2. Chapter 2
~LEVI~
“ T his is heavy as fuck,” I grunt as I help my brother Wyatt push a wrought iron bench across the concrete of his pool area. “Why did you pick out the heaviest stuff they had?”
“I didn’t pick it out,” he says. “My gorgeous wife did.”
“Figures.” Wyatt motions for me to stop. I stand and prop my hands on my hips, surveying the area. Despite the size and sheer weight of the new pool furniture, I have to concede that it looks nice. “Where are the cushions?”
“Back here.”
I follow him around the side of the house where the cushions are stacked and waiting to be placed. By the time we haul them and get them set up, we’re both panting.
“Even the cushions are heavy,” Wyatt says with a laugh. “The store offered to deliver and set up, but it’s just patio furniture. How hard can it be?”
“Hard enough to pay the store to do the work.” I shake my head and wipe my brow with the handkerchief I keep in my back pocket. “You owe me a beer.”
“I can pay that debt.”
I follow him into the house and sit at the kitchen island. Wyatt grabs two bottles of beer from his beverage fridge, pops the tops, and passes me one.
“Thanks for your help.”
“You’re welcome.” I take a pull on the beer. It’s cold and refreshing on my dry throat, so I take another drink. “Where is Lia?”
“She’s in L.A. for a couple of days, going over marketing plans for her new makeup line.”
“Good for her.” I’m proud of my new sister-in-law. What started as a hobby—showing women how to apply their makeup on YouTube—has grown into millions of fans and a seven-figure makeup deal. Lia’s living her dream.
“It launches just before Christmas.”
“Excellent timing. Not that I know how the retail world works, but Christmas has to be a good time.”
“Agreed.” Wyatt smiles and drinks his beer. “How have you been?”
Exhausted.
“Busy,” I say instead. “It seems the good people of Seattle enjoy ripping each other off.”
I am a detective in the property crimes division of the Seattle Police Department.
The shit I see on a daily basis would make anyone lose their faith in humanity.
“Job security, right?”
“I suppose.”
“You don’t love this new job.”
I sigh and shrug a shoulder. I transferred to this division about two years ago. “There’s an opening in homicide. I’m thinking of throwing my hat in for it.”
“Homicide.” My brother raises a brow. “You’ll be all gray by the end of the year.”
“Funny.” I stand and pace his kitchen, thinking it over. “I think I need a new challenge. I’ve been interested in homicide for a long time.”
“Well, I hope you get it, then.” His eyes tell me there’s something more.
“But?”
“You already live and breathe the job,” he reminds me. “Homicide would be more.”
“Depends on how many people turn up dead.”
“You know what I mean.”
I stand with my back to him, looking out his front windows toward the house across the street. The house Lia lived in when Wyatt met her.
There’s a car parked out front, making me frown. “I thought that house was empty?”
“It usually is,” he confirms. “But Natalie Williams is letting Starla stay there for a few months.”
My gaze whips to my brother’s, and he cringes.
“I was looking for the right time to tell you.”
“Jesus.” I set my half-empty bottle on a nearby table and shove my hands into my pockets. “It’s not that big of a deal.”
It’s a big fucking deal.
“Bullshit,” he says. Wyatt’s really the only one who knows that after I spent the night with Starla, I tried to contact her, but she ghosted me.
It was humiliating. I didn’t consider what we did to be a one-night stand.
One-night stands don’t feel like that.
But she never replied to my texts, and I wasn’t willing to beg for her attention.
“How long has she been there?”
“A week.”
I turn to him now and raise a brow.
“I know, I should have called you. But she messed you up, man. I?—”
“You should have called me. If the roles were reversed, you’d be pissed.”
He blows out a breath and hangs his head. “Yeah. You’re right.”
I look back at the house, just as a man leaves and walks down to his car, whistling.
“Who the fuck is that?”
“Jax,” Wyatt says immediately. “You’ve met him, remember? He’s married to Logan?”
I consciously make my hands relax and nod stiffly. “Right.”
“Dude, you’ve got it bad. Jax is her friend. If you want to stake a claim, go do it.”
Been there, done that. Have the broken heart to show for it.
I shrug. “That ship has sailed. Enjoy your new pool furniture. Tell Lia I said hi.”
“Will do. Keep me posted about the homicide thing.”
“I will.”
I wave and walk out toward my 4-Runner, but stop and shake my head in frustration.
She’s twenty yards from me, for Christ’s sake.
Without overthinking it, I march across the street and ring the doorbell.
I hear her say something from inside, but I can’t make out the words. And then she flings open the door, and her happy smile changes into wide-eyed shock.
“Hello, Starla.”
“Well, shit.”
M y eyes soak her in from head to toe. How did she get more beautiful than before? Her auburn hair is pulled up in a knot on top of her head, and she’s in a cropped T-shirt with a pair of skin-tight shorts.
My dick is immediately at full attention.
“Wh-what are you doing here?”
“I was over at Wyatt’s house.” I point across the street. “And he said you were staying here.”
