Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
L evi glanced at his phone when he pulled up outside Kasi’s house, grinning like a damn fool. Usually rain during harvest season pissed him off because it put him behind schedule. But last night’s summer shower was just enough to score him a few hours off this morning as they waited for the grapes to dry.
He decided to put that time to good use, hoping he could entice his girl into joining him in a little predawn hanky-panky in the barn. Looking around, he realized how much he’d come to love this farm.
Levi had recently started growing hops on a small patch of land. Rain or Shine Brewery didn’t need a lot of hops, so it worked out fine. However, if he had more available land, he could increase his yield to sell to other breweries in the area. His dream was to eventually move Stormy Weather Farm away from outsourcing the things needed for them to produce their wine and beer. Unfortunately, that seemed destined to remain a dream because there simply wasn’t enough land for them to plant all the things he wanted—like apple trees, barley, berries, and even jalapenos.
Farming had always been his passion, and while he loved working with the vines, he was starting to feel the pull to branch out and explore different kinds of farming. He’d enjoyed his time here, working with the Riley twins, cultivating many different types of produce. There was a science to farming that had always fascinated him. He’d perfected the chemistry of growing grapes, and now he was chomping at the bit to try something else, to learn something new.
He sighed and let that thought go. As Dad was fond of saying, “If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.”
Levi was aware that five thirty in the morning was way too early for a visit. But, like him, Kasi’s days started before the sun even thought about making an appearance.
Or, at least, they usually did.
There were no lights on inside the house. Not even the front porch light, which was always on.
Maybe she’d overslept.
Considering the long hours she kept, it wasn’t like anyone could blame her if she snoozed through the alarm once or twice.
If Levi could be certain she was oversleeping, he’d turn his truck around and head home because there was no way he was waking her up, relentless erection be damned. Those dark circles were lingering beneath her eyes again. If he wasn’t so sexually satisfied, he might feel some guilt about that. Because he knew exactly whose fault those reappearing circles were.
He grinned.
Yep. Impossible to feel guilty for keeping her up late this past week.
Clearly, he was a selfish man, and he didn’t see that changing anytime soon. Because now that he’d had Kasi, Levi wasn’t going to be satisfied until they were living under the same roof and sharing the same bed every night for the rest of their lives.
If he had his way, they’d already be there because there wasn’t a doubt in his mind that she was his. This relationship was firmly stamped with the word FOREVER in all caps.
Unfortunately, he got the sense Kasi needed more time to wrap her mind around that truth. Which stood to reason. From the comments she’d made about her past, Levi was pretty sure he wasn’t just her first lover, but her first boyfriend as well. It was going to take Kasi some time to understand exactly what it meant to be in a relationship.
Levi sighed as he considered that, wondering if another week would be enough time. He was too impatient to wait much longer.
He rolled his eyes. While a month felt like plenty of time to him, Kasi would likely pitch a fit if he gave her the engagement ring he’d had his eye on at Becker’s Jewelry Store.
He glanced at the house again and contemplated leaving. He couldn’t make himself do it…because ultimately, he was uneasy about the darkness. His Spidey senses told him something wasn’t right.
Fuck it. There was no way he could leave until he knew his girl was okay.
As he stepped out of the truck, he was momentarily blinded by the headlight on Keith’s motorcycle.
The young man parked next to him, giving him a sleepy smile. This was the first time they’d seen each other since the night Keith had broken into the brewery. Levi was glad to see the easiness they’d established as they’d shared those beers was still there.
“Done with the harvest already?” Keith asked.
Levi shook his head. “Nope, but I got a little bit of a reprieve, thanks to that midnight rain shower. We’re going to give the grapes a few hours to dry in the sunshine before we start picking again. Came to see Kasi.”
Keith glanced toward the house, and his frown told Levi he wasn’t the only one worried about the lack of lights.
“She should be up by now,” her brother mused.
Keith and Levi walked to the house together, climbing the front porch steps. Keith’s frown grew even more pronounced when he discovered the door unlocked. “Kasi always locks up.”
Levi tried to hold his sudden anxiety at bay as they stepped inside the silent house. “You check the kitchen, and I’ll go take a peek in her bedroom.”
Keith nodded.
Levi climbed the stairs to the second floor two at a time. Kasi’s bedroom door was open, the bed made. It looked like she hadn’t slept in it. His heart started to race as he quickly walked down the hallway, gently opening the door to Mr. Mills’ room. The man was snoring, dead to the world, as the muted TV lit up the room.
