22. Levi
22
LEVI
T he bell over the door chimes as I step through the threshold of Blooming Beautiful. The entire store has been rearranged, taking me by surprise. It looks phenomenal. Every plant is perfectly placed, showing off how talented Hope is at her job. A burst of pride flows through me as I take in all the changes. She’s incredible.
“Hope?” I call out into the seemingly empty store. She comes around the corner from the back, her brows furrowed in confusion. Her tight T-shirt and high-waisted shorts show off her curves, making her legs look a mile long. Damn, she’s pretty. Our video calls do not do her justice.
As soon as her eyes land on mine, her frown melts into a beaming smile. Talk about making you feel like a million bucks. Her smile is only for me. She walks toward me, and I open my arms, allowing her to make the connection if she wants. To my utter amazement, she wraps her arms around me, squeezing tight. With my arms around her shoulders, I hold her close, soaking in the moment of having her back in my arms.
My nose finds the top of her head as I breathe her in, the scent of fresh flowers filling my senses. God, I missed her. I don’t even know how that’s possible since we’ve only spent a little bit of time together.
She pulls back, pink tinting her cheeks. “Hi.”
Her dark eyes shine up at me, making me grin as I run my thumbs across her smooth cheeks. “Hi there.” My eyes drop to her mouth. I’ve been dreaming about our kiss since the moment I left her house. Unable to wait any longer, I press my lips against hers.
She tastes incredible. Addicting. Her soft and pliant lips mold to mine as I deepen the kiss. Our tongues twine together, teasing each other. Her moan pushes my body into overdrive as I explore her mouth.
I pull back before I get too swept up in the moment. Being in the middle of her store with windows on three sides of us is like putting a spotlight on our activities. The gossip train would have a field day if they saw us. Not that they aren’t already talking. I took her to dinner at one of the more popular restaurants in town and have been fielding calls from my mom for the past week, trying to get the scoop on what’s happening between us.
She’s not super happy with me because I refuse to share anything with her. I think she was hoping I’d have the inside track on all things Hope. Instead, she’s received only vague confirmation about us dating. Hope’s and my relationship is no one else’s business but ours. No one else needs to be a part of it unless we decide it’s okay.
“Are you ready to go?” I ask before I get too carried away with our kisses.
“Yep, I just need to shut everything down.” Hope turns to start closing up her shop. I invited her to come see the progress I’ve made on the house this week. I’ve shown her parts of it these past few days over the phone, but it doesn’t quite do it justice. I’ve gotten a good chunk of the walls torn out, and with the stairs finally fixed, the master suite is just about finished .
When everything is shut down, we walk out the front door toward our cars.
“You want to ride with me? I’ll have to come back this way when we’re done anyway.”
Hope nods her head. “Sure.”
I lead her over to my truck and open the door to help her inside. When she’s settled, I walk around the front to get in on my side. It’s only been a minute, and my truck already smells like her. It’s fantastic.
I start toward my house, excitement buzzing through me at knowing Hope is finally going to see all the work I’ve done. I’ve been dying to get her into the house since I first bought it. I want her to be a part of the whole process, get her opinion on my plans. Every time I’m there, I imagine her in each room and wonder if she’d like what I’ve done with it. That’s why I kept video calling her at night. I’d subtly ask what she thought of whatever I was working on, adjusting my plans based on her suggestions.
As I drive, I reach across the console to grab her hand. Her fingers slide through mine like they were always meant to be there. A small smile pulls at the corner of her lips when I squeeze her hand. Utter contentment flows through me. For once, I don’t feel like there are a million things I should be getting done or feel like I could crawl out of my skin with how restless I am.
I never knew being with another person could feel like this. As if my whole world is only right when she’s next to me. I don’t think I can ever let her go.
“Quinn and the girls came to the store this afternoon to invite me out with them.”
