Because of Us (My Best Friends Brother)

FIFTEEN | A Moment Alone.

POV | Belle

Ethan had left shortly after we convinced him to come to dinner, a phone call from his father at their family shop deterring him from staying around for the day. After getting so used to his presence I thought I'd be missing him more, I guess with Landon here the usually empty space wasn't empty.

My unbudging smile was still shining just as brightly as the moment he walked back through the door. It wasn't even midday and for the first time in weeks, I had him here with me in our home. The home we could finally enjoy together.

Landon came into the bathroom where I stood, smiling as he walked over to me, his reflection catching my eye in the mirror. I watched him as he moved, his warmth spreading across my back once we connected to which I sighed with content. His hands slowly glided over my sides, around to my hips, gripping onto me tightly while his nose skimmed across the skin of my exposed shoulder.

"How is it that I've missed you so much, when the whole point of us living together was to have you all to myself?" He laughed in a whisper, pressing a single kiss to my neck before resting his chin on my shoulder. He smiled softly, meeting my eyes in the reflection.

I raised a hand, pushing my fingers through his hair, tugging on the strands as I held him close. He'd been working so hard not just for this, but for months. He was working for his family, Callie and Zoe were one thing, but him and his dad still weren't talking. So he pushed to make it work despite the rage inside.

For his best friend and the company he was building. Every decision Ryan made seemed to be with Landon by his side. I didn't know much about Ryan's life, but from the bits and pieces I knew, I could tell there was a disconnect between him and his own father. Something I felt that Landon had naturally taken on without question.

And then finally for me, for this house we were making our home. There was so much behind those eyes that no one saw, I'd filed every one I'd seen away for weeks, praying that when it became too much to carry, I would be ready for him.

But there were things I still didn't know, things yet to come. With our eyes still locked in the mirror, I rested my head against his "I miss you every time I watch you leave, but I never want that feeling to go away because it reminds me how much I love you"

His eyes lit up at my admission, every thought that was swirling behind him gone as he looked at me and only me. Before I could even feel his warmth disappear he stood, spinning me around, pressing me against the vanity sink as his lips found mine. Soft yet rough, all his love, his passion, poured into a single breathless kiss.

My head spun, toes tingling as he pulled away. His breath fanning my lips, cooling the wet skin as he whispered “I love you”

“C’mon” He smiled, tugging my hands, walking backwards out of the bathroom leading me with him.

I giggled watching him stumble unsure of what was behind him, navigating his way out into the hall where he again placed his hands on my sides. Picking me up, throwing me over his shoulder and slapping my ass, the thin cotton fabric that covered it protecting nothing.

“Landon!” I squealed, though I couldn’t help but wriggle, enjoying the tingling sensation that spread across my cheek “Where are we going?”

“You’ll see” was all he said as he navigated us down the staircase and out into the backyard.

The sound of bird chirping and leaves rustling filled the air. The breeze was warm as it blew through my hair, it dangled over my face as I hung over Lanon's Shoulder. Pressing my hands against his back, I pushed myself upright the best I could.

"Patience princess" Landon gave another slap to my ass making me fall back against him, this time I reached down, spanking him in return. He moaned sarcastically, finally flipping my upright, pulling my legs around his waist.

I happily complied, sliding my arms around his neck while his hands gripped my ass, supporting me. He continued to walk across the grass, me gawking at him like a little love sick puppy, planting kisses across the edges of his lips and cheeks. He'd watch me every now and then, stealing one from my lips where he could without us falling flat on our asses.

Craning my neck, I looked behind, seeing that we were approaching the Gazebo. The image of blankets and pillows thrown atop the wooden structure came to mind, though now it was bare. The only remains from that night were the fairy lights, still strung throughout the frame, and wound down each post.

"What are we doing out here? I am not having sèx on that thing without a blanket, I don't want a splinter in my butt" I joked, turning my face back to him.

