Seventeen Sunny
I’m currently sitting cross-legged on the floor of mine and Paisley’s room, clothes scattered around me in a disaster zone. The entire day has been a whirlwind—helping Levi and Colton set up for the Monroe dinner. My arms ache from stringing up fairy lights and mixing batter, but it’s worth it. It’s the first one since their mom passed, and we all want it to be perfect.
Paisley’s set up camp in front of the bathroom mirror, probably applying her makeup with a focus that’s borderline terrifying.
“Sun,”
she calls, poking her head out, glancing at the wreckage of my wardrobe, “you’ve been sitting there for fifteen minutes. Just pick a damn outfit already!”
“Hey! Perfection takes time,”
I yell back, sifting through dresses like they’ll somehow speak to me. But really, it’s not the clothes I’m thinking about. It’s Levi. His stupid, handsome face keeps popping into my head, and I can’t concentrate.
My phone buzzes from the dresser, and my heart does a ridiculous little somersault. I just know it’s him before I even check.
Levi: I can’t wait to see that beautiful face of yours. Don’t keep daddy waiting ;)
I snort, trying to hold in a laugh because of course he said that. Daddy, really? Leave it to Levi to find the one word that straddles the line between flirtatious and downright cringe. And yet… somehow, I can’t stop grinning.
Before I can reply, another message pops up.
Levi: Bodhi saw the message I sent. He told me to apologize for calling myself ‘daddy’ again. I’m sorry :(
I burst out laughing this time, picturing Bodhi’s disgusted face. I can practically hear him saying, “why are you like this, Levi?”
I try to keep my face neutral when I notice Paisley leaning against the door frame smirking. I’m pretty sure I’m failing miserably though. I tried.
“What’s got you all giddy?”
she asks, her voice full of teasing suspicion.
“Nothing,”
I say quickly, a little too quickly, tucking my phone into my purse. “Just a message from Levi.”
“Uh-huh.”
Clearly unconvinced, but thankfully she doesn’t push it.
I give up trying to be subtle and finally grab the white dress that’s been calling my name. It’s simple but cute, hugging my curves in all the right places, and it feels like the right choice for tonight. Paired with my favorite new cowboy boots, I feel… well, like myself. Not too dressed up but still put-together. I glance at myself in the mirror and nod. Yeah, this’ll do.
“Are we ready bestie?”
I ask, standing and smoothing the dress out.
“Let’s go, pretty lady,”
Paisley says, grabbing her jacket as we head out of the door.
***
As we pull up outside Levi’s house, stepping out of the truck, the nerves come flooding back. The place is alive—fairy lights strung across the porch, the smell of home cooked food wafting from the house. While laughter echoes from inside.
As soon as I shut my door, I spot Levi standing on the porch, his hands in his pockets, watching me. His shirt clings to his chest in all the right ways, and I feel my breath catch. God, why does he have to be so perfect?
“Hey Sunshine,”
he calls, striding over to me as Paisley runs ahead to greet the guys in the house.
“Hi,”
I manage, trying to sound casual, but my voice betrays me. It’s too soft, too breathy.
Levi’s boots scuff against the gravel, and my heart does a stupid little flutter in my chest. I see this man every day but tonight feels different. He’s not just walking toward me. He’s walking to me. And somehow, that tiny distinction makes all the difference.
He’s got that easy, dimpled grin on his face, the one that makes me squeeze my thighs together to ease the ache. And his eyes—those damn eyes—are locked on mine like I’m the only person in the entire world. He’s close enough that I can smell the citrus on his skin, feel the heat radiating off him. He doesn’t waste any time, his hand already reaching for me, his thumb brushing across my cheek like he’s done it a million times. Well, he has, but every time feels new.
His fingers graze my skin, and every nerve in my body hums to life. I’m trying to act calm, like I’m not affected by him, but the way my heart is thudding in my chest is a dead giveaway. Levi doesn’t say anything else. He just steps closer, closing the small gap between us until his chest is almost brushing against mine. His hand slides to the back of my neck, fingers threading through my hair with a kind of deliberate tenderness that makes the butterflies go crazy. He tilts my head back slightly, his eyes scanning my face like he’s making sure this is okay—like he doesn’t already know I’m a goner for him.
