When he didn’t respond, Taylor got up on her knees and turned sideways on the seat. She placed a hand on each of his cheeks and turned him toward her. The evidence of his internal turmoil was written so plainly on his face. Taylor pulled his sunglasses off so she could look into his eyes.
“What is it, Levi?”
He shook his head. “You don’t know everything about me, Taylor.”
“Thick and thin, tried and true. Against the world, it’s just us two.”
He opened his mouth to speak, then closed it and shook his head again.
Unwilling to let this mysterious darkness overtake him, she tried to distract him. “Play something for me,” she begged.
Levi didn’t respond. Instead, his hands turned and he threaded his fingers through hers, bringing each to his lips and kissing her knuckles tenderly.
“Come on,” he said.
Levi opened the door and gestured for Taylor to get out. She climbed over him as Levi grabbed his guitar and hopped out of the truck. He walked her to the back of the truck and lowered the tailgate. Levi took a seat. She smiled and hopped up beside him.
“What do you want to hear?” he asked, as he strummed the guitar.
“Your favorite song,” she said, swinging her legs back and forth.
He grinned and shook his head. “Don’t think I could ever commit to one song as my favorite. I’ll sing you my mom’s favorite. My dad played it all the time.”
She smiled and nodded for him to continue. Levi looked sinful perched on the back of his old truck with that guitar so perfect in his lap. Taylor couldn’t imagine anything more beautiful than this moment. His random strumming turned into a melody that she recognized but couldn’t place. She watched his fingers move over the guitar, mesmerized by his skill and comfort with the instrument. When he started to sing, Taylor felt the breath pulled from her lungs.
Something in the way she moves attracts me like no other lover.
Taylor was in awe as his deep, raspy voice washed over her. She recognized the Beatles song but didn’t know the lyrics. She didn’t need to. She felt them in every part of her. She felt overwhelmed and hypnotized as he continued. Her insides were like liquid fire, her hands trembled. When his words finished and the last note hung in the air, Taylor felt like she would burst. She threw herself at him, the guitar crushed between them.
Her lips found his and she greedily took everything he gave. Levi slid the guitar out of the way and leaned into her kiss. Taylor’s hands found purchase in his hair, pulling him closer until there wasn’t an inch of space between them. She straddled his hips, Levi holding her against his chest.
“I want you,” she said against his lips.
“Here?” Levi asked as he shifted his hips against her.
“No. Levi, I want you,” Taylor breathed against his neck. “Come to Harvard with me in the fall.”
His shoulders stiffened and his arms pushed her away, sliding her off his lap. He jumped up and paced in front of her as his hands pulled at his hair. They laced behind his neck, flexing biceps framing his worried face.
“I can’t,” Levi finally said.
Taylor looked down at her feet and tucked her hands beneath her thighs.
“Can’t or won’t?”
“Doesn’t matter,” Levi said.
He grabbed his guitar and got back in the truck, slamming the door behind him. Rejected and unable to face Levi, Taylor climbed in and stared out her window. The drive home was silent and unbearable. Taylor thought she would scream if she didn’t escape soon. When he pulled up to the gate, she hopped out, practically running from the truck.
“I can bring you to the house,” he called out.
“I’ll walk,” Taylor said over her shoulder.
She stumbled across the lawn, moving as fast as her shoes would let her. When she reached the front door, Taylor threw herself inside and slid down to the floor. Her chest heaved from the run and from the rejection. She felt on the edge of panic. Taylor leaned her head back against the wooden door and thought about her outburst. She hated Levi for saying no, but more than that, she hated herself for even asking.
18. cougar bait and the laundry chute
By Friday afternoon, Virginia had been hanging around the house more, and Taylor prayed it wasn’t in hopes of seducing Levi. Taylor could tell that he’d caught her mother’s eye, and the woman was unstoppable when it came to something—or someone—she wanted.
