration. He was skilled, but it was more
about what he managed to convey. I learned to see the difference between a
lustful kiss, and a passionate, loving one; and it was, almost, always love, in
Landon’s way.

He pressed his erection inside me; he was still hard, as
if he hadn’t just had an orgasm. I blinked with surprise, accepting the fill of
him again.

“I will never get enough of you Clea. You’re mine, and
you’re addictive.”

He pulled out, lounged me against the leather, and sunk
inside me again, shielding my head from the car door. He moved upward, slowly
gliding, and circling his hips. His gaze connected with mine, infused with
adoration and fondness. I was meeting his thrusts, my heart filled with pure
love.

He kept a connection so deep, that I couldn’t stop my
tears. I shut my eyes, conjuring my brain, and my heart to stop being afraid,
to allow me to tell him how much I loved him, how much I cared for him. Landon
affected me profoundly, every touch, no matter how repetitive and recurring it could
be, felt renewed every time I was with him. Every gaze, made my heart stop
beating, then lurch in an uncontrollable rhythm. I had never loved anyone, as
much as I loved him.

He made me feel complete and full of hope; and it frightened
me. I feared that I could lose him at any moment, and the impact of such a
possibility. I would never be able to recover from it. Landon had managed to
make his way into my heart, my friends, and my family. He was imprinted in the
crook of my pillows, in the scent of my closet, and in every reflection in the
mirror.

How could I ever recover from his loss, when I had the
unshaken sentiment that it was eventually going to happen?