"Don't be silly baby, I'd take the splinter in my butt while you bounce on my díck like the good girl you are" A mischievous glint in his eye knowing full well, he could take me in many ways without the wood even touching my skin.

Seeing my mind race with possibilities he groaned, squeezing my ass, and pushing himself against my core. My hands dug into neck as I bit my lip, enjoying his tempting touch "You're distracting me again"

I giggled, stealing a final kiss from him as he placed me back on the ground. I turned watching as he made his way up the wooden steps "So you remember our picnic here, but what you didn't see..." Landon started, reaching down and slipping his fingers into a gap larger than the others in the floor of the gazebo. Hooking his hand under the wood, he lifted it up, revealing the bubbling water beneath.

"There's water?" I questioned in a gasp, stepping forward and leaning down on the step. Looking into the blue and bubbly water that filled the space beneath the gazebo.

"A spa" Landon corrected as he pushed away what I now realised was a lid, to a bloody spa. Reaching forward I ran my fingers through the warm bubbles, only looking up as Landon began pulling his shirt over his head.

I couldn't help but glaze my eyes down his chest, watching his abs and arms flex as he began unbuckling his belt, popping open the button of his pants and pulling down the zip. I watched in anticipation, sucking my lip between my teeth as he tugged them lower, revealing the hard 'V' that led to the length I had fallen in love with.

He chuckled, slipping his pants over his thighs, stepping out of them and kicking them to the side. I swallowed, finally looking up to his eyes. He raised his brows in challenge, one I accepted. I stood from the step, micking his stance on the other side of the spa.

Pushing my hands under my shirt, I gripped the hem, crossing my arms as I pulled it over my head. My bare chest making Landons eyes drop, he smiled, biting his lip as he hooked his fingers in the waistband of his underwear. Before I could react he pulled them down, exposing himself to me.

I blushed covering my mouth with my hands, giggling at the display before me. My naked man, smiling brightly as he stepped down into the bubbles, pushing through them to reach me.

As I stood on the edge, he reached up, pulling at the strings in my shorts until they fell loose around my hips. Hooking his fingers around the hem, he dragged them down my legs, eyes locked with my core that he lent in and kissed as I continued to laugh.

“You’re so beautiful” he whispered.

“Are you talking to me or my v****a?” I pointed my finger up and down.

“Both” Landon smiled, slipping his hand in mine, helping me into the water. I shook my head at him as we sunk into the warmth. Water pushed through my hair, tickling my scalp as I dipped my head backwards.

Landon relaxed back against one of the seats, arms slinking around my waist, dragging me with him. Bubbles danced across my skin, them foaming between our bodies as I straddled his lap. The closer I got, the more I realised Landon’s expression had fallen. The cheeky smile gone, and a sullen pout in its place.

I cócked my head to the side in question to which he sighed. “I’m sorry, for not being around”

“Don’t ever apologise for hard work Landon”

He shook his head “I feel like I’ve missed so many moments”

“You’re not missing anything I promise” I smiled, running my hands over his chest but his expression didn’t lighten.

“I leave, and when I come home, I see all the little things that I missed”

“Like what?” I furrowed my brows, concern wavering in my voice now as his heart raced beneath my palm.

“There’s new books on your bedside table, and I wasn’t there, watching you scrunch your nose at the bad parts and smile at the good ones…There’s leftovers in the fridge from your cooking experiments, I wasn’t there, helping you make the mess or clean it up…”

“…The smell of popcorn in the air, from the nights you stay up late, watching movies while you wait for me. The blankets I see thrown over chairs, knowing I missed the chance to hold you while you dozed off during the day. Missing your eyelids flutter while you dream, wondering about all the things going on in your curious mind”

“Your hair…” he twirls a wet strand through his fingers “…I miss your damn hair getting caught in my stubble and…” I cut him off, clamping my hand down over his lips.

I knew the list was going to be never ending, Landon was observant, of course all these things got to him. Tears welled in my eyes realising how much he deserved to know that he was wrong.