After searching the second floor, Taylor set out toward the kitchen. She was so desperate to find Levi that she was considering asking Mandy if she’d seen him. Taylor would have to make up some maintenance issue so that the girl wouldn’t suspect anything. Maybe she could say her bed was broken. She smiled and shook her head. A problem in the shower?
On her way to the kitchen, Taylor passed the study and froze at the sight before her. Virginia had Levi pinned against one of the bookshelves. Her arms were on each side of him, gripping the shelves, trapping him. She wore a ridiculously short pair of shorts and a tiny tank top. As summer attire goes, it was certainly appropriate. For a ten-year-old.
“Mrs. Hudson, I should get going.”
Taylor could see his panicked expression, his eyes searching for an escape.
“Ah, ah, ah. I told you to call me Virginia. Do you want me to punish you for your slipup?”
“I thought you needed me to get that book for you.” His voice was firm.
“That’s not all I need,” Virginia purred.
“Mom!” Taylor yelled, stomping into the room. “What are you doing?”
Virginia immediately straightened her posture and dropped her arms, freeing Levi.
“Levi was just helping me reach a book. Weren’t you, dear?”
“Yeah. A book,” he said.
He shot Taylor a grateful look and quickly left the room.
“Can you please control your cougar tendencies for five minutes?”
Virginia strolled over and took a seat in one of the chairs, picking up a book that lay open there.
“I’m sure I don’t know what you are talking about, Taylor.”
“I’m sure you do,” Taylor seethed.
Virginia put down the book and crossed her legs. “Listen, I had to come back to this hellhole a lot sooner than planned. I’m not happy about it and I’m lonely.” She tucked her hair behind her ear and looked up at Taylor. “Stay out of my way, little girl.”
Taylor couldn’t help but feel a stab of pain at her mother’s warning. She should be used to this kind of behavior, but it still hurt to be viewed as an obstacle instead of a loved one. She crossed her arms and glanced up at the stupid family portrait that hung over the fireplace. It concealed the lies with fake smiles. Henry and Virginia still kept up the charade, convincing everyone that their marriage was as strong as ever.
Storming from the study, Taylor turned the corner to find Suzanne standing there wearing that familiar pitying expression.
“What’s wrong with her?” Taylor asked quietly. “What is wrong with this family?”
“I wish I had an answer for you, sweetheart. Her priorities are more mixed up than a manatee at a fashion show.”
Taylor chuckled and took a deep calming breath. Suzanne grabbed one of her hands and squeezed it. “Thick and thin, tried and true. Against the world, it’s just us two. Love you, Boo.”
“Love you, Kitty.”
Suzanne nodded and released her grip. The gentle smile she held for Taylor disappeared as she set her sights on the study.
Taylor huffed and made her way back to her room. She found Levi waiting for her and gave a sigh of relief.
“Crazy bitch,” she said.
“You okay?” Levi asked, pulling her in for a hug.
“Yes. I should be asking you that. You were the one subjected to the claws of Virginia Hudson.”
“I’ll live.”
“I’ve survived her for eighteen years, so your chances are pretty good. Thank God she’s leaving for La Jolla tomor
row.”
Levi took a seat on the edge of her bed. He pulled Taylor into his lap.
“What are you doing this weekend?” he asked.
He realized the heavy intention of his words as soon as they left his lips. Taylor would assume that he wanted to see her or keep tabs on her. While that was true, he also needed a schedule for planning the heist. Kyle and Crystal were ready to go and the Boss had given the green light.
Levi felt torn in half by this job and his feelings for Taylor. He questioned his ability to remain professional when the time came. Could he betray her? Could he leave? Even though the answer felt questionable, he knew what he had to do. He was unworthy of someone like Taylor. He would only corrupt her life. She was better off without him.
“I promised Reese that I’d hang out with her this weekend. Seems I’ve been neglecting my friends. She’s picking me up tomorrow morning, and we’re heading up to see her brother again.”
“What does Suzanne do when you’re gone?” he asked.
