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Levi released her, deftly unwrapped her arms from around him, ushered her behind him, and said, “Stay here while I search for the perpetrator.”
“Levi!” She spit out in exasperation, forcing herself not to get distracted by his lyrical voice. Faith loved America, but this man with his Augustinian accent could easily convince her to trade nationalities.
“It was Kiera,” she explained. “She was only trying …”
Levi whipped around to face her. His dark eyes pierced through her, sharp and probing. “Trying?” He prompted.
Faith bit at her lip. How to explain without sounding as desperate as she was to get his attention? She looked over his tall, manly frame, the dark eyes framed by thick lashes and brows, the shadow of a beard on his jaw. He was enthralling, and he looked at her as if concerned for her sanity or maybe he thought of her as a child. She wasn’t certain, but either way, it could explain why he kept his distance.
Glancing down, she lost her bravery and realized she needed a different scheme than a snowball fight to entice a soldier this manly and perfect. She could only imagine how many distinguished and proper Augustinian women pursued Captain Levi.
“Faith?” He questioned and then he gently tilted her chin up with just the edge of his forefinger. It was a simple touch. Nothing to faint about. The warmth of his finger and the depth of his gaze made her lightheaded.
They studied each other. A long, beautiful moment where hearts connected, birds flew back north during the winter to sing for them alone, and heaven smiled down on their future union.
He cleared his throat, yanked his hand back, and clasped his hands behind his back. Even through his black uniform she could see the muscles outlined in his chest, shoulders, and arms. She designed feminine workout gear not male. Looking over Levi she created in her mind the ideal pattern and fabric blend to showcase his irresistible frame and well-developed muscles.
“Come on, Captain Levi!” Kiera performed a front flip through the double doors of the ballroom and launched into their space in the hallway. The child could rarely walk into or out of a room. “We want you to have a snowball fight with us.” Her blue eyes lit up and Faith was grateful the princess was firmly on her side. Nobody could resist Kiera.
Levi bowed, military stiff, to the princess and then glanced from Kiera to Faith and back. “A snowball fight?” he repeated, as if he’d never heard of such a thing.
“Yes. You make balls of snow and you hurl them at each other. Faith and I made a fort in the gardens yesterday. With all the trellises, benches, and fountains everywhere there are lots of spots to hide. We’re all on our own team. It’ll be epic! Thoughyoumight have bruises. I have impeccable aim.” Kiera’s blue eyes twinkled.
For just a moment, Faith could see the raw longing in Levi’s dark eyes as he focused on her. He wanted to be with her; he wanted to do something carefree and fun. Then he put that familiar shutter over his emotions and gave an insincere smile. “It does sound epic, Princess Kiera, but with apologies I have a meeting at the military training center.”
“Ah, darn it!” Kiera wrinkled her nose. “You adults are only fun in the two hours after dinner. All day long its work, work, work. Except for Faith.” She beamed at her. “Faith is my best friend and always has time for me.”
“Ah, right back at you.” Faith grinned. Little did Kiera know that Faith worked until late in the night and any hour that Kiera was in school or otherwise occupied so she could be fun when Kiera was home.
She focused back on Levi and the look in his eyes was interesting. He thought she was whimsical, cute, carefree, and definitely too young for him. Faith prayed she was reading that wrong, but she felt she knew him so well.
“I hope your snowball fight is epic.” He nodded to Faith and bowed to Kiera. “Pardon me.”
Even with the dismissal, Faith’s stomach swirled with warmth simply from him looking at her and using the power of his accented voice on her.
He turned to go. Kiera gave Faith a look of desperation that Faith felt all through her soul.
“We’ll walk you to the garage,” Kiera declared.
He swallowed, obviously not wanting to agree but he bowed slightly, an obedient royal guard for certain. “Thank you, Princess Kiera.”
Kiera rushed to Levi’s right and linked her arm through his. She was almost five feet tall and he had to be at least six-three. The height discrepancy and the muscular soldier overshadowing the young teenager was adorable.
“You come on his other side,” Kiera instructed Faith. “Captain Levi will lo-ove escorting two beautiful ladies.”
Her brother-in-law Chad would’ve said something charming about how beautiful they were. Captain Levi only studied her as she sidled in and slid her hand through the crook of his arm. She didn’t know if he loved it, but she savored every moment. Her hand grasping his arm, the bump of his bicep pronounced, the sandalwood and cedar scent. He smelled like autumn in these incredible mountains. She didn’t need charming lines. She only needed him.
Their gazes locked. So close to him she could see the pulse point in his neck. Was it racing for her? She swallowed and prayed she wasn’t the only one affected by this simple touch.
He focused forward and escorted them down the hall. His bicep tightened under her hand and he kept himself military straight as they walked. Faith feared this entire idea had backfired. What if he held himself aloof from her because he relegated her to Kiera’s age in his mind?
“Are you excited for Christmas?” Kiera asked, breaking the silence that only their footsteps filled.
There was a pause as he seemed to search for an answer. “I like the Christmas market on the Traverse River Walk,” he said carefully, as if choosing his words. “What about you, little princess? Are you excited for Christmas?”
“Of course I am!” She cried out.
They reached the stairs and descended slowly, with arms linked. Faith wasn’t about to pull away.
