When Life Happened

by Jewel E. Ann

  “Levi …” She squirmed beneath him. Thinking of his tongue between her legs, but not having it there was its own special torture.

  Scooting down her body even more, he spread her legs wide.

  Parker swallowed hard, lifting her hips off the floor in search of him. Levi brushed his nose along her inner thigh on one side and then the other. She tugged at his hair.

  “Tell me,” he whispered, sliding the crotch of her bikini bottoms to the side. The warmth of his breath possessed its own touch against her sensitive flesh.

  “God … Levi … yes … there …” Her heart pulsed in the back of her throat.

  “What was the job, Parker?”

  “Please.” The second his tongue touched her, she would explode.

  “I want to taste you so badly, but you have to tell me.” He ran his tongue along her thigh stopping at the edge of her bikini bottoms.

  “De - ta -s -ld co -r …” she mumbled, thrusting her hips off the ground.

  Levi dodged her attempts to connect with his mouth, even with her hands on the verge of ripping out his hair. “I couldn’t understand you.”

  “Detasseling.”

  He blew air on her sex.

  “Dammit, Levi!” Parker lifted her head off the floor.

  He grinned. “Detasseling?” He wet his lips and his eyes shifted from her face to the apex of her legs.

  She was seconds from an orgasm just from his proximity and the memories of his tongue on her. “Do you want me to beg?”

  He shook his head. “Just tell me what you detasseled?”

  “Corn! I detasseled corn! Now—Oh … my … god …” Her head fell back, mouth open, blurred vision from the world’s quickest orgasm. He finished strong with fervor and precision. A man dedicated to doing the job right.

  After her hips collapsed back to the floor, Levi pressed a soft kiss to her clit and sat back on his knees between her legs with a puzzled look on his face.

  “That was … fast.”

  Draping her arm over her face, she groaned. “Please don’t talk about it. I’m … responsive, that’s all.”

  “Like a hair trigger.”

  “Shut up. You were touching me everywhere but … and then you kept breathing on me right … there.”

  “I see. Well, can we back up a second? I’d like to discuss the corn detasseling. Specifically your ‘expert’ knowledge about it, my very responsive Iowa girl.”

  Parker jackknifed to sitting, adjusting her bikini bottoms, then crisscrossed her legs. “The tassel is the top part of the corn—the male flower containing the pollen. When the wind blows, the pollen shakes loose, falling to the ear with the silk, the female flower, for pollination. But to ensure specific desirable qualities, seed companies and farmers work together to create hybrid corn. So machines detassel most of the corn, and then human crews go through to catch the tassels that didn’t get removed.”

  Levi nodded. “They don’t want corn inbreeding.”

  “Well, yes, sort of.”

  “I don’t think I’ve ever met a corn detasseler.”

  “Gus probably did.” Parker held her breath. She’d said his name out loud without crying for the first time since he died. It felt strange, and it hurt a little too.

  “You think?”

  She blinked a few times. What she had with Levi was so different than what she’d had with Gus. Levi gave her strength where Gus sucked the life out of her with promises that she never knew if he’d keep. She and Gus were almost real. But the man before her was the realest real that ever existed. Gus made a play for Parker’s heart, but Levi earned it, waited for it, nurtured it, and she trusted him with it more than she had with any other man.

  “Yeah …” Parker pulled in a deep breath, gaining a little more strength. “His parents have land and live in the middle of farm country. I’d be shocked if he didn’t at some point during his teen years detassel for someone around there.”

  “Do you like farms?”

  She shrugged. “Kinda. I like having space, but in spite of what I’m sure you’ve come to conclude, I don’t love acres of corn and soybeans. I like trees, gardens, and a few animals. Maybe a meadow of wildflowers or lavender.”

  “So you’re not into high-rises?” He rested his finger under her chin and tipped it up. “You can tell me.”

  “You live in a beautiful condo. It’s huge and everything is one hundred times nicer than anything I’ve ever had. And the view is spectacular.”

  “But?”

