Chapter 013 Levi
The last thing I want is to lose my shit right there in front of Lennie. She doesn't deserve that mess. Took real guts for her to lay it all out like that, and I could see it hurt her almost as bad as it was ripping me up inside. Nobody's ever screwed me over like this, 'cept maybe my own daddy way back when. I've been lucky up to now. But even with that grace staring me in the face, Shelly's gotta pay for pulling this crap.
I pray to God the bitch is home as I peel out toward her place, my mind churning over the right words to spit out—how goddamn disgusted I am, how she's lower than dirt. Her house comes into view, car parked right there in the driveway like an invitation. I don't bother knocking. Punch in the code and shove the door open. First off, I start grabbing my stuff—the things I've left scattered around here, knowing damn well I'll never set foot in this place again.
My clothes are stashed in her bedroom, and from the sound of footsteps, that's where she is too. She's messing with her hair in the mirror over the dresser when I barge in. I don't say a word, just start yanking shirts and jeans out of the drawer, stuffing 'em in a bag. Won't even look at her, but I know she freezes, stands there watching me like a hawk. "And hello to you too. Have you got some laundry?"
"No, but I know you do. You've got lots of dirty laundry, don't you, Shelley?"
She plants a hand on her hip, shoots me a puzzled glance. "What does that mean?"
"Quick, Shelley. When was your last period? Oh wait, actually, how many husbands have you had? Even better, just how many fake pregnancies and fake marriages have you had? Just how many lies have you weaved, anyway?"
She jumps straight to denial. "What idiot have you been talking to?"
"Seeing as you know so many of 'em, including me. It's just lucky for me that you don't live in a small town and therefore you don't know how they work."
"Whatever the hillbilly told you, it's not true. I've been married and divorced once and that's it."
"Just how in the hell were you going to follow through with this plan of yours? Were you going to shit out a kid in nine months' time? Just how in the hell were you going to execute this whole charade? I'm really curious about that one."
She's still digging in her heels on denial. "Well, if you don't want to be a part of your child's life, then that's your choice. But I'll get all the child support I need. The courts will see me as a single mother and a student, covering her bills all by herself. Good luck coughing up the dough for that."
"You come after me for child support after you get knocked up by some poor soul at a bar, and I'll demand a goddamn paternity test first. Don't waste your time or mine. I know enough lawyers and accountants. You haven't got a prayer."
She sneers right back. "Oh yeah? And what about after I tell everyone in town that you got me pregnant and refuse to support your child? No lawyer or accountant in your small town will even look at you without pointing the finger."
"Once again, good luck with that. I've lived in Copper Cove all my life, and anyone that knows me will take my word over yours any day. By the time I reach home, the whole town's going to know the truth. That you set me up, you goddamn gold digger. If you're smart, you won't ever show your face in Copper Cove again. If you know what's good for you, that is."
I snag my bag and head for the bedroom door. She hollers after me. "Well, they'll believe that you have a skinny little pencil dick! And that you don't even know how to use it! I'll spread a rumor all over town that you suck in bed!"
I let out a loud chuckle as I pull the front door shut behind me. "The only thing they'll get out of that is that you're a whore."
I climb into my truck, half-expecting her to come charging out with a bat or something, but nah. About time she showed some sense. I toss the bag in the cab and gun it toward the ranch. Billy and Nash are just rolling in from a ride as I pull up. I've got the bag in hand, trying to walk normal-like, but the dust I'm kicking up gives me away. "What's going on, little brother?" Nash hollers.
I ain't sure I wanna spill it all yet, but it comes busting out anyway. "Shelley's a fucking con artist, that's what."
"A what?" Billy says, squinting at me.
"She was never fucking pregnant. It was all a goddamn game to her."
"Jesus Christ," Nash mutters. "How did you find out?"
"Lennie. At the Hoedown."
I don't dive into the details. Ain't important right now. What's important is I got played, and hell, everybody had a hunch she was bad news. Makes me feel like a damn fool.
"So she's not pregnant?" Nash asks, and I can hear the relief creeping in.