Returning downstairs, Levi pulled up short when he saw Keith standing in the doorway to the living room. He pointed, and Levi followed his gaze to the couch, where Kasi was curled up in a ball, sound asleep.
Finding her might have set Levi’s mind at ease…if she wasn’t surrounded by a pile of used tissues.
“She sick?” Levi whispered.
Keith shrugged. “She wasn’t when I left yesterday evening. Something’s not right, Levi. Scottie…”
“What about Scottie?”
“He was here when I left.”
Levi’s chest tightened as he recalled Scottie trying to force himself on Lucy. “Tell you what. Why don’t you go tend to the animals? I’ll find out what’s going on here.”
Keith was reluctant to leave, so Levi placed his hand on the boy’s shoulder.
“I’ll take care of her, Keith.”
His shoulders relaxed as he nodded. “Yeah. Okay. Cool.” Keith slipped into the kitchen, using the back door that led to the barn.
Levi quietly walked over the couch, hating how frail Kasi looked. She was fully dressed, her knees pulled to her chest, so that she was tucked in a ball. Her head rested on the couch cushion at an awkward angle, no pillow beneath it. It looked like she’d pulled one of the throws over herself, but somewhere in the middle of the night it had fallen to the floor.
Levi picked up the blanket and covered her as he knelt, gathering some of the tissues surrounding her and putting them on the coffee table behind him.
Running his finger gently over her forehead, he whispered her name. “Kasi.”
It took a minute or two for her to fully rouse, and he wondered how late she’d stayed up. Her eyes were puffy and red, and it was clear she’d been crying.
What the hell happened?
“Kasi,” he said again.
“Levi?” Her voice was hoarse, rough. She rubbed her eyes, struggling to open them, given how swollen they were.
Had Scottie hurt her? A sudden murderous rage heated his blood at the thought.
He moved to join her on the couch as she sat up, wincing as she rubbed her stiff neck.
“What are you doing here?” Her words were groggy, wooden.
“Rained last night. We’ve delayed picking for a few hours.”
She glanced around the room as if trying to get her bearings. The fact she wasn’t leaping up to start working told Levi that whatever was going on, it was bad.
“What time is it?” she asked.
“Five thirty. Keith got here the same time as me. He’s taking care of the animals.”
She nodded.
“Kasi. What’s wrong?”
She shook her head, refusing to look at him.
“Kasi,” he said again. “Keith said Scottie was here last night. Did he?—”
“He didn’t do anything.” She turned her face farther away from him, staring at the doorway, so that he was looking at the back of her head rather than her profile. “It’s just… I can’t do this anymore.”
“Do what? Dammit, Kasi. Look at me.”
Levi watched as she braced herself, her spine straightening, her shoulders dropping.
When she turned to face him, he knew he wasn’t going to like what she said next. Which was bad news for him because he’d never seen so much determination in her expression.
“I don’t want to see you anymore.”
He scowled. “Why?”
She closed her eyes, only for a split second, but it was enough to give her away. He didn’t know why the hell she was trying to break up with him, but that tiny wavering reaction convinced him she didn’t want to do this.
“This is going too fast, Levi. I let myself get carried away.” Every word she spoke came slowly, like she was measuring them before speaking them aloud.
“Bullshit. Try again. Why are you doing this?”
“I just told you. We need to be practical. We have nothing in common.”
“What prompted this? Scottie?”
“No.”
“Then what?”
Kasi’s jaw was clenched tight, and the way she tilted her head told him she was done talking.
Levi felt his anxiety give way to anger.
“You owe me a fucking explanation, Kasi. Two nights ago, I had you tied to my bed, coming hard on my fingers, my mouth, my cock.”
Her cheeks flushed, but Levi couldn’t be sure if the color was there because of arousal, embarrassment, or fury.
“I don’t owe you anything,” she said, her anger suddenly matching his.
“Wrong answer.”
“Apparently, all my answers are wrong!” she shouted, rising from the couch and waving her arms in frustration.
“Because you’re not telling me the truth!” he countered loudly.
“Neither are you!”
He frowned. What the fuck did that mean? He’d never lied to her. Before he could question her, Kasi threw her head back and scoffed. “Maybe I’m just not that into you.”
Levi laughed, though there was no humor behind it. “That’s the biggest bunch of bullshit yet.”
“Arrogant much?” Her voice wobbled a bit on the end, ruining the effect of her insult. When his gaze drifted down, noticing her trembling hands, she narrowed her eyes and quickly crossed her arms. She was trying to pick a fight, trying to provoke him enough that he’d leave.
And that was when Levi realized she wasn’t mad at all. The look in her eyes was one of…God…sheer devastation.
