In the Cards(91)

“God, Levi. Oh, yes!”

The experience breaks open a wholly unfamiliar emotion in my chest. A swelling need to cradle her in my arms overpowers me. I kiss her mouth and fit myself between her legs. When I enter her fully, I can’t breathe for a moment.

With slow, easy thrusts, I move inside the amazingly hot tightness of her body. It’s different from any other sex I’ve had. I don’t only want her body; I want her soul.

I murmur, “Look at me.”

Her topaz eyes dreamily open. Locking my gaze with hers, I relish every movement of my body and hers, joined as one. When I see a tear slip from her eye, I panic.

Does she regret this already?

I freeze. “What’s wrong?”

She smiles. “Nothing.” Her hands curl around my neck and she pulls me into a kiss, but I’m not convinced.

“Why are you crying?” I’m stilled, inside her, brushing her hair from her face.

“Because I’m happy.”

I stare at her for a long moment while a heady pressure builds in my chest. I’m thrilled and terrified at once, possessed by a fierce need to make her mine.

Her legs wrap around my hips, edging me deeper inside. She’s magnificent and intoxicating, and suddenly I’m moving at a frantic pace. Her fingers dig into my back. She releases a guttural moan. I reach my own climax and collapse against her, smothering her neck and face with gentle kisses.

My eyes close. I’m completely and utterly satisfied. I could stay here, holding her, forever.

Sadly, I know reality will come. We’ll leave the sanctity of this room and return to our real lives.

For now, she’s mine. And it’s enough.



Lindsey

I awaken, spooned by Levi’s warm body. It’s five in the morning, but I’ve hardly slept. He’s insatiable. While I’ve never before had sex so frequently in such a short span of time, I won’t complain.

His fingers graze along my breasts and thighs. The damp heat of his breath whispers against my ear until he clamps his mouth against my neck. His erection presses against my hip, then he enters me from behind. The low groan deep within his chest pleasures me. I’m drowsy, yet aroused. He tenderly rocks me into another dizzying orgasm. Each time he exclaims my name in passionate, rasped whispers, shivers trickle up and down my spine.

Sex with Levi’s nothing like I imagined. Knowing his past, I expected an impersonal, purely physical repartee. Surprisingly, he’s been affectionate, emotional, and has kept me wrapped in an embrace throughout the night. Again, I’m not complaining. It’s been an awakening.

I can’t help wondering if he’s like this with other women, or only me. Did the confrontation with his mother affect what’s happened here, or not? Neither of my prior lovers has sent me spinning into ecstasy quite this way.

Whatever comes next, I know my situation with Rob’s forever changed. Even if Levi and I leave everything between us here, in this hotel room, I could never resume my relationship with Rob like this never happened.

Passion, however, isn’t the same as love. Rob claims to love me and to want to spend his life with me. I’d like to be a wife someday, but Rob’s wife? If I return to him, so much would need to change. He might not even be willing, once he learns what I’ve done with Levi.

Frankly, I’m shocked by my own behavior. Yet I’ve never felt more alive and roused. Something’s changed deep within me. I can’t dismiss it and return home to being the dutiful daughter and fiancée, living my old life.

If I return to New York, it will be on new terms. But what about Levi?

Has seeing his mother put ghosts to rest, or will it cause him to bolster his fortress? And what of our intimacy? Considering his penchant for casual sex, I suspect he’ll start to put distance between us when we reach LA. I can’t blame him. He begged me to leave him alone, but I ignored him.

My concerns abate when I roll toward him and he hugs me against his chest. I’m too tired and content to raise my head to see whether his eyes are open.

“Levi?” I whisper.

“Hmm.” He peppers tiny kisses across the top of my head.

“Are you okay about everything that happened . . . with your mother?” I trace my fingers along his ribs. “Did you get what you came for?”

He captures my hand and kisses it. “I got everything I want from this trip. More than I expected.” Curling his fingers around my hand, he brings both to rest against his chest.

The groundwater of hope feeding my heart bubbles up. Unfortunately, shame revisits me in the form of the memory of my violent reaction to Levi’s mother. No matter what he contends, some small part of him wanted a reconciliation or, at least, a minor show of affection from her. Instead, she laid blame on him for driving her away. My heart aches recalling it. Reflexively, I tighten my hold on Levi.