He leaned down and kissed me gently on the lips. “Do you want to keep going?”
“Sure, I’m not usually a woodsy person, but this is pretty cool.”
“Want to fly a little? There’s somewhere I want to show you.”
“Do you even have to ask?” I doubted I’d ever get tired of flying. It was a high like no other.
“I guess not.”
Seconds later, we were airborne. The trees moved under us in a blur. I quickly stopped looking at them. It was easier to just look straight ahead. Levi landed on the rocky shore of a river.
I understood why Levi liked the spot. It was straight out of a postcard. The river rushed by quickly, the running water the only sound other than the occasional bird chirping.
“This is beautiful.”
“It’s one of my favorite spots.” He sat down on a rock, making room for me next to him.
“You have favorite spots that don’t serve alcohol?”
“Low blow.”
“Just saying.”
“I happen to like ‘woodsy’ stuff.” He made air quotes as he said woodsy.
“You can’t blame me for my lack of exposure to the outdoors. My dad didn’t exactly take me camping growing up.”
“Is it something you’d want to do?”
“Go camping?”
“Yeah. I promise, I’d go easy on you. We wouldn’t have to rough it too much.”
I wasn’t sure how I felt about this side of Levi—it was so different. Where was the teasing guy who always dressed impeccably, and picked out the fancy wine? It’s like being out in the woods had changed him.
“Maybe.”
“I’ll take a maybe.”
We sat watching the river for a while. After a half hour, he actually managed to teach me to skip rocks. Granted, I could only get one or two skips, where as he could get twice as many.
My stomach rumbled.
He turned to me. “All right, let’s get back.”
“Do we have to?” I smiled at him. Maybe he wasn’t the only one who loved being in the middle of nowhere. It was nice to escape from everything else. I realized I hadn’t even brought my phone on the hike. It was the farthest from the device I’d willingly been in years.
“We can come back tomorrow, if you want.”
“You promise?”
“I promise.” He stood up, giving me a hand to help me up.
“Thanks for this.”
“My pleasure. It’s nice to share it with you.” He leaned down and kissed me gently. I kissed him back, wanting more. His arms wrapped around me, and I got so lost in the kiss it took me a moment to realize we were flying. I pulled away. “Levi!”
He laughed. “Unlike you, I can do two things at the same time.”
We got back to the house in no time.
“Do you want to shower first, or should I?” Levi asked as soon as we took off our muddy shoes and had some water.
“What, no third option for taking them at the same time?” It wasn’t like Levi to pass up the opportunity for sexual innuendo.
“I didn’t want to push my luck.”
“Too bad. I would have chosen that option.” I put down my glass and headed down the hall to our room.
He coughed. Some water probably went down the wrong tube. “That option is definitely on the table.”
“No thanks. I don’t want you to think that I’m pressuring you.”
“You’re going to kill me, girl. Kill me.”
“I know,” I called behind me as I closed myself in the bathroom. I had to take a minute to slow my breathing. I let the water run, filling the room with steam before pulling out my toiletries and getting in.
I shaved, and enjoyed a few more minutes in the warm water before getting out.
Levi was waiting in the bedroom.
“Your turn.”
“Thanks.” He kissed me on the cheek, and then my neck. “If you change your mind, and want to join me, I won’t hold it against you.”
“Have a good shower.”
He turned the water on, and I started getting ready. I’d gone for a simple, black strapless dress, figuring you could never go wrong with a little, black dress.
I zipped it up most of the way, but couldn’t get it all of the way up.
Levi had turned off the water, so I knocked on the door once. “Can I come in?”
“Be my guest.”
I pushed open the door and almost closed it again. He was standing by the sink, a towel tied around his waist. He looked way too good with his hair wet.
He was definitely amused by my appraisal. “Need some help with that zipper?”
I looked over at him again, a few drops of water trailed down his chest, and I was undone.
“No, I don’t think I need help with it after all.” I let go, letting my dress fall down to my feet.
I looked down at the dress before stepping out of it and making myself meet his eyes.
“The dress looked pretty, but I like you better this way.”
“Really? I thought you’d like this better.” I took a deep breath, knowing that there would be no turning back from what I was about to do. I reached around and unclasped my strapless bra.
His eyes widened. “You’re right, I like that even better.”
He closed the space between us, his lips claiming mine with a fierceness I wasn’t expecting.
He carried me over to the bed, and somewhere between the bathroom, and laying me down, he’d lost the towel. “I like this side of you, Al.”
“The naked side, or the take-charge side?”
“Both. Definitely both.” He pulled off my panties, before laying down next to me. “I really hope this isn’t another dream.”
“Am I usually like this in your dreams?”
“You’re usually naked…”
“What a coincidence, you’re usually naked in mine, too.”
He smiled. “I knew you dreamed about me.”
“Enough dream talk.” I pulled his face to mine. “Kiss me.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
He kissed me again, letting his hands wander, reminding me of just how much I’d been missing.