What the hell happened?
“You’re not going to tell me why you’re doing this?”
Her shoulders slumped as she shook her head. “It doesn’t matter why. None of this matters anymore.”
He growled. “Like hell it doesn’t.”
Levi reached for her, grasping Kasi’s hand firmly in his. She tried to tug it back, but he tightened his grip, dragging her out of the living room and across the hall to the kitchen.
Kasi dug her heels in, but she was no match for his strength.
He didn’t stop until he’d pulled her into the walk-in pantry, slamming the door behind him, shutting them in.
“What the hell are you doing?” Kasi reached for the doorknob, but he captured her right wrist, then the left, twisting her until her back was pressed against the door, her hands trapped against the surface, over her head.
“I’m fucking you until you come to your senses.”
Kasi’s eyes widened briefly, and this time, there was no question about her blushing cheeks. Her tight nipples, pushing through the thin cotton of her T-shirt, was all the proof he needed that she still wanted him.
Something had upset her.
Upset her enough to make her run.
But Kasi was in for a rude awakening because there was nowhere she could run that he wouldn’t find her.
“You get one chance,” he said, his voice low, threatening. He’d swallowed enough of her lies this morning. “Tell me you don’t want this.”
He had never taken a woman in anger, and he wasn’t about to start with Kasi, the first woman he’d ever truly loved.
Kasi looked away.
“Eyes on me,” he snapped.
Her gaze flew to his, her chest rising and falling more rapidly now.
“Tell me,” he demanded.
She closed her eyes, trying once again to escape. Levi shifted slightly, pressing his thigh between her legs, applying pressure to her pussy.
When Kasi gasped and whispered, “God,” he had his answer. However, he was still too pissed to let her off easy.
She met his gaze again, and he stared her down.
Kasi licked her lower lip, her gaze sliding to his mouth. She was begging to be kissed.
“I’m waiting.”
She drew in a slow breath, and for the first time this morning, she told him the truth. “I want you. I shouldn’t but I can’t stop want?—”
He slammed his lips to hers, kissing her with enough force he suspected they’d both have bruised lips.
Kasi’s mouth opened, accepting him as he pushed his tongue against hers.
He released her hands, shoving his body more fully against hers. Kasi’s hands fisted in his shirt, trying to pull him even closer as she ground her pussy against his hard thigh.
The kiss lingered, lasting one minute, then two, then three. Levi couldn’t get enough of her, of her muffled whimpers when his fingers closed around her hair, twisting her head this way and that to deepen the kiss.
When they finally came up for air, Levi grasped the hem of her shirt, pulling it over her head, then he tackled her bra, unfastening it and letting it drop.
Kasi was busy as well, untucking his shirt from his jeans, shoving her hands under it, her nails scraping his chest hard enough to sting.
His kitten’s claws were out today.
Once she was naked from the waist up, he decided to mark a bit of his own territory, drawing his lips along the side of her face, down her neck, before biting her shoulder.
Kasi’s response was half gasp, half groan, so he did it again, then stroked his tongue over the red mark.
Levi pulled his shirt off with one hand, loving the way Kasi moved forward immediately, her teeth finding his pec, biting hard. He held her face to his chest.
Despite her innocence, Levi found it difficult to hold back his rougher tendencies with Kasi. Mainly because she’d made it crystal clear that she didn’t want soft and tender from him.
Kasi’s hands slid to his waist.
“Unfasten my jeans,” he commanded.
She did as he asked, her hand slipping beneath the denim to pull out his cock. It was rock-hard and throbbing with a hunger that was almost painful.
“You’re not leaving me,” he stressed. “This isn’t over.”
She blinked several times. “It should be.”
He shook his head. “No, it shouldn’t. Now, touch me. Take hold, little bear.”
She closed her hand around his thick cock, stroking it tight enough that he saw stars.
He worked the button and zipper free on her shorts, dragging them and her panties down before shoving his thigh between hers again, the wet heat of her pussy slick as she started grinding on him.
Kasi continued to rub his dick as he shoved his jeans off. The second they were gone, he grabbed her ass, lifting her against the door. She shifted, her legs wrapping around his waist, his cock bumping her stomach.
Levi kept a tight grip on her with one hand as he guided his dick to her pussy.
Kasi’s head fell back, banging against the door when he thrust in to the hilt, hard and deep. Her hands gripped his shoulders, hanging on for dear life as Levi fucked her with more force than he’d ever used with a woman.
He couldn’t shake free of the desperation crashing in on him as he thought it again.
