10. Plant One On Me
CHAPTER 10
Plant One On Me
W orking hard with a dedicated team meant the day flew by for Levi. He figured he’d been introduced to everyone in the town by the end, but he was lucky if he remembered even half of the names.
The people from Midnight Lake were the easiest to remember because he’d heard his buddies talk about them so often. He’d been invited out to view the property and the business. They sounded intriguing, and he looked forward to seeing what they were creating.
He’d kept an eye on Isla throughout the day as well. She’d been nervous about being in a crowd, but she looked to be handling it all well.
Her smile didn’t seem strained, although she kept checking the crowd. Which had him doing the same, but he saw nothing and no one that seemed out of place.
From what he could tell, Isla didn’t talk much during the conversations, but she was a part of them. Nina’s mom wasn’t talkative either, and they’d stuck together for most of the day, along with Piper and Branna.
“Got it bad, don’t you, Oz?” Of course, Troy had caught him watching Isla.
“Don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Troy slapped him on the shoulder. “Of course you do. For what it’s worth, I like her. She works hard with a smile on her face. Piper and Branna give her a big thumbs up.”
There was no point in protesting that he didn’t know Troy was talking about Isla. “She’s pretty great.”
But at the crowd’s edge, she frowned and looked around again. Levi decided he needed to see what was up.
He could feel Troy on his heels, but he focused on the crowd around Isla. Was anyone paying her too much attention? That had him halting. He might be better off watching before he approached.
With one arm, he yanked Troy from behind him so they stood side by side. His buddy frowned at him. “What is it?”
“Isla keeps looking around as if she feels something is off. I want to see if anyone’s paying her too much attention. Do you see anyone you don’t know in the crowd?”
The two of them scanned the group. Levi didn’t see anything out of the norm. No one skulking on the edge of the group. Everyone was working, or in conversation with someone else.
Troy shook his head. “I think we’re clear. She might not be comfortable in crowds.”
Levi nodded. “She says she’s not great with people and was nervous about coming today. But it felt like more. Something is off.”
This time, when he moved, Troy stayed where he was, although Levi could feel the man watching. Probably continuing to scan the crowd. Having Levi’s back.
It was good to be with friends he knew and trusted. He wanted Isla to feel the same. From everything she’d said, she hadn’t had enough people at her back.
When he was a dozen steps away, Isla placed another window in a pile and turned to see him. Her face lit up with a smile that had him grinning in return. When he was close enough, he dropped a kiss on her lips and took one of her hands. “Hey. Checking in to see how you’re doing.”
“I’m good. We’ve got almost all of it sorted now.” Her smile was genuine.
“Maybe I’m wrong, but you seem to be checking over your shoulder a lot. Is something wrong?”
Her lips twisted, and a flush rose to cover her cheeks. “No. I don’t think so. I just had a weird feeling a while ago, and can’t shake it.”
“Gut feelings shouldn’t be ignored.”
She blew out a breath. “I thought you’d think I was flaky.”
He frowned. “Flaky? You’re about as far from flaky as a person can get. If you feel something weird, you need to trust your instincts. When did it happen? Who was around?”
Isla rose on her toes to kiss him lightly. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
She smiled. “For believing me.”
Holy hell, he wanted to kick a few asses. She was relieved and grateful because he believed in her. He gripped her shoulders lightly and leaned down so she wouldn’t doubt him. “I will always believe you and believe in you.”
Her eyes flooded with instant tears and made him a little panicky. He wasn’t equipped to deal with tears. But she blinked hard and pulled in a few breaths, making them disappear.
“Thank you.” Her whisper barely reached his ears.
He nodded and repeated his questions. “So, who was around? What was happening?”
She pointed at the piles. “I was working with the people here and stacking some windows. But the feeling didn’t come from any of them. It was like an icy chill. Not quite a premonition-type feeling, but close. Like someone was watching me. And not someone nice.”
Levi nodded and let his hands drift down to squeeze hers. “Let’s go grab a drink.”
Ginny Phail, Troy’s cousin, had set up a table holding a couple of huge glass jars filled with water and lemonade. She continually topped them up and added ice to keep them both cool.
