“What?! No, why?” Then he paused. “You mean other when he gave me the sex talk when I was a teenager?”
“Well…yeah. Like do you ever share with him any information about the women you sleep with?”
“Oh, God…”
“Or what about your sisters? Do you ever try to get advice from them?”
“Why would I go to my sisters for sex advice?” he cried, horrified at the very thought of it.
“There’s no need to freak out, Levi. It was just a question.”
“And it was just a question when I asked if you thought we’d have the house to ourselves for the night.” And it took her several moments of him staring at her pointedly for her to understand what he was saying.
“Oh. Right. Sorry.” She let out a nervous laugh. “Um…basically, I can’t say with any great certainty that she’ll really be gone all night.” Her smile was slow and filled with all kinds of promises. “We’ll just have to make sure to play it safe and lock the door.”
Finally! We’re back on track!
With a surge of energy, Levi jumped off the bed and opened the bedroom door. The linen closet was right there, and he nearly ripped the door off its hinges in his haste to get it open. The hallway was dark, and he fumbled around for a moment before he found the box of condoms. It took less than a second for him to grab it and walk back into the bedroom–locking the door behind him. Why bother with picking out a packet or two when he could just take the whole box and place it next to the bed.
Talk about being optimistic…
Willow was exactly where he’d left her, and she looked like some sort of sexy vixen–her dark hair in disarray on the pillows, her nightshirt hiked up to reveal a pair of pastel pink panties. His mouth went dry and all he could do was stand at the foot of the bed and stare at her.
“Um…Levi?”
“Hmm?”
“Are you ever going to come back on the bed?”
That was a loaded question if he’d ever heard one.
Slowly, he crawled up and over her. Bracing his hands on either side of her, he held himself up like that while staring down at her.
She was beautiful–the perfect combination of sweet and sexy and pure temptation to him. From the moment they met, Willow had intrigued him. At first, it was her innocence and his need to protect her. Then it was her wit and personality that drew her to him as a friend. But the woman lying beneath him, looking up at him with sensual hunger, was everything he ever wanted wrapped up in one amazing package.
“I won’t break. I swear.”
Her soft words broke into his thoughts, and he gave her a lopsided grin. “How did I ever get this lucky?”
One of Willow’s hands gripped his hair hard. “You haven’t.” Then her grin turned a little wicked. “Yet.”
He was torn between diving in and ravaging her–if that was something people even said anymore…
Damn Romeos in my head!
But it was a battle between ravaging her or savoring. Both held major appeal, and it took Levi all of three seconds to realize that Willow was the kind of woman you savored; took your time with.
Slowly, he lowered his head and gently pressed his lips to hers. They sighed simultaneously as they sank into the kiss, and after that, it was all small touches that turned to grasps. Sweet kisses that turned heated. They worked together to get her nightshirt off and then his boxers.
Taking her panties off, however, was all on him.
Levi didn’t want her help, he wanted to take his time and kiss her stomach, her hips, her thighs, and everything in between. And when Willow’s hands sank into his hair again and held him in place, he was more than happy to oblige.
She tasted sweeter than any dessert and he intended to get his fill of her.
Willow cried out his name, and he was determined to make her do that several more times before the sun came up.
“Levi?”
“Hmm?”
“Are you awake?”
He wanted to chuckle at the question, but honestly, he was beyond exhausted and couldn’t be sure if he was awake or asleep. Still, it seemed safe to reply, “Yes.”
“Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Do you think it would be wrong to leave tomorrow instead of Monday?”
The conversation he had the previous day with the Romeos about getting out of Dodge sooner rather than later came to mind, but he wasn’t really thinking clearly enough just yet. Turning his head, he glanced at the clock and saw it was four in the morning. He and Willow had made love twice, and in between, they had talked about everything and nothing all at the same time.
It was probably one of the greatest nights he could ever remember.
Shifting against the pillows, he attempted to sit up slightly, but Willow rolled toward him and rested her head on his chest.
