A Love Defined Ch. 02

"Penny for your thoughts," Landon looked over at her and noticed she was pensive.

"I was just thinking about my search for my own place," she told him. "By the way, do you know anything about the condos we passed by a few minute ago?"

"Yes," he answered. "I know a couple of people from our office who live over there. They were completed last year from what I understand. Actually, there is a lot of good real estate and rental property not too far from the office. The Human Resources liaison for our unit will see you guys on Monday and I know they give out some materials on that."

"Great," Kyla replied.

"You're not planning on staying with Calvin and Iris for awhile," he inquired.

"I really would like to have my own place," she began. "I have always had to pack up and move around and squeeze my life into bags and boxes. It would be nice to have a home where everything has its own permanent place and it's always there waiting for me when I get back." There was a sadness in Kyla's words that wasn't lost on Landon. He didn't want to even think about what it must have been like for her growing up and having to split time between parents.

When they arrived at the office, he gave her a quick tour and then made his way to Calvin's office to get his laptop and files he'd requested. New baby or not, Calvin loved what he did and he couldn't stay too far away from work. Kyla looked around her uncle's office while Landon finished packing his laptop case and noticed all of the photos on his desk and credenza of Iris, Kenya and her. Next she surveyed his office walls and saw various certificates and awards displayed. It made her proud to see how accomplished he had become.

"I think I got everything he asked for," Landon announced.

"And where can I find your desk," she asked.

"Come on, I'll show you." He took her hand and led her down a long row of cubicles that all had posted name tags on the outside. They reached another wall of offices and went about halfway until they stopped at Landon's office. Like her uncle, he also had a wall filled with plaques and certificates. There were not as many photos, but one in particular caught Kyla's attention. It was of Landon and a woman with dark brown hair and the same sparkling green eyes. They were both in cap and gown.

"Is this your sister," Kyla asked pointing to the photo on his desk.

"Yes, that is my twin sister, Lindsey," Landon moved to stand next to her. "She lives in Chicago with her husband and my niece."

"What does she do?"

"She's in medical school right now," he explained. "We don't get to see each other except for holidays but we talk quite a bit. You ready to head out?"

"Oh yes, of course," Kyla moved to the door and waited for him to close and secure the door. "It must be pretty neat having a twin."

"Yeah it is," he told her as they headed towards the exit of the building. "Lindsey and I are the youngest in the family and there is a ten year age difference between us and our older brother. So we stuck close to each other when we were kids and it's always been that way for us."

"That's really cool," Kyla said.

"I guess there are a lot of advantages to being an only child though too, right," Landon asked.

"Yeah, definitely," she admitted. "I got a lot of attention, but then I also didn't have anyone else to deflect to when I got in trouble, so that was a bummer. Of course, that was never an issue because I was always a perfect angel." They both laughed.

"I bet," he put his arm around her as they walked to the car.

*****

Iris' parents had just left when Kyla and Landon arrived at the hospital taking Kenya with them. Calvin had assured her she would get to see her cousin late afternoon on Sunday for sure. Iris had been very happy to see Landon and they all sat and talked for awhile before he and Calvin left the room to go over some things for work.

Iris had been moved to a private room that was more like a bedroom rather than a hospital room and the baby was able to stay in the room with her. Kyla couldn't get over how small her new little cousin was. He looked just like the pictures she'd seen of Kenya when she was born.

"It looks like you and Landon really hit it off yesterday," Iris smiled as Kyla came back to sit down in the chair closest to her.

"Yes, I think so," Kyla couldn't help but smile. "He's very nice."

"So do you think you would like to go out with him," Iris asked.

"Well, he did ask me out," she replied. "And I did say yes."

"And you are just now telling me," Iris said excitedly. "That's great. I just knew you guys would like each other."

"You were a little occupied," Kyla pointed out. "And what do you mean you just knew we would like each other?" She raised an eyebrow at her aunt.

"Okay, I admit that I took advantage of the situation yesterday and had Calvin ask Landon to pick you up," she explained. "He's single, you're single and I just felt you guys might make a good match."

"Ah I see."

