published, bestselling author. I even hired Brooke as my full-time assistant, which I have way too much fun with.
It’s been three years since the release of my first book, and I’ve published several more since then. I’ve written a number of typical, alpha male-driven romances; it’s time to do something different though. But for the past two weeks, I write and delete, write and delete, write and delete. I’m driving myself crazy. I made the decision to take a break from writing until next week. I’m scheduled to appear at a book signing this weekend in Las Vegas, and a few of my friends who are also authors will be in attendance as well. I plan to let loose and not even think about this book until I get back.
“I am so exhausted,” Landon sighs as he kicks off his shoes and then falls back onto the bed. “But I have some news for you.”
After pulling my suitcase from the closet, I set it next to Landon and open it. “What’s the news?”
“Damon got a call from the New York Times.”
I stop in my tracks with a handful of clothes in my arms and look at him as he tries to play it cool. “The New York Times?”
He nods, and I toss the clothes on the bed. My jaw drops before repeating with growing elation. “The freakin’ New York Times? Oh, my God, Landon!”
His smile grows, and I jump onto the bed, taking his face in my hands. “This is amazing.”
I straddle him when he sits up, and with his arms wrapped around my waist, he laughs under his breath at my display of excitement. “They’re sending a critic to do a write-up. If he likes the food, this could be huge for the restaurant.”
“What do you mean ‘if’? Of course he’ll like the food; you and Damon are amazing chefs.” I lean in and kiss my husband, who has worked so hard to finally be in the position to garner national recognition. “I am so proud of you, babe. So, when does this happen?”
“In two weeks.”
“That soon?”
“I’ll be working a lot more until then.”
“Of course. Do you need me to find someone to help out with the kids this weekend while I’m in Vegas?”
“I was going to call my brother to see if he and Marcia can help out,” he says as he runs his hands through my hair.
On a faint whisper, I tell him again, “I’m so proud of you,” and then press my lips to his in a slow kiss. His hands drop to my hips, tugging me closer, and I moan into his mouth as the friction between my legs sparks a trill through my body.
“Yoohoo! Tori?” Brooke’s sing-song voice announces from my cell’s speaker-phone through the app we use to communicate.
“Ignore it,” Landon mumbles against my lips as we continue to kiss.
He grabs my breasts over my shirt, squeezing them as he runs his lips down my neck.
Sensual warmth spreads through my body, building the ache between my thighs, and I grind my hips over his lap. Sparks of pent-up heat sizzle through me, and my body begs for more.
“Tor, I need to go over the itinerary with you. Oh, also, you had a few last-minute preorder requests, so I’m going to pack some extra books. I also called the hotel to confirm the package deliveries and—”
Landon drops his hands from me, and I groan in frustration.
“Let me talk to her really quick and then I’ll turn off the phone,” I tell him while Brooke continues to ramble on in the background.
He releases a hard breath when I get off the bed.
“Hey, I’m here,” I tell her through the speaker.
Landon hates that we use this app, since it’s pretty much a walkie-talkie and he has to listen to us gab.
“Did you get my last message?”
“We all got it, Brooke,” Landon calls out so she can hear.
“Hi, Landon. Why do you sound so crotchety?”
“No reason, aside from the fact that I was just about to get laid.”
I shoot Landon an exaggerated look of mortification and mouth the words Oh, my God! to him. He responds with an amused grin. He loves embarrassing me.
“Sexxxxy!” she teases.
“You two are so ridiculous. Can we get back to what you need to talk to me about?”
Brooke goes on to discuss the details of the Vegas trip while I continue to pack my suitcase. Every now and then, I look over to Landon, who is now lost in sorting through emails