We made it to his bedroom. It was distinctly Levi. Male. Powerful with tiny hints of sweetness and charm. Dangerous in all aspects, particularly for a weak heart like mine.
He laid me on top of the bed. My body arched against the silken sheets as I reached for him. “Don’t go. Stay. I missed you.” A pout hinted on my lips. He kissed it away.
“I missed you too, more than you could ever know. But I have to change out of my wet clothes and shower.”
“Take me.” With a slight pull of my hand, his head bowed back to me, and Levi let me know just how much he did miss me. His kiss was deep, urgent, and desperate, almost telling me I’d been gone far too long.
“Bath sound good?”
“It sounds perfect.” My man was great at many things, one of which was throwing me deliriously fantastic baths. He picked me up again and padded to the en suite bathroom.
From my vantage point atop the marble vanity, I watched as Levi uncorked bottles and poured liquids into the hot water. I admired how his muscles stretched and flexed under his wet white t-shirt. His running shorts grabbed onto his buttocks too, and when he bent over to test the water, I delighted in my view.
“Bath’s ready.” Levi kissed the edge of my right collarbone, peeking out from under my champagne-colored blouse. He thumbed the pearls against the skin of my neck. “Can we leave these on?”
I smiled, shyly, blushed and nodded. Levi took that as a cue to undress me, one button at a time, one stocking at a time. A zip undone. A clasp unsnapped. Each moment created a mounting desire, a fire in my belly. Every movement was punctuated with a kiss, a caress. A touch. A shiver. A spark.
He guided me to the tub, large enough to fit us both. It faced an expansive window, which opened up to the glorious view of the Golden Gate Bridge at dusk after the rain. He added the melodic voice of a man and his guitar to the sound system. With the light lowered, Levi lit several candles in the room. The water with its concoction of essential oils, bath salts and bubbles was something the doctor ordered, after a long trip home. I dipped my feet in one at a time, letting my body adjust to the temperature.
Once I was covered in bubbles, Levi stepped back, admiration and desire in his eyes, and peeled off his clothes. Taking his time, he delighted in the little gasps that made their way out of my mouth. He kissed my forehead, letting his lips linger before I moved forward and made room for him behind me.
I leaned my head against him, and lifted our hands together from the bubbles and the water, and intertwined our fingers. “Why didn’t you run indoors? Didn’t you check the weather before you left?”
He sighed. The warmth of his breath tickled my skin. “I can’t trust the weather reports these days. Can’t even trust the skies.”
“Hmmm...” His lips made their way behind my ear, nibbling at the sensitive spot, and stroking the skin underneath my pearl necklace. My eyes rolled to the back of my head. This man could make my toes curl with the simplest of touches.
How could I have thought that our relationship was in danger before I left?
“I’m happy you’re back. I was going crazy without you. That’s why I went for a run outside. To get some fresh air, make me think better.”
“Did it work?”
Levi massaged the ache on my shoulders, created by hours of lugging my bags and pulling on my suitcase, and sleeping on pillows that hadn’t belonged to me, and hadn’t smelled of his scent.
“All I know is that the rain isn’t too bad. It is somewhat an omen of good things to come.”
“And Mother Nature isn’t quite a bitch,” I added.
“Yes, that too.” He chuckled at a joke I had a feeling I wasn’t privy to, but I didn’t mind. We could laugh about it later. “What kind of good things are you expecting?”
I ran my hands on his legs, lightly scraping my nails on his warm skin, earning a small growl of appreciation from Levi. He reciprocated by ghosting his fingers over my shoulders, down my chest, until his hands disappeared beyond the bubbles.
“For instance, it rained the first time I met you,” he spoke against the side of my cheek. I turned my head to meet his lips.
“Did it?” I managed to mutter against his mouth.
“Yes.”
“Remind me again?” I asked, but my heart wasn’t completely in it. I could only think of what he was doing to me with his hands and lips, and how my body responded.