Chapter Eighteen
“Maybe we should skip the dinner.” Levi pulled me tighter against him.
“We can’t, can we?” I asked, never wanting to leave the bed. The last time we’d gotten out of bed after having sex had been the beginning of the end. I didn’t want another end.
“Technically we can, but we shouldn’t…”
“Yeah, it wouldn’t exactly leave a good impression.”
“But, we can pick right back up where we are after dinner.”
“And where are we exactly?”
“Where we’re supposed to be.”
“There are no more surprises, right?” Part of me still couldn’t accept that I’d just slept with Levi again. If there was any doubt that we were really together, I erased it when I took my clothes off for him.
“Not like you’re thinking. I already told you, no mind control, okay?”
“Okay.”
I reluctantly picked my head up off his chest and went in search of my clothes. Thankfully, my dress wasn’t too wrinkled from lying in a heap on the floor.
“I can’t believe I gave in so quickly.”
“Quickly? You call this quickly?” He pulled on his pants.
“I mean, so early in the weekend.”
“I told you it was going to happen eventually, didn’t I?”
Was cocky Levi back already?
“Say ‘I told you so’ and you’re not getting dessert.”
“If you’re talking about the dessert I think you are, my lips are sealed.”
“Good.”
He put a hand on my waist. “But don’t pretend you don’t want dessert. That game isn’t going to work anymore.”
“Okay, no ‘I told you so’ and no talk of games.”
“You’re so hot when you get flustered.”
“I
’m not flustered.” I crossed my arms.
“Sure you’re not.”
“Whatever. I need to finish getting ready.” I suppressed a smile. His cockiness could be annoying—but underneath it, I knew he was thrilled, and I was glad to be the cause of that.
My hair had mostly dried, so I didn’t bother to tame it. I twisted it up into a bun, and I put on some simple makeup.
Levi had already left the room when I finished. I found a small box sitting on the dresser where I’d left my watch and earrings before getting in the shower. I opened the box and found a pair of dangle earrings made up of diamonds and red rubies. They were gorgeous. I touched one for a moment before putting it on. The last time I’d accepted jewelry from him my life had changed.
I slipped into my black kitten heels and found Levi in the kitchen.
“Well, hello there, gorgeous.”
“These earrings are just earrings, right?”
“Yes, you like them?”
“Love them.”
“Well, I love you.” It was the third time he’d said the words, and although he said them casually, I could tell by the intensity of his gaze that he desperately wanted me to say them back to him.
I’d said the words to a boy before. I’d said them to Toby so many times that they became nothing more than a greeting. Still, admitting my feelings to Levi was a big step, and I knew it was time to take it. “I love you, too.”
His eyes lit up. “I’m glad you’ve finally realized it.”
“You really act like an arrogant prick sometimes, you know that?”
“Yes, but you love me anyway.”
“True.” I turned to rifle through the cabinets for a snack. I’d planned to eat after my shower, but hadn’t exactly gotten that far.
I settled on a granola bar. “You want one?”
“Sure.”
I tossed him one with chocolate chips.
“Is it bad that we’re snacking before this thing?”
“No, you need to eat tonight. You’ll need your energy later.”
“On that note, let’s go.” I threw my wrapper in the garbage, picked up my purse, and headed to the door.
***
For the first time, I actually felt like a princess. Everyone rose to their feet as I walked in on Levi’s arm.
“We are so honored to have you,” a woman said before curtseying to me.
I wasn’t quite sure how to respond, but I figured a simple thank you could go a long way. “Thank you so much for having me.”
“We’d heard you were lovely, but the prince has certainly made a good choice.” A man smiled before taking my hand and kissing it.
Levi stiffened, and the man dropped my hand. “I’m sorry, Sir. Forgive me.”
Levi merely nodded at him and pulled me along further into the room. At first glance, it looked like a room full of regular people, but I knew most of them were anything but human.
It might have been Levi’s first time presiding, but he clearly knew what he was doing. I figured he must have gone with his dad before. He stopped at a small table with only two seats, and pulled one out for me. I sat down and let him push me in.
He stood in front of his chair and addressed the room. “You may be seated.”
As everyone else sat, he took his seat next to me. If it was a wedding, we’d have been at our sweethearts table.
“No cocktail hour first?” I whispered.
“That’s after dinner.”
“Oh…”
“So, I probably should have warned you, but we’re going to be sharing tonight,” he said so quietly, I could barely hear him.
“Sharing?” I whispered.
“Do you see a plate in front of you?”
I looked down and sure enough there wasn’t one. “We’re using one plate?”
“It’s an old tradition symbolizing the complete connection between a royal and his mate.”
“Well, you better not give me cooties,” I pouted.
“It’s a little late for that.”
“Still... Okay, so I get the one plate thing, but I only see one set of silverware.”
“That’s because I’m going to be feeding you.”
My jaw dropped. “Please tell me you’re joking.”
“Afraid not.”
