Just Another Message Lost in Your Inbox {LN4 FanFiction}

11

"Wait, what? Did he just invite me to his place? No, I can't do that. I think back to what Cadey just said: What happens in Monaco, stays in Monaco."

I smile at him, trying to keep my cool, but my thoughts are all over the place.

"Don't worry," Lando adds, as if reading my mind. "I have a guest bedroom you can use."

Relief floods me. Crisis averted.

"It's getting pretty late. Let's go," he says, standing and offering me his hand. I take it, but as he pulls me up, I lose my balance and stumble forward—right over the side of the yacht. I plunge into the cold water below.

Lando shouts my name and it echoes in the air as he jumps in after me. He grabs me and helps me back onto the walkway. Shivering, I stand there, drenched.

I mentally groan. "Great, First, I fall on your ass in front of Lando, and now I decided a swim at 1 AM is a great idea."

"Come on, let's get you back to my place so you can take a hot shower," Lando says, trying to comfort me. We walk to the car, and the driver takes us to his apartment.

The elevator ride feels like an eternity. When we get inside, Lando hands me a towel.

"Here, take this," he says

I look around, amazed at the apartment. Lando walks over to me, handing me a toothbrush and a large t-shirt.

"The bathroom's ready for you. You can sleep in the shirt, and when you're done, we'll wash and dry your clothes," he says kindly.

"Thank you," I reply, taking the items from him.

I head to the bathroom, close the door, and begin peeling off my wet clothes. The hot water from the shower feels like heaven against my cold body, and I can't stop thinking about the kiss we shared on the boat.

I'm in his apartment, using his shower, and my mind is spinning.

Once I finish showering, I step out, feeling more relaxed, and slip into the t-shirt he gave me. I head back into the living room, where Lando walks out of his bedroom, freshly showered, wearing sweatpants and putting on a shirt. I can't help but glance at his muscular build before the shirt covers it.

He catches my eye. "Like what you see, love?" he teases.

I quickly snap out of my trance and change the subject. "Uh, where should I put my wet clothes?"

He points to the washing machine, and I walk over to place them inside. He comes over, presses a few buttons, and the machine starts.

Standing so close to me, I can't help but notice his scent, which is intoxicating. He turns to face me.

"Your room is down the hall to the left, across from mine. I hope you'll have a good night's rest," he says.

Before I can come up with something to say, Lando steps closer to me, and I lean against the kitchen counter. He places his hands on either side of me, his face inches from mine. I close my eyes, feeling the magnetic pull between us.

But then, he steps back. I open my eyes, and he just stands there, staring at me.

"Is everything okay?" I ask, my voice soft.

"Yes," he says quietly, "I just don't want to make you feel uncomfortable."

And in that moment, I feel a rush of emotions.

I grab his shirt and pull him forward. He places his hands on either side of me again on the counter. My heart is pounding in my chest.

He leans in and kisses me on the lips. A burst of passion ignites between us. He picks me up, my legs on either side of him and takes me to his bedroom.

He looks at me for a moment. "You are so beautiful, love."

I run my fingers through his hair, and he kisses me again. But this time, I stopped him. "I can't do this, I'm sorry," I say, my voice shaking.

He pulls back immediately and lies down beside me. The tears start to fall, and I cover my face, trying to hold back the sobs. He gently takes my hands and looks at me with understanding.

"It's okay, love. We won't do anything you're not ready for," he says softly, pulling me closer. I rest my head on his chest, and he runs his fingers through my hair. With his warmth surrounding me, I eventually drift off to sleep.

–

The next morning, I wake up. Lando is still fast asleep. I think back to what happened last night. It was so amazing, but I just couldn't go through with it. I give myself a slap on the forehead. "You are such an idiot," I mutter. Lando shifts and I panic, but he doesn't wake up.

I get up and tiptoe to the kitchen to grab my clothes from the dryer. I quickly get dressed before I slip out and leave. I pause for a moment at the bedroom door and watch Lando as he sleeps. It breaks my heart to leave, but I don't think I can face him when he wakes up.

I grab a piece of paper from his desk, write a note, and leave it under his phone on the kitchen counter.

I make my way downstairs and catch a taxi back to the hotel.