“Later,” Levi said, as he helped me turn around to face him, my legs astride his. Lifting the pearls off my neck with his thumb, he found the pulse on my neck and licked it, and my head lolled back to give him more access.
In a tone that made me lose all my inhibitions, Levi whispered, “I promise.”
La Déesee de l’Amour
LEVI
I trailed my fingers over the contours of her right hip and waist, watching goose bumps rise, scattering like minuscule nodules of fire. A fire that set my own desires aflame. Veronica hummed against my neck, and my arousal heightened.
Two weeks without her had been far too long and lonely. Now that she was back in my arms, I had no intentions of letting her go again. Ever.
She stretched against me.
“You’re teasing me,” I growled in her ear, pressing her body to mine as I let my fingers grasp her bottom.
A knowing smile was her reply. Her hands stroked my chest, one going up and the other going down. My back was pushed into the sheets as Veronica lifted herself up and straddled my lap, circling her hips against me. The sateen sheets fell off and left her exposed.
Hands roved from her stomach to her chest. Hands that looked peculiar, yet, familiar. Hands that didn’t belong to me.
From the threshold of a bedroom fashioned to look like a scene in a tropical resort, I watched, appalled and horrified at the sight of a man who was making Veronica moan in pleasure.
“Veronica?” My voice faltered.
She tilted her head and looked over her shoulder, the springs of the mattress creaking beneath her as her body bounced. “I couldn’t help it, Levi. I was lonely.”
The man sat up, grabbing her hair, making her arch her body to him. I couldn’t see his face as it disappeared between her breasts, but his mockery was clear as the blue skies. “You should have married her when you had the chance.”
The color red exploded in my mind. I lunged forward, with my sight blurred, my hands fisted, and my heart shattered.
I woke gasping for air, my hands balled up the sheets underneath me. Blinking my eyes to see clearer, I realized I was back in my own bedroom, shaking and soaked in my own sweat. I looked to my side and saw Veronica curled on her side of the bed. Breathe, I told myself. It was just a horrid dream.
In that moment, I wanted to reach out to Veronica and hold her in my arms. But something was suffocating me. Remnants of the anger I had felt in dream state spilled into my reality. I needed to get a grip before I touched her. I rolled off the bed and dressed for another outdoor run.
* * *
“You haven’t told me how your trip went.”
She picked up another piece of chocolate-drizzled crepe off her plate and lifted it to her mouth. “I was busy,” she said, shrugging one shoulder, when she finished chewing, and offered me another piece.
“Did you like the Maldives?” I stared right into her eyes, twinkling with her smile, as I wrapped my lips around the fork. Yes, I could, beyond any doubt, spend the rest of my life with this goddess.
Veronica hummed, then nodded. A drop of whipped cream fell on top of one of her breasts. As helpful as I ever was, I licked her clean.
“Sweet.” The word was meant, not for the cream, but the taste of her skin. “Would you like to go back someday?”
“I’m going back in November for the actual event.”
“Oh?” I hadn’t thought of that. “With me?” I asked, my voice low and serious.
She smiled and nodded, licking off cream from the fork. “I would love that. Maybe I’d be able to actually enjoy the sun and the b
each.”
“I wouldn’t be too sure of that.” I gave her bottom a little squeeze.
Veronica laid her head on my chest. “I missed you so much. It was so hard to be away from you.”
Brushing off her hair to the side, I kissed her forehead and asked, “Why don’t we go away this weekend?”
“To Maldives?”
“Or somewhere closer.” Somewhere where tropical storms, or any storms of any kind, could not hamper my plans. “We can go to Napa. Finally see the vineyard?”
She hummed, circling her finger over the tip of my clavicle. “There’s work...”
I didn’t let her finish. “You can work from there. The house has Wi-Fi.”
“I know that. But...” She pushed up to face me, cradling my head in her hands. “I’ve just returned. I have to meet with clients.”
“Conference call. Skype. FaceTime.” Something had to work. She had to agree.
“And I have to go back to my apartment.”
“I watered all your plants. Your orchid has three blooms.”
