Page 29 of Landry

Good question. He’d been asking himself that all evening, telling himself to make his visit short. Do what he’d come to do and leave.

Yet here he was three hours later and no closer to leaving than when he’d arrived. “I came to make sure you and Ava are safe.”

She didn’t call him on the lie…or half-truth. Instead, she snuggled closer to him. “I’m glad you came, but I worry.”

“About?”

“Ava.”

“How so?”

“I worry that she’ll get used to having you around.”

“Is that a bad thing?” he asked, nuzzling her hair.

“It could be,” Camille said softly. “You see, I understand you’re here on assignment and that when whatever threat is gone, your job is done. You’ll have no reason to hang out with us. Ava might not understand that as well.”

He nodded. “I can’t do my job if I’m not around.”

“I know.” She leaned her cheek against his chest. “I just worry.”

“Do you want me to keep our interaction on a strictly professional basis?” he asked, his hands tightening around her middle. “I’ll understand if you do.”

“No. I want you to keep doing what you’re doing now.”

“If I keep doing this, I’m going to want to kiss you.”

“I’m not stopping you,” she whispered and turned in his arms.

He lowered his head, claiming her mouth. Gentle at first, he explored her mouth, tracing his tongue over the softness of her lips until she opened to him and met his tongue with hers.

Her hands slid up his chest and around the back of his neck, dragging him closer.

For a heart-stopping few moments, he plundered her mouth, caressing her tongue in long, sensuous strokes.

Everything faded into obscurity but Camille.

Landry no longer heard the songs of the crickets and frogs over the thundering of his pulse.

A loud cracking sound jerked him back to reality. He shoved Camille off his lap and sprang to his feet. Then he pulled her up beside him.

Camille leaned into his side. “What was that noise?”

“Mama!” Ava’s voice called out from inside the house.

“Ava,” Camille darted for the door and raced through the kitchen and into the hallway with Landry on her heels.

When they reached Ava’s room, the door was closed.

Camille reached for the handle, but it didn’t turn. “It’s locked.” She leaned close to the door. “Ava, honey, are you okay?”

“Mama,” Ava cried.

“The door’s locked, sweetie,” Camille called out, her voice strained as she visibly fought for calm. “Can you unlock it?”

When Ava didn’t respond, Landry gripped Camille’s shoulders and moved her to the side. He cocked his leg, about to kick in the door when the handle jiggled and Ava pulled the door open.

Camille pulled her daughter into her arms. “Hey, baby, are you okay?” She set her at arm’s length and raked her gaze over her from tip to toe.

---