by Holt, Leah
“Thanks for dinner, Mom.” Hugging her tightly, I said, “And next time can we not forget the fact I'm twenty-three? A little less is never a bad thing you know.”
“Honey, you know I always have your best interests at heart. Trust me, when you have a child of your own one day, you'll understand. There's nothing I wouldn't do for you.” Rubbing my shoulders, she turned to Levi.
Holding her arms out, she pulled him in for a motherly embrace. “I have a good feeling about you, kid.” Leaning into his ear, she whispered something I couldn't understand.
Crossing my arms over my chest, I grumbled under my breath. “You know, it's rude to not sign what you're saying in front of Liv. Maybe you should say that again?”
“Not a chance in hell, Sweetheart. Some words are only meant for the receiver.” Shooting him a crooked grin, she asked Liv if she was ready. Holding her hand out, my sister clasped on firmly.
Waving goodbye to Liv, I pecked her cheek, and closed the door behind them.
Finally, alone.
Slowly, I twisted my head over my shoulder, eyeing Levi. “What did she say to you?”
“I can't say. You heard her, it was only for the receiver.” Pointing at his chest, he said, “Me.”
That single gesture of his hand sent my eyes crashing down to the hardened muscles outlined under fabric. They were bulging, swelling, and begging me to trace them with my finger.
His body was so firmed and engorged, he looked like he just went through a vigorous three hour workout. The only thing missing was sweat drenched skin, glistening, and shining.
I can change that. We could work up a sweat together easily.
All night he was skimming my body with desirous eyes, envious sparks were passed between us. He was the voltage and I was the live wire; intrinsic in all ways.
Smirking, I asked, “Can you give me a hint?”
“Nope.” Slinking towards me, he cupped his chin. “But maybe I could be swayed.”
Dropping a hand to my hip, I eyed him with slit lids. “Oh, really?”
“Maybe, but I can't promise. You can always try though.”
“Nah, I'm good.” Waving a hand, I brushed passed him and plopped onto the couch. T was curled up under the table, snoring ever so loudly.
“Alright, reverse psychology won't work.” Leaping onto the couch, the springs bent beneath him, popping me up. “So, what do you want to do now?”
“Well, if I remember correctly...” Resting my heels on the table, I snuggled into the soft cushion. “You wanted to tell me something before my wonderful, embarrassing mom got here.”
Levi blinked owlishly, his lips opening as he exhaled heavily. “Don't worry about it, I'll tell you another time.”
“No, come on, what was it? Tell me.” My fingers brushed his shoulder, and my arm went up in flames.
Don't do this. Don't do this to yourself.
Do it, do it, do it.
My mind was a whirlwind of conflict and confusion.
I needed him, I wanted him...
I hated him for making me feel all the things I shunned from my life.
“I will, but not yet.” His hand fluttered to my thigh, squeezing gently. “Trust me, I will.”
His touch sent shivers to my toes. His hand slipped higher, I moved my leg closer. His body shifted forward, I breathed harder. His eyes froze, turning liquid blue.
Levi was reading me, melting me, dragging me further into his web.
His hand walked up my thigh to my arm, fingers tickling the warm flesh. Goosebumps broke the skin, my lips parted on instinct.
“Do you trust me, Avni?”
“I want to.”
His strong hand scooped around the back of my neck. “Do you trust me?” His face came closer, the heat off his words spilled over my ear.
“I... I” Levi tightened the grip around my nape, pulling me onto his lips.
I wanted the kiss, I accepted the kiss. I gave in to his kiss.
His tongue slid into my mouth, the warmth making me forget the world around us. Tasting, licking, dancing, our tongues tangled around each other.
Levi's hands ran over my body, only to drive harder into my hair. His kiss intensified in desire and a loss of control.
Tracing his lips across my neck, he nipped and bit the tender flesh. I gasped, head leaning with his demand, making room for him to devour me.
Don't stop. Don't ever stop.
“What would you say if I told you I had missed you?” His teeth took tiny nibbles on my collarbone, fingers coiling deeper into my hair.