"Are you deaf?" I snap, sharper than I mean to, especially with Lennie being deaf and all.
Nash pumps both fists in the air and whoops. "Yes! Thank fucking Christ! That's the best news I've heard all year!"
"I feel like a fucking idiot."
"Well, love is blind, Levi. At least, that's what they say," Billy chimes in. "And at least y'all found out before it was too late."
"I can't believe I wasted so much time on her."
"Yeah, but I think that you knew deep down that she was trouble," Nash says. "We all did. It's a dead giveaway when someone blurts out that they're pregnant to complete strangers in public."
"I get it." I push into the resort house, straight to my room. "Y'all want to go for a drink? Take your mind off things?" Billy offers from the doorway.
"That's the last thing I need."
"Well, how about a ride?" Nash suggests.
"Didn't you just come back?"
Billy frowns. "Don't matter. The horses will ride day and night, you know that."
I chuck the bag onto the bed with a heavy thud and drop down beside it, letting out a long breath. "Nah, I think I'll just sit here and ruminate."
"No sense torturing yourself, Levi," Billy says. "You didn't do anything wrong, man. Getting out of there and being rid of her is the extent of your commitment now."
"Was Lennie upset when she told you?" Nash asks.
"She felt like a pile of shit. I think part of her thought that I was looking forward to being a daddy."
Billy looks puzzled, sits on the edge of the bed. "Are you disappointed?"
I scoff. "Lord, no. Especially not with her. I couldn't wait for Shelly to tell me that she wasn't going to go through with it. And I know damn well that the likelihood of her getting pregnant by me was slim to none. We weren't all that active and I swear to God I used a condom every time."
Nash claps me on the shoulder. "Well, that's neither here nor there, now. She's not pregnant and that's all good news, man. Take it."
"Take it and run," Billy adds with a pat, then stands.
"We'll be in the ranch house if you need anything," Nash says as he follows Billy out.
I sit there maybe two minutes, stewing on how stupid I am. Not just for falling for that bitch's act, but for moping on my ass when I've just shaken off the chains called Shelly. I can go be with the woman I love now. "Idiot," I mutter to myself, jumping up. Thirty seconds later, I'm trotting to the truck. Glance up and see the whole clan out on the porch like it's a show—Billy, Nash, Piper, exchanging money and grinning. Piper lets out a whistle, and then they're all cheering me on, knowing exactly where I'm headed. Feels like my own cheering section, damn near hear the Rocky music swelling up, triumphant horns blasting as the hero gets his win.
By the time I'm driving to Lennie's, the anger's fading, regret too. What's left is freedom. And freedom means I can be with who I want. Finally. Heart's pounding as I pull up to her place. Do I apologize for bolting like that? Thank her for the truth? Mind's racing as I ring the bell.
Door swings open, and screw appropriate. I haul her into my arms, lift her clean off the floor. She squeals—must feel the vibration—as I spin her once, then set her down. Cup her face, kiss her deep, tasting that sweetness, pouring everything into it: sorry, grateful, love. Door clicks shut behind me as I step in, lips still locked. Her hands tangle in my hair, I pull her tight, hoist her up 'cause she's so damn tiny. God, she drives me crazy.
Ain't even slipped my tongue in yet, and she's panting hard. I comb fingers through the hair at her temples, pull back, lock eyes. "I love you, Lennie."
Her eyes sparkle. "I love you, too."
Don't know if she's ready for more, but eyes searching hers tell me to try. Tilt my head, brush her parted lips, tease her tongue soft. Her exhale hits me like fire—cock wakes right up. Kisses deepen, breaths thick and matched. Answer's yes. She's in a cream cotton sundress, hugging her just right. I lift it over her head, barely breaking the kiss. We stagger toward her room, kissing hungry, hands everywhere. Her fingers fumble my belt as I yank my shirt off, kick boots free. Mess of breaths, grabs, kisses—we hit the bedroom. Can't hear me, but I whisper against her lips anyway, like a prayer: "God, I love you so much. God, I love you so much."
