She was beautiful. Quite possibly the loveliest creature he’d ever seen. And the kicker? The thing that just set him off like a firecracker on the Fourth of July?
She had no idea.
He held up the bottle of wine. “Your booze, milady.”
Natalie laughed. “I happen to like chick flicks. You’re the one who’s going to need to self-medicate with the alcohol.”
She accepted the wine and gestured for him to follow her into the kitchen. Naturally he couldn’t do it without looking at her ass and damn. Though the fabric wasn’t see-through, he could make out of the top of what he instinctively knew was a thong. A band of sweat broke out over his upper lip.
Clearly she was trying to kill him.
Levi sighed and shook his head. “So you’re going to hold me to it, eh?”
Natalie withdrew a corkscrew from a drawer and handed it to him. “You do the honors, would you? And, of course, I’m not going to hold you to it.” She rolled her eyes. “Adam’s the one who owes me the chick flick, not you. You can read the back of the DVD box and pretend like you’ve seen it.”
Levi chuckled. “Very crafty. I like that in a woman. So what are we going to do then?”
He could think of lots of things and none of them included watching a movie. For starters, now that he’d decided to seriously make a play for her, he’d like nothing better than to kiss her. His gaze lingered over her lips. He wanted to taste those raspberry lips, feel her tongue against his. He wanted push his fingers into her hair and feel it slide over the backs of his hands. He wanted to set her on the counter, lift the dress and make dinner of her. Eat, sample and savor every part of her.
And because of her letters, he knew she wanted it too.
Natalie opened the oven door and made a groan of pleasure that affected him on a visceral level. She grabbed a couple of pot holders from the counter and withdrew the aromatic dish, then set it on top of the stove.
“We’re going to eat and watch a movie, just not the one Adam thinks we’re watching.”
He poured them each a glass of wine, strolled over and handed one to her. He purposely invaded her space--if she had any doubts about his intentions and what he wanted he’d disabuse of her of those right now--and had the pleasure of watching her pulse flutter wildly at the base of her throat. Mission accomplished, Levi thought, pleased.
“And what are we really going to see?”
“The Shining,” Natalie said, shocking the hell out of him as she accepted her drink.
A bark of laughter erupted from his throat. “The Shining? Really?” What? Was Psycho already rented?
Her coffee-colored gaze tangled with his, then dropped to his lips. She absently licked hers and he went hard. “I’ve, uh... I’ve always wanted to see it and am too much of a wuss to watch it alone.” She quirked a brow. “Is that okay with you?”
Only if she ended up in his lap, Levi thought, a slow smile sliding over his lips. And somehow he imagined that was the whole point. Good food, good company, wine and a horror flick.
It was the perfect first date.
He smiled down at her. “It’s totally fine with me. But I’ll warn you. You may have to hold my hand.”
CHAPTER 7
Dear Levi, I love the way your mouth hitches up into that little half-grin. It makes my heart skip and beat...and my nipples tingle...
He hadn’t been kidding about the holding his hand thing, Natalie thought as his strong fingers lay entwined with hers on top of his muscled thigh. A sexual current seemed to run from his fingers through hers and straight to the very heart of her sex. They sat in a sort of expectant silence as the final credits rolled.
“Damn,” Levi finally said, releasing a pent up breath. “That was one scary ass movie.”
Understatement of the year, Natalie thought. She’d heard about the legendary horror film for years, but had never watched it. Levi hadn’t either, which had made her self-serving give-her-a-reason-to-cuddle selection perfect.
Natalie grinned. “Are you saying you’d rather watched the chick flick?” she teased.
“Hell no,” Levi said, chuckling. He squeezed her hand. “This was nice. I haven’t watched a movie in ages.”
“I love movies,” she admitted. “It’s one of my favorite forms of entertainment.”
A wicked twinkle lit his gaze and it was quite obvious he was thinking about a completely different form of entertainment. The kind that involved naked skin and hurried breathing and culminated with a back-clawing, ball-busting release. “I enjoy it, but I don’t think I’d go so far as to say it was one of my favorites. I prefer a more...physical form of entertainment.” His gaze caught and held hers. “Unless it’s reading, of course. Particularly letters.”
Oh, hell. Natalie swallowed as her stomach gave an ominous quiver.
“Did Adam mention that I’ve been getting letters from a woman from Bethel Bay?” he asked, studying her closely.
“He, er... He might have mentioned it.” She’d known this was coming, that it was only a matter of time before he’d bring it up. And she should own up, Natalie thought. Get it out of the way. Just tell him. This had gone on long enough.
All she had to do was admit that she was his Mysterious Ms. X and they could move forward, in the admittedly temporary direction they both wanted. Though she didn’t know whether or not Adam had shared his suspicions with Levi or not, given the leading little questions he’d asked--as well as his not so subtle let’s-go-to-the-post-office idea--she knew he had his own incriminating thoughts on the subject as well.
And just because he didn’t know now, didn’t mean he wouldn’t know shortly. That letter would be here any day now and when it came...
She should just tell him, Natalie thought again, trying to drum up the nerve to do just that.