“Really? That’s great. Are you guys going to Donna’s?” I never got a chance to text Quinn about inviting Hope out, so I’m glad to hear she did it already.
“No, thank goodness.” Hope laughs. “They invited me to dinner next weekend at Natalie’s. ”
“Good. You’ll have a great time with them,” I say as I pull into my driveway. I kiss Hope’s knuckles before letting go of her hand to get out. She follows my lead, jumping from the truck and standing in the driveway, looking up at the house.
“Levi…” she breathes. “This is beautiful.”
The Victorian-style house gleams in the sunset, highlighting the blue siding and white decorative molding. “You like it?”
“It has a turret, Levi! How could I not like it?” Her exasperated tone makes me laugh as I wrap my arm around her to pull her closer. She fits perfectly under my shoulder like she was always meant to be there.
“Ready to see the inside? It’s a mess since we’re still in the middle of demo, but I’ve gotten a lot done.”
“Absolutely.”
I guide her across the porch and through the front door. The wide foyer greets us with plastic tarps hiding the gorgeous cherry wood floors. Those were an amazing surprise hiding under the ghastly carpet from the seventies. A sitting room is open to the foyer on the left, and a study with French doors is to the right in the turret. I’ve been debating about closing off the sitting room to make a second office, but I haven’t quite decided yet.
Despite my progress, walls still block most of the downstairs since I’ve been focusing on getting the master ready this week. Hope makes comments on all the rooms, giving opinions that match my own for what to do with each space. It’s crazy how in sync we are with our thoughts, each of us building on the other’s ideas.
I lead Hope into the room I want to be all hers one day. The top of the turret has dark wood, built-in shelves lining the two straight walls, and the rounded side has three large windows brightening the room.
A gasp flows from Hope as she steps into the room.
“There used to be a ladder running around the room, but it was in pieces when I bought the place. I’m planning on getting a new one when we’re done refinishing everything.”
“Levi, this is amazing. I could spend every minute of my day here. Can you imagine how many books could fit on these shelves?”
“I know. It was definitely one of the perks of this house. Do you think we should brighten up the shelves? They’re a little dark.”
Hope looks at me with wide eyes, a multitude of emotions passing over her face. “We?”
“Yeah, I figured with us dating, you’ll be spending a lot of time here, so you should get a say with what it looks like,” I clarify. In all actuality, I meant when she moves in here one day, but I know the idea would push her too far, so I keep the thoughts to myself.
“You’d really want me to make decisions for your house? I mean, giving my opinion is one thing, but to actually make choices is something else entirely.”
“Of course, I do. I want you to have a say in everything we do.”
Hope’s body practically melts at my words, and I can’t stop myself from pulling her closer to me. I gently lay my lips against hers, trying to express all my feelings for her with my actions. I want to prove to her how different I am from those of her past. I can tell her she can trust me until I’m blue in the face, but until my actions back up my words, she’ll never believe them.
“Come on, you,” I say as I pull back from the kiss. “It’s time to get to work.”
Hope’s dazed expression makes me grin as she tries to come out of the haze of lust our kisses always seem to bring.
“What do you mean, it’s time to get work?” she asks as I pull her down the hallway toward the master suite. The space is huge now, having combined it with another bedroom. All I have left to do is paint, then I can bring in some furniture. The bathroom is still disgustingly outdated, but it’s functional.
“Yeah, I didn’t bring you here to sit and look pretty. We’ve got things to do.” I grab my tool belt off the floor, snapping it around my hips. After so many years of wearing it, I barely notice the weight anymore. Once it’s settled, I grab the small belt I bought for Hope. It has a hammer, tape measure, and a couple of screwdrivers on it. Even though she’ll never need the tools I put on it, I still wanted to see her wear it, knowing how hot she’ll look with it around her flared hips.
I turn to give it to her and catch her eyeing my chest and hips where my belt is slung low. I suppress the groan bubbling up my throat when she clamps her teeth on her bottom lip. “So, the tool belt does it for ya, huh?” I tease.