"So when are you two going out," her aunt asked.

"Well, we hadn't set up a time, but he came over to the house this morning for breakfast and is planning to keep me company today."

"That's a very promising start," Iris told her. "Kyla, it's good to have someone you like to spend time with. You're a pretty girl and you deserve a little happiness. I'm not telling you to move into anything you're not ready for, Sweetheart. I just want you to be open to making friends and enjoying the moment. Landon and I talk a lot, and he's a good guy. I know how timid you are about letting people get too close, but you are in a good place to make friends."

Kyla let her aunts words sink in. She had to admit that everything she was saying was right. She didn't like the loneliness that came from keeping people at arm's length and she didn't want to do that with Landon. She could sense that he liked spending time with her too, and Iris was right about there not being anything wrong with that.

"Thank you, Aunt Iris," Kyla squeezed her hand. She had really missed being able to talk to her aunt like this. They spent the next hour getting caught up on everything going on in their respective lives as well as all the things Iris would need to have done when she got home. Having the C-section meant her recovery time would be a bit longer and Kyla could tell her aunt was grateful for having her around to help.

By the time Calvin and Landon came back to the room, Iris looked as if she needed to get her rest. They all said their goodbyes and Calvin told Kyla he would call her later that evening. When they came outside the hospital, it was starting to drizzle and by the time they reached the car it was a full downpour. Landon's house was only a few blocks down the street from the hospital, so they decided to go to his place and see if they could wait out the storm.

He wasn't able to pull inside the garage since they were using her car, so when he pulled into the driveway, he got out and instructed her to stay in the car. Kyla was in awe of his home from the outside. It was an all brick colonial with a very neatly manicured yard and landscaping. She watched him enter the front door and a few moments later the garage door opened and he came out to get her with an umbrella.

"Here we are," he said opening her car door and using the umbrella to shield her from the rain.

They hurried inside the house through the garage and entered the mud room and then the kitchen. He took her inside the great room and turned to her, "feel free to take a look around get comfortable. I will be right back."

He hurried down the hall and Kyla ventured into the great room and put her purse down on the couch. His home was very tastefully decorated with warm earth tones and straight lines that gave it a masculine feel. There were hardwood floors throughout the entire main floor and a stone wood burning fireplace in the great room.

He had a lot of family photos scattered around the room and a wall of book cases filled with a variety of books ranging from science fiction novels to textbooks on architecture. She moved over to the French doors leading to the outside deck and had a great view of a small pond behind his property along with a wooded area. The rain was steady but in the quiet room it offered a soothing rhythm that relaxed her.

Landon returned to find her facing the window and he took a moment for himself before making his presence known. The dress she wore was not revealing by any means, but the way it flowed over her curves definitely turned him on. He could see she had goose pimples from the combination of the cool air and moisture outside.

Kyla turned around to see Landon standing in the doorway and smiled as she walked over to him. He had changed out of his wet shirt and shorts into a pair of jeans and black t-shirt with a design across the chest that showed off his broad chest and shoulders. He was barefoot which made him somehow even sexier. His dark curls fell loosely in his face and he gave her a crooked grin.

"I was just admiring the view," she told him thumbing behind her.

"So was I," he smiled. Kyla felt her face get flush again. He moved to wrap his arms around her pulling her closer to his warm body. "Would you like a sweater or a blanket?"

"No, I'm feeling warmer already," she said placing her head against his chest.

"The Weather Channel says this rain is not going to let up anytime soon, so we may have to postpone our sightseeing plans."

"That's ok," she wrinkled her nose and looked up at him. "We can always do it another weekend, right?"

"Of course," he said placing a kiss on her forehead. "Have anything in particular you want to do?"

Kyla shook her head and replied, "I'm happy where I am. You have a great house, by the way."

"Thanks. Would you like a tour?" He took her hand in his and led her out of the great room and into the kitchen. "Kitchen and breakfast nook," he pointed to the table and chairs sitting in a small inlet that faced a window to the backyard.

"Are there any homes on the other side of those woods," she asked as they left the kitchen and went into the dining room.