Veronica leaned forward and planted a kiss on my lips. “Okay. Let’s leave today.”
I chuckled. “We can’t today. You promised Sandrine you won’t miss tonight’s dinner since you didn’t make the last one.”
“Right. I should tell Chase that I’m leaving again. She is not going to like me.”
Threading my fingers through her hair, I brought her forehead closer to press on mine. “How can anyone not like you? You’re perfect in every way.
“You’re just saying that because I’m naked on top of you.”
“Yes, you are.” Inhaling deeply, I basked in the sweet aroma of her skin. “We have time before dinner.”
* * *
Managing to arrive on time by the skin of our teeth, Veronica dashed up the steps of Jake and Sandrine’s Pacific Heights home, with me lagging behind.
“Relax. They won’t start without us. And I’m not too keen on trying out anything Jake has prepared,” I told her as she waited for me by the door.
“I don’t like being late. You know that.”
A lock of rich brown hair sprang from her braid, which cascaded over her right shoulder. Her enticing, flawless, smooth-as-silk shoulder. I found myself leaning down and pressing my lips to it. “It was your fault, you know. If you hadn’t seduced me...”
“It was so not my fault. And behave.” She playfully patted the side of my face before pressing the doorbell.
My lips moved up to the crook of her neck. “Why should I?”
Her breathing became irregular. “Sandrine said...they have other...guests,” Veronica said between pants.
“It’s just Nati.”
“Natalie’s in town?” She pulled away from me so quickly that I almost fell forward.
“Yeah. And her boyfriend. What’s his name?”
“Diego?”
“That one. Have you met him before? Nice bloke. Friendly.”
Veronica sucked in her bottom lip. Had I missed something? Perhaps Veronica was uncomfortable around Natalie, given my past with her. I was about to put her mind at ease on the matter when the door in front of us opened.
Le Temps du Perdu
Instead of being greeted by one of the people we expected, we faced Chase. This dinner would be more interesting than I’d originally thought. If Chase couldn’t stand me, she had stronger animosity toward Jake, and it bewildered me to see her in Jake’s home, standing in all her leathers, paired with her dark mood, with a goblet of red wine in her hand. At least, I hoped it was red wine and not blood.
“Oh my goodness! Chase!” Veronica swung her arms around her friend, who grinned at her and sneered at me. “I didn’t know you’re going to be here.”
Chase pulled Veronica in and I followed along. Chase handed the wine glass to Veronica, who accepted and sipped.
“Natalie was in class this morning, and she told me about tonight. I haven’t seen you since you came back, because someone has been too selfish to share—” Chase flicked an unimpressed glance over her shoulder to me. “—so she asked Sandrine if I could come, and here I am.”
Veronica leaned her head on her friend’s upper arm as she hugged her closer. “Aw, I missed you too. I had to get some rest after the trip. Sorry.”
“Like you got any rest.” She sent me another seething look, to which I merrily replied with a smug look.
“They’re here! Jacob!” I heard Sandrine from inside the kitchen. And I could smell something a bit off too. Jake’s cooking. He had been horrible cook in university, and judging by the smell coming from his kitchen, he hadn’t improved.
Sandrine, wearing a blue dress, which cinched above her waist and showed off her round belly, darted toward Veronica and wrapped her in her arms before giving her cheeks kisses. It was clear I wasn’t the only who had missed her. Jake followed Sandrine.
“My, my, you’ve grown since last I saw you, Sandrine,” Veronica quipped. “May I?” Her hand hovered over Sandrine’s middle. Veronica glanced up, and our eyes met.
There was a glint in her eyes. A hope that maybe someday we could feel the same happiness that our friends shared.
“I’m humongous!” Sandrine complained.
“Sandrine,” Veronica started, “You look beautiful. I’d have a bigger belly than that if I ate too many donuts.” Right then, I imagined Veronica pregnant with my child.
“Can you give us a hand?” Jake broke through my thoughts. “I have guinea fowl in the oven.”
“Guinea fowl? Whatever possessed you to make that?” He could barely cook eggs.
