CHAPTER 29AureliaLeviAureliaLevi
Aurelia
He’s here. In my house. My husband.
Aurelia kept repeating the words in her head, hoping they would feel less surreal each time she said them. Levi Lockwood was no longer a hypothetical. He was real .
And currently standing in the middle of her kitchen.
Her husband.
She held her breath, gripping the edge of the island with white-knuckled fingers, watching as he took in her space. Part of her braced instinctively for criticism. Maybe he hated it. Maybe it was too small and too humble…like her .
He had arrived in a different vehicle, this time opting for a more low-key, sleek black SUV, though still undeniably high-end.
Her white sedan was tucked neatly into one of the two garage bays.
The second, currently a half-finished workshop, was scattered with tools and materials for the attic renovation, for an office she now realized she would need sooner than expected.
She had led the way into her home in silence, right up until a startled yelp escaped her lips. Her feet had left the ground without warning, and it took a breathless moment to realize Levi had swept her into his arms just before they crossed through the door.
“What kind of husband would I be if I didn’t carry my wife over the threshold?” he murmured, his voice a rich, decadent rumble that skimmed across her skin. The heat from his hands felt like a brand wherever they touched.
Her mouth went dry at the sound of it. Embarrassment flushed hot across her face, but it did nothing to dull the ache blooming low in her belly.
Now, Levi stood silently in the center of the open space, hands in his pockets, slowly turning in place, his impassive gaze wandering over everything in quiet contemplation.
When his eyes finally landed on hers, they sparkled with what looked like delight.
“Could I entice the lady of the house,” he said, his tone light and flirtatious, “to give her husband a proper tour?”
Cheeky bastard.
Aurelia playfully rolled her eyes, but the smile tugging at her lips gave her away. Without a word, she pushed off the counter and approached him, ready to show him her little slice of heaven.
Levi
Levi was home .
He hadn’t known what to expect, but the overwhelming sense of belonging was undeniable. It settled into his bones like something long-missing had finally clicked into place. A soft, internal snap echoed inside him, a puzzle piece sliding into position.
He had made the right call not to stay in his own house.
Like his, Aurelia’s property had a long, secluded driveway. Dense greenery masked it from the road until, all at once, her cottage came into view.
A charming white structure with a terracotta-tiled roof, an intricately carved turquoise door, and a two-car garage greeted him, perched above the lagoon like it had risen from the water itself.
String lights glimmered across the back porch, casting reflections on the dark surface of the water.
Flowers bloomed in planters and along the dock, their vibrant colors standing out against the twilight.
And he hadn’t even gone inside yet.
He could already imagine mornings with her on that porch. Diving off the dock. Cooking together as they laughed and lived . He hadn’t even stepped through the threshold, and he wanted all of it.
Aurelia gestured from her car window, directing him where to park. She slid into the garage bay closest to the house, while he pulled into the drive near the second bay, currently functioning as a workshop. Grabbing his overnight bag from the passenger seat, Levi followed her to the front entrance.
In a rare burst of spontaneity, Levi dropped his bag and, without a second thought, swept Aurelia into his arms like the treasure she was, fully intent on carrying her across the threshold.
The surprised little squeak she made lit him up from the inside…
and sent the heat rushing south in a way that was both inconvenient and completely worth it.
He didn’t know what had possessed him to do it, but he had zero regrets. The moment passed, and after retrieving his bag from outside the entryway, his attention was now on her home.
Inside, the cottage unfolded around him like a living memory he didn’t know existed. It was warm and inviting, a lived-in personal space. His gaze roamed in wonder as he dropped his overnight bag on the cushioned bench in the small foyer and stepped into the main room.
The living space unfolded into an open concept kitchen and family room anchored by a plush cream sectional, a natural stone fireplace, and two soaring built-in bookshelves.
The entire back wall of the house was glass, framed with sheer white curtains, revealing the dock, porch, and dark shimmer of the water beyond.
Turquoise accents peeked out in the cabinetry, throws, dishware, like the stone in her wedding ring. He beamed, knowing that he had gotten that part exactly right.
The kitchen wasn’t huge, but it didn’t need to be. Everything had a purpose. Distressed gold hardware, warm wood finishes, and a four-seat island gave it a modern charm, elevated by soft lighting and thoughtful detail. It was stylish, but uniquely hers.
