Free Consume Me (A Burning Desire Novel) by R. F. Allie
Authors: R. F. Allie
with women too.
I
doubted I could compete with any of those models and celebrities. I couldn't
understand why he'd chased me. He had the world at his feet without mentioning
his gorgeous partner. I was probably just another poor little girl he wanted to
add to his palmarès, and I'll be damned if I'd succumb to such temptation.
The
intercom interrupted my course of thoughts along with the heated conversation
between my good conscious, my bad one, and Switzerland Ryan.
He
pushed to his feet to avoid a fight with Jude and used the intrusion as an
escape route. I wished I could do the same. Ryan' silence told me that he
agreed with Jenna and didn't want to get into an argument with his partner.
"Hey
chicas. Judas."
Maria
greeted us and Jude rolled his eyes at the not-very-endearing term. I leaned in
to pour her a glass of wine and handed it to her.
"How
was your day Maria?" I used her as a way to calm the heat between my
friends.
"Ah,
I had the worst hangover, and I don't know what happened to Teddy, he just kept
barking like he was mocking me."
"Hey
boo, you have a visitor."
Ryan's
voice came somewhat disturbed from behind me.
"Oh
yeah Chica, found your boyfriend downstairs I opened the door before you'd
buzzed him."
"Boyfriend?
What boyfriend?"
Fear
crept over me and I was taken back to a murky and dark place.
Caden
was here. How was it possible? I'd filed a restraining order.
Jude
pushed to his feet in panic, ready to barge outside the room.
"Ooh
that's him Chica!"
She
pointed at the laptop screen and I breathed out a sigh of relief and froze just
as quickly.
"Non!"
Jenna exclaimed excitedly.
"What
the fuck!" Jude cursed.
I
couldn't move; the spike of fear when I thought it was Caden weakened my knees.
But when I understood that it was actually bazillionaire Landon Davis getting
in my apartment while I was wearing my smiley pajama pants and a yellow tank
top; I freaked out. I looked like a mess.
Ryan
walked back inside eyeballing me and mouthing 'Oh. My. God'. He was followed by
no other than Mr. Davis in all his plush glory. He wore a button down white
dress shirt hugging his body, tan trousers with a Capri belt and loafers.
He had
so much style. I took in the sight of him, imprinted it in my memory, and took
a step forward to greet him. He stood behind Ryan. His hot scrutinizing glare
and smile did nothing to calm my nerves.
"Hello
everyone."
He said
waving and beaming at the general direction of the room.
"Looks
like I missed the party."
I
didn't know what he was doing there. I wanted someone to cut on the awkward
silence. I needed to gather my thoughts. The man was standing in the middle of
my living room and my friends seemed to have lost their tongues at the same
time.
The
answer to my prayer came from my best girl.
"Care
for a glass of that Chateau La Fleur you're holding."
Landon
frowned not understanding Jenna, then smiled, and extended the bottle of
Pomerol to her.
She
took it and shook his hand "J'aime un homme qui connait son vin." She
said shaking her head in acknowledgment.
"Du moment que vous aimez, c’est tout ce qui
compte." Landon beamed at
her accepting the compliment.
When
Jenna tugged Ryan to the kitchen to bring an extra glass, Landon's attention
shifted behind me. He was probably staring at a dumbfounded Jude. I followed
his gaze.
Shit.
Shit. Shit.
His
photo was still on the screen. Jude didn't seem to bother.
He
walked to him and offered his hand.
"Hi.
I'm Jude Cervi." He said composed and serious.
Landon
shook his hand.
"It’s
a pleasure to meet you Mr. Cervi."
"I
hope it doesn't bother you. You know what people say. Information is key."
Jude
said signaling to my screen.
Landon
nodded
"Of
course, I understand."
"Great."
Mr.