“I’d ask why you want to leave, but I think I have an idea,” he said around a yawn. “I’m not sure it’s something you should try to decide right now.”
“I know I’m just avoiding the inevitable, but…who could blame me.”
I know I can’t…
“Just the thought of going to brunch with them exhausts me,” she went on. “And after the way we ended things after the party, I know I’m going to catch all kinds of grief for it.”
“To be fair, I encouraged it. So if there’s any grief being thrown your way, part of it’s on me. You won’t have to face them or deal with them alone, Willow.”
Part of him felt so bad for her–that her parents caused this level of anxiety that she was awake at four in the morning obsessing over it. But the other part of him wanted to encourage her to go and stand up for herself. She hadn’t done anything wrong; she had simply voiced her own disapproval with their behavior rather than the other way around.
“You shouldn’t have had to deal with it at all…”
Rolling her onto her back, he placed a soft kiss on her forehead. “Hey, I went into this whole thing with my eyes open. You never held back on all the possibilities we might have to deal with where your folks were concerned. We are in this together, Willow. I promise.”
He heard her soft sigh. “Levi,” she began quietly. “I don’t want you to think…you know…because of…um…this, that you need to do more than you already have. You’ve been amazing. And not just…you know…here.”
Wait…what the hell was she trying to say?
“Willow…”
“I just want you to know that I appreciate you and I don’t expect anything more from you. What happened here tonight between the two of us was…well, it was incredible, but I’m not asking for any promises or for any extra…how can I say this…like extra boyfriendy things when we’re around everyone at brunch or…whenever. So if you wanted to skip brunch, that would be okay too.”
Pushing off of her, Levi sat straight up. His eyes had adjusted to the darkness, and he could make her out in the moonlight. “What are you saying, Willow? That you don’t want me around your family tomorrow? Today? Whatever the hell day it is!”
Sitting up, she clutched the sheet to her chest. “I just don’t want you to do anything you’re not comfortable with, that’s all. I just didn’t want you thinking the sex tonight changed anything.”
Mentally counting to ten, Levi did his best to calm down before he spoke again. “I hate to break it to you, but the sex did change things.”
“Oh,” she murmured.
“As a matter of fact, it changed everything.”
“Oh.”
Why did she sound so miserable? Was it possible he had read all the signs–and orgasms–wrong?
He figured he might as well ask while they were having this…whatever this was…kind of talk. “Can I ask you something?”
“Mm-hmm.”
Swallowing hard, he asked, “Would you prefer if I didn’t touch you again? Was tonight just about…curiosity or passing the time? Did it mean anything to you?”
She was quiet for several
moments. “That was three.”
“What?”
“Questions. That was three questions.”
She was the most infuriating woman sometimes…
“Can you answer at least one of them?” his voice was so low and so gruff, he barely recognized it himself.
The silence was deafening, and it took everything he had not to rush her.
“No. No. Yes.”
It took a minute for him to realize what she meant.
Relief washed over him in waves. “Okay, then.”
“I’d really like it if you touched me now,” she whispered, and Levi was one thousand percent on board.
11
“Isn’t this nice? All of us together for brunch!”
“Mother, we were all together at your party last night,” Paul said wearily, rubbing his temple. “I had to reschedule to a later tee-off time because you pushed back what time you wanted us here.”
“Well,” Gammy said, not looking the least bit put out, “I stayed up later than I had planned and didn’t get home until after eight this morning. A girl needs some time to get ready, you know.”
Paul groaned while Willow and Levi fought the urge to laugh.
Although, there had been an awkward moment earlier when Gammy had first gotten home that wasn’t the least bit funny at the time.
Levi took his turn in the shower after Willow had finished, and when she walked out into the living room as Gammy was walking in the door, it was hard to say who scared who more.
“Oh my goodness, Gam, you scared me!” Willow had cried, hand over her heart.