Jake wiped his hand on his face in frustration. “My very pregnant wife asked for it.”
Natalie came in, quietly laughing at whatever her new boyfriend must have said. It was good to see her happy. I gave her a quick wave and turned to inspect dinner. I glared at Jake. The man should never be allowed inside a kitchen. He’d give Lily Stewart a run for her money when it came to world’s worst cook. I would need to have a talk with my cousin. Pregnant or not, she wouldn’t be getting what she was craving. The guinea fowl did not survive.
* * *
Kitchen duty became mine. I didn’t mind much. Dinner was saved, many thanks to preparedness of Jake and Sandrine’s housekeeper, Mara. She had stocked up on other ingredients. Maybe she’d tasted Jake’s cooking too. And if she had, the poor woman deserved a raise.
Surprisingly, Diego was rather knowledgeable in the kitchen as well. While the rest of our group gathered around the cheese plate, he made a side salad for the chicken dish I had prepared. We worked quietly and efficiently, occupying either side of the room, and staving off Jake’s continual offers to lend a hand.
We all listened to Veronica’s tales of woe during her flight back home from The Maldives, leaving out the details of the actual trip and her client’s identity. Sandrine and Jake couldn’t stop gushing over their plans for after the baby was born. Nati and Chase talked about the new workout classes Diego offered to those who were willing to take them. “Less tortuous” as Chase explained to Veronica, who only said that she would think about it. I could think of other ways to keep her fit.
I kept quiet the entire time, loving the easy conversation that flowed at the table. Endless laughter, and comfort, and warmth.
Diego offered to help with the cleanup.
“Thanks for the help again.” I’d poured two fingers of scotch in two glasses for me and him— we deserved as much.
“Think nothing of it. Nati told me that the cooking might not be successful.” Diego said this in a lowered voice.
As soon as her name was mentioned, Nati came around and hugged Diego from behind. “Isn’t he great?” she asked me, with her left cheek pressed on his wide back.
Her engagement ring flickered under the overhead lights in the kitchen. As fast as things had progressed between Nati and Diego, I was excited for the two of them. They’d announced their engagement and pregnancy right after dinner. I raised my glass to them both.
“And to think, we owe it all to Nica.” Nati smiled at Diego.
“Veronica? My Veronica?” I wiped my hands on a kitchen towel, and then placed one on my chest.
“Yeah. She didn’t tell you? It was a funny story, really.” Nati and Diego gazed into each other’s eyes while she continued, “Imagine if their date had gone better—”
“Who went on a date? You dated Veronica?” I pointed an accusatory finger at Diego.
“Yes.” His smile widened, rows of white teeth flashed. I clenched my jaw. “You don’t remember meeting me?”
“Relax, Levi. They went on one date,” Nati reasoned, while Diego surreptitiously urged her behind his muscular frame.
Where did they go? How long ago was this? Did they kiss? Did they sleep together? Where was I when all of these happened?
“When was this? Why didn’t I know this?” My jaw clicked as I clenched it harder.
“Calm down. It’s nothing to stress over.” Diego raised one hand in front of him.
Jake came in, followed by the rest of them.
My eyes caught Veronica’s immediately. “I am calm,” I said through gritted teeth.
Jake came to my side and placed an arm between Diego and me. “Why don’t we step outside for a moment? Get some fresh air. Fresh perspective?”
I had made a mess of things in a blink of an eye. And I didn’t know how to fix it.
Rubbing a hand over my face, I sucked in a deep breath and followed them to the terrace.
“You still don’t remember when we first met?” Diego asked in his baritone voice once we stepped out into the cool night.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I told him and turned to Jake, who shrugged.
“The cake tasting? You were with a woman. With the…” He circled his hands over his chest. “And I came in late?”
The cake tasting. How could I have forgotten? “Of course. You came out to talk to me after…”
“After you were kneed in the balls.”
“You were what?” Jake asked.
The Bachelor's Perfect Proposal (Bliss Series Book 2) Page 7
