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I quickly blast my hair with the dryer, just as a text comes through on my cell. I glance down at my phone to see the message.
Levi: I’m outside, babe.
Butterflies flip a one-eighty in my tummy. Jesus, it’s been a while since I’ve had that feeling. I suck in a deep breath and blow it out as I unlock the screen and type a message back.
Me: Be down in a few.
I hit send and slide it into my back pocket, stand in front of the mirror and recheck my reflection. Once I’ve brushed through my hair, I decide to leave it down. Nothing’s going to change what he did to me, but I’d rather try and hide a little of the exposure of my neck. My gaze falls back to my neck, I try to ignore the bruises but I see the small cut in the dip of my collar bone. Shrugging at my reflection, I grab my purseand pick my keys up from the table as I pass, shouting bye to Neve on the way out.
My quick footsteps come to a sudden halt when I see Levi, a snort escaping at his large frame as it fills my little red Honda. He’s way too big for it as he rests back in the seat with his hands behind his head. He hasn’t noticed me yet and it gives me the chance to admire him. I shouldn’t. That man is bad for me. Exhaling a heavy sigh, my feet finally move and I make my way over to him, our eyes meeting as I open the door and a nervous smile forms tugs at his mouth.
I slide into the car and fasten my seatbelt before turning to him, “Thanks for this.”
He nods, “You ready?”
“Yep.”
Nothing is said as he pulls out of the parking lot and onto the road, the air thick with unspoken words. His gaze is mainly fixed on the road ahead, but every so often, he glances at me. I know he wants to say something. It feels like a huge elephant has squeezed itself between us, and it’s uncomfortable. My fingers play with my hair, twisting and curling it, while keeping my eyes on the scenery outside as we pass.
“Are you okay?” Finally, his voice breaks the awkward silence.
“I’m good,” I nod, I have no idea what else to say. It’s only a ten-minute drive to the bar, but right now, being holed up in a small space with Levi, it feels much longer. His hand gently covers mine; my heart racing with that simple action.
“Don’t bullshit me, Luna.” Turning my hand over, I curl my fingers around his and hold his hand, needing the simple comfort that comes with it.
The bar appears before us before I can answer. I whisper a silent thank you to whoever was on my side at that precise moment. Pity they weren’t on my side last night.
“I’m fine. Really.” I release his hand and tighten my fist as Levi parks my car next to the main entrance door. The engine dies and he dangles my keys in front of us.
“You don’t have to go in there you know.” Levi soothes.
“But then he’s won. This bar is my livelihood, and I won’t let him take this from me.” I slip out of the door. I need out of here.
Reaching into my purse, I find my bar keys and swiftly unlock the front door and open it, flicking lights on as I go. Of course, talk is one thing, but actually walking in here and working is going to be something else. I summon all the courage I can muster up, and walk further in, going around the bar but stop dead as I focus on the spot where Mac pinned me. Levi is hot on my tail though; his fingers are soft on my arm, my skin warm from his gentle touch as he turns me gently. He takes my chin between his fingers, lifting my head just enough for him to focus on my wounds. His fingers on his free hand trace over the scratches as he sucks a sharp gasp through his teeth, and his jaw tenses, anger seeping through his rare softer exterior.
“I’m fine.” My voice no more than a whisper as I reiterate to him. I need him to see that. “You stopped him, remember. You saved me, Levi.” My chest constricts as his whole persona surrounds me, thickening the air and smothering us. His nostrils flare as he meets my gaze. His temper had always been able to go from zero to sixty in a matter of seconds, I’m guessing it’s even worse now.
His hands slide around to the back of my neck, stroking his thumbs softly along my jawline as tingles zap through my skin. “He’ll never touch you again. I fucking swear it.”
I can’t speak. Can’t even conjure a word, let alone a sentence. Our gaze locks for a split second before he drops his eyes to my lips. My tongue rolls over my lips, wetting them on instinct. I can’t get a hold on my breathing anymore, I feel like he’s stifling me, I have to get out of this.
His face nears mine until he’s all up in my space. I go to turn my face away, but his thumb and finger capture my chin again holding me still. While his other hand palms my cheek he leans in, brushing his nose against mine. His hot breath skitters across my skin and before I can think about this anymore, his lips are hard on mine, my back finds the wall and his greedy tongue seeks entrance into my mouth. As our lips caress, my hands find his chest.
Should I be doing this?
Should I let him do this after what happened to me in this very place just a few hours ago? I have no fucking answer to that question, is there a schedule of events for this kind of thing and how to recover from an almost rape and abuse. I don’t think there is. All I know is that I want to wipe every thought of Mac from my mind. And with that thought, that realization, I invite him to kiss me, really kiss me. He must feel it too, because his lips soften against my own, and I step into him, shifting my arm from between us to allow our bodies to press together. He cups my neck with his soft hands, replacing all memory of Mac’s rougher ones, while he kisses me like I’m the air he needs to breathe. Jesus. I groan into his mouth, needy, not able to get enough as I then take his face in my hands, skimming my fingers over the stubble on his face, while his hands run down my ribs and stop at my waist, squeezing my hip in his fingers, and kissing me deeper.
“Fuck, Lu.” A heavy gasp falls from his lips as he pulls away, “I’m sorry, but I’ve waited so long to do that.”
I'm breathless and can barely speak. I’m too frightened in case I blurt something out that I shouldn’t. I’m way too lost in this moment. I’ve probably made a monumental mistake, but right now I don’t care. It wouldn’t be the first, and it definitely won’t be the last.
My tongue darts out and I lick my lips, savoring his taste and soothe my tingling flesh. “I…I have to get this place ready to open.” I stutter, trying to break free from his hold.
He nods, “I’ll help.”
“You don’t have to do that.” My voice is shaky as my hands fall away.
My fingers go to my lips as I stare at him. He’s kissed the life out of me, I haven’t been kissed like that in a long time. This is bad.