“For future notice, you will not drop these weird traditions on me last minute.”
He leaned across the table slightly. “Telling you wouldn’t change anything.”
“I’d have been prepared.”
“Sir, may I serve you some wine?” I glanced up to see a waiter at Levi’s elbow.
Levi examined the unopened bottle. “Yes.”
Levi tasted it before nodding at the waiter to let him know he approved.
As soon as the waiter walked away, Levi proposed a toast. “To us.”
“To us,” I echoed before taking a sip. At least we each got our own glass.
After one spoonful of the seafood bisque, I was tired of being fed. Levi was enjoying it way too much, especially since everyone was watching us.
“I’m going to save room.”
I didn’t enjoy being served the main course of glazed duck with a rice pilaf and grilled vegetables, but I admit that I let Levi feed me more than my share of the dark chocolate and raspberry torte for dessert.
“So now we stay for a cocktail hour?”
“Pretty much. It’s going to be like a meet and greet.” He used his napkin to dab a little bit of chocolate off my lip.
“I have my own napkin.”
“It’s my fault you have it on your lips. I might as well clean you up.” He smirked.
“You do realize I’m not going to let you feed me every time.”
“We’ll see.”
He took my hand and led me to another room. A large bar at the back of the space was the only furniture, otherwise it was just open.
“Levi, it’s wonderful to see you again,” an attractive brunette crooned. “And your mate is absolutely lovely.”
“Thank you, Gloria,” Levi said politely, but he pulled me closer to his side.
“I’m sure you’ve already been over your roster for tomorrow, but I have a case before you. I hope you take our families long history into consideration.”
“I’m sorry, but you know I can’t let personal connections influence my decisions.”
“Of course not, you’re a good man, just like your father.”
“Exactly.” He tensed at the mention of his father. He was more nervous than I thought.
“Nice meeting you,” I said, pulling Levi with me.
“What was that about?” I whispered.
“She’s a witch who had a fling with my uncle years ago.”
“A witch?”
“Yes, a witch. Although some choose to stay outside The Society, they have to register with us if they want to use any magic.”
“So formal.”
“Very.”
“Excuse me, I hate to interrupt, but I wanted to take the opportunity to introduce myself.” A stout man with a completely pale face and a top hat held out his hand to Levi. He took off his hat before bowing awkwardly.
“Hello, may I get your name?”
“Oh yes, Harold Mayer. I am the new representative of the Bleths.”
“Well, nice to meet you, Harold.”
Levi led me away without introducing us. “What’s a Bleth?”
“A Shifter-Dryad hybrid.”
“Dryad? Like a Nymph?”
“Yes.”
“But aren’t they supposed to be really pretty?”
“Yes. Pure Dryads are, but the Nymph genes can only do so much with the genes of an ugly animal.” He tried to keep a straight face.
“What kind of animal is he a shifter of?”
“A porcupine.”
“You’ve got to be kidding.”
He shook his head. “Nope, there are even rat shifters you know…”
I cringed. “Lovely. I’m glad you’re not one.”
“So am I, love. So am I.”
By the time Levi met and shook hands with everyone at the party, I thought I was going to fall over. Had I known how much standing we’d be doing, I’d have worn flats.
I was contemplating going in search of a chair when everyone in the room bowed slightly.
“Our cue.” Levi took my arm and led me from the room and out to the car.
“Can we go home now?”
“Anxious are you?” He arched an eyebrow.
“Not for the reason you think.”
He opened my door, and hesitated before closing it. “No? Are you sure about that?”
“Positive. I just needed to get off my feet,” I challenged. There was no way I was giving up that easily.
“We’ll see about that.” He closed my door and went around to the driver’s side.
The drive took longer than I expected. “Are you lost?”
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. I just wanted to go for a drive.” He grinned.
“Levi, this isn’t funny.” We were on some dark back road, and all I wanted to do was get changed and into bed—preferably with Levi next to me.
“Tell me the truth, and I’ll be done driving.”
“The truth? Are we really playing this game?”
“Apparently. I really thought we were finally done with the games though.”
“I wasn’t lying. I needed to get off my feet.”
“But is that the only reason you were in a hurry to get home?”
“No,” I admitted.
“I’m listening.”
“Why should I have to say anything? You’re not.”
“You want me to tell you why I want to get home? Not a problem. I want to get home so I can undress you and get you into bed underneath me.” He placed a hand on my leg, slowly moving it under the fabric of my dress. “Your turn.”
I closed my eyes, loving how nice his hand felt, and thinking about the hours we’d spent together in bed earlier. “I want you. Is that what you want to hear?”
“Exactly what I wanted to hear. Open communication is important to a healthy relationship.”
I shook my head. “Take me home.”
“My pleasure.”
Levi made another turn and within five minutes we were pulling up out front of the guest house. He hadn’t moved his hand the whole time, and I felt its absence when he removed it to get out. He must have noticed my expression. “Don’t worry. I’ll have my hands all over you in about a minute.”
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