Before she gets my jeans, I snag a condom from my wallet, toss it on the bed. She grabs my head, guides me over her as we hit the mattress. Eyes on mine, she shoves my jeans down, feet hooking 'em off. I unhook her bra, slide it away—perfect breasts free. Face buried, kissing 'em, she mewls, squirms. Hand trails down, finds her wet. Lift her chin so she sees me clear: "You say stop, I stop."
She nods, pushes my hand deeper, till my finger's on her clit. Hot as hell—cock jerks. Slide middle finger in gentle, thumb circling. She writhes, kisses me fierce, tongue full in my mouth. Cries against my lips throb through me—hottest thing ever. And we ain't even started. Hand working, she locks up, comes hard, nips my tongue. Sexiest damn sight.
Cock aching, I grab the condom, roll it on. She watches close, face curious, maybe green. "You stretch with me," I say.
Nod, legs part wider—not scared, just unsure. Sink in slow, hit resistance. Confirmed—Lennie's a virgin. Hits me harder, love swelling. Saved herself for this, pure, different from anybody. Unique. Mine. No fear in her eyes at the barrier. "Trust me?"
Sweet kiss answers. Trail kisses down her neck, suck a breast, finger the other. Thrust through then, she cries out—pleasure-pain mix. Slow, even slides, mouth on breast, hand teasing. Lift head, eyes meet: "Ready for faster?"
"Yes." Panting, no wince—like shedding a weight.
Deeper, still slow. Grab her hands, lace fingers, pin 'em over her head. Lean on elbows, pick up speed, deeper. She's desperate, insatiable—inexperienced but wild. Sexy as sin, meeting every thrust. Mouth opens, body tenses—second orgasm. Fight not to join, her tightness sucking me in.
Desperate for her taste, kiss down neck, suck nipples hard. Cries louder, quivers—third time. I let go, grunt hard into her skin, coming fierce. Calm her with neck kisses up to lips, deep as life. Release hands, slide arms under, hug tight. Between kisses: "I love you, baby."
"I love you, too." Feels it on her lips.
Lift head, eyes lock. "You mean everything to me."
Slow, measured: "You are my everything, Levi. I never believed in love at first sight. Not until I met you."
Kiss soft, nestle into her. Magic. Worth every damn step to here. Heart home. Roll off, ditch condom, lie facing her. "You're so beautiful. Like, out of this world beautiful."
Warm grin.
"Not sore?" Finger down her cheek.
Head shake.
Pull her close, hug tight.
Against my chest: "I thought you were so angry at me for telling you. I thought that I'd never see you again."
Pull her chin up. "I was angry at first. But then I realized that I was missing the point here." Lick lips. "It meant that I could finally be with you. I knew since the moment we met that I was in love with you, and I could do what I wanted to do in the first place. Wild horses couldn't keep me away from you. No matter how hard I tried."
Subtle grin lingers. We soak each other in a spell, then she eases back, eyes down. "Something wrong?" Spot her staring at my dick.
Shakes head. "No. I just, I wanted to look at it. I didn't really get to earlier."
Pull sheets back, flop on my back. "It's all yours. Be gentle." Playful grin.
Soft giggle, finger traces the head, along the ridge. Fight the twitch, but hell, naked girl touching me? Human. It jumps, she smiles. "Feels good?"
"Feels great."
"Does this bother you? Like, is this like teasing you?"
"Not after I just had sex a few minutes ago, no. Besides, there's this little thing called self-control that I learned when I was a wee lad. So, play around all you want. No pressure."
Fingers behind head, eyes shut. Feel her grasp the shaft gentle—jolt straight through. Hips buck a bit. Semi-hard now, memories flooding back. "I'll be right back." She hops off naked, heads to the bathroom.
Wanna check if she's okay, but remembers she can't hear. Start to rise, but she's back quick, washcloth in hand. Wipes my dick soft, cleans condom remnants, sex off. Even the hairs around. Wondering if it's some ritual.
Then nah. This ain't no ritual.
She does something I'd never expect in a million years.