“Those books have one chapter left, the last chapter that I read to you when you fall asleep because I know you’re tired. The cooking? I’m practicing. So that when you’re home I can make you a meal that doesn’t suck…”

“…All those movies? Are ones we’ve already watched, I rewatch them time and time again remembering the parts you laughed at, and the parts you yelled at. And when I’m dreaming, I’m dreaming of you. I wouldn’t have the chance to do any of those things without you, but you have forever to do all of those things with me, a million times over”

Landons lips twitched, I pulled my hand away, seeing a soft smile returning to his face.“Forever hey? That’s a long time Belle”

“Well you're stuck with me, and all my bad cooking, and horrible taste in movies” I slid my hands over his chest, and up his neck as I spoke, pulling his face to mine.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way” he murmured against my lips before letting my tongue taste his.

I pushed my hands further, into his hair, tugging at the wet strands that before clung to his skin. Moaning at the sensation of his naked body beneath mine, hiding none of his excitement as I pressed down against him.

Landon groaned “You’re distracting me again”

“Mhm, from what?”

“From one more thing princess…” he ended the kiss, reaching for my hands tangled in his hair, pulling them away to hold against his chest “…Ethan”

I blinked at him, I was so consumed in having Landon alone finally that I had completely forgotten about Ethan, about this morning.

“What about Ethan” I whispered, nerves twisting in my gut at the mention of his name.

“You seemed like you had a lot more to say, you can be honest with me.”

“Why are you so okay with it? I mean, a year ago we said goodbye, it was done. But then he came back, and it was like all those emotions came back with him. I told myself I just missed my friend, but then, on the couch… it was like we were back under the stars. You took control and it felt…”

“Good?” I nodded.

“Yeah, like…” I paused, Landon easily finished my sentence.

“Like because you love me and it shouldn’t feel good to have someone else there?”

“Yes” I agreed again, completely confused yet wholeheartedly grateful that Landon could seemingly grasp what I could not.

“Belle…” Landon lifted his hands from mine, cupping my face “…I am completely and utterly in love with you. I also desire you, but love and desire don’t always go hand in hand”

“What do you mean?” He pondered his next words, not because he wasn’t sure of them, but because he wasn’t sure I was ready to hear them.

“Just because Ethan brings out a desire in you, it doesn’t mean you are in love with him”

I froze. I wasn’t the most experienced person in the world, with love or lust. Sure now I knew my way around a bedroom. But only with Landon, and only because I loved him. Maybe somewhere along the lines had blurred with Ethan, because as far as I knew, when it came to Landon I craved both.

“Have you and Ethan ever done anything alone?” Landon interrupted my thoughts, the question taking me by surprise.

“Never… only with you” I nodded as if trying to reassure my words.

The only time Ethan and I had tried to do anything was when we were 18, the night we went to mini golf. Back then we definitely felt the attraction to one another, but something was missing.

As I scanned my brain for answers, Landon pulled me back to him, putting it simply with a reassuring touch “Ethan being with us, just turns you on, and that’s okay”

“You’re really okay with that?” Landon nodded, dropping his hands to my neck, massaging each side before dipping lower.

“I lived a very different lifestyle before you Belle, one that I am happy to leave behind. My only concern is you, and if that includes a taboo desire for the time being, then yes, I’m okay” his fingers traced my shoulders, then my arms, working their way back to my hands. Pulling them to his lips, He lightly kissed my knuckles.

“Just remember, there’s another person with their emotions at play here too. I can guarantee he is even more lost than you” his words dripped down my spine, a chill running through me only melting away by his warm lips, grazing each knuckle as he continued to kiss a path along them.

Landon and I would always be strong, we had proven that to one another. But Ethan had no one, the thought had never crossed my mind. If I was lost in all this, I couldn’t imagine how he was feeling. All that time ago we stopped, we valued our friendship more than any desires we felt.

But now we were lost in a cloud of lust. I was lucky. Landon was my light, guiding me through. I just needed to find Ethan’s light.