Hope’s eyes jump to mine, a full blush blooming across her cheeks. An embarrassed smile creeps across her face as I walk toward her. “It’s nice to know you approve of the uniform,” I tell her, leaning down to kiss her cheek. “Now, a proper handywoman needs a tool belt, and I happen to have one right here.” I hold up the belt to show her.
“I would have no clue how to use any of those tools,” she says.
“Don’t worry. I’ll teach you everything you need to know, but for now, you won’t need to use them. I just want to see you in a belt.” I wink at her.
Her sparkling laugh filters through the room. “So, the tool belt does it for ya, huh?” she echoes, her eyebrow raised. God, she’s something else.
“You're damn right, it does. You do it for me, belt or not, though, so…” I shrug. “Ready?”
She nods her head, and I reach around her to put the belt on her hips. It looks just as good as I imagined it would.
“Perfect. Now, we need to pick out a paint color. I’ve got three options I haven’t been able to decide between. Will you help? ”
“Sure,” she says as we walk over to the painted squares on the wall. I have one I like the best, but I’d like to see if Hope likes it, too. Hopefully, she does because I already bought the paint.
“I like this light gray the best.” When she points to the one I bought, I have to clench my fists to keep from wrapping her up in my arms and spinning her around.
“I agree. I think it’s my favorite, too.” I grab out the paint can, then pour it into two trays. After handing Hope a paint roller, I look at her seriously. “Now, this is a paint roller. This soft bit is where the paint goes. Don’t—”
Hope punches me in the arm while I bust out laughing. “You’re such an asshole. I know how to paint.” She pouts as she fights a grin from forming.
I lean in to kiss her temple. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself.”
She rolls her eyes, but the grin she was fighting breaks through, making her dark eyes sparkle. The change I’ve seen in her since I helped her move is like night and day. She’s way more comfortable in her own skin, not afraid to be a little more outgoing with me.
We both turn toward the wall and start painting, keeping up a steady stream of chatter the whole time.
“You never sent me that audiobook you were talking about,” I remind her.
“Oh, I completely forgot. I’ll go through my books tonight. There’s one I think you’d enjoy. It’s got everything: action, adventure, as well as romance.”
“Sounds great. I’ll listen to it while I work on the house since it’ll be a little quieter here than on our normal job sites.”
“Good idea. Action or horror movies?”
I love that Hope has taken to my game. I don’t even know where it came from. It was just a way to get to know her without having to ask any personal questions .
“They both have their merits, but action is more fun.”
“I hate horror. My life used to resemble a horror movie, so I’ll pass on those any day.” Hope stills, the paint roller frozen mid-roll against the wall. I don’t think she meant to share that information with me. Her doing so tells me she’s starting to feel comfortable enough to share her past, which is a pretty big deal.
“I hate how hard your life was before you came here,” I say into the quiet room. “I want you to know you’re safe to share whatever you want to with me. I will be here to listen. Always.”
As Hope begins painting the wall again, her whispered words pack a punch. “I haven’t felt safe in a very long time, but with you, I finally do.”
“You will always be safe with me, no matter what.”
Hope’s eyes find mine, almost as if she needs to ensure I mean what I say. I stand there, keeping eye contact with her so she can see I truly mean it until she nods her head and goes back to painting.
The room feels heavy with her confession. Hope’s life should’ve been carefree, beautiful. I want to do that for her. I want to show her how much fun life can be if you’re open to it.
An idea pops into my head of how to liven things up again. It’s probably going to end up in a mess, but it’ll be so worth it. I have to suppress my grin so she doesn’t see my intentions coming.
I run my finger down my roller, then turn to Hope. “Hey, you have something right here,” I say, running my paint-covered finger across her cheek. Hope’s eyes grow wide, her mouth gaping open.
“You didn’t.”
