Page 73 of This Side of Beautiful

“You’ve been snappy,” he said quietly.

“When? I thought I handled the photoshoot well.”

“It’s the in-between times. Like you make decisions for us because you don’t have the patience to wait for me. You decide what we eat and where we go. Give me a chance to respond.”

I resisted saying something that I couldn’t take back.

He smiled. “Right now, you want to curse me out.”

“I really do.” I popped his shoulder playfully.

“Tell me.”

I turned on my side and laid my head on the crook of my arm. “You’re careful in every decision you make. It really is okay to just do it.”

“It’s also okay to take a moment.” Landon stopped tracing circles on my skin.

“A moment or an hour?” I gripped his wrist when he removed the hand touching me. “Don’t get mad. You know I’m telling the truth.”

“Not mad. Trying to figure out how we can have a middle ground. I don’t want you to feel like you have to answer for me. I allowed Cedrick to do that for me way too long. It’s why he’s having trouble accepting that you are the one I turn to now.”

I raised my head slightly. “Hmm… I just realized you act on impulse when you believe I need protecting.”

He chuckled. “According to Cedrick, I’m Captain Save-a-Ho.”

I frowned.

Landon quickly pulled me into his arms and rubbed my back. “I didn’t mean it like it sounded, or that he’s ever called you out of your name. One of the first women I was with had been needy, and because I was excited to finally be in a relationship, I ignored the signs that she only wanted me because she saw my moneymaking potential.”

“I do need you. I’m that needy woman who wants to be with you all the time.”

He kissed my forehead. “I need you too, but you’re not needy. You have a mind of your own, and you’re determined to get what you want whether you have a man or not.”

“My ex wouldn’t agree with you.”

“Well, I’m not him.” His heart beat faster against my cheek.

“Landon, he doesn’t mean anything to me anymore. He hasn’t in a long time. It was a toxic relationship, and he was just smart enough to leave me first.”

“Is that why you wanted to take those photos? To show him that you can move on, too? To compete with his pics with his new woman?”

I wryly commented, “Looks like we’re never going to sleep. Might as well get up.”

“I’m still tired. We can talk later.”

I twirled one of his curls around my finger. “I want to braid your hair while we talk.”

Lines appeared on his forehead again. “Right now?”

“Yep.” I walked to his closet and donned one of his T-shirts. I then went into the bathroom and grabbed a large tooth and rattail comb and oil from my bag. I sat on the bench. “Grab a couple of pillows and sit between my legs.” At his hesitation, I said crossly, “Boy, I’ll wash the pillows. Get down here.”

“Okay, Snappy Susie.” He grabbed the pillow and slid from the bed, easing onto the floor between my legs. Naked.

“You won’t get cold?”

“Naw.” He kissed the inside of my thigh sending warmth through me. “I must love you to let you touch my hair.”

My heart skipped at least five beats at his offhand announcement of loving me. Did he really mean it? Of course he did. Landon was intentional in anything he ever did or said.

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