"No, my property line is at the edge of a nature preserve. It's pretty quiet out here which is why I like it," he explained. "Here we have the formal dining room and across the hall is the formal living room."

"I know that piece," Kyla pointed to a black and white framed picture on the wall in his living room. "I can't remember the name, but it's by Gordon Parks."

"Yeah, that's right," he smiled at her. "I have quite a few of his pieces, actually."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Why? Does that surprise you?"

"Everything about you surprises me, Landon," she replied, "quite pleasantly."

"I think I can handle that," he smiled. "C'mon, let me show you the upstairs." He led her up the staircase and was able to look over the edge of the banister into the great room.

There were four bedroom suites all with their own private baths and an office at the end of the hall. Kyla was able to decipher which room was Landon's right away and surprisingly he did not use the master suite but rather the room that was closest to his office. Several black and white sketches of buildings downtown donned the walls in his bedroom and the office.

"This is a great likeness of the old firehouse," she noted while looking at one of the sketches on the office wall. "The detail on it is remarkable. Who's the artist?"

"Yours truly," he leaned against the door frame with his arms crossed and smiled.

"No kidding?"

"No kidding. Iris helped me decorate this place when I moved in a couple of years ago," he led her back downstairs. "She found my sketches I had packed away and had them up before I could argue with her. And you know you can't argue with her."

"Oh yeah, I know all too well," Kyla agreed. "You know she asked Calvin to have you specifically come and pick me up yesterday." They sat down on the couch and Landon turned to face her.

"Remind me to put her on the top of my Christmas list this year," he smiled.

"I'm glad you feel that way," she said.

"How could I possibly feel any differently," he moved closer to her. "Kyla, every moment I have had with you over this last 24 hour period has been nothing but pleasant. You make me nervous, excited, happy all at the same time." He laughed.

"I make you nervous," she asked with a surprised look.

"Yes, you do," he looked into her eyes. "I don't want to say or do the wrong thing and move too quickly, but I am very attracted to you. Surely, you know that."

"I do now," she replied softly. "I like you too, Landon, and I don't think you are moving too quickly at all. In fact, you make me feel very comfortable. I just don't have very much experience being in this kind of situation." She looked away from his gaze.

Landon turned her to face him. "What do you mean by 'situation'?"

"I haven't dated much," she paused trying to find her words. "And I never really let anyone get close to me. I don't really know why, but it's just the way things worked out I guess."

"Are you trying to tell me you're a virgin," he searched her eyes for his answer.

"Yes," she nodded and then got up from the couch. She moved over to the window and looked outside. It was still pouring rain. Landon got up and stood behind her.

"Kyla," he turned her to face him. "I want to be very honest with you about something." Kyla felt her heart drop. She knew it was just a matter of moments before he rejected her. "I'm not very experienced when it comes to relationships. Work has always come first and I have never been willing to compromise on that."

She closed her eyes and tried to control her frustration. She didn't need to hear all of this for him to tell her that he was no longer interested.

"Landon, it's really okay. I understand," she placed her hand on his shoulder. "You don't have to explain."

"But I do. Please," he looked down at her with soft eyes. She set aside how she was feeling and gave him a nod to continue. "I can't promise I won't make mistakes, but I can promise I will never intentionally hurt you."

"What are you saying?" Kyla looked at him with a look of uncertainty.

"I don't know how all of this works," he laughed nervously. "But I think if we talk it out as we go along it could work out well for us to develop into something more than friends."

"So the fact that I am a virgin doesn't bother you?"

"No, not a bit," he said pulling her closer to him. "I want more than sex from you, Kyla. Do you think maybe you could see us...together?"

Kyla answered by reaching up and pulling him closer into a slow, passionate kiss. She surprised herself with the brazen move, but she'd never been so happy to hear the words he'd just spoken. Their need for each other was evident as they gave in to what they desired most.

Landon caressed her back and moved his hands over her ass and lifted her off the floor. Kyla wrapped her legs around his waist and he carried her to the couch never breaking contact. He placed her gently on the couch and nestled himself between her legs. Planting kisses along her cheek and down her neck, she felt as if her whole body were on fire under his touch. She held onto him enjoying the feeling of having him so close.