  She returned a half smile. “But it sucks taking Rags outside all of the time. A doggy door is nicer. I think he misses chasing birds and squirrels. I miss grass. Where’s the grass? I like the smell of fresh-cut grass or the feel of the cool morning dew on the blades when I walk through it in bare feet. However…” she lifted onto her knees and wrapped her arms around his neck “…I love the freedom of not living so close to family watching my every move. I love the change in scenery—specifically all the cacti that look like erections—this should be called the prickly penis state.”

  He chuckled.

  “And I love the short walk to restaurants and shops. But mostly I love the man who has taken my heart hostage.”

  “Not giving it back either.” He tugged one tie to her top and then the other.

  “I don’t want it back,” she whispered over his lips. She closed her eyes and leaned in to kiss him.

  He pulled back just an inch like he’d done earlier when she was so needy for him.

  “Don’t tease me again, Levi.” Parker blinked open her eyes. The games were over. She saw nothing but love in his eyes. “Make love to me, Levi, but do it like—”

  “Like you’re the last woman I’ll ever want for the rest of my life.”

  Parker couldn’t breathe from the impact of his words. She was going to say “like we usually do,” but he had to step in and remind her one last time that after twenty-six years, her heart had found its rightful owner.

  Chapter Forty

  “Do you play here a lot?” Parker asked as Levi unloaded their golf clubs from his gray SUV.

  “All the time.”

  “With your friends?”

  “Yeah, but not on Fridays. Too crowded.”

  “It’s Friday.”

  He nodded. “Exactly. We don’t have to worry about running into them. You already met Ziek. Do you really want that personality multiplied by three?”

  “Yet … they are your friends.”

  “Absolutely. Thick and thin. And for doing guy things, they are the best. But …”

  He sped like a crazy man toward the clubhouse.

  “But what?”

  “They act differently around women, specifically women I date. It’s like they lose all control of their mouths and just say random offensive shit. They wouldn’t like you. No offense.”

  “Why? What’s wrong with me?” She lowered her sunglasses to the tip of her nose, giving him a sideways glance.

  Levi rested his hand on her bare leg, giving it a squeeze. “Nothing. You’re perfect. That’s why they’d hate you. Single guys don’t like it when their buddies find the perfect woman.”

  “Because …”

  “Because guys with perfect women in their lives don’t usually want to hang out with their imperfect friends. That makes you the enemy to them.”

  “I’m not perfect.”

  Levi pulled to a stop by several other golf carts next to the clubhouse. “You are to me.”

  “Dude … our pussy-whipped friend has emerged from Vagina Land.”

  “Oh fuck.” Levi closed his eyes.

  Parker turned around.

  “How’s the trampoline?” Ziek asked, walking toward them, dressed in flashy golf attire, just like the two guys walking beside him.

  “Bouncy.” She returned a tight grin.

  “Where was the call, buddy?” Ziek slapped his hand on Levi’s shoulder.

  “You guys don’t like to golf on Fridays.” Levi got out of the golf cart and
nodded toward the clubhouse.

  Parker followed.

  “Where’s the love?” One of the other guys said as they followed them inside.

  “Sorry, Parker from Iowa.” Ziek rammed the toe of his shoe into the heel of Levi’s shoe. “Someone has forgotten his manners.”

  Levi turned, giving Ziek a shut-up look. “You’re right. Parker, these are my other two friends, Trace and Kev. Guys, this is Parker. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we’re going to grab some drinks and tee off.”

  “We just got here.” Trace, the one with black hair slicked back and his own impressive display of muscles, grinned. “So we’ll meet you at the first hole.”

  “Not a good idea.” Levi paid for two bottles of water.

  “Why not?” Kev, the lankier one with male pattern baldness, asked. “You don’t mind, do you, Parker?”

  “Um …” She shrugged, glancing up at Levi. “Might be fun.”

  Levi frowned. “Let’s go.”

  “We’ll be there in five,” Ziek called.