She leans on the doorframe, crosses her arms over her chest, and bites her full bottom lip.
She’s sex personified, standing right in front of me.
“Am I under arrest?”
“No.” I reach out to brush a loose strand of hair behind her ear, and the slight contact of skin against skin sends a shock wave through my already energized body. “No, you basically fell in my lap, and I decided to take advantage of it.”
“If you think I’m going to lead you straight up to bed, you have another thing coming.”
I narrow my eyes. “You just insulted both of us.”
She sighs and shakes her head, pinches the bridge of her nose between her eyes, and then laughs. “I apologize. You surprised me. Come on in.”
She stands back, and I follow her in, looking around the open living space.
“Do you want something to drink?”
“No, thanks.”
“I need a water. Follow me.”
She walks ahead of me to the kitchen, and my eyes are pinned to her round ass. I remember how the globes of those cheeks feel in my hands as she rides me. I remember everything.
“Sure you don’t want some?”
I try to swallow around my dry tongue and just nod. “Turns out, I do.”
She passes me a bottle and then takes a sip of her own.
“So, is the tour over?” I ask.
“Yes, and I’m on vacation.” She frowns slightly, staring down at her water. “Forced vacation.”
“Why?”
She blinks up at me. “Because I was exhausted, and the doctor insisted.”
I narrow my eyes again, pissed that she worked herself into exhaustion. “Starla?—”
“I’m fine,” she insists. “And I’m already feeling better. Also, I owe you an apology.”
That stops me short. “No, you don’t.”
“Oh, I do.” She takes another sip, then sets the bottle aside and leans on the island. I get a great view of her cleavage.
She’s too sexy for her own damn good.
“I’m sorry I didn’t reply to your messages, Levi.”
“Why didn’t you?”
She blows out a breath. “Because I was a little overwhelmed. The sex was?—”
“Damn incredible.”
“Yeah. It was. Intense is also a good word for it, and I get the feeling that you’re an intense man.”
I nod once. “If I hurt you or scared you?—”
“No, it’s not that at all,” she hurries to assure me. “I didn’t do anything that I didn’t want or enjoy. I’m sorry if I gave you that impression. I hadn’t been with a man in a long time, and we have some powerful chemistry.”
That’s the understatement of the year. I can feel the electricity flowing between us like a rushing river.
“That’s really all I’m comfortable saying right now,” she admits and swallows.
“That’s enough.”
For now.
“Are you safe?”
Her eyes are wide again as she stares at me, flustered by the question.
“Yeah. I am.”
“Good.” I nod and then turn to leave, but before I get to the door, I decide fuck it and turn back to her. “I’ll pick you up at seven for dinner. Casual.”
“Levi.”
I raise a brow, and she smiles.
“I’ll be ready.”
“Mer’s talked about this place,” Starla says after I park and open the door for her. “She says they have the best burgers in Seattle.”
“Red Mill is the best,” I agree with a smile and link my fingers with hers as we cross the parking lot to the front of the building. It’s tiny, usually with a line out the door. The restaurant only boasts about ten tables, so seating is a challenge.
Miraculously, we’ve come at a good time because we get right in to order, and find a corner table to eat.
“This is… cute. ” She wrinkles her nose as she looks around.
“I know it seems like a greasy spoon place, but just wait until you taste this burger. You’ll be in heaven.”
“Do you come here often?” She braces her chin on her hand and watches me with happy blue eyes. Her lashes are long, but she’s not wearing any makeup. Her auburn hair is tucked up in a blond wig, which made me laugh when she opened the door earlier.
“Only a few times a year. Any more than that, it would become an addiction.”
“You guys have built it up so big, what if I don’t love it?”
“You will.”
My name is called, so I fetch our dinner, set the tray on the table, and we retrieve our orders.
Starla immediately bites into her burger, and I watch, waiting to see her reaction.
She chews, then sighs in delight.
“Smm gmmd.”
I take a bite and laugh. “What was that?”
“So good.” She wipes her mouth and pops a fry. “If the house next door was for sale, I’d buy it so I could eat here every day.”
“See? Addictive. I wouldn’t steer you wrong.”
“I believe you.”
We’re quiet as we eat. I was hungrier than I thought, and concentrating on eating takes the focus away from wanting to strip her bare and have my way with her.
I don’t remember ever feeling this carnal about a woman. I’ve wanted my fair share, but it’s never been a primal need.
Until her.
And it seems the weeks since I last saw her didn’t diminish the need in the least. If anything, it intensified it. But I’m not going to scare her away this time. So, even if it kills me—and it just might—I’m going to take my time with her.
“My fries are gone.” She pouts, then eyes my basket. I slide it toward her.
“Help yourself.”
“I don’t want to eat your dinner.”
“Okay.”
I move to pull it back, but she snatches it away, making me laugh.
“But if you’re going to offer, I don’t want to hurt your feelings.” She winks at me and takes a few of my fries. “You and Mer were right. This place is the bomb.”