They walked that way and filled up their mugs. When they turned back to where the buildings had been, he could see Piper’s vision for the place. Studs and flooring still had to be taken down, but they could see through the walls.
Isla gestured. “This is going to be a great space for the park. Piper said they’re going to build a gazebo over there, a big screen for movies, a couple of play areas for the kids, and a walking track.”
He could see it as she showed him. “Looks like Epic is getting his wish and improving his town.”
She bumped her shoulder into his. “And then he’s getting his way with you, too. Growing hops and building a brewery. It’s fun to be in on the first level. We’re going to be here to watch it grow.”
Levi nodded. She was right. “And we’re going to be a part of it. This is a damn good place, Isla.”
When she leaned into his side, he wrapped his arm around her and squeezed.
She sighed. “I don’t know if I imagined the feeling. I like this place so much, but I’ve been pushed out of places I’ve liked in the past. What if I’m doing that thing where you imagine something’s real so often that you make it happen?”
Levi ran his hand up and down her arm. “I suppose it’s possible, but I doubt it. There’s no one here who wants to keep you away.”
She made a noncommittal noise, and he decided to say more. “There are two possibilities from what you’ve told me in your past. First, it could be your former coworker looking for revenge. Second, it could be that someone in your family is looking for you.”
“I can’t imagine it being my father, but I could see Ed Pringle getting his kicks out of scaring me.”
And coworker Ed had just wormed himself to the top of the list. “After we’re done here, why don’t we see what the prick’s been up to? See what the internet can tell us.”
Having a target was a very good thing.
I sla smiled as she helped the team finish up the work of demolishing the buildings. Levi hadn’t doubted her feelings for even a second. He believed her. Believed in her.
It was a heady feeling.
As the sun started setting, Sean let out a loud whistle that had everyone turning to see him. “Thanks for your help, everyone. We’ve got some food set up in the Saloon. We’ve got a couple of teens to play with the dogs. Come on in.”
There was a large cheer, and everyone finished what they were doing with a smile. A youth who was probably in high school came over and introduced himself as Hudson. He asked if he could take Hopper to the group where several older teens played with the dogs.
Levi joined her and took her hand. When they were walking up the steps, he leaned down to whisper in her ear. “This is dinner. Must count as the second date.”
She laughed and squeezed his hand, liking the direction of his thinking. “You’re right. Dinner was the proposed second date, so this must be it.”
Inside, Nina called their names and waved them over to where a few tables had been pulled together. “We’ve got seats saved for you here.”
Her mother, Addison, smiled. “If you don’t have other plans, we’d love for you to join us. A few others are helping dish out the food, but they asked us to save seats for them as well.”
It wasn’t long before everyone had food and was sitting. Troy, Piper, Sean, Branna, and Marcus joined their group.
Isla asked Piper about her vision for the town.
“I want to keep the character of the town intact. It’s a quirky place, which matches the weird name of the town.”
“Hey.” Troy protested, and his fiancée grinned at him.
She kissed him on the cheek and then turned back to Isla. “Phail Way Park is going to be the town center, where people can gather throughout the day, and a place that will appeal to tourists. Most of our businesses are on the streets around the block, although I’m hoping we can attract more.”
She gestured at the Saloon. “This is a great addition. Now we have the diner, the B&B, and this place for food and gathering. No tourists show up at a place with nowhere to eat, so this is going to help.”
As the group chatted about the town, and Piper told Isla about the website they were building to showcase it, Isla struggled to focus because she was completely distracted by Levi. Their arms and legs brushed as they talked and ate. He rested his hand on the back of her chair and played with her hair, and ran his thumb over her shoulder.
Her mind was on the fact that they were calling this a date. Their second date. And she wanted this date to finish on a high note.
They helped clean up, and met more of the townspeople, but they never missed an opportunity to touch. Passing dishes to put away, cleaning off tables, pushing in chairs.
When the place was clean, Levi took her hand, and she nearly jumped out of her skin with anticipation. His grin was sexy as hell as he rubbed his hand over her skin, lighting fires everywhere.
They managed to say goodbye, pick up Hopper, and make their way to Levi’s truck without igniting anything. Although she was close to going up in flames, and he’d only touched her hand.