“I think she’s spending the day at the spa tomorrow. The staff gave her a gift certificate for her birthday.” Taylor hopped up and pulled Levi with her. “Well, I guess I won’t see you until Monday,” she said.
But she wouldn’t see him Monday. With Virginia, Taylor, and Suzanne out of the house, the job would get done this weekend. By Monday, Levi would be a much richer man and halfway around the world.
He pulled Taylor against him, squeezing so hard he felt every place where her body connected with his. His hands held on to her like his most valued possession. Levi leaned down and inhaled her scent, burying his face in her hair. He closed his eyes and committed all of this to memory.
“Levi, I can’t breathe,” Taylor said against his chest.
He immediately released her, trying to mold his face into something neutral and indifferent.
“What’s wrong?” she asked. “Whatever it is, just tell me. I’ll understand.”
He shook his head, suddenly unable to speak. Levi wove his fingers into her hair and urged her forward. He pulled Taylor’s lips to his and gently sucked her top lip between his. He breathed her in and slid his tongue against hers.
Levi slipped his hands down to her shoulders, skimming the soft skin of her arms, until he laced their fingers together. He poured all that he possessed into that kiss. Images of their times together flashed before his closed eyes, each one another wound. He memorized the taste of her and the tiny whimpering sounds from the back of her throat. He pictured the way her honey blond hair fell around her face, the feel of her soft, delicate hands, and the way her eyelashes fluttered against her cheeks. He recounted every word between them, the good and the bad. It brought to mind “Farewell” by Anne Brontë. Though he knew the poem well, the words were lost to him, as he was lost to Taylor.
Farewell to thee! but not farewell
To all my fondest thoughts of thee:
Within my heart they still shall dwell;
And they shall cheer and comfort me.
Taylor pulled away for a breath, releasing one of his hands and clutching at her chest. “Wow,” she whispered, looking up into his troubled face.
Levi placed one more kiss on her forehead. “Good-bye, Taylor.” He turned to go and forced himself not to look back.
“See you later,” she said.
Levi didn’t answer. He just couldn’t lie to her anymore.
* * *
Before leaving the Hudson house, he placed a call to Kyle, letting him know the house would be empty on Saturday. A few minutes later, Kyle sent a text confirming that they were go for tomorrow. Levi went to the laundry room and unplugged and removed the back panel of the washing machine. He reached in, grabbed a handful of wires, and yanked them out, rendering the machine inoperable.
Even though he didn’t work weekends, he was on call for any major problems. Levi knew from the work chart posted next to his that laundry was done on Saturdays. He had no doubt they’d be calling him when the machine didn’t work.
With everything back in place, Levi stepped outside and glanced up at Taylor’s balcony only to find her doors closed. He walked backward for a few steps, willing her to come out so he could see her one last time. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen. He went to his truck and climbed inside. A thousand times the worse, to want thy light.
That night, the four members of the team sat around a table at their usual location, the last meeting before it all went down.
“Levi, you took care of the washing machine?” the Boss asked.
“It will definitely be out of order.”
“Good. Kyle, what’s your time with the safe?”
“Two minutes forty-one seconds,” he answered, puffing out his chest.
“Excellent. Do you have all your affairs in order? As you know, disappearing is part of the deal. You’ll all leave and not come back. I don’t need anyone around to point fingers once it’s done.”
Everyone nodded, confirming their plans to abandon this place and leave no trace behind. Each of them was heading in a different direction, so not only was Levi going to lose Taylor, but he was also losing his best friends. As he contemplated that, it again felt like all this money wasn’t worth it.
“Crystal, give us a rundown,” the Boss ordered.
“First, we wait for the housekeeper to call Levi. He’ll go in and confirm that the machine needs to be replaced. He’ll place the call to one of us, in front of the housekeeper, and arrange the delivery of the new machine. There is only one person on staff on the weekends, so navigating around her will not be difficult. While Levi waits for us to arrive, he will gather as many bedsheets as possible and place them in Taylor’s room.”