But then his fingers tighten in my hair, just a little, and then his lips are on mine.
The first touch is slow, like he’s savoring it, like he’s taking his time to explore every inch of my mouth. And it’s soft—so damn soft that I can barely hold back a sigh. But there’s something simmering underneath it too, something that says he’s holding back. I lean into him, needing more, craving it. Levi senses it, too, because his lips press harder as he pulls me even closer, until there’s no space between us, like he’s afraid I’ll slip away.
And damn if I don’t lose myself completely in the kiss. In him.
His tongue brushes against mine, gentle but teasing, and I can’t help the small sound that escapes me. Levi groans, low in his throat, and that sound alone has me unraveling, every inch of me burning for more of him. He angles my head, deepening the kiss until I feel like I’m drowning in him—in the taste of him, and the way his body fits so perfectly against mine.
His lips move slowly, deliberately, like he’s making sure I feel every single second of this. Like he’s imprinting himself on me. And he is. God, he really is.
When he finally pulls back, it’s with a soft, reluctant groan, and his forehead drops to mine, both of us breathing hard. I don’t think I can form a coherent thought even if I tried.
“You’re gonna be the death of me, sugar,”
he whispers, his voice rough, breathless, like he’s holding back even more.
I let out a shaky laugh, my fingers clutching at the front of his shirt to keep myself steady.
“Come on daddy, lets go check on the children,”
I wink, Levi throws his head back laughing as he puts his arm over my shoulder and guides me inside.
***
Dinner is a blur of laughter, delicious food, and reminiscing from everyone at the table. Levi’s hand rests casually on my knee under the table, his thumb tracing slow, lazy circles that send shivers through me. I catch his eye, and for a moment, the noise of the room fades away. Levi’s gaze is intense, and I wonder if he’s thinking the same thing I am—that we’re on the edge of something bigger, something more.
I’m trying to focus on what Bodhi is saying when I feel Levi’s hand brush against my inner thigh under the table. I freeze, my heart racing. He glances at me, a mischievous glint in his eye, and chimes in on what Bodhi is talking about as if he’s not up to something. His hand moves higher between my legs. Tracing the lacey fabric covering my heat, sending shivers up my spine. He slides his fingers beneath the fabric, rubbing small circles on my sweet spot. I look over at him as he’s still talking to Bodhi. I place my hand on his thigh and squeeze, he adds more pressure, driving me closer to the edge. I gasp, causing a piece of food to go down the wrong hole.
Smooth, Sunny. Real smooth.
Coughing, I grab my glass of wine and take a big gulp.
“You okay, Sunny?”
Paisley asks, raising an eyebrow.
“Yeah, just, uh,”
I clear my throat, “went down the wrong hole,”
I shoot Levi a look, but he only smirks and gives my leg a gentle squeeze.
***
After dinner, we move to the garden for games. Bodhi and Knox insisted on playing Charades and Pictionary. The whiskey and Wine everyone has been consuming, makes the game even more hilarious. Bodhi, always the life of the party, insists on going first for Pictionary.
“Alright, guys and gals, let’s see if you can guess this one!”
he announces, grabbing a marker. He begins drawing with a focused expression, his hand moving quickly over the paper. As the lines start to take shape, the room falls silent. What he’s drawing looks suspiciously like a you know what. I bite my lip, trying to stifle a laugh, but it’s no use. The realization hits everyone at the same time. We all burst into laughter, clutching our sides. Bodhi stands there, utterly confused. “What’s so funny?”
he asks looking around.
“Really, Bo?”
Colton says, raising an eyebrow.
“That’s what you decide to draw?”
Bodhi looks genuinely baffled as he glances at his drawing and then back at us. “I know I’m not the most amazing artist, and I’ve had a few drinks, but I think it’s a pretty good pair of scissors.”
