Page 36 of Read With Your Heart

I note my defensive stance again. Arms raised. Fists formed. I unfurl my fingers and flatten my palms against his warm skin. I fight the desire to close my eyes and absorb his heat. His heart races under one palm.

“I’d never hurt you like he did.”

My fingers instantly curl into fists and withdraw from his chest as my eyes leap up to his. Those polished silver orbs dance in the dull light of the hallway, asking me to follow his lead.

“Place your hands back on me.” His voice deepens.

I uncurl my fingers once again and lower my shaky hands to his warm skin.

“You can trust me.” His gaze drifts around my face from my forehead to my ears, over my eyes and down to my lips. He does that slow lick of his lower lip, and I swallow back my thirst for him. I want to kiss him. I want him to kiss me.

“I’ll never touch you like he did. I’ll never touch you unless you want me to, but I think you want me…” He pauses for effect. “To touch you.”

His eyes focus on mine. I can’t find the words to tell him what I want. I want it all. Touch. Tenderness. Passion. He must read something in my expression because his fingers touch my hair at the top of my head. His other hand lifts to my cheek. His mouth lowers, and my eyes remain wide open, not wanting to miss a thing.

Then a door slams downstairs, and Leon’s head snaps upward. His eyes widen almost as if he hadn’t realized what he was doing. He was going to kiss me. I’m certain of it. Everything in my expression, in my stance, told him to do it.

Only he steps back. His eyes are focused on my face for only a heartbeat before he slowly turns to the staircase, puzzled for another second. I can’t move. I’m pinned to the wall as if his body is still in front of me. My arms remain raised but tucked to my chest, protecting me once again. Leon glances back at me, and without a word, he clears the distance to his room. I expect the door to slam. The Ramirez siblings love to slam doors, but the soft click of his is almost worse.

My palms flatten to my chest, feeling the hammering just under my skin.

I’m not frightened. I’m scared out of my ever-loving mind because I wanted that kiss. I want him.

+ + +

When the weekend rolls around, Leon takes an extra shift on Saturday, and the girls and I plan a trip to the mall in Traverse City. Levi calls me just before we’re ready to leave and wants to come to my place again.

“I’m heading to the mall. Want to come with us?”

“Who’s us?” he questions through the phone.

“Lys and Lena Ramirez.”

“How do you know them?” He’s teasing me as though he’s forgotten I teach at the high school and know most of the students. I toy with telling him the truth, but I don’t want any information getting back to Trent, even if I trust Levi. He’s like the son-brother-good buddy I’d always wished I had. The boy who tells me I’m beautiful when my own husband didn’t. The kid who loved to play basketball with me when my man refused.

“They’re living with me right now.” Silence follows this information. “But Levi, I need this to remain a secret.”

“Because of Trent?” His voice turns a little colder, and I wonder if there’s been trouble between him and his brother over me. Trent must know Levi came to visit me, and this might have prompted him to question his younger brother for information. I can only hope it didn’t result in physical aggression.

“Because I don’t think the school would understand students living in my home.” It’s a silly excuse, as several teachers have their own children, but the point is, Lys and Lena are not my kids. I don’t want any trouble with the school questioning why students are living with a teacher.

“Why are they there?”

“Their home wasn’t safe,” I say too quickly, and Levi’s breath hitches. “I mean, the house itself wasn’t fit for living in. The furnace almost exploded one night. They are my neighbors, and I’ve offered them a place to stay for a while.” It’s mostly true. I have no idea how long Lys and Lena will be staying with Leon and how long the three of them will remain with me. I’m not eager to lose them, even if I’d still like my private space to be for me.

“That why he’s always at your home?” The fine hairs on the back of my neck rise. I don’t need to play these games with Levi, but I also don’t need to justify myself.

“They have an older brother whom they live with, and yes, he’s staying in my house as well.”

“He your boyfriend?” Typically, there might be a tease in his tone. He’s used that mockery on me when I see Ryan Reynolds on the screen, but this isn’t good-natured teasing.

“Levi, are you okay?” I question, avoiding an answer. The niggling under my skin cannot be ignored. Either Trent’s put Levi up to questioning me, or Levi is upset about something.

“I’m fine, Tricia. I’m always fine.” He’s lying, and the squeaky tone mixed with his changing vocal cords tell me the truth.

“Come with us today.” I’m no longer asking.

“Nah, you have fun with your new family,” he mocks, then to my surprise, he hangs up on me.