And hopefully now, his.
Aurelia stood quietly between the island and the sink, her fingers nervously twisting together. Levi turned to her, lifting a brow. “Could I entice the lady of the house to give her husband a proper tour?”
She rolled her eyes, but her smile gave her away. He offered his elbow again. She kicked off her shoes and linked her arm through his.
The hallway revealed more of the home’s thoughtful layout, which included a half-bath tucked beneath the stairs, a compact laundry closet, and finally, her bedroom.
Her intoxicating scent hit him the second he stepped through the doorway.
The room was larger than he expected, wrapped in soft colors and natural light. Like the living area, floor-to-ceiling windows highlighted the lagoon. Another set of sliding doors led to the back porch. A king-sized bed with creamy linens, vibrant throw pillows, and a soft rug beckoned.
There were books on the nightstand, a forgotten cardigan draped over a chair, and a faint mark on the floor from a moved piece of furniture.
Aurelia had made this place her own, and he wanted to be part of it.
But god, he couldn’t stop the image that suddenly assaulted him of her sprawled out on that bed, tangled in the sheets, tangled with him.
Desperately needing a distraction and space between them, he peeked into the adjacent bathroom and found a dreamy, iridescent escape.
Turquoise fish-scale tiles shimmered in the light.
Gold fixtures adorned a shower built for two.
The vanity matched the kitchen’s natural aesthetic, with a built-in makeup station and tiny green plants softening the edges.
Every room was a reflection of her; undeniable proof that someone lived here.
His house, by comparison, was a showroom.
He turned back, finding her watching him in silence with those large brown eyes, her expression unreadable.
Levi slowly approached, gently hooked his finger under her chin, and tilted her face up toward him. Her expression melted into something dangerously alluring.
“I completely understand now,” he said softly, eyes never leaving hers, “why my house sucked.”
He smiled. “I love your home.”
Aurelia
Aurelia was momentarily transfixed as Levi’s fingers tilted her chin, drawing her gaze up to meet his. His green eyes burned into hers, as if peeling away every carefully constructed defense she had.
Maybe it was the way moonlight shimmered across the lagoon, its reflection dancing on the glass.
Or maybe it was the heady scent clinging to his skin—sun-warmed cedarwood and a hint of smoky vetiver, grounded by the subtle spice of black pepper. It was both comforting and strong, and undeniably him.
Whatever the reason, Aurelia stopped thinking.
She had learned to wield her body like a weapon, to chase the rush of being desired.At that moment, she needed to fulfill that desire. Nothing else mattered.
Closing the small space between them, she rose onto her toes and brushed the lightest, most deliberate kiss across his lips. A whisper of contact, soft and teasing, her hand flattening over his chest to feel the steady beat of his heart beneath her palm.
There would be no going back after this. She knew it. And she didn’t care.
When she eased back, Levi remained perfectly still, his eyes glazed, his breath caught somewhere between restraint and wonder.
“That,” she murmured, voice barely above a breath, “was the kiss you should have gotten during our wedding ceremony.”
Her fingers began to move in slow, hypnotic circles across the firm planes of his chest. Her pulse hammered in her ears, but her voice was steady, commanding.
Levi swallowed hard, his jaw tightening as he took a shaky breath. “You don’t have to do anything. Not tonight, not ever, not unless you want to. This is your call. Every step of the way. You’re in charge here.”
Aurelia’s sultry laugh curled around them like smoke.
Of course , she was in charge. She had always known that, but hearing it from him made her feel unstoppable.
Dangerous, even.
She leaned in, lips brushing the stubble on his jaw as she whispered, “What if I said I wanted to consummate this marriage tonight?” Her fingers trailed lower, a slow descent that had Levi’s muscles tightening beneath her touch.
“Would you deny your wife the ravishing she’s entitled to?” she murmured, the words a gentle threat laced with longing.
His breath stuttered.
“We’re both adults,” she continued, her voice a velvet ribbon of temptation. “And I think it’s safe to say we’ve each had… less meaningful nights with people we barely knew.” Her meaning wasn’t lost on him. His jaw clenched at the implication of another man’s hands on her.
Good. She wanted that reaction. She wanted him.