  “Now listen up…” Levi jumped into the golf cart “…stay close to me at all times. Especially if they get too nicey-nice with you.”

  “What?” She laughed at the seriousness of his voice and the absurdity of their conversation.

  He nodded. “If they’re nice to you, it’s because they’re trying to steal you away from me. Everything is a game to them.”

  “No guy code?”

  “No. These guys are spoiled little rich boys like me.” He winked at her. “They made their fortunes in college or shortly after. Total jerk-offs in their late twenties and early thirties with nothing better to do than waste their days golfing and taking private jets to fancy places for quick dinners and even quicker lays before flying back home to make their tee times the next morning.”

  “They sound like real winners.”

  They sped off toward the first tee. “Deep down, they’re great guys, really. Their families haven’t kept them quite as grounded as mine has.”

  Parker chuckled. “You’re grounded?”

  “Yes. I have a day job. That grounds me.”

  “Oh, right. The drawing thing.”

  “Yes, the drawing thing.” He glanced behind them. “Here they come. No flirting. Don’t smile too much. And don’t bend over. That short-skirt thingy you’re wearing is too fucking revealing for these idiots. And watch your nipples. It’s ninety degrees out here, but I see they haven’t gotten the memo.”

  Parker looked down at her chest. “Dammit. I hate this bra.” She pulled her shirt away from her chest as much as possible.

  Levi skidded to a stop at the first tee.

  “Levi give you the watch out for us speech already?” Ziek asked. “He’s afraid one of us will steal you away from him.”

  “You boys good at stealing girls from Levi?”

  “Mandy, Elle, Veronica,” Kev said with a wiggle to his brows.

  “Monique, Deb.” Ziek winked.

  “Don’t forget Haley.” Trace shook his head and whistled.

  “Haley,” Ziek and Kev said at the same time and then sighed heavily.

  “You guys are dicks. You know that, right? And you’ve never stolen a girl from me.” Levi didn’t wait for anyone. He teed up and killed it with his big dog, straight down the center of the fairway.

  “Who was Haley?” Parker asked.

  Levi slipped his club back into the bag. “Who’s next?” He didn’t look at Parker.

  Ziek went next, followed by Trace and Kev.

  Levi tapped his hand on the steering wheel of the golf cart like a smoker in need of a nicotine hit.

  “You’re up, hot stuff.” Kev grinned at Parker.

  “I’m going to shove your driver up your ass if you call her that again,” Levi said, void of any humor.

  “Relax, dude. It’s a compliment.”

  Parker took a few practice swings. It had been awhile since she’d played golf. Releasing a deep breath, she pulled back and swung.

  “Are you fucking kidding me?” Ziek shook his head. “Levi, you brought a sandbagger. This is bullshit. She just out drove everyone but you, well …” He squinted. “I can’t tell. It’s close. She might be ahead of you.”

  As Parker returned her driver to the bag and hopped in the cart, everyone—including Levi—gawked at her.

  “What?” She shrugged. “We have golf courses in Iowa too.”

  *

  Four and a half hours later, they sat in the clubhouse drinking beer.

  “We got our asses kicked by a girl today.” Kev shook his head and tipped back the amber bottle.

  Parker smiled at Levi. He rolled his eyes, but it didn’t stop his grin from making an appearance. “I think she’s been holding out on me.”

  She shrugged. “I may have worked at a golf course over the summers during high school and three summers in college.” Volleyball was her first love, but golf quickly turned into her favorite hobby. However, it had been years since she’d played.

  “Girls and their secrets. Levi, you really know how to pick ’em.” Trace winked at Levi.

  Levi frowned, avoiding eye contact with Parker.

  “What am I missing?” she asked.

  The guys all looked at Levi. He stared at the table. She recognized the fear in his face—the truth waiting to come out at the worst time.

  “I don’t need to know. I’m not used to being in the know anyway, so …”

  Levi cringed and looked up at her. She wasn’t trying to guilt him with her past. But from the pain on his face, she knew that’s what she’d done.