“Did you and Levi finally get to have sex last night?” Gammy asked, breezing across the room.
“What?!”
“Don’t even try to deny it. You’re all glowy right now. I knew you wouldn’t do it if I was in the house. Donald was such a dear to let me stay with him.” She paused and chuckled. “Although I did thank him properly, so I don’t think he minded too much.”
“Gams,” Willow said with a sigh. “TMI. I keep telling you, stuff like that is TMI.”
“Nonsense! There’s no such thing!” She fluttered around the kitchen, making herself a cup of tea. “I saw the way you and Levi were looking at each other all afternoon and during the party and knew you were a little tense because of your parents so…”
“So you shouldn’t have stayed out all night for my sake!”
“Oh, trust me, it wasn’t all for your sake. I got a good bit out of it myself, if you know what I mean.” And with a sassy wink, she turned her back and wiped down the countertops. “Donald is a very thorough and enthusiastic lover. I bet Levi’s the same way.”
You have no idea…
Feeling herself blush from head to toe, Willow had excused herself and ran back to her bedroom to get ready.
And had avoided her grandmother until everyone arrived for brunch.
Why didn’t I leave when I had the chance?
Oh, right, because Levi said she would later regret it.
Sadly, he was right. As much as she wanted to avoid having another uncomfortable conversation with her father, she would hate cutting her visit with her grandmother short. As it was, they only got to see each other once a year, and her grandmother wasn’t getting any younger–no matter how impressive her sex life was.
“So, Levi,” her mother began, and Willow fought the urge to groan. “We didn’t get the opportunity to speak with you much last night. Why don’t you tell us about yourself?”
He was about to speak when Gammy interrupted.
“Hello? Birthday girl here! As much as I have loved getting to know Levi, this is supposed to be my day, remember? I don’t want this turning into some psycho-analyzing session, Marilyn.”
“I was merely expressing an interest in the man who is dating my daughter. It’s only natural to be curious about the kind of person he is. Especially since she’s driving alone with him across the country.”
“Mom…that’s a little bit of an over-exaggeration,” Willow argued mildly. “I told you, Levi rescued me when I fell. He helped me out, and we started talking, and then we just…clicked.” She smiled at him and saw him wink. Facing her mother again, she added, “Today is about Gammy.”
“Yesterday was about her, as well,” her father murmured, pouring himself another cup of coffee.
“It’s her weekend,” Willow countered. “This is a milestone birthday, and we should be talking about what’s new with her and what she has coming up. Any trips planned, Gammy? I thought I heard you talking about a cruise.”
“Oh, yes!” she replied, grinning from ear to ear. “It’s going to be fantastic! It’s one of those Flower Power cruises that cater to people of my generation and all the entertainment is music groups from the 60s and 70s! I can’t wait! My girlfriend Dotty planned the whole thing for us. There’s fifteen of us going and it’s a seven-day cruise that leaves right out of Fort Lauderdale! I’m telling you, it’s going to be a blast!”
“Surely it’s not going to be the real artists from the groups performing,” Marilyn said with a hint of disbelief.
“Well, not all of the original members, but yes, a lot of them are still around and still performing. There are going to be a few tribute groups and shows, but…who cares! It’s the whole feeling of the cruise that’s important! Free love, good vibrations, flower children…it’s going to be quite the scene! The whole group of us have been scouring thrift shops and making our own clothing so we’ll fit in. You should see me in my bell-bottoms! I look just like I did when you were a boy, Paul!”
Her father groaned.
Gammy turned and looked at Levi. “Have you ever gone on a cruise, Levi?”
“Why is it okay for you to question him and not me?” her mother asked, plainly miffed.
“Because we’re talking about cruises, Marilyn. I already know that you and Paul and Willow have gone on them. I don’t want the poor boy to feel left out. Sheesh!” She smiled at Levi. “So? Have you ever cruised anywhere?”
