In the Cards(72)
“I wish you could be proud of me instead of undermining my confidence. I’d say thanks for dinner, but I guess I’ll thank Levi. Have a safe flight home. I’ll talk to you in a few days. Good night.”
My insides feel wrung dry by the time Levi and I get into my car. We drive home in relative silence. I fight back the tears for most of the trip, but ultimately lose the battle.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Levi
A tear trails down Lindsey’s cheek as we pull into her garage. I follow her inside without an invitation. I shouldn’t have gone to dinner, knowing her mother had been baiting a trap. I’d only considered my own ability to tolerate it without stopping to think about the effect it might have on Lindsey. Now I must set this right before she goes to sleep.
Lindsey sniffles and wipes her eyes while blankly staring into space. She won’t look at me. I suspect she’s contemplating whatever her mother said about me once I left the table. It can’t be flattering, so I need to draw her attention. My gift sits, unopened, on her dining table.
“I see you didn’t open your present yet.” I hand her the bright-pink box. “Go ahead. It’s nearly your birthday now anyway.”
She grins weakly.
“Nice wrapping.” She takes the box from me and begins to untie the ribbons. “I should have known you’d do it well, considering your years of practice folding things neatly.”
Hearing a little humor as her tears subside relieves me. She opens the box and removes the apron, laughing at the saying “I’m Not Bossy, My Way’s Just Better” written across the chest. Then she finds the two knives in the box and smiles at me appreciatively.
“Levi, I love this gift. It’ll always remind me of you and your patience with me in the kitchen.” She places them on the table and stands to hug me. “It’s perfect.”
My lungs balloon in response to her embrace and my heart pounds against my ribs. She fits so perfectly in my arms. Against my better judgment and plans to slowly pursue her, I don’t release her.
“I’m glad, though they’re not as pretty as jewelry.” I glance at the roses displayed on the coffee table. “Or flowers.”
Her breathing slows. “Not as pretty, but more thoughtful and sentimental.”
Her eyes reflect my own feverish desire, and when she trembles in my arms, it’s my complete undoing.
Without warning, I lift her chin and kiss her. Unsure of how she’ll react, I’m tentative at first. When she parts her lips and returns my affection, my heart races. A groan rumbles deep in my chest as my tongue seeks hers and tastes every sweet corner of her mouth.
Too quickly, I’m craving all of her. My hands grasp behind her head and waist to crush her against me. I’ve never, in all my life, wanted anyone more than her. A faint moan from her throat intensifies the longing rippling through me.
Her fingers weave through my hair. She matches each of my kisses with equal passion. My eyes search hers, and our breathing becomes more uneven and ragged.
I can’t get close enough to her. Her skin smells like flowers and grapefruit; her mouth is warm and welcoming. When she whispers my name, everything in my body thrums so wildly, I feel a little dizzy.
Unwilling to break our kiss, I waltz her around in search of the sofa while keeping hold of her. She’s removing my jacket, but I’m having trouble fumbling with the ties on her dress.
“My God, Lindsey,” I hoarsely moan. “I want you so damn much.”
Waves of lust crash over me as I lay her back against the sofa. Her frenzied hands reach under my shirt and up my sides. My heart pounds furiously, and I’m harder than I’ve ever been. I rub myself against her, anticipating what’s to come, and let my body enjoy the tingling sensations temporarily blocking my back pain.
“I need you, Lindsey.” I move to lift my leg from the floor and accidentally bump the coffee table, tipping the vase of flowers.
We catch it before it spills over, but seeing the roses again sets Lindsey on edge. When I try to resume our kiss, she pushes gently against my chest.
“Wait, Levi, wait. This is wrong. I’m not ready. I can’t—I can’t do this now. I’m sorry.”
I can’t release her. I kiss her again.
“Lindsey, please,” I beg. I nibble her earlobe and make my way down her neck with my mouth. She arches toward me, but then she pushes away again.
“I’m not ready for this yet. For you. I’m confused about you and Rob. I owe you both better than this. Please. I’m a wreck tonight with everything that happened at dinner.”
I brush my nose back and forth along hers. As the rush of excitement subsides, the throbbing in my back warns me of my limitations. Of course, that’s not why she stopped me.