by A. K. Evans
The rest of breakfast was spent with Levi and the guys discussing the game plan for my performance that night. A trip to the venue was in order, but unfortunately, we wouldn’t be able to get into the place until after two o’clock.
As we walked out of the restaurant, I stopped a woman and asked her if she’d mind taking my picture with Levi, Dom, and Pierce. I huddled up next to them and she snapped the photo. I thanked her and walked with Levi to our rental.
Dom and Pierce followed us to a local convenience store so Levi could do as he promised and buy me some chips. I took the time on the drive there to post the photo of me with my bodyguards. Levi called Trent to let him know what our plan was thus far and that he should follow up with any further updates.
LA had the complete opposite vibe of what I was craving at that moment, so I spent most of the day at the hotel relaxing before my show. I called and talked to Charley. I felt so bad about the last time I spoke with her and how the call ended that I needed to redeem myself. Levi kept himself busy with Cunningham Security stuff, so I didn’t need to worry about him attempting to have his way with me while I was on the phone with her.
Leah called not long after I hung up with Charley. She was supposed to be meeting me out in California in time for the San Francisco show, but ended up needing to cancel her flight. Unfortunately, there was an emergency at the clinic and she needed to stay. She was so disappointed, but I did my best to reassure her and let her know that I wasn’t upset. On that note, we planned to get together when I was back in town. She said she’d definitely be at my show at Lou’s when I returned to Wyoming. I chose not to fill her in on the stalker situation update. With her not being able to come out for the second leg of the tour, if I dropped that news on her she’d have gotten all worked up. I figured I’d wait until I returned home and things settled before I’d drop that on her. I knew if the roles were reversed I’d have worried myself sick thinking someone was doing to her what they were doing to me.
That night, I was thankful for a reprieve from Ms. Blunt. Obviously, we had no idea when she’d strike next, but I couldn’t help sitting there wondering what she was doing during those times she wasn’t actively scheming. It frightened me to think that she was always thinking of ways to get to me and how she could kick it up a notch. If I wasn’t being given flowers with notes, having notes hidden in my car, or having the edge of a knife pressed into my back, I worried that she was spending her free time planning her next move. Considering the severity of contact was escalating, I often wondered what would happen next. Regardless, I tried my best to be grateful when there wasn’t any scary stuff happening.
Immediately following my performance Monday night, we went back to the hotel. This was not before Dom texted a few photos he took with his phone for me during the event. He thought it would be good to show Becky that not only was I continuing to do what I loved, but also that tons of people were coming out to watch me perform. I thanked Dom for the photos, posted a few, and the four of us took off for the night.
I was going to be performing in San Francisco the following night and wanted to get a good night’s sleep. Making love to Levi was part of my plan that evening, so it was even more reason to not waste time hanging around.
The next morning, Levi and I packed up our things and checked out. Once again, he offered to drive me to my next destination so that I could avoid the flight. Honestly, I think he secretly craved the time alone with me without the threat surrounding us. Given my disdain for flying, I immediately agreed. Dom and Pierce also decided to drive. They figured the drive wasn’t that bad and a couple hours on the road was no big deal.
The drive was only a bit over five hours, so we knew we’d have plenty of time to get there and get settled before I needed to start getting myself ready. We didn’t have the same amount of time on the second road trip that we did on the first, but I still enjoyed having that time alone with Levi. I learned a lot more about his family, his childhood, and his decision to start his own private investigations firm. The conversation then shifted to me. Levi knew about as much about my family as I did his. In fact, I felt like I knew his brother, Zane, better because he and Wes were always together. I gave Levi my story, which really wasn’t anything crazy. My childhood was typical, much like his. We were both fortunate to come from very loving families. I mostly talked to him about my music career and how I always knew that singing is what I wanted to do with my life.
Aside from spending most of my time learning about Levi and jotting down a few more words in my song inspiration notebook, the only other thing I did on the drive was catch up with Emme. Apparently, she had watched the live feed with Levi the previous night. She ended up sending me a private message through my social media account and told me how happy she was for us. Seeing how we were with each other for those brief moments had solidified for her and Zane that Levi and I were meant to be together. She wanted the four of us to get together when Levi and I got back into town for a double date. I told Levi and he agreed, so Emme and I planned a get together later in the week after I returned from the tour.
Emme also went on to tell me that Zane told her he hoped things continued to go well for the two of us. He wanted to see both of his brothers get what he got when he found Emme. He was convinced Levi had found that with me. I told her I thought he was being a little presumptuous and rushing things a bit. Zane didn’t think so and was now only hoping his younger brother, Cruz, wasn’t far behind.
We were having such a good time on our drive that before I knew it we had arrived in San Francisco. As soon as we got into town we checked into the hotel and, unfortunately, ended up ordering room service. I knew it wasn’t Levi’s idea of a great meal, but we didn’t have the time we’d need to go out to a restaurant.
When the food arrived, I apologized.
“I’m sorry about the food situation. This tour has made you go so far outside of the normal diet you’d eat. At least, it’s almost over.”