“I'd say you were crazy to miss me, I come with baggage.” Air filled my throat, eyes closed tightly with need.
He missed me? My heart fluttered in my chest, beating in time with each breath.
How? Why? After how I treated him, flying off the handle the way I did. I didn't feel like I deserved to be missed.
“I'm not crazy.” His mouth talked between kisses across my neck, up my throat and onto my chin. “I'm just a man who knows what he wants.” Levi drove his lips hard onto mine, kissing me with need.
Moaning, I was speechless. His cock pushed into my thigh as he leaned over me, hands running wildly over my breasts.
My arms reached around his ribs, back arching up into his chest. “Why me?”
“Because of everything about you.”
“But you hardly know me.” Licking the shell of his ear, he groaned.
“Isn't that the fun part about finding someone you want to be with? Learning about them?” Levi cupped my face, his eyes burning into mine. “I'm not going anywhere, Avni. You can push, you can turn your back, you can try and force it...” His thumb swept across my lower lip, tracing my jawline. “But nothing will work. I'm here, I found you, and you're what I want.”
My lungs stopped working, heart stopped beating, and as the room around us turned black, Levi glowed.
“Levi, I don't know what to say.” Brushing a loose strand of hair from his face, I sat in awe.
“You don't need to say anything. You just need to let yourself feel it.” Tapping my seized heart, he said, “And I know you feel it, right there. It won't be denied forever.”
“Who says I'm denying it? Maybe I can't control it.”
His lips brushed past mine. The soft touch caused my thighs to burn, chest to squeeze, and my veins to surge with a thousand tiny sparks.
The tip of his nose slid up my neck, his lips braced against my ear. “You control everything, you just haven't realized it yet.”
Levi bit my down on my lobe, hands gliding down my sides, hooking my hips. Pressing his hard-on against my stomach, he growled under his breath.
I couldn't deny the feelings latching and caging me in place.
I want this, I want him.
The musky cologne filled the air around me, sending my body into trembles as his fingers danced beneath my shirt. I was shaking, visible tremors rode my skin, each muscle was fighting to regain control.
“I love that reaction when I touch you. You can't tell me I don't excite you.” Pulling back, he brought his face to my belly. The warmth of his tongue made circles over my flesh, as he whispered. “I'm here to stay, Avni.”
His strong hand rose to my breast, pinching my hardened nipple. A gasp escaped my lips, eyes closing tight as my head fell back. Digging my hands into his hair, I tore at the roots.
Grabbing the collar of his shirt, I pulled it over his head. His muscles were tense, lifting and dipping as he laid down between my legs.
With the swipe of his thumb, he popped my button free, eyes greedily eating up my thighs as he yanked my pants off.
“Levi, you're a soldier. You don't know what can happen in your future.” My fingers ran the length of his broad shoulders, dragging through his hair.
“I'm not going anywhere. And you can't live with the wonder, with the question of if I'll come home. I'll always come home.” The tip of his tongue ran up the center of my panties, my wetness warming the satin instantly.
>
Flicking my panties to the side, he slipped his tongue into my soaked center. I lost it after that, every thought flew from my head. Colors shot off behind my lids, my body buzzing with tingles as he sucked my clit.
“Mmm,” I groaned, thighs closing around his ears. “Levi, mmm.” Biting my lower lip, I scratched his scalp with my nails.
His thumb rubbed my swollen button, faster and faster he teased my clit as he drove his tongue deep into my pussy.
Arching my back, he gripped my hips holding me steady. I was wiggling in his hands, the sensation liquefying my insides.
“You taste delicious, Princess.” His tongue moved and stroked my clit, the orgasm sitting in the base of my skull, ready to break free.
My thighs were quaking, shaking, squeezing hard. “My God, Levi.” The words were composed of air, my eyes rolling back in my skull as he tempted my body over the edge.