“I have, actually,” he replied. “My family and I have done several. We’ve cruised to the Bahamas, Mexico, and the Caribbean. A couple of years ago, my folks did an Alaska cruise. I would have loved to go with them because Alaska is a bucket-list destination for me.”
“Why didn’t you go?” Gammy asked.
“For starters, it was their anniversary, and they didn’t invite any of the kids or grandkids, and I couldn’t take the time off from the pub even if they had.”
Willow saw him squirm in his seat and wondered why.
“No backup bartenders?” her father asked, and she wanted to slug him. Why was he fixating on what Levi did for a living? Why couldn’t he just be normal and look at him as a person and not a profession?
“There was a…um…a change in management around that time, and it wouldn’t have been right for me to take off. I’ve been there the longest, so…”
“That’s very commendable, Levi,” Gammy gushed. “So many young people don’t have any real commitments to their jobs. If they’re not the boss, then they just don’t care. Such a shame.” And with a tsking sound, she took a sip of her tea.
The oven timer went off and Willow jumped to her feet, thankful for the distraction. They had a wonderful frittata baking, and it was the last item they needed before serving. She put the oven mitts on her hands and felt Levi come up beside her. “I’ve got this,” she said softly, blushing at his heated gaze.
“Nonsense. You don’t need to do everything yourself. I’m here to help.”
“And I appreciate it.” Pausing, she went and pulled the frittata from the oven and placed it in its warming basket. “But I know you’re just trying to get away from the table.”
“Was it that obvious?”
“Only to me.” She kissed him on the cheek. “And Gammy, probably. No biggie.”
Together they worked to put the rest of the buffet on the table–muffins, chocolate croissants, bagels, assorted cream cheeses, butter, breakfast sa
usage, and the frittata. It was way more food than five people could possibly eat, but it was all Gammy’s favorites. When the last plate was set, Willow straightened and smiled. “Hope everyone’s hungry!”
Luckily, after that, the conversation turned toward Gammy’s Mahjong group and local retirement community gossip. Then it went to the new golf cart she wanted to upgrade to. After that topic was exhausted, her parents talked about what was new with Willow’s siblings and that eventually led to what was new with them in Seattle. It was only a matter of time before all eyes were on her.
Awesome.
Now would be the perfect time for her to spill something or maybe choke on a muffin, but for the first time in her life, she was getting through a meal without incident.
Seriously, Universe?? You couldn’t have helped me out when I fell on my face in front of Levi? Or when I fell off the stage in my third-grade play and showed the whole school my Little Mermaid underpants??
“You know, Willow,” her mother began, “we just moved into a larger office space and have several offices for you to choose from. Fully furnished.”
She studied the muffin on her plate for a few moments, mentally counted to ten, and prayed for patience all before raising her head and giving her mother a serene smile. “Thank you for the offer, but I’m still not interested in moving to Seattle or joining the practice. I’m sure you’ll have plenty of candidates to rent out the space to.”
“Willow,” her father chimed in with a much less pleasant tone than her mother. “We’ve tried to be patient with you. It’s time for you to stop being difficult and settle into a career. You can’t keep being irresponsible!”
“Paul,” Gammy interrupted. “Now is not the time…”
“Mother, this isn’t a damn Norman Rockwell painting. We all fawned all over you yesterday and most of the morning. Five minutes of talking about how your granddaughter is behaving like an ungrateful child isn’t going to hurt anyone.”
Um…really? Because I’m kind of hurt…
“With all due respect, Mr. Andrews,” Levi said evenly, but Willow immediately stopped him.
“It’s okay, Levi. I got this.” Then she looked at her father. “How exactly am I being irresponsible or ungrateful? I’m not asking you to help support me, nor have I been disrespectful toward either you or mom. I’ve never lied to you; I never wanted to go into psychology. I said I wanted to work with children and you pushed for child psychology rather than letting me go into early childhood education or…or…anything that I wanted to do! Did Gammy force you into psychology?”
Test Drive: Road Tripping Series Page 14