“It’s fine, Elle. You don’t need to apologize.”
“I feel bad, though. You’re doing this for me and you aren’t even able to maintain your strict diet.”
“Really, sunshine. I’m fine. Besides, every hotel we’ve stayed at has been in a suite with a full kitchen. I could have very easily made runs to the grocery store and picked up food if I wanted to do that. Considering we’re spending so much time on the road or with you getting ready for your shows, I’d much rather spend the little time I do get alone with you not cooking food. When we get home, it’ll settle down and I’ll get back to my normal routine. Until then, though, I’m good spending my time with you.”
I stayed silent a moment letting his words sink in and warm me to my core. He was making all of these little sacrifices for me along the way.
“I’m thinking that I’m going to need you to finish your dinner and then join me in the shower for some fun before I have to get myself ready for the show tonight. Then, after we get back here tonight, I’m going to see to it that you get rewarded handsomely for the wonderfully sweet things you’ve said and done for me lately.”
Levi set his hand on my thigh, squeezed, and whispered softly, “Kiss me, sweetness.”
I swallowed a bite of my food, leaned over, and kissed him. He didn’t allow the kiss to be just a simple peck on the lips. This was full-fledged, open-mouth kissing. I let out a delicate moan, which led Levi to squeeze my thigh again and pull away.
“Finish eating, Elle. If you take too long to do that, you should know now that you’ll be late to your show tonight.”
My body visibly reacted to his words. Levi couldn’t miss it. His eyes traveled the length of my body, but ultimately came back up and settled on my eyes. I’m certain they were his favorite shade of honey.
“Ok, love.”
With that, I got back to my food and finished eating. When I popped the last bite in my mouth, Levi bent over, picked me up, and carried me into the bathroom, where he made sweet love to me up against the wall o
f the shower.
In the end, I was a little late for my show.
It didn’t bother me in the slightest because sex against the wall of the shower with Levi was just that good.
I began to wonder if I was on a lucky streak because the San Francisco show went off without a hitch. There was no contact from the stalker and my fans seemed to really enjoy the show. I stayed for another hour following the conclusion of the performance to sign some autographs. We were catching a flight to Las Vegas in the morning, so I really did not want to stay out late. Knowing that I really wasn’t fond of the idea of doing another tour, I wanted to give my fans, who might not ever be able to see me perform again, the opportunity to meet me in person and get an autograph.
Later, Levi took me back to the hotel and, as promised, I rewarded him handsomely. Levi learned that he liked being rewarded. I learned that I loved how he held me afterward.
As I soaked up the warmth and happiness there in his arms I realized that what I had said earlier was the truth. I was blissfully happy. The stalker situation sucked, but we were making headway on figuring it all out. I had faith in Levi and his guys to do what they do and bring an end to the green-eyed monster of envy that was trying to trample on my happiness. Aside from that, being held in Levi’s arms I realized that I was feeling full of joy at what this situation brought to my life.
Levi.
Love.
Clarity.
It was funny. On our drive to San Francisco, I told Levi how I always knew that I wanted to be a singer. Beyond that, I had no specific thoughts of what else I wanted in my life. Now that I had him, I finally knew. I knew what I wanted to experience, feel, and live every single day from that point forward.
I wanted peace. I wanted the freedom to not be bound by schedules and deadlines. I wanted to sing. I wanted to be obsessive about lip balm and coffee mugs and potato chips. I wanted my family and friends. I wanted all of that and I knew, more than anything else, I wanted to have it all with him by my side.
It was on those thoughts that I pressed my body closer to Levi’s. As his arms tightened around me protectively, I took in a deep breath and drifted off to sleep.
Chapter 17
Elle
“It’s ending.”
That was me talking to Levi as I walked out of the bathroom into the bedroom where he was lying on his back in the bed with the blanket slung low across his abdomen.
Two more shows and I was on my way home.
I could not wait.
I arrived in Las Vegas earlier this afternoon and came to the realization that my mini-tour was coming to a close.
When our flight landed, Levi, Pierce, Dom, and I got our rental vehicles and checked into our hotel. After, the four of us went out on the Las Vegas Strip. I’m not sure if they were all about it or not, but they didn’t complain when I asked if they’d mind. Certainly, I didn’t believe they felt the same way that I did, which was that it would have been a crime to be in Las Vegas and not walked the Strip.
We saw the fountains at the Bellagio, rode on the High Roller, and walked through several hotels, some for the décor and others for the casinos. The guys didn’t gamble, but I figured if I was in Vegas I had to do it. Needless to say, I didn’t win.
Throughout the afternoon, I spoke about wanting to ride on one of the elevators at the Luxor because I had heard about them. I came to find out they didn’t actually call them elevators and, somehow, Levi managed to get me a ride on one. It wasn’t nearly as much fun as I had hoped it would be.
We grabbed a late dinner at Burger Bar in Mandalay Place. I don’t know what it was about this tour, but the best meals we had were always when we were eating burgers.
With all of the excitement throughout the day, it didn’t leave much time for me to think about the tour ending. Now that Levi and I were back in our hotel suite, getting ready for bed, it was hitting me full-force.