  He sighed. “We used to golf at a private club, years ago. Until I had a relationship with a younger girl. Her name was Haley. She said she was nineteen. I was twenty-three at the time. I found out later that her father owned the club. The same day he threatened to have me arrested for statutory rape. His daughter was seventeen. He agreed to let it go after she told him that she lied to me and after I agreed that neither I nor any of my friends would golf at his club again.”

  “Kev gave Haley his phone number before we got kicked off the premises. Told her to call him on her birthday.” Trace laughed. “She did too. We’re pretty sure she’s fucked most of the male club members by now … maybe a few of the female ones too.”

  “Thanks, guys.” Levi stood. “I’m so glad we ran into you today.” He couldn’t hide the anger in his voice, even behind the heavy dose of sarcasm. “Let’s go.” He held out his hand.

  Parker took it. “It was nice meeting you.” She smirked at his cackling friends.

  “Wish we could say the same, but you kicked our asses today. So … don’t come back.” Ziek grinned.

  Levi led her to his SUV and opened her door. She hated the awkwardness that had been between them since the very first mention of Haley’s name.

  “Hey …” she grabbed his arm before he shut her door.

  He wet his lips and pressed them together, releasing a slow breath through his nose while looking at his feet.

  “That was a decade ago. So what. I didn’t need to know. I’m sorry I said anything to begin with.”

  Levi still wouldn’t look at her.

  “If it’s any consolation, I was sixteen when Haley was seventeen. Had I met you then, I would have probably lied too if it meant being with you.”

  Levi stepped back, giving her a quick look. “It’s no consolation.” He shut her door.

  Silence dominated their ride home. Parker couldn’t figure out why it bothered him so much.

  “I’m going to shower and then get caught up on some email,” he mumbled, giving Rags a few quick pats on his side as the excited canine greeted them.

  “Want me to join you?”

  Levi walked toward the bedroom. “Would you take Rags outside?”

  That was a no. Parker tried to not let it bother her. But it did.

  *

  When Parker and Rags returned, Levi was in his office with the door shut. The door was partially glass so she could see him
. But it was the first time she’d seen it closed. Instead of pushing him for answers, Parker took a shower and slipped into the red dress she wore for their first date. Foregoing the sexy high heels, she slipped on her navy Chuck’s—the ensemble said sexy but playful.

  “I’m thinking that tapas place tonight. What do you think?” She closed the door behind her, hoping it hadn’t been shut to keep her out.

  He closed his laptop and leaned back in his chair. “You should go without me tonight.”

  “Without you?”

  Levi nodded, rolling his lips between his teeth, eyes set on the desk between them.

  “Well, it’s a nice restaurant. I think it will feel weird going there by myself. I’ll just make us something here.”

  “No, you should go.”

  She grunted a nervous laugh. “Are we still talking about the tapas restaurant? Because you’ve been off all afternoon, and I don’t want to push you to tell me anything you don’t want to tell me. But now that you seem anxious to not be around me, I’m getting that backed into a corner feeling, and it’s not a great one.”

  “What do you want me to say?”

  “Well … I guess I want to know what’s wrong.”

  “Do you need to know?”

  Parker had to remind herself that it was Levi. Had any other guy been that evasive, she would have been packing her bags. “I don’t know, Levi. Do I need to know?”

  “I don’t really think so.”

  She nodded. Maybe she did need to pack, not everything, but just a few things for a visit back home—without him. “My mom wants to see me. I think it’s time I go home for a visit.”

  He shrugged. “I can’t stop you.”

  “Why would you want to stop me from visiting my family?”

  “I didn’t say I did.” His jaw clenched.

  It was still in the nineties outside but the air around Levi dipped below freezing.

  “I’ll see if I can get a flight out tomorrow or the following day.”

  Levi opened his computer. “I’ll book it. You don’t have the money.”

  “Jesus …” she whispered, feeling the tip of his knife nick her heart.

  He gave her a quick glance. “I didn’t mean it like that. You know better.”