“We’ll come back.”
Her back is to the room, and my eyes constantly move around the space, keeping a tally of who’s here and where they are.
“Do you ever turn the cop off?” she wonders as she finishes my fries.
“No.”
She cocks a brow. “Ever? Because you weren’t very cop-like that night.”
“I’m always a cop,” I say simply. “Whether I’m in my office or inside you, that doesn’t change.”
Her cheeks pinken as she takes a sip of her drink. “It’s fascinating to watch you in public.”
“Why?”
“You’re always watchful.”
“Part of that is habit, and part of it is because I’m with you.”
She tips her head to the side. “Why me?”
“Because you’re you, and your safety is always my top priority.”
“Listen, if what I do for a living makes you uncomfortable?—”
“It doesn’t,” I assure her. “But you can’t deny that going out in public makes you a target. You’re wearing a disguise for God’s sake.”
“I wear it all the time. It’s just easier.”
“And it’s habit for me to know the room.” I take her hand. “Regardless if you’re famous or the girl next door, your safety is the priority.”
“So, chivalry isn’t dead after all.”
She smiles, lighting up the whole fucking room.
“It shouldn’t be. My mama raised me right.”
“Remind me to thank her.”
She frowns as if she shouldn’t have said that, but I bring her fingers to my lips and kiss her knuckles. “I’ll do that. Shall we go?”
“Sure, they probably need the table.”
We gather our trash and dump it on the way out of the building. One younger girl does a double-take at Starla, but I hurry her out of the restaurant and to my vehicle.
I drive back across the city to Alki Beach where Starla’s staying. The sun is about to set.
“It’s a pretty day,” she says with a sigh, watching the city pass by.
“Summer’s almost over,” I reply.
“Time flies,” she murmurs, and then we’re quiet the rest of the way to her place. I park in the driveway, but rather than lead her to her door, I stop on the sidewalk.
“Take a walk with me?”
She nods happily. “It’s too nice to go inside.”
I link her fingers with mine, and we walk the block or so down to the waterfront, wandering along the paved path. Families are having picnic dinners, couples walk and wait for the sunset.
Kites fly, boats float past.
It’s something out of a postcard.
“It smells good,” Starla says, taking a deep breath.
When we’ve reached the end of the public beach, I lead her to an empty bench. We sit, and she immediately scoots next to me, leaning into me and resting her head on my shoulder. Jesus, she fits perfectly right here next to me, like a puzzle piece.
“I’m going to take this walk every evening,” she says as if she’s talking to herself. I want to warn her not to, that she’s too recognizable to walk here alone. But she’s a grown woman, and if a walk along the waterfront makes her happy, who am I to tell her no?
I’ll just make sure I’m here to walk with her.
“The sun is slipping away,” she murmurs.
The sky is a riot of purple and orange, painting a gorgeous picture for us. I’m as comfortable and content as I’ve ever been. The exhaustion and frustration from the past few months has lifted after just a couple of hours of being with this woman.
After the sun slides into the water, we stand and start the walk back to her place. The sky is a deep purple when we reach her door.
“Do you want to come in?” she asks.
I lean on the doorframe and sigh. “I want to come in more than I want to breathe, but I won’t. Not tonight.”
I drag my fingertips down her smooth cheek.
“Okay.” Her eyes fall to my lips. I won’t sleep with her tonight, but I’m no saint. I can’t keep my lips away from her. From the look in her baby blue eyes, I’d say she wants a kiss as much as I do.
I frame her neck and jaw in my hands and lean into her. Her lips touch mine, and I’m gone, slipping into the sweet haze of lust that comes whenever I’m close to her.
She holds onto my sides as if she needs something to ground her as I plunder her mouth, exploring, reacquainting myself with her.
She’s sweet. Sexy.
Delicious.
But I slowly pull away and smile down at her.
“Thank you for going to dinner with me tonight.”
She licks her lips, surely still tasting me there.
“Thanks for asking me.”
I laugh. “I think I told you.”
“I could have said no.”
I cock a brow. “Could you?”
“I could.” She clears her throat and squares her shoulders. Her sassiness turns me on even more. “I’m attracted to you, Levi. I like you. But make no mistake, I’m a strong woman, and if I didn’t want you here, I would tell you so.”
I nod and kiss her forehead. “Good.”
She opens the door to walk into the house and glances back at me with a smile.
“I’ll text you tomorrow. I’d appreciate a reply.”
“I can do that.”
She closes the door, and I walk to my 4-Runner. I’m not ready to go home, but Wyatt’s busy with a deadline, so walking over to his place is out of the question.
I shoot our other brother, Jace, a text.
Are you home?
I pull out of Starla’s driveway and head back toward my place, a condo in the heart of downtown. It’s convenient to work.
I’m at a stop sign when Jace replies.
Sorry, no. At the hospital. Emergency?
I shoot off a quick reply. No. I’ll be over for breakfast.
Jace sends back the thumbs-up emoji. It seems I’m headed home, after all.