We all look at each other, silent for a moment, and then explode into laughter again. Tears streaming down our faces, we can barely breathe from laughing so hard.
“Stop it, my cheeks are hurting!”
Knox exclaims, holding his face as he laughs.
Paisley and Noah are rolling around on the floor laughing, unable to even form words. Colton, usually the serious one, is trying so hard to hold back his laughter but has no luck. He finally gives in, doubling over.
Levi nudges me gently, his pinky finger brushing mine between the blades of grass. I turn to look at him, his smile is soft, his eyes bursting with a warmth that makes me feel both giddy and content.
“We should sneak out,”
he whispers, his voice low enough so only I can hear.
“You read my mind, Mr Monroe.”
I whisper back, smiling.
His eyes darken as his lips curl into that knowing, cocky smile that makes my heart race. I can’t take it anymore. I’m done waiting.
I stand up from the grass and grab Levi’s hand, pulling him to his feet. His eyebrows lift in surprise, but he doesn’t hesitate as I pull him into the house. I can hear his low chuckle behind me as I drag him down the hallway toward his bedroom, our footsteps quick yet quiet compared to the noise of the party outside.
The second we’re inside his room, I close the door behind us and lock it with a decisive click. I turn to face him, my back pressing against the door as I look up at him, my body humming with anticipation. His eyes darken as they roam over me, and I can see the hunger there, the same need that’s been clawing at me all night.
“Sunny…”
His voice is low, and full of desire.
I don’t give him time to say anything else. I close the distance between us, grabbing the front of his shirt and pulling him down to kiss me. The moment our lips collide, everything else disappears. The music, the party, our friends outside—it all fades into nothing. There’s only him, only us.
He groans against my mouth, his hands finding my waist and pulling me closer. The kiss is intense, full of all the pent-up tension we’ve been holding back. His lips are demanding, his tongue teasing mine in a way that sends shivers through my entire body. I’ve never needed someone like this, like I need him right now.
Without breaking the kiss, he spins us around and walks me backwards until my legs hit the edge of the bed. I fall onto the mattress, and Levi’s right there with me, his weight pressing me into the soft sheets. His hands are everywhere, sliding up my thighs, pushing the hem of my dress higher and higher until it’s up and over my head in one smooth motion. I shiver as the cool air hits my bare skin, but the heat of Levi’s hands against me is enough to set me on fire. He removes my panties, throwing them across the room before he’s back on top of me, trailing a hot path down the side of my neck. His teeth graze the sensitive skin, and I can’t help the soft moan that escapes me. The way he touches me, the way he knows exactly where to go, what to do—it’s intoxicating.
“I’ve been waiting all night to have you,”
Levi growls against my skin, his voice rough yet filled with something deeper—an ache that seems to reach into my very core. His hands slide up my thighs, spreading them wider with deliberate precision as he settles between them. I can feel his breath against me, warm and unrelenting, a promise of everything to come.
“You drive me crazy, Sunshine. Do you have any idea how perfect you are?”
His voice is low, reverent, as though he’s in awe of the moment, of me. His lips press against the curve of my neck, and I feel the heat of his mouth as he kisses a trail down my shoulder.
“I need you,”
I whisper, desperate, my fingers tangling in his hair, trying to pull him closer. But Levi is unhurried, in control, and he lets me know it with a dark chuckle that sends shivers down my spine.
“You’ll have me, baby,”
he murmurs, his lips brushing against my collarbone as his hands glide up my waist.
“But not before I take my time with you. I’m going to enjoy every inch of you.”
He pulls back,
His eyes darken as he takes me in, his gaze heated and lingering.
“Fuck, look at you,”
he groans, his voice thick with need
“I don’t know what I did to deserve this, but I’m never letting you go.”
His hands trace every curve of my body like he’s memorizing me, his touch both firm and reverent.