Pressing onto his knees, I couldn't stop my eyes from drifting to his massive, swelling bulge. My drenched lips eagerly screamed for more, ass drifting up. I literally felt my body pulling to him and I couldn't stop it. His cock was the magnet, and my pussy was the metal.
In one swift tug, he yanked his jeans to his knees. “I will never hurt you, Avni. I need you to know that.” Teasing my opening with the crown of his cock, he ran it over my thick juice, coating his length in my pleasure. “No matter what happens, I will always make it back to you.”
In one quick thrust, his cock dove inside. The thickness of his shaft stretched my walls, his massive muscle pushing me open and hitting me so high I could feel him in my belly.
Resting his elbows on the arm of the couch, he pushed in hard. Throwing my hands behind his back, the wall of muscles and strength squeezed and tensed with each thrust.
My fingertips hit his back like barbwire, digging into his skin. A deep rumble made its way out of Levi's lungs.
Biting down on my shoulder, he pushed harder, faster, and with more demand to tame me.
Wrapping his arms under my thighs, he held me open, thrust after thrust he threw his engorged cock deep inside my warmth.
He disarmed me, bringing out a raw, primal need to consume him. I wanted him, and I couldn't deny that anymore.
I had to let myself feel it, no longer could I try and force away the strong feelings I had for this man.
They were there, sitting in every muscle, every thought, every waking moment and dream he had controlled.
I just wasn't ready to admit it to myself, but I could feel it.
Pump after pump, he slid in and out of my pussy. The tip of his cock hitting the opening, threatening to break free; and I would latch on, gripping around him tightly to force him to stay inside.
Shivers hit my spine, riding the bone up to my brain. He was bringing me to the edge of insanity and back again.
The thick muscle between his legs spread me open, my juice guiding him in smoothly. His baritone growls echoed through my head, each muscle in his body was firmed and ready to let go.
That was it, I was sent to the edge of ecstasy. His cock hit hard, belly slamming against my clit. And in one ocean wave my body released, the orgasm coating my brain in pure euphoria.
With the final thrust, his cock pulsed, pump after pump, filling me with his pearly white essence.
Letting his body relax, Levi fell onto my chest. His forehead rested on my shoulder, sweat beading up and trickling down his temples.
We both laid silent, our chests heaving labored breaths.
Lifting his head to my eyes, his gaze deepened. The bright blue of his eyes settled to a cloudy ocean sapphire.
“Avni, I can't explain why I feel the way I do about you. But I meant what I said. I will always make it home to you.”
Twirling a strand of his hair, I couldn't hold in the smile. My lips rolled up, eyes hooded under lashes. “I can't explain why I want to believe you.”
Levi curled into my arms as I hugged his thick upper body. The sweat was fading into a clammy sheen across his tattoos, his muscles looked like they were breathing for themselves. Each one still twitching and raising as he squeezed my middle.
I wasn't sure where this would go between us, but I wanted to believe him. He was so certain and determined to be here for me.
And I knew I needed him. It wasn't a false feeling of security with him. Everything with him felt real.
Now I just needed to try and let go.
If I want what I could feel in my heart, then I had to learn to let go.
How long would that take me?
That was the question that filled my soul with sorrow. Because time was supposed to mean healing.
And I didn't think time had been good to me at all.
Time is what built my walls, it had been my sculpture of stone.
It was what kept stationary.
Now I needed it to tick away.
Chapter Sixteen
Levi
Opening my eyes, I glanced down. The warmth of her body was tucked snugly into my hip. She fit perfectly in that space like it was made especially for her and her alone.
Laying there with the soft glow of sun breaking behind the blinds, I took her all in. Her brows were furrowed in sleep, lips open gently as she snored lightly. It was the cutest snore I'd ever heard.
Brushing her hair from her face, I wanted to see all of her. Drink her in while she was resting so peacefully in my arms.
Her alabaster skin was speckled with tiny freckles across the bridge of her nose. Her lashes were longer than any I'd ever seen, flowing out of her lids like small bird wings spread to fly.