“What is?” Levi asked as he pulled back the blankets so I could climb into the bed next to him.
“The tour. Only two more shows before we head home for the final performance at Lou’s,” I answered, melancholy in my tone.
“You’re going to miss it,” he stated, matter-of-fact, pulling me against his body, my front to his.
“Not the air travel,” I began. “I think I’ve made it pretty clear that I don’t like being bound by timelines and travel schedules associated with flying, but I’ll miss the performing. I’ll miss meeting my fans in different parts of the country. I’m afraid I’ll forget what it feels like to get on stage and see people, who aren’t from my hometown, coming to watch me perform.”
I paused a minute, letting that reality sink in, before I continued.
“Most of all, I’ll miss not being able to see the sights of all the beautiful places we got to see on our road trips throughout the tour. I’ll miss having that time alone with you in the car driving from one state to the next and making impromptu stops along the way to see what beauty some quaint little town holds. That was, by far, my favorite part of this tour.”
Levi’s arms tightened around me as he said, “You can always plan another tour.”
“I know, but I’m not sure I want to do another one. This was exhausting. It felt rushed. I didn’t have time to relax and enjoy the places I went to the way I would have liked.”
“Do you have a record label?”
I jerked my head back and looked up at him. “What?”
“A record label. Do you have one?”
“No.”
“So, then who is telling you that you need to tour like this where you give yourself very little down time? You are your own boss, Elle. You can make up the rules. If you want to tour for the reasons that made you happy this time around, then plan it so you can enjoy those things a little more. You don’t have to answer to anyone about it. If you’d prefer not to fly, make sure there is enough time for you to get from one location to the next without needing to rush.”
I took in his words. It was true. I was my own boss and could set the touring schedule as I saw fit. Why drive myself crazy having to jump from one location to the next? I knew if I kept up with something like that on a regular basis, I’d end up getting to a point where music would no longer bring me the same joy it has for so many years.
“You’re a smart man, Mr. Cunningham,” I teased.
Levi rolled me to my back and settled over me, framing my face in his hands. “You didn’t think I was just all looks, did you?” he joked back.
I shook my head and retorted, “There’s only one small problem with your plan.”
“Which is?”
“You.”
“What about me?”
“It won’t be the same without you…” I trailed off as I looked away from him.
I felt Levi’s fingertips press into the sides of my head. “Look at me, sunshine.”
I looked at him.
“I’d never let you go alone,” he whispered softly. “If this continues between us the way it’s going now, you’ll never go on a tour without me.”
My lips parted as I struggled to find words.
Levi saved me from my silence.
“The time I’ve spent with you over the last week has meant a lot to me, Elle. Watching you perform in sold-out shows across several states fills me with such a sense of pride. I see you on stage, doing what you love, and all I can do is think how lucky I am that you’re mine. More than that, though, just like you I’ve loved the time alone with you. On the road. In bed at night. All the moments that I get to have learning more about you. Whether it’s discovering that you really do own every flavor of lip balm ever invented or just how spontaneous and laid-back you are, I’ve fallen deep in love with all of it. All of you. I love how you love life and what blows my mind about it is that it’s the opposite of what I thought I’d ever want or need in mine.”
I was now having an even more difficult time trying to speak because he said so much sweet stuff. As he held my eyes, I eventua
lly squeaked out, “How so?”
“You know what I do for a living. It requires a level of preciseness and strategy. I’m constantly planning what’s next, especially when I’m on a case. When I’m with you, I find that I don’t care to do that. It doesn’t matter what’s happening next because I know it’s going to be fucking magnificent regardless.”
“Levi,” I whispered.
“No joke, sunshine. I’ve been working non-stop for years now, not ever taking time to stop and really enjoy life. I wasn’t unhappy, not by any means, but I also never felt this good. My days were packed from morning to night, sometimes longer. And yet, they never felt as full as they do now that I’m with you.”
I felt all warm inside at his beautiful words. My eyes got sexy.
Levi watched as it happened.
“Kiss me, love,” I begged. “Kiss me so good.”
“You want to give me my honey?” he asked.
My eyes, so heated, told him everything he wanted to know.
“Yeah,” he began, his voice deep and husky. “It’s all liquid and it’s going to be so fuckin’ good.”
He brought his mouth to within inches of mine.
He inhaled.
“Berries,” he stated.
“Mixed,” I added.
A sexy grin spread across his face before he took my mouth and tasted mixed berries on my lips.
My thighs were pressed against his sides and my hands were at his shoulders as we kissed. After everything he had just said to me, I couldn’t help the moan that escaped from the back of my throat.
Things rapidly went from slow and languid to quick and energetic. I used my feet and slid them under the waistband of his boxer briefs before I pushed them down his legs. After using his hands to slide my nightie up around my waist, Levi slid two fingers through my sex and groaned, “Slick as honey.”
He pulled his fingers from me and stuck them in his mouth, while simultaneously pushing himself inside me. My hips lifted from the bed to meet his as he filled me.
