Say You’re Mine (Falling in Love #2)

Chapter 4

4

EROS

I t might have taken an hour and a few glasses of champagne, but Lev has started to relax more. I threw a few death glares across the table as a warning to those who were staring at her. I usually maintain a relaxed demeanor—until I don't.

I got her to tell me about how she got fired and Caleb’s part in it. I nod along, pretending I haven't got a clue. Her true passion lies in makeup and sketching. She gets so animated when she talks about it. She’s an artist. When I said that, Lev glanced away, taking another bite of her dinner. I think to hide the blush that had bloomed. I’m not sure who gave her that doubt that she’s not, but it pisses me off.

The one topic I did notice she skirted around on was where she lived. Only saying that it was with her parents. It wouldn’t be hard for me to find out if I wanted to. I could have her address and a lot more if I desired within minutes.

But I want her to tell me about herself. To lower those walls for me. When I made the offhand comment, ‘Oh, so they're still married, ’ she only shrugged. I steered the conversation in another direction and told her more about me. I didn’t want to spook her. I’ll let her bloom at her own pace… for now.

“Did it upset your parents when you said you didn’t want to be a rancher?” Lev takes a bite of the wedding cake that I’d gotten for her. The little moan she makes goes straight to my dick.

“No. I think they knew early on I wouldn't be sticking around. I excelled in school, but that doesn’t mean it’s still not in my blood. I miss it at times.”

“Really?” That makes her smile, so I keep going. Whatever keeps it on her pretty face.

“Yeah, I grew up riding and steering. It becomes second nature.” I turn my hand over to show her my palm. I might spend my days behind a desk now, but where you come from will always linger. It becomes a part of you. Lev runs her soft fingers across my calluses.

“I have a few. Not like yours though.” She shows me one of her delicate fingers, and you can see the indent from where she is always holding either a brush or a pencil. I rub my finger across it.

Lev doesn’t try to pull away. Only keeps on smiling. She takes my breath away, but when she smiles, it's more breathtaking than any sunset I have ever seen. It lights you up inside. It’s a feeling that I never want to go away. I want to bask in it for the rest of my life.

“I think it would be kinda badass to go to a ranch one day. To ride a horse. The only animals I've ever seen were at the zoo during our mandatory school visits. I don’t really get to leave the city.”

“All you have to do is ask,” I remind her. Lev shakes her head, not believing me. That’s fine. I’ll keep saying it and, more than that, proving it until she believes it. If I’m anything, it’s persistent.

Like a wild horse. You don’t have to break them. All you need is time and patience. You earn their trust. But you have to keep it. That’s the part a lot of people often forget. It’s not blind trust. It goes both ways.

“I would love to take you up on your offer, but since I’m starting a new job soon, I’m sure my new boss wouldn’t appreciate me taking off.” She thinks she’s wiggled her way out of it with that reply. I’ll let her keep thinking that for now. She’ll find out soon enough that I’m the new boss she’s speaking of.

When she finishes her cake, I worry that she is going to try and leave. I could tell from the second the reception started that she was eyeing the door.

“You want to give me a dance?” I ask, trying to keep her here with me.

“I don’t know how to two-step.” I take her teasing me as an invitation. I stand, taking her hand.

“It's a slow one.” I’m fucking dying to feel her against me. To get another deep breath of her vanilla and lilac. To feel every single one of her curves as her body moves in sync with mine.

“I don’t know if I can even reach all the way up there to wrap my arms around your neck.” She giggles. Fuck, I love the sound of it. I pull her in when we make it to the dance floor.

“Put them on my chest.” I move them there myself. Lev is damn tiny. It evokes a level of protectiveness that I have never experienced before.

“You know, I don’t think I have ever slow-danced before.” She peers up at me through her lashes.

“I’m honored.”

“How about you, cowboy? You partake in a lot of slow dances?”

“With my mom a few times.” I try to think back. “Maybe a cousin or two at a family wedding and whatnot.”

“What about prom? I bet you were prom king.” Lev has tensed a fraction. I’m not sure that she’s even aware of it, but I am.

When you don’t want to spook a horse, you have to pay attention to every breath they take. These questions mean something to her. She’s trying to feel me out without asking a direct question that will give away what she’s truly after. That’s not very Lev of her. Which makes me think I might be different for her. Good.

“I was in college at fifteen. There was no prom or homecoming.”

“Holy shit.” Her mouth falls open. “That’s more than excelling in school.” I shrug. “Was that hard? Being in college so young?” Her brows furrow together. I wonder what school was like for her.

“Been a big guy since I was about fourteen. I could blend in pretty well, and I kept to myself. I wasn’t as adept at hiding my accent back then.”

“I like it.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, darling.” I let the term of endearment stretch out and add a hint of softness to it, giving Lev what she asked for. She lets more of her body melt into me. The music transitions from one song to another until it ends.

“Oh God,” Lev whispers, distress in her voice.

“What?” I look around to figure out what's causing her panic.

“They’re going to toss the bouquet.”

“And that's a bad thing?” Lev gives me an expression of horror. “All right.” I snag her wrist, leading her out of the ballroom area.

“Where are we going?”

I slide my fingers between hers. “I thought you wanted out of there before you got roped into catching it.”

“Roped.” She snickers. Yeah, I might have phrased it that way just for her. “This place is pretty cool.” Lev says this as I turn down one of the many hallways. "It's not as big as that house in The Shining, but it's close." She suddenly stops walking. A slow smile spreads across her face. A mischievous one.

I don’t know what she is about to say, but I know I’ll fucking do whatever it is.