“Do you want them on or under the bed?” Levi asked.
“Under,” Crystal said. “Kyle and I will sneak into the house and get upstairs to Taylor’s room, where Kyle will get us into that safe. We’ll empty the cash, place it in sheets, and tie them up.”
“Then we’ll drop them down the laundry chute.” Kyle continued the explanation. “Levi will be waiting to place them in the broken washer. We’ll sneak back out and arrive as the delivery guys with the new machine. The new machine will be installed and we’ll kindly haul away the old one.”
When he was finished, all of them leaned back in their chairs, smiling. This will work, Levi thought. There wasn’t a doubt in his mind.
“I’ll wait in the delivery van,” the Boss said. “We’ll come back here, divvy up the cash, and part ways for the last time.”
The team nodded and said their good-byes to the Boss. Then there were three. Three longtime friends left to contemplate never seeing each other again.
“I can’t believe we’re finally doing this,” Crystal said.
“I know. Seems like only a few days ago when Levi came to us with this plan. I thought you had lost your mind.”
“That’s still to be determined,” Levi said.
After a beat of silence, Kyle spoke up again. “I don’t suppose anyone knows the current conversion rate of U.S. dollars to Aruban florin?”
Crystal laughed and shook her head. “Can’t help you there, mate. I’ll be trading mine in down under.”
“Subtle,” Levi said with a grin.
“And what about you?” she asked.
“The mighty euro. What I lose in conversion, I’ll make up for in scenery.”
“Nice,” Kyle said. “I’m going to miss you fuckers.”
“Me, too,” Levi said.
“Me, three,” Crystal agreed.
“If I forget to tell you later, thanks for pulling us in for this job. I know I should feel guilty, but with people like Henry Hudson III, it’s too easy to justify,” Kyle said.
“Yeah. And I bet we don’t know the half of it,” Crystal replied. “Thanks, Levi, for changing our lives.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” he answered.
As Levi lay in bed that evening, he tried to compartmentalize the swirling mess of thoughts in his
head. He struggled to avoid his fear of losing Taylor and focus on the job. This was no longer an easy task. She had saturated every part of him. When he finally fell asleep, his dreams were filled with her pretty blue eyes and airy laughter.
* * *
Taylor sat in the kitchen Saturday morning, waiting for Reese to arrive. She ate a banana and thought about the day before with Levi. Something had felt strange between them, unfamiliar and tense.
Taylor had been kissed hundreds of times before, but never like that. The way he held her and pulled her close, the way his lips devoured her and his fingers folded between hers left a burning ache inside her body. That kiss said things that they’d never spoken out loud. It felt like promises and declarations. She had lost herself to Levi in those moments.
When Reese honked from the driveway, Taylor threw her bag over her shoulder and practically skipped down the front path. She gave Reese a wide grin and slid into the car. Reese immediately noticed Taylor’s cheerful mood.
“Well, hello, sunshine. Someone finally woke up on the right side of the bed today,” she teased. Taylor smiled and nodded as she applied her raspberry-lemonade lip balm. “I talked to my brother this morning and he said the party isn’t until late. We’re going to hang out by the pool and grill. That cool?”
“Sure,” Taylor answered, feeling up for anything.
As they made their way up the highway, Taylor let herself relax completely. Her body sank into the leather seats as she closed her eyes and let the sun warm her skin. With the top down, the wind whipped her ponytail around. She felt weightless and peaceful, like a drifting cloud.
A few minutes later, Taylor noticed a couple in the car next to them fighting. The guy driving was waving one hand around and yelling while the other hand stayed on the wheel. The woman in the passenger seat yelled right back, throwing a finger in his face to emphasize her point.
Outside the city, Reese floored it and the couple disappeared behind them. Ten minutes later, they reappeared next to the car. Their fight was still going strong, seeming to have escalated. They went back and forth, sometimes not paying any attention to the road. It made Taylor nervous.
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