“Didn’t what?” I ask with fake innocence. “I thought you’d want to know you had paint on your face. ”
“That you put there!” Hope lunges, wiping her hand down my stomach, streaking gray paint down my blue T-shirt.
I breathe in a dramatic gasp as I look down at my shirt. “I can’t believe you’d do something so mean when I did nothing to you.”
Hope giggles at my theatrics. The sound slams into my chest like a punch. If I can keep a laugh on her lips forever, I’ll die a happy man.
“Payback’s a bitch.” She winks. She fucking winked at me . God, I am falling so hard for her. I reach down and wrap my hand around my roller again. Paint covers my wide palm, and I look back at Hope with my hand turned toward her so she can see it.
Her eyes grow big, and she shakes her head, her smile as wide as her eyes. She backs away from me as I step closer. “Levi! Don’t you dare.”
“Payback’s a bitch, babe.”
She takes off running across the room, her laughter flowing behind her. I race after her as she makes it to the hallway, running toward the staircase. She runs into the library, turning around when she realizes she has nowhere else to go. Her chest is heaving, cheeks pink from exertion, while her eyes shine with happiness. She’s fucking stunning.
I hold my hand out, showing her the paint covering it, and she shakes her head, her grin growing wider.
I lunge, her squeal echoing in the empty room. She turns to get away, but my arms wrap around her from behind, my paint-covered hand sliding down the front of her black T-shirt. She squirms in my arms, making me lose my footing, and we fall to the floor in a tangle of limbs and paint. I turn at the last second so she falls on me instead of me crushing her.
Our breath comes out in pants from our fake fighting. Hope gazes down at me, her eyes full of emotion. Fear, lust, and affection are all fighting for top billing .
I slowly lift my paint-free hand so she can see it before I slide it across her forehead, pushing her hair out of her face. “You’ve beguiled me, Hope. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted in a partner. I’m so glad I met you.”
She stares at me for a moment. “You overwhelm me in the best ways. For so long, I thought I’d never feel this way about anyone. You’ve made me feel safe for the first time in a very long time, and I’m terrified. I’m putting a lot of trust in you, Levi. So much more than you know.” Vulnerability flashes in Hope’s eyes, covered by the strength I’ve come to recognize as her armor. I am beyond floored at her admission.
“I swear, I will do everything I can to make you happy, to keep making you feel safe.”
Hope gazes at me for a second longer before leaning down to press her lips against mine. The kiss is tentative, explorative as she starts to learn my mouth. It takes most of my strength to not take over, allowing her to learn at her own pace.
As she deepens the kiss, I wrap my arms tight around her body, pulling her as close to me as I can get her. It never feels like enough. The soft slide of her tongue against mine has my control slipping entirely, and I take over. Flexing my muscles, I pull us into a seated position, her straddling me. Hope naturally drops her knees on either side of my hips as my hand slides up her spine into the silky curls of her hair.
Before I’m ready, I have to pull away from the kiss in order to breathe. I lean my forehead on Hope’s as we both pant. Her eyes stay closed as I take in every soft feature. She’s stunning. Every inch of her calls to me, making me want her more every time I look at her.
“Come away with me,” I blurt out.
Hope’s eyes fly open at my words. “What?”
“Have Claire take over the shop tomorrow, and come away with me. I want to take you somewhere for the weekend. ”
She stares at me for a minute, debating about agreeing to my request. I can see she wants to but is still nervous about being alone with me.
“You can say no, and I’ll take you to dinner tomorrow instead, but I want to go on an adventure with you.” I run my hand down Hope’s spine, and a little shiver moves through her. The lust in her eyes tells me it was a good shiver instead of one of nerves.
“Okay. I’ll go on an adventure with you.” Hope’s smile is slow in coming, but when it finally hits its full wattage, I feel it all the way through me.
She’s got me falling so hard for her that I can barely tell what’s up or down. She has no idea the effect she has on me.
But I plan to tell her very soon.