The soft pastel flesh felt like velvet under my rough fingertips. Even her lips, the subtle pink was natural, no lip gloss or lipstick; she was a perfect living porcelain doll.
And she was all mine. Tucked away safely in my arms, protected by every ounce of my soul.
From beyond the window, the loud sound of drilling and hammering pounded and vibrated the walls. What the fuck is that?
Avni let out an angered moan, rolling to her back and covering her face with her hands. “Fucking construction,” she grumbled, balling her fists and wiping her eyes.
“Construction?” Tossing the blanket off, I walked to the window and pulled back the blind.
“Yeah, they've been working a few buildings down for a while now.” Pulling herself onto her elbows, she sleepily opened her eyes. “It's like Chinese water torture. Every morning at seven, like damn clockwork.”
“Well, that's annoying.”
“You're telling me.” Flopping back down, Avni dragged the blanket up over her head. “I've been cursing them every morning for months. But it never works, they haven't stopped yet.”
Walking back to the bed, I jumped in and wrapped her up tight inside my arms. “Well, since we're up...” I teased, gripping the morning wood that was pressing angrily against my boxers.
Avni giggled, turning to face me. Her glowing eyes flickered with excitement and happiness.
“You might be up,” she said, glancing down at my cock. “But I'm still half asleep and could use another four hours after last night. You're an animal.”
“I can't help it, you drive me insane.” Tracing a finger down the center of her face, I wrapped my hand under her neck and kissed her.
“Is this my wake up call?” she asked, stretching her arms high above her head. Rolling to her side, the blanket skirted up.
Her silky panties slid into her ass, the bare cheeks enticing me to lean in and bite each one.
“No, this is.” Pulling my hand back, I let it fly down to smack her ass.
Whipping her head over her shoulder, she twisted awkwardly to try and cover her bare behind.
“Hey!” Giggling, Avni did everything she could to block my hands.
I loved seeing her smile, loved hearing her laugh. It was pure joy to see genuine happiness in her, even if it didn't last.
“What?” My fingers moved and danced across her belly, causing her entire body to jerk aroun
d like a fish out of water.
“Stop! Stop!” The chuckle turned into her trying to return the torture of a tickle to my sides. “It's not fair, you're so much stronger than me.”
Pinning her arms over her head, I took small bites on her neck. Each nibble sent prickles cascading over her body.
Avni's head tilted, crying in laughter. Her body squirmed beneath me, my hands holding her in place. “You're trapped, what are you going to do?”
Letting out a long breath, she said, “Nothing, but you better not let me go.”
“And why's that?”
“Because if you do, you're going down. Trust me, Levi, it's better if you never let me go.”
“That's what I was planning on doing anyway. I never planned on letting you go, Avni.” Resting my elbows onto the mattress, I whispered in her ear. “And I'm not just talking about now. I'm never letting you go ever.”
I felt the shudder in her limbs. Her breathing pausing briefly, eyes falling deep into mine.
What's she looking for? I'm serious. I won't let her go.
“How am I supposed to believe that. Those are just words.” Her eyes darted between mine, brows crinkled together.
“Words that are going to be true. You don't have to believe the words, but you'll believe it when I show you.” Brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, my fingertips ran down over her collarbone.
Her face sat motionless, but her heart beat faster. The small vein in her neck pulsed harder, her lungs were lifting fast as she took deep breaths.
“I want to believe you, I do. But I don't live my life based off false promises. I can't, the let down hurts too much.” A flicker of sadness glazed her eyes, her mind running to darker thoughts.
“Don't worry, I'm going to prove it to you. And I'm a man who stands by his promise.”
Tugging her wrists free, Avni rolled out from under me. “Levi, I really don't like being promised things that in all reality can't be controlled. You say you're not going anywhere, right?” Wrapping her arms tight around her waist, she dug her hands into the creases of her elbows.
“Yes, and I mean it.” Resting on my forearm, I turned to face her.
“Well, what happens if you need to go back to war? What happens if you promise me you're coming home and you don't? Tell me what happens then?”