Dark and Mysterious Landon Davis turned to me. I was still shaken. I knew I
needed to say something, but the whole scene was like some kind of illusion. It
felt like I was assisting from outside my body. Jude was snarly, Maria
I
doubted I could compete with any of those models and celebrities. I couldn't
understand why he'd chased me. He had the world at his feet without mentioning
his gorgeous partner. I was probably just another poor little girl he wanted to
add to his palmarès, and I'll be damned if I'd succumb to such temptation.
The
intercom interrupted my course of thoughts along with the heated conversation
between my good conscious, my bad one, and Switzerland Ryan.
He
pushed to his feet to avoid a fight with Jude and used the intrusion as an
escape route. I wished I could do the same. Ryan' silence told me that he
agreed with Jenna and didn't want to get into an argument with his partner.
"Hey
chicas. Judas."
Maria
greeted us and Jude rolled his eyes at the not-very-endearing term. I leaned in
to pour her a glass of wine and handed it to her.
"How
was your day Maria?" I used her as a way to calm the heat between my
friends.
"Ah,
I had the worst hangover, and I don't know what happened to Teddy, he just kept
barking like he was mocking me."
"Hey
boo, you have a visitor."
Ryan's
voice came somewhat disturbed from behind me.
"Oh
yeah Chica, found your boyfriend downstairs I opened the door before you'd
buzzed him."
"Boyfriend?
What boyfriend?"
Fear
crept over me and I was taken back to a murky and dark place.
Caden
was here. How was it possible? I'd filed a restraining order.
Jude
pushed to his feet in panic, ready to barge outside the room.
"Ooh
that's him Chica!"
She
pointed at the laptop screen and I breathed out a sigh of relief and froze just
as quickly.
"Non!"
Jenna exclaimed excitedly.
"What
the fuck!" Jude cursed.
I
couldn't move; the spike of fear when I thought it was Caden weakened my knees.
But when I understood that it was actually bazillionaire Landon Davis getting
in my apartment while I was wearing my smiley pajama pants and a yellow tank
top; I freaked out. I looked like a mess.
Ryan
walked back inside eyeballing me and mouthing 'Oh. My. God'. He was followed by
no other than Mr. Davis in all his plush glory. He wore a button down white
dress shirt hugging his body, tan trousers with a Capri belt and loafers.
He had
so much style. I took in the sight of him, imprinted it in my memory, and took
a step forward to greet him. He stood behind Ryan. His hot scrutinizing glare
and smile did nothing to calm my nerves.
"Hello
everyone."
He said
waving and beaming at the general direction of the room.
"Looks
like I missed the party."
I
didn't know what he was doing there. I wanted someone to cut on the awkward
silence. I needed to gather my thoughts. The man was standing in the middle of
my living room and my friends seemed to have lost their tongues at the same
time.
The
answer to my prayer came from my best girl.
"Care
for a glass of that Chateau La Fleur you're holding."
Landon
frowned not understanding Jenna, then smiled, and extended the bottle of
Pomerol to her.
She
took it and shook his hand "J'aime un homme qui connait son vin." She
said shaking her head in acknowledgment.
"Du moment que vous aimez, c’est tout ce qui
compte." Landon beamed at
her accepting the compliment.
When
Jenna tugged Ryan to the kitchen to bring an extra glass, Landon's attention
shifted behind me. He was probably staring at a dumbfounded Jude. I followed
his gaze.
Shit.
Shit. Shit.
His
photo was still on the screen. Jude didn't seem to bother.
He
walked to him and offered his hand.
"Hi.
I'm Jude Cervi." He said composed and serious.
Landon
shook his hand.
"It’s
a pleasure to meet you Mr. Cervi."
"I
hope it doesn't bother you. You know what people say. Information is key."
Jude
said signaling to my screen.
Landon
nodded
"Of
course, I understand."
"Great."
Mr.
Dark and Mysterious Landon Davis turned to me. I was still shaken. I knew I
needed to say something, but the whole scene was like some kind of illusion. It
felt like I was assisting from outside my body. Jude was snarly, Maria