Neither said a word as Levi zipped out of town, up and down the hills, and back to her cottage. When he parked, Levi put his hand on the key but didn’t turn off the truck. Instead, he looked at her with desire blazing.
Isla didn’t hesitate. She wanted this man too badly to play games. “Please come in. Stay the night.”
Her soft words had him grinning. He turned off the truck and hopped out. He’d opened her door before she’d even got her seatbelt off.
Hopper jumped from the truck, peed on the tire, and led the way up the stairs. With trembling hands, Isla unlocked the door and set the security code while Levi closed and locked the door. “Does Hopper need anything?”
She shook her head. “No. He’s got a water bowl in the kitchen.”
“Good.”
Then her back was against the door, and her lips were tangled with Levi’s. Just that touch nearly had her exploding. She threw her arms around his neck and raised as high as she could go on her toes. Being short had never bothered her, but now she needed to be closer. She wanted their bodies flush.
As if reading her mind, Levi put his hands under her butt and lifted her. She wrapped her legs around him, and finally, they touched in all the very best places. The man had some excellent very best places.
Determined to touch his skin, Isla moved her hands to shove aside his flannel shirt and lift his t-shirt. His muscles flexed as she brushed her fingers over the skin she’d exposed.
Levi pressed her harder into the door. His leverage kept her in place as he took his hands from her butt and mimicked her movements, trying to get to the skin on her belly.
When he drifted his big hands over her bra, her head dropped back to clunk against the door, and she couldn’t catch her breath.
Levi’s mouth dropped to her jawline and then her neck, sending her spiraling higher. Somehow, he worked her sweatshirt up and off. She shoved his flannel down his arms, and he shrugged it to the floor.
Then they were diving into the next kiss and touching whatever they could reach. “Too many clothes, Levi. Too many clothes.”
His hands moved back to her butt, and he squeezed. “Okay. Hang on. I’ll set you down.”
She nearly cried at the loss of contact, but there was no way to get naked with everything they wore. With a grin, she yanked off her t-shirt and reached for the button on his jeans.
He had hers halfway down her legs when he swore again. “Work boots. Why are we wearing work boots?”
Damn it.
With a groan, she gave up on his jeans. “I’ll do mine. You do yours. Race you.”
His laugh was all sexy male and had her hands trembling with her laces. She couldn’t keep her eyes off him. He used one hand to yank his t-shirt over his head, then made quick work of his boots, toeing them off before she even had one undone.
“Focus, Isla. Hurry.”
She met his eyes, and that was another mistake. Desire blazed from his gaze. Never had she had that much desire aimed her way, and it had her fumbling again.
She gave up on the boot and framed his face for a kiss.
“You’re going to kill me, Isla. I’m going to be a dead man before we get your damn boots off.”
Another laugh bubbled out of her. How could she be laughing when she was this turned on?
Levi’s hands kept working while she focused on his mouth, jaw, and then his magnificent chest. He tasted like sun and summer and Levi. He was making her head spin.
Then he slipped down to kneel at her feet. “Lift your foot, Isla.”
She rested her hands on his shoulders and watched as he dragged off her work boot and jeans from one leg. He grinned up at her. “Almost there. One more.”
When she was wearing only her plain bra and panties, he studied her body slowly, caressing every inch of skin with his eyes.
Then his finger followed the path, soft touches that had her trembling from head to toe. When he reached her panties, he traced along the hem of the material. Back and forth, a little further each time.
Then his tongue took over. His hands firmed on her hips, making sure she didn’t fall over while his tongue licked along the edges of the material.
With another curse, Levi zipped her panties down her legs and tossed them over his shoulder. He grinned. “Hang on to me.”
Then his tongue was on her. Every thought fled, and Isla was left with only the ability to feel.
So many sensations as he licked and tortured and drove her clear out of her mind. The orgasm slammed into her, and if he hadn’t been holding her hips, she would have dissolved into a puddle on the floor.
His fingers and his mouth kept the orgasm spinning through her, taking her to the edge of reason and so far beyond.
Pleasure surged through her in waves, consuming every part of her.
“You’re stunning, Isla. Hold on to me. Hold on. I’ve got to grab a condom.”