She’d tried to leave him.
She might still be trying.
Those words wouldn’t let him go as Levi unleashed every weapon in his sexual arsenal to prove to her just how fucking perfect they were together.
Over and over, he pounded into her body, tilting her ass until he was able to stroke that secret spot inside that always sent her over.
Kasi’s nails raked his shoulders, his upper arms, her hips jerking in time with his thrusts, as she begged him to take her even harder.
Too much harder and they’d break down the door at her back.
God help them if her father or brother ventured anywhere near the kitchen because neither of them were holding back their grunts, their moans, their curse-laden demands for “more” and “harder.”
“Fuck,” Levi said through gritted teeth. “Your pussy is so fucking tight, Kasi. It’s like you’ve got me in a vise grip.”
“Harder,” she gasped. “Please. God. I need…I need…”
“What?” he prompted.
“I need it to hurt.”
Levi paused for only a second, trying to put his finger on her tone. Did she want it to hurt because it turned her on? Or was she seeking punishment for something?
He couldn’t tell…but in the end, it didn’t matter. Because Kasi took what she wanted anyway. She bit his chest again, this time hard enough to break the skin, a tiny bead of blood welling there.
“Do it,” she all but growled.
Levi pulled out, ignoring her brief cry of dismay. It only lasted until she realized he wasn’t finished with her.
He yanked her around until her face and chest were pressed against the door.
“You want it hard?”
“Please,” her voice quivered with need.
Levi reached around her body, pinching her nipples roughly, pulling on them tightly as she cried out.
Then he gave her clit the same treatment until she rose on her toes.
Kasi’s hands pressed flat to the door, sliding down the wood as he grasped her hips, tugging them toward him until she was bent at the waist.
“Yes,” she hissed when he slammed inside her once more.
He was no small man, but damn if her body wasn’t made for him.
Levi set his beast free, giving her exactly what she asked for, burying himself deeper and deeper. He wanted her to feel this fucking all day. No, all goddamn week. He wanted her to remember exactly who owned her with every step she took.
Because, despite what she said, what she thought, this wasn’t over.
It would never be over.
Kasi yelled his name as she came, but Levi didn’t give way, relentlessly pounding her through that orgasm and the one that followed right on its heels.
His balls drew tight, and he knew he was reaching the end as well.
When Kasi reached the peak for a third time, Levi chased her over, tumbling head over ass into one of the strongest, most painfully blissful climaxes of his life.
Kasi’s pussy clenched around him, drawing out every drop of come. She was on birth control, but that didn’t stop him from sending out a silent prayer that his swimmers were stronger than the contraceptive.
His desperation had him seeking other ways to tie her to him.
Kasi remained bent over as their orgasms faded, her forehead pressed against the surface of the door as she panted, breathing heavily.
Levi released her hips, and perfect red marks where his fingers had gripped her caught his attention. Those were going to be bruises.
He searched for some semblance of guilt or regret, but he had none. He wanted her to see them, to remember how they’d gotten there.
When Kasi started to rise, he offered her assistance, wrapping his hand around her upper arm to steady her. He hated the way she tensed at that touch.
After all the ways he’d just had his hands on her, why was she bristling over help?
“Kasi,” he started.
When she twisted around, her gaze found his, steady and sure, and he feared he’d lost this battle.
He chose the word “battle” intentionally, allowing it to console him—because he wasn’t about to surrender. He’d wage this war for the rest of his life if necessary.
“Why didn’t you tell me about Keith?” she asked, her tone challenging, angry.
He was confused. “What about Keith?”
“The break-in. The beer he stole.”
Levi’s brows rose. He was surprised her brother had come clean, but he was glad he had. Perhaps the walls the Mills siblings had built around themselves were starting to crumble.
“He asked me not to tell you.” Was this what Kasi had meant when she’d accused him of not telling the truth?
“After everything he’s gone through,” she said, her jaw clenched. “Losing our mom… I just don’t understand why you would press charges.”
Levi scowled. “What the fuck? I’m not pressing charges. Who told you I was pressing charges?”
Now it was her turn to frown. She didn’t reply, but she didn’t have to when he recalled Keith saying Scottie had stopped by.
Obviously, the mayor was trying to drive a wedge between them. The sheriff had come by the farm yesterday to talk to Theo when he’d heard about what the boys had done, but both men decided the punishment of making Archie and Keith work off the debt, picking grapes, fit the crime just fine.
Perhaps it was time for Levi to pay a little visit to Grover’s Farm. Sounded like he and Scottie needed to have a little man-to-man talk, either with words or fists.