The scent of his cologne and warmth of his body was like nothing she'd ever experienced. Landon pulled the straps of her dress over her shoulders gently nibbling at the tender flesh between her neck and shoulder. Kyla arched her back giving him more access to continue his assault on her sensitive skin. Her breasts ached for his touch and he obliged her satisfying his own urge to touch her.

He raised himself over her and the wanton look in her eyes made him remember his words. As much as he wanted her, it would be unfair to do it this way. Landon wanted to prove himself worthy before taking her most special gift. Doing anything right now may make her regret what happened between him and that was not a risk he was willing to take.

Reluctantly, he pulled himself up and placed his hand gently against her cheek. "Baby, look at me." Kyla opened her eyes and met his gaze. "You are so beautiful." He kissed her gently.

"Is something wrong," Kyla asked softly.

"No, but I know if I don't stop now, I won't be able to," he admitted.

"And then your balls would turn blue, right?"

"What?" Landon looked up at her and could see her face was serious.

"I read about it once," she told him. Landon couldn't help but burst out laughing. "What's so funny?"

"I'm sorry, Sweetheart. I promise I am not laughing at you, but I have never heard it put quite that way before," he snuggled against her. "It's an expression, but they don't actually change colors or anything."

"Oh," Kyla replied biting her lower lip. "Guess that shows how much I know."

"It's not a turn off, trust me," he gave her a quick peck and raised himself off of her. "Come here." He got off the couch and pulled her with him. He wrapped her in a tight hug. "When I come back, we can decide what to do for dinner and then I want to spend the rest of the night with you in my arms. Is that ok with you?"

"Yes," she smiled and watched Landon head upstairs.

She went into the guest bathroom she'd seen down the hall and checked herself in the mirror. After fixing her hair and reapplying her lip gloss, she looked and felt much better.

When Landon came back, they decided to get Chinese take-out and stay in with a movie on the couch. He needed to get his truck, so before they stopped at the restaurant, they made a stop at Calvin's. The rain had caused the temperature to drop considerably and Kyla decided to change into a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt before she drove back over to Landon's.

They spent the rest of the evening snuggled on his couch laughing and talking in between movies just as he promised. Everything was easy between them and they both felt good about the direction things were headed.

*****

Monday morning came faster than Kyla had expected. Though she hadn't seen Landon on Sunday, they had texted back and forth throughout the day. Iris and the baby had come home around 2 on Sunday and Kenya had arrived shortly thereafter. With the house completely active, it was definitely a different atmosphere.

Kenya had stuck close to Kyla all afternoon until it was bedtime. She could see why Iris was so grateful for the help. Kenya's energy level, a new baby and recovery from a C-section was a little much for any couple. Kenya went to daycare three times a week normally, but Calvin and Iris had arranged for her to go every day until Iris was feeling a bit better.

Calvin was taking paternity leave after the first week of training was underway, and so far it seemed as though they had things under control.

"Babygirl," Calvin knocked on Kyla's door. "Can I come in?"

"Sure Uncle Cal, come on in." Kyla finished putting on her earrings. She was wearing a khaki skirt and an olive green v-neck cotton top and sandals. Knowing that she was going to be in the classroom for the first couple of weeks of training, she decided she would dress how she felt most comfortable.

"You look very nice," he smiled. "Are you all set for your first day?"

"I think so," she turned to face him. "Everything ok?"

"Everything is fine. I wanted to see if you wanted a ride."

"No, I'm fine. Landon showed me where the facility was, so I feel ok getting there," she turned back to face her reflection and started brushing her curls into a ponytail.

"I'm glad you and Landon are getting close. It's good to see good things happen to good people," he touched her shoulder. "That being said, I offer one piece of advice, Kyla. Please be aware of who is friend and foe."

She turned to face her uncle and saw his expression was concerned. She knew exactly what he meant, and she nodded her understanding. He had spoken those words to her many times in her life and it had always served her well. He didn't say anything more but simply gave her a hug and left the room.