His words barely penetrated the waves of pleasure, but she leaned her weight on his shoulders. The sound of the package ripping had her opening her eyes. Watching him roll on the condom had her body reacting again.
With a surge, Levi was on his feet, and he boosted her again. She leaned back against the door and enjoyed the feel of him against her.
“Now, Levi. Now. Please. Now.”
“Now.”
And then he slid inside her so slowly she whimpered. The pleasure grew impossibly bigger. Brighter.
When he was fully seated inside, Levi laid his forehead on hers. “Perfect, Isla, you’re perfect.”
Her ability to speak had been decimated, but she wouldn’t have known how to respond to that, anyway.
Levi pulled back and thrust in, angling her hips to hit her at the exact spot to drive her wild. When he found the right angle, his pace increased, and she heard herself whimper again. Then, his name fell from her lips in a chant.
“I’m going to lose it, Isla. Let’s see you soar again. Fly for me, Isla. Fly.”
His gruff command had her body obeying in an instant. The world around her exploded in light and joy and wonder. Then she hung on as he flew with her.
L evi lay on his back on the hard wooden floor and struggled to drag air back into his lungs.
For their first time, he’d taken Isla against her front door like a kid who couldn’t control himself. What an ass. A fully sated and satisfied ass, but what would she think?
She’d been so responsive and so hot he’d kind of lost control of the situation, but at least she’d had two orgasms.
Once he could breathe, he’d ask. Should he apologize?
Isla lay on top of him, her tight, curvy body breathing as hard as his. Good sign. He managed to lift a hand and skim it down her hair. He kept going and palmed her ass. She wriggled and sighed into his chest. It sounded happy.
Then her hand moved, drawing lazy shapes on his chest and playing with his skin.
“Should I apologize for attacking you at your door?”
Her laugh was pure delight, and she lifted her head to grin at him. “Absolutely not. That was amazing. I’ve never experienced anything like that, and if you think there’s something to apologize for, you’re nuttier than those brownies we ate at the Saloon.”
Her response had some strength returning to his body. “Good. I thought it was incredible. You’re incredible. But our first time shouldn’t have been against a door.”
Isla leaned down to kiss him. “Our first time should have been when we both wanted it to happen. And it did. And it was spectacular, and I will smile every time I open that door.”
That made him grin, because he was going to smile when he walked through it, too.
He ran his hands over her ass and enjoyed her squirming. His body was already recovering, reacting to Isla. “Gotta take care of the condom.”
They scrambled to their feet and laughed at the mess of their clothing scattered throughout the entry to her home. She grinned as she picked her bra off of a lamp. “I thought things like this only happened in movies.”
The men she’d dated before had to have been idiots.
Levi scooped up his clothes and then scooped up Isla as well. “Ready for round two?”
She squealed and laughed again. He’d never had so much fun during sex before, and they’d just started. He was glad he’d thrown a couple of condoms in his pocket before he’d picked her up for their demo date.
“We’ll have to have a real date soon.”
Another laugh. “Any more real, and I might not survive it.”
Hopper was fast asleep on the kitchen floor, and Isla buried her head in his chest. More laughter had her body shaking. “Do you think we traumatized the poor dog?”
Levi grinned but he kicked the door closed behind him after entering her bedroom. “He’ll survive.” Then he tossed Isla onto the bed. “Be right back.”
He got rid of the condom and washed up. Back in the room, he found her wearing his t-shirt and folding the rest of their clothes. The possessiveness that surged through him surprised him. “I like you wearing my shirt.”
She held her arms to the side and grinned. “It’s a little big, but I like it. It smells like you.”
That possessiveness turned up a notch, and his body did the same. He’d been completely depleted not five minutes ago, but he was ready for action now.
Her eyes drifted down his body, and she smiled. “I felt weird naked, but I have to say I enjoy seeing you naked.”
“Feeling’s mutual.” And he reached the bed and whipped the shirt over her head. “This time, why don’t we head to the shower? We can wash off the day while I touch every inch of your beautiful body. I want to find the spots that make you gasp, the ones that make you purr, and the ones that make you scream.”
Her eyes widened as he spoke. “I’m not the kind to scream.”
“Challenge accepted.”