Before I can speak, Levi leans down, his lips brushing over my stomach, then lower, his breath hot against my skin. My heart races as I realize what he’s about to do, the anticipation making my whole body tense.
“Relax,”
he whispers, his voice smooth and commanding, but there’s a tenderness there too. “Let me take care of you.”
I gasp as his hands grip my thighs, holding me steady as his mouth moves lower, his kisses soft at first but growing bolder. The first stroke of his tongue against me sends a shockwave of pleasure through my body, and I can’t hold back the moan that escapes my lips.
“Levi,”
I gasp, my fingers diving into his hair, holding on as his mouth works its magic. He groans against me, the vibration sending sparks to my core, and I can tell he’s enjoying this as much as I am.
“Mmm,”
he murmurs, “I could do this all night.”
His voice muffled but filled with raw hunger.
I arch against him, my body trembling as he takes me apart with his mouth, his tongue teasing and relentless, his hands holding me firmly in place. The pressure builds quickly, each movement pushing me closer to the edge.
“Levi, I’m—”
My voice breaks, and he chuckles, a dark sound as his grip on my thighs tighten.
“Not yet,”
he says firmly, pulling back just enough to make me gasp at the loss of contact. “I’m not done with you.”
Before I can beg him to continue, Levi rises, his hands sliding up my body as he pulls me against him. His lips crash into mine, and I can taste myself on him, the raw intimacy of it making my knees weak.
“You’re incredible,”
he murmurs against my lips, his voice reverent, almost breathless.
“Everything about you drives me wild. Your body, your moans, the way you fall apart for me—it’s perfect, Sunny. You’re perfect.”
His hands slide down to my hips, gripping me firmly as he flips me onto my stomach, his movements smooth and commanding. My breath catches as I feel his hands on me again, guiding me onto my knees, my body angled perfectly for him.
I feel the heat of his gaze on me, the weight of it making my whole body flush. “Fuck, you’re so beautiful,”
he growls, his hands running over my curves like he can’t get enough. “Every. Inch.”
I tremble beneath his touch, his words igniting something deep inside me. “Levi,”
I breathe, my voice shaky with anticipation.
“I’ve got you,”
he says, his voice softer now but no less commanding. “I’m going to take care of you, baby. Just trust me.”
He leans over, his chest pressing against my back as he kisses the nape of my neck, his breath hot against my skin. The sensation is overwhelming, everything in my body is alive with anticipation.
“Let me hear you,”
he whispers, his hand sliding down to where I need him most, teasing me with slow, deliberate strokes. “Let me hear how much you love this.”
A soft moan escapes my lips, and I can feel his smile against my neck. “Such a good girl,”
he murmurs, his fingers continuing their torturous rhythm. The heat between us is unbearable now, and I press back against him, desperate for more. “Levi, please,”
I gasp, my voice breaking.
“Patience, baby,”
he says, his tone both teasing and firm. Levi’s fingers dig into my skin, and the sound of his low, satisfied groan sends a ripple of heat straight through me. He presses himself against me again, teasing me with the slow, deliberate grind of his hips, and I can feel just how hard he is, just how much he wants this. But he doesn’t make me wait much longer. In one smooth motion, he pushes into me, the intensity of it drawing a sharp cry from my lips.
“God, you feel amazing,”
he groans, his voice rough with need as he starts to move. His hands stay firm on my hips, guiding me as he sets a rhythm that’s deep and unrelenting. He fills me completely, and I can’t help the gasp that escapes my lips. The angle makes every sensation sharper, more intense.
I grip the sheets beneath me, my body rocking with each powerful movement. His hands slide up my back, pulling me upright so my body is flush against his. One hand cups my breast while the other tangles in my hair, tilting my head back so he can press a kiss to my shoulder. “I love the way you move for me,”
he says, his breath hot against my skin.
“The way you give me every piece of you.”
His pace quickens, each thrust harder, deeper. I feel like I’m on the edge of a cliff, teetering on the brink of something so powerful, so consuming, and I know he’s right there with me. His hands move to my breasts, holding them as he moves faster. I’m shaking, every nerve in my body on fire, my breath coming in short, desperate bursts.