But she couldn’t. Ridiculous and cowardly, she knew, but--
“I’ve really appreciated them,” Levi told her, twisting the guilt knife even further. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “They’ve uh... They’ve meant a lot.”
“That’s nice,” Natalie said, for lack of anything better. Meanwhile her heart did a little pirouette.
She’d known that he’d been smitten with her letters--had enjoyed them--because he’d written her back and told her so. Told her that and so much more. Those letters had opened the line of communication between them and the intimacy they’d created--even anonymously--had been nothing short of magical. It had been open and honest and thoughtful. She’d poured out her heart, but had measured and selected each word with care.
Levi waited, evidently on her to confess, and let out a silent, almost imperceptible sigh when she didn’t.
“It’s getting late,” he finally said. “I should get going.” Still holding her hand, he reluctantly stood and made his way to the door. He stared down at her. “Dinner was fabulous,” he murmured. He edged closer, leaving no room for doubt about his intentions. “Adam was right about your lasagna.”
He was going to kiss her, Natalie thought faintly. Finally, finally, finally, after all these years. Her lips tingled in anticipation, her breasts grew heavy and a steady insistent warmth pooled in her middle.
“Much as it pains me to admit it, Adam is usually right about a lot of things. I think the world of your brother. He’s one of my best friends.”
His measured gaze searched hers. “I kept thinking the two of you would become more than friends.”
Natalie laughed and rolled her eyes. “You and everybody else.” She let go a breath and shook her head. “But we’ve never been interested in each other that way.” Though she wasn’t about to admit to Levi, she and Adam had even kissed once to test the waters. Nothing, nada, zilch. Her gaze inexplicably dropped to his lips and a bolt of heat hit her womb. “There’s never been any chemistry.”
He sidled closer, incinerating her with his nearness. A flash of goosebumps skittered up her spine and camped at the back of her neck. “Chemistry’s important.”
&nbs
p; Sweet Lord, he smelled good. Natalie licked her lips. “Essential,” she said.
That melting caramel gaze traced every line in her face and settled hungrily on her mouth. “I happen to think that we’ve got it.”
He was killing her, Natalie thought. Absolutely killing her. “You do?”
Another wicked chuckle, then “In spades.” He tugged her closer and bent his head until his lips were just a hairsbreadth away from her own. “Do you feel it?” he whispered huskily.
She nodded because she couldn’t speak. God help her, if she felt it anymore she’d self-combust.
He smiled, ever so slightly, the wretch. He knew what he was doing to her, knew that she wanted him more than she wanted her next breath. In fact, breathing seemed highly over-rated at the moment. She’d completely forgotten to do it.
And then his lips finally, blessedly--she even heard faint tones of the hallelujah chorus--touched hers and the air she’d been holding inexplicably leaked out in a sigh of utter and complete pleasure. It was as though every minute of her life was tied to this particular second, as though every tick of the clock had been leading up to the mating of their mouths, to the instant when he would kiss her. Sound receded. Sensation reigned. Happiness--joy the likes of which she’d never known and instinctively knew she’d never recognize again--rushed through in wave of euphoria so intense and perfect she could scarcely believe it.
Levi made a soft growl of masculine pleasure as his lips brushed lightly--almost reverently--over her mouth. Once, twice, a sampling, and then his hands framed her face, pushed into her hair and her soldier, her badass, her hero, the bonafide love of her life, laid siege.
There was no other term for it.
His tongue tangled around hers in a thorough exploration of the soft recesses of her mouth. He tasted like wine and marinara, like rain after a long drought. Like heaven, Natalie thought dimly. Even better than Winnie’s petite fours and that was saying something.
His thumb stroked her cheek in an achingly tender gesture, as though he’d been waiting a lifetime for this as well, and he fed at her mouth, suckling, tasting, deepening the kiss until her legs shook and her knees threatened to give way. She leaned closer against him, absorbing the hot, hard feel of him against her, then carefully entwined her arms around his neck.
She loved the feel of his close-cropped hair against her fingers and slid the pad of her thumb behind the curiously vulnerable patch of skin just below and behind his ear. Soft, yet masculine, Natalie thought. Descriptions that should have been a misnomer, but were, quite strangely, not.
“Do you have any idea how long I’ve wanted to do this?” Levi asked, a hint of desperation in his gravelly voice. His hands slid purposely down her back and settled hotly over her rump.
“Not nearly as long as I’ve wanted you to, I’ll bet,” Natalie told him, her suddenly giddy heart giving a little jump in her chest. She suckled his bottom lip, wanting to kiss other parts of him. Neck and shoulder, chest and abdomen...and parts further south. A particular part which was currently nudging impatiently--gratifyingly--against her middle.
Levi rested his forehead against hers. “Years,” he said.
She drew back, shocked. Years? Really? But she’d never detected-- She’d never imagined-- Years? “What the hell was the hold up?”
“I’ve told you already. I thought you and Adam would eventually become a ‘thing’ and I didn’t want to tread into my brother’s territory.”
He wouldn’t, she knew. It made perfect sense. And yet... “What about Sabrina?”
He chuckled darkly. “A poor substitute, a mistake, a monumental lapse in judgment. Need I go on?” He gave his head a small shake. “I don’t know what the hell I was thinking.”
