Page 16 of Never Going to Care

It’s been…weeks. I mean, I know how many hours it’s been since I’ve seen him, but I’m trying to keep my bizarre tucked up under my hat. At least for the night.

Don’t let anyone see it.

It’s the only way I’m going to get through this. It’s the only way I’ll get through seeing him. If I do, that is.

He should be a long-lost forgotten interaction by now, but I can’t seem to shake him. It probably has something to do with the very explicit dreams I’ve had starring him. I can’t blame my subconscious. There’s not a finer male specimen to be slotted into the wild monkey sex of my dreams.

I’ve forced myself to ignore how badly I want him during the day and have avoided getting within blocks of Sullivan Protection, just in case. At night I have no shields against what I really want. Which is him, above me and pushing his cock deep inside of me as I drown in his eyes.

I bet he’s proportional to his body. He must be, right? It would be a travesty if he wasn’t. You think a platypus is an unfortune animal which doesn’t make sense? Hale would trump that if his dick were small.

Damn it. I can’t think about his dick right now. Totally inappropriate.

It takes not even close to enough time to get up to the SP floor and the moment the elevator doors open, the first person I see is Hale. Of course, he’s right there looking like a damn tanned god for everyone to see and worship.

I force myself to look over at Piper who is looking hot in her outfit, but the frown on her face does not jive with the whole bachelorette party thing we have going on. I notice Ella, Landon’s sister, is surrounded by her men, but she’s all smiles as they rub her baby bump. I’ve met her a few times with Piper when we’ve met up for lunch, but I haven’t spent a lot of time around her.

I wasn’t going to leave her out of tonight. Piper deserves as many people as possible there to celebrate the last week of Piper being a single woman, even though I wouldn’t say it out loud because I know Landon would lose his shit. She might not be married to him yet, but he would not like me alluding to her still being single. Piper wouldn’t like it much either.

I ignore Hale and the way his eyes bore into mine as I head over to Piper. I can feel his gaze on my body like a caress and I would be a damn liar if I said it doesn’t feel good and make me feel sexy as hell. Did I choose my little black dress with him in mind? I’ll deny it until my dying breath, but we all know the truth.

Landon is fuming and the closer I get to the two of them, the more it washes over me. I swear I see Hale edge his way closer to me when I stop next to Piper, but, again, I ignore him. Now is not the time to get distracted. I’ve been doing so good at staying away.

I look between Landon and Piper before asking, “What’s going on?”

Landon narrows his eyes while still looking at his fiancé and it’s Piper who answers me. Her voice is full of frustrated annoyance, “Landon says I can’t wear this out.”

I snort out a laugh as I look at her outfit. I wave my hand dismissively, keeping my voice light and airy. “Of course you can. You look hot, girl.”

Landon’s eyes snap to mine, his voice deathly calm, “Which is exactly why she can’t wear it.”

My lips press together in a thin line, and I try and swallow down the harsh words which want to come out of my mouth. It wouldn’t help and would probably end up hurting the situation. I know how possessive he is of Piper. Normally I think it’s kind of adorable, but this is not one of those times.

Piper hisses, “Don’t be ridiculous, Landon.”

“Button,” Landon sighs, some of the fight leeching out of him, “you look so damn good. I don’t like the thought of other men seeing you like this.”

I try and fight the smile which threatens to come out as I keep my voice soft and coaxing, “We’re just going to go to dinner and a club. We’re going to be with her the whole night. We won’t let anything happen to her and you know she’ll shut down any guy who tries to talk to her.”

“It’s my bachelorette party,” there’s a slight pleading whine in Piper’s voice and I watch as Landon’s eyes soften.

I know he’s going to give in. I wouldn’t be able to last against Piper’s adorable onslaught either, so I’m not surprised. He might love her to the point of obsession, but he doesn’t want to snuff out her light. It’s kind of refreshing.

“She’s only going to get one,” Stella points out as she steps up next to me and loops her arm through mine.

"Damn right, she’s only going to get one,” Landon’s voice is like steel.

Piper pouts and looks up at Landon. I can see the walls crumbling holding up his concerns and his anger. Ella disentangles herself from her guys and stands on the other side of Piper, flashing a smile at me and winking at Stella. Looks like girl power is going to rule on this one.

“We’ll be just fine, Landon,” Ella says sweetly, and Owen snorts out a laugh from behind Landon. She shoots him a look and he holds up his hands in surrender. “We’re just going to get some dinner and then head to Sala. You know I can’t drink, anyway, so I’ll be the responsible one for the night. If we need some back-up, I know you’ll just be a phone call away.”

Landon scowls, his eyebrows pulling together. “I’m not sure if you being the responsible one is as much of a relief as you’re hoping it is.”

Ella gasps in feigned offense. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Okay, trouble, keep telling yourself that,” Landon retorts as he rolls his eyes, but he can’t hide the small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Fine,” he makes it seem like we’re ripping Piper from him permanently with how dejected he sounds. “Just,” he pauses and takes a deep breath, “be careful.”

“And have fun,” Ella pipes up from the cut in a sing-song voice.

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