“Come for me, Sunny,”
he growls, his voice rough and desperate.
“I want to feel you let go.”
The words are my undoing. Pleasure crashes over me, wave after wave, as I cry out his name, my body trembling in his arms. Levi groans against my shoulder, his own release following moments later, his grip on me tightening as he shudders with the force of it.
When we finish, he collapses onto the bed, pulling me with him, his arms wrapping around me. For a moment, neither of us move, both of us catching our breath, still tangled together in the aftermath. The room is quiet now, the only sound our heavy breathing as we come down from the high.
His arms wrap still locked around me, and I feel him kiss the top of my head as we lie there. Completely immersed in each other.
This is where I belong.
***
The fun has moved inside now as sky starts to turn dark, heavy clouds rolling in. Thankfully, no one seems to have noticed Levi and I sneaking off. Which I’m grateful for.
I’m cleaning the kitchen when I hear the first drops of rain pattering against the windows. Levi looks up from where he is stacking plates, his eyes lighting up like a kid on Christmas morning as he does little jumps on the spot.
He doesn’t say a word, just shoots me a suspicious grin before grabbing the speaker off the counter. I watch, curious, as he bolts for the door, his excitement infectious. The rain is coming down hard now, but it doesn’t seem to bother him in the slightest. In fact, it seems to thrill him even more.
He stands at the threshold, the rain soaking his shirt in seconds, and presses play on the speaker. The first few notes of a familiar tune fill the air, and I swear my heart skips a beat. Can I Have This Dance from High School Musical.
Classic Levi.
His hand stretches out toward me, his eyes locked on mine as he waits for my reaction. I hesitate for just a moment, taking in the sight of him standing there with the rain pouring down around him, his hand still outstretched, waiting for me. The look in his eyes is so tender, so full of something I can’t quite name.
I take his hand, and he pulls me close, our bodies pressing together as we sway to the music. The rain is cold, but I don’t care. All I can focus on is the warmth of Levi against me, the strength of his arms as they wrap around me, holding me like I’m something precious. He spins me around, the rain splashing up as our feet move across the slick ground, and I can’t help but chuckle. It’s like something out of a movie, the two of us dancing in the rain, lost in our own little world.
Levi’s eyes never leave mine, his gaze so intense, so full of emotion that it takes my breath away. The way he’s looking at me, like I’m the only thing that matters. It makes my heart race. His dimples appear as a smile creeps across his face, his wet hair sticking to his forehead in a way that makes him look impossibly handsome. I can stay like this forever, just the two of us, swaying in the rain.
But then, out of the corner of my eye, I catch movement. I turn just in time to see Paisley dragging Colton by the hand, practically hauling him out into the rain despite his obvious resistance.
“Paisley,”
Colton mutters, his brows drawn together, but he doesn’t pull away. “This is ridiculous.”
“That’s the point!”
she shoots back, spinning around to face him with a wicked grin. Before he can argue, she tugs him forward and twirls him like they’re on a dance floor, her laugh ringing out over the rain. Then, Knox and Hunter are out here too, followed by Bodhi and Noah, who pair up and start slow dancing with exaggerated, dramatic flair, making everyone laugh.
The entire group is out here now, spinning and swaying in the rain, soaking wet and loving every second of it. It’s ridiculous and perfect all at once. The laughter and the music and the rain all blending together, creating this beautiful, spontaneous moment that feels like pure magic.
I look up at Levi, who is still holding me close, his eyes never leaving mine. His smile is soft now, more tender than I’ve ever seen it, and I can feel the connection between us deepening with every second that passes.
Then, without saying a word, he leans in and kisses me, the rain pouring down around us as his lips meet mine. It’s sweet and slow, like the song, like the dance, and I feel myself melting into him completely.
This is it. This is everything. In this moment, nothing else matters but the two of us, and I know—deep in my heart—that I am exactly where I am supposed to be.