“Kasi—” he started, ready to set her straight on Scottie Grover, but he was interrupted by his phone ringing. He ignored it, as Kasi bent over, quickly pulling on her shorts, then her shirt, not bothering with her bra.
Levi followed suit.
His phone stopped ringing as he pulled on his jeans, but then it started again almost immediately.
“You should answer that,” she said.
Grabbing it out of his pocket, he held his T-shirt in his other hand.
Kasi opened the door, walking out into the kitchen. Mercifully, it was empty, the house quiet. He hoped that meant her brother was still outside and her father asleep.
Levi followed, giving her a warning glare that he’d chase her if he had to. They weren’t finished with their discussion.
Kasi leaned against the counter, her arms crossed tightly against her middle, as if she was seeking comfort from herself. Fortunately, her anger seemed to have abated. That might have made him happy if she wasn’t now wearing an expression of pure exhaustion. Those damn dark circles were back.
He didn’t know why Scottie had lied about the charges or why she’d believed him, but his gut told him there was something deeper going on with her and the mayor. Something she wasn’t comfortable sharing with him.
Damn stubborn woman had too much pride. Unfortunately for her, he was a force of nature when he set his mind to it and he was more than prepared to wear her down.
He answered the phone when he saw Maverick’s name.
“Not a good time,” he barked.
Maverick hesitated, probably surprised by the sharpness of his voice. “Afraid you might need to make some. Boone is here.”
Fuck. Levi forgot he’d scheduled to meet with Boone Hansen this morning. If things worked out, Boone would be instrumental in Levi’s plans for his future with Kasi. He was tempted to ask Maverick to reschedule, but he knew Boone had probably gotten up in the middle of the night to make the three-hour drive to be here this morning. It wouldn’t be right to send him away.
“Okay. I’ll be there in twenty.”
“Cool.” Maverick hung up, and Levi tucked his phone back into his jeans’ pocket, studying Kasi’s face.
Somehow, she’d managed to wipe away every emotion.
“Kasi,” he started, raking his hand through the hair she’d mussed up. “We’re not pressing charges against Keith. We would never do that. Never hurt him or you that way.”
She nodded sadly, biting her lower lip. “I know that. Or…I should have known that. It’s just… I’m sorry,” she added with a whisper.
“I don’t need an apology,” he said, trying to hide just how much it hurt that she thought for even a second that he would do something like that.
“Yes. You do. But the thing is…that doesn’t change things. Scottie proposed last night. I’m…I think I’m going to accept.”
“Like hell you are,” he retorted, loudly.
“Please, Levi. Please don’t make this any harder than it already is.”
“I haven’t even started to make this hard, little bear.”
“My mind is made up. You’re not going to change it.”
Levi stared at her for a long time, hating the resolve that had crept in and taken residence in every fiber of her being.
“You haven’t said yes yet?” he asked.
She looked away from him as she shook her head.
“Then don’t. Not until we have a chance to talk. You owe me that much, Kasi.”
Her face started to crumble, but she recovered quickly, drawing on that mask of indifference he never wanted to see on her again.
“I have to go—for now—but this isn’t over. Not by a long shot.”
Kasi offered no reply, her eyes turning toward the kitchen window.
“I’m coming back, Kasi. And when I do, I want real answers.”
Leaving right now felt wrong on every damn level, but staying felt just as wrong.
He prayed that giving her some time to settle down might help, might allow her to calm enough to confide in him and tell him what was wrong and what in the hell was compelling her to even consider Scottie Grover’s proposal.
Heaven help them both if he couldn’t convince her to say no. Because right now, all he wanted to do was toss Kasi over his shoulder, drive her straight to their cabin, and keep her there until she promised to never even think about marrying Scottie again.
Levi walked to her. The way her body stiffened went through him like nails, but he persevered.
Cupping her cheek, he pulled her face upward. It took everything he had not to tell her that he loved her. He did, but didn’t want the first time he said those three little words to come now, in the middle of an argument. And he didn’t want her to think he was using them to get her back.
When he said them, he didn’t want there to be a question in Kasi’s mind that they were sincere.
So, he compromised with himself. Bending down, he gave her a soft kiss on the cheek. “I’m coming back,” he vowed.
Her resolve cracked, but only for a second. If he hadn’t been standing so close and looking at her so attentively, he might have missed the sorrow in her eyes before she locked it away.
“Goodbye, Levi,” she whispered.
He left the house, forcing himself to take each step that led him farther and farther away from her.
All he could think as he drove home was how final that goodbye sounded.