Chapter 19 #2
Levi stands on the upper deck with one hand braced against a metal pole while he adjusts part of the sail rigging above him.
And he’s shirtless.
My brain immediately short-circuits on that fact alone.
Sunlight glints across bronzed skin, tattoos, and hard muscle. The sharp cut of his abs flexes with every movement he makes, tapering into the black shorts hanging low on his hips.
Between the ocean behind him and the wind moving through his dark hair, he looks less like a real man and more like some mythical sea god dragged straight out of one of Aunt Bess’ trashy romance books.
I stop walking.
Because wow.
How in the hell did I walk away from him last week?
As if sensing me staring, Levi glances down toward me.
The second his eyes land on me, his entire face changes.
And then he smiles.
Levi walks over to the railing and rests one forearm against it. “Good morning, Butterfly.”
The nickname does something maddening to my stomach every single time he uses it.
“You sail?” I ask, still staring up at him.
A cocky smile pulls at his mouth. “Among other things.”
Of course.
Levi glances out toward the open water behind him, then back at me. “Perfect day for it, too.” The wind shifts around us, tugging at the sails. “It’s quiet out there. No phones. No meetings. No people. Just the ocean. Want to come?”
The question catches me off guard enough that I answer too quickly. “No.”
One dark brow lifts.
“I mean…” I shift awkwardly. “I actually came out here because I wanted to talk to you.”
“About what?” Typical Levi, acting like there really isn’t an elephant-sized matter we need to discuss.
“You do realize you kind of brought me to your house last night with my stuff.”
“And?”
I take a breath and bite back a smile. “I can’t stay here, Levi.”
For a second, the only sound between us is the soft movement of water against the dock.
Then he lets out a quiet huff of disbelief and shakes his head once.
“No, no,” he says calmly. “That’s not happening.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “Levi, come on. I can’t stay with you.”
“Actually, you can.” A smug look settles on his face. “Clause nine of our contract allows for adjustments to the terms during emergencies.” He flicks a hand toward me. “This qualifies as an emergency.”
I’m pretty sure that clause was meant for sickness or accidents.
“Levi, this is crazy.”
“Come aboard.” He grins, then backs away until he disappears from view.
“Levi!” I call after him, but he ignores me.
God, this man.
He wants me to climb onboard, doesn’t he?
I stand there for a second, tapping my foot against the dock.
“Setting sail in one minute!” he calls out.
“Levi!”
No answer.
Damn him.
I groan under my breath.
He’s unbelievable.
Another few seconds pass while the yacht rocks gently against the dock and Levi makes absolutely no effort to come back for me.
God forbid the man should lose a single argument.
“Fine!” I shout toward the boat. “You’re so annoying.”
A laugh drifts back from somewhere above me.
Muttering to myself, I step onto the yacht, gripping the railing. I’ve only ever been on a few boats in my life, and the experience wasn’t that great.
The worst was when Uncle Rob took me fishing and I fell overboard, right into a school of pike. The moment I’m onboard, movement erupts around me.
There’s the sharp clink of metal followed by the low hum of the engine.
Then the yacht slowly pulls away from the dock.
My eyes widen.
“Levi!”
“You made it with seconds to spare, Butterfly,” he calls back casually from the helm.
I stare at him. “You tricked me.”
He walks toward me and tips his head. “No, ma’am, there’s no trickery here. You wanted to talk to me, so this is how we’re going to talk.”
I glance back toward the shoreline as it drifts farther away, the sails catching the wind. Within seconds, the yacht glides smoothly across the water, and suddenly, I’m sailing, too.
I look back at my wicked devil and pretend to pout. “This definitely feels like a trick to me, but whatever. I still can’t stay with you.”
“Like I said, yes, you can. And don’t even think about going back to that dump of an apartment. I’m having the rest of your things delivered today.”
“Levi.”
“Piper.” He copies my tone, even the squeaky part.
“I can stay with Alexis until I find a new apartment.”
“Nope. Not necessary, because you’re staying with me. The contract says so, which means this isn’t up for discussion.”
“Oh my gosh. You’re going to be the death of me.”
He rests his hands on my shoulders and shakes his head. “No. I’m making sure you don’t die.”
Heat blooms through me at the quiet conviction in his voice.
“Now grab a seat and enjoy the sun. We’re gonna be out here all day.”
“All day?”
“All day, babe. All day.”
He smiles and does his habitual faux kiss—two fingers pressed to his lips before tapping them gently against mine.
With a wink, he backs away and returns to the helm.
I realize I’m trapped on a yacht with the most dangerously persuasive man I’ve ever met.
And honestly… it doesn’t feel so bad.