Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

Landon trudged back to the living room while looking dispirited. Angelina happened to descend the stairs after having coaxed Lauren to sleep.

When Landon lifted his gaze, he accidentally met her eyes, causing her to hang her head fearfully.

"Stop lowering your head. You're about to bury your head in the sand. What are you, an ostrich?" Frowning impatiently, Landon sat on the couch and put a cigarette between his lips. However, he hesitated to light it when he recalled Lauren hated the smell of cigarette smoke.

Angelina did not look up. She had always carried herself with arrogance and aloofness in public, a stark contrast to her present self—unsure, submissive, and guilty. She wanted to dig a hole and hide due to shame.

"Chere." She strutted over to Landon. The short distance felt like it took forever.

"Is Lauren asleep?" Landon asked in a low voice.

"Yes." She stared at her feet. Her voice was shaky. "I'll pack my stuff and leave immediately. | will not be an eyesore to you." "Just stay," he remarked icily.

Despite his tone, she was overjoyed and relieved to hear that. "D-Did you just say..." "You're like a sister to Lauren. | know she won't be able to eat well if you leave her." He took out the cigarette and crushed it in his palm.

At the end of the day, he did not have the heart to treat his loyal subordinate cruelly. "So, stay and take care of Lauren. You can be clumsy at times. You've even ruined a few of her dresses in the laundry, and you aren't exactly the best when it comes to cooking. But | don't trust anyone else to stay by Lauren's side.

"However, | do not want such an incident to happen again. Otherwise, | will not only fire you, but I will also rip you into pieces." Landon was clearly joking, but Angelina lowered her head in shame. She fought back tears as she replied, "I'm sorry. Mr. Landon, this will never happen again." Late at night, Landon sat on the couch and approved sdocuments under the dim and soft light of the standing lamp while wearing matching couple pajamas with Lauren. Unlike Jasper, he was not a workaholic. He was simply trying to make himself sleepy as his mind was a mess.

"Mm. No... Don't hit me” Don't!" All of a sudden, Lauren kicked off the blanket in her dreams and started contorting as though she was pinned down. She let out muffled, panicked screams, "I'm an idiot! I'm stupid! Please don't hit me!" "Lauren!" Eyes wavering in shock, Landon hurried over and sat by the bed. Then, he scooped her into his arms, knowing that she had a nightmare. "Calm down. I'm here with you. There's nothing to be scared of." "Don't hit me! Don't hit me." Hugging Lauren tightly, he repeatedly caressed her back, which was drenched in sweat. He questioned, "Who hit you? Lauren, tell me. Who hit you?" She opened her eyes and panted heavily. By that time, she was soaked in cold sweat from head to toe.

"Lauren, who bullied you? Tellwho they are." A murderous look crept into his eyes. He sounded stubborn and hostile. "Whoever lays a finger on you, I'll skin them alive!" Landon firmly believed that one's thoughts would manifest in dreams. Lauren wouldn't have had nightmares if not for something that had happened in the day.

Puzzled, he thought he had protected Lauren well. Besides, Angelina stuck by Lauren's side on campus. Who could have bullied Lauren? "N-No." She hugged him by the waist, shaking her head and closing her eyes. "Maybe. | am having nightmares because | was still in shock at what happened in the day. No one. ever bullied me." She wanted to forget the memories of school bullying that were worse than nightmares, not to mention that the main bully was Landon's own sister. She refused to place Landon in a difficult spot, choosing between his lover and his sibling.

"Is that true? Lauren, is it just a nightmare?" He kissed her forehead, his lips turning cold from the panic just now.

"Yeah. It's just a nightmare." Eyes misty, she gently kissed his Adam's apple and suggested, "Darling, let's. sleep together. I'm not afraid of anything with you by my side." Landon had tried to exert self-control over his desire since Lauren was injured. However, her action aroused him, causing blood to rush to his head. He slowly pinned her onto the bed, leaving a trail of kisses on her collarbone, chin, and lips.

They were engulfed in flames of passion and drowned in an ocean of lust. Lauren's youthful allure and her soft body drove him to madness every tthey made love to each other. The curve of her tiny waist was crescent- like when he lifted her body higher to push himself deeper into her.

The moon in the night sky lost its luster compared to the steamy and hot sex in the bedroom.

As Landon had missed the important meeting yesterday due to the last-minute return to Solana City, he woke up early the next morning, ready to apologize to Cornelius at the Harper residence.

Since Lauren did not have the habit of sleeping in, she woke up at the stas Landon. She helped dress him and fasten his tie, looking more like a housewife by the day.

Landon sat on the couch, legs folded as he watched the financial news on his tablet. At the stime, Lauren was taking a shower in the bathroom.

Angelina entered their bedroom with breakfast.

"Angie," Landon said in a raspy and sleepy voice. "The bedsheet is soiled. Please change it."