“I don’t know what the hell you were thinking either. She was all wrong for you.”
He grinned, seemingly pleased with her assessment. “And I suppose you know what’s right for me?”
Natalie felt her cheeks warm. “I think I’ve got a better grasp of it than she ever did, yes.” She was right for him, thank you very much.
Levi drew back a bit once again and seemed to hesitate. “Adam has threatened to kick my ass if I hurt you.”
Translation--this is temporary, I’m only home for a few more days, my career comes first, and this will never be more than it is right now.
He didn’t have to say it. She’d known it all along. And it was good enough, Natalie thought. It had to be. She’d rather have him now--for whatever amount of time they had--than miss the opportunity all together. She’d deal with the fall out later.
Natalie leaned forward and gently kissed the corner of his mouth, not the least bit surprised that he’d addressed the elephant in the room before taking things any further. It was noble and right and heroic. She inwardly smiled.
It was so Levi.
Which was why she’d lie. “You’re not going to hurt me, Levi.” She didn’t have any expectations beyond this week. “I know what we’re doing.”
* * *
Then that made one of them, Levi thought. Because he sure as hell didn’t know what he was doing.
He’d thought he did...until he kissed her.
Then every bit of gray matter he possessed seemed to vanish and it had just been his lips on hers, her lithe body pressed tightly against his. Those talented fingers which had created unique and wonderful works of art sliding over the back of his neck and into his hair, tracing the shell of his ear. It had conversely soothed and enflamed him, made his chest go tight and his heart do a funny little thump against his ribcage.
Though it was the most profound and provocative kiss of his life, it had also been...more. Something less easily defined and more felt. He was certain this emotion had some sort of name, but absolutely refused to label it. Shamefully cowardice, particularly for a so-called badass Ranger, but so be it. He’d rather take an unknown hill than admit what he suspected he was feeling for Natalie.
The hill was a lot less terrifying.
Levi had been kissing girls since grade school, having sex on a semi-routine basis since his sophomore year. No brag, just fact, but he’d been charming the pants off of practically any girl he’d set his sights on since puberty. Some had fallen willingly into his arms, some--very few, actually--had required more persuading.
Seducing a woman had always come fairly easily to him. A slow smile, an I’m-into-you up-nod and it was usually game on. He never made any promises and made sure that the women he kept company with knew the rules going in. Though he knew some guys were a little less than truthful when it came to bedsport, Levi preferred the honest, direct approach. It gave the lady in question the option to refuse, should she not agree to the terms.
And frankly, there were too many women looking for the same one-night relationship to muddy the waters with one who wasn’t. No muss, no fuss. Everybody walked away happy and mutually satisfied, without feeling used.
Given Levi’s typical modus operandi, Adam had been fully justified in issuing the warning on Natalie’s behalf. The problem was...who was going to issue a warning on his behalf.
Because for the first time in his life, he suspected he was going to need one.
Kissing Natalie had been different. Better. More. It honestly defied description, and if he came apart with a mere meeting of the mouths, then what the hell was going to happen to him when he finally made love to her? When he finally settled himself firmly between her thighs?
Though she still hadn’t admitted that she was his Mysterious Ms. X, he knew it all the same and was proceeding accordingly. They only had a small window of opportunity to be together and he’d be damned if he’d waste it chasing what he knew in his gut was a forgone conclusion.
It was her.
And thanks to those letters he had an inside track to her dreams and desires. He knew what she wanted--most importantly, him--how she wanted it and when she wanted it. His imagination had cast her into those graphic scenes she’d written to him and, as a result, he’d
been cocked, locked and ready to rock since the first letter had arrived.
He’d read those fantasies, over and over--sometimes to the point that he’d had to take matters into his own hands, so to speak--and now, he’d been given the rare opportunity to live them out.
In the flesh.
With her.
Unfortunately he only had four days--he’d fly out of Charlotte on Saturday morning--to make a lifetime’s worth of her--and his--sexual fantasies come true.
“We’ve wasted a lot of time,” Levi told her, content for the moment just to hold her.
She winced. “I know.”
“I don’t want to waste anymore.”
Her laugh tickled his neck. “You won’t get any objection from me. Although I hate the idea of taking time away from your family.”
Levi shrugged. “Just because I’m home doesn’t mean their lives are on hold. I’ll spend time with them while you’re at work.”
“How will they feel about this? We won’t be able to keep it a secret.”
“Whatever makes me happy, makes them happy,” Levi said. Which was true in the general sense. No doubt his mother would be imagining another wedding and grandchildren, Levi thought, surprised when he didn’t involuntarily recoil. Because it was Natalie meeting him at the alter and red-haired, brown-eyed babies and...
Damn.
She made a noise, seemingly satisfied with his answer, then pressed a kiss against the underside of his jaw, setting off a blast of heat in his groin. She slipped one hand over the back of his neck and the other at the base of his spine, pressing herself more tightly to him. It was slow and leisurely, demanding and erotic and it stoked a flame inside him to a fever pitch.
Men Out of Uniform: 6 Book Omnibus Page 89