Page 42 of A Billionaire's Second Shot

“I’m scared, Levi,” I whisper. “I’m scared of getting hurt again.”

“I know,” he says, his hand cupping my cheek and turning me back to face him. “And I’ll do everything in my power to make sure you never feel that way again.”

His eyes hold mine, and in that moment, I see nothing but honesty. No games, no pretense—just the man who’s been fighting to win me back.

The day passesin a blur of mundane tasks, but my thoughts remain firmly fixed on Levi. His words, his actions, the way he’s been trying to show me he’s changed—it all lingers in my mind, pulling at the pieces of my heart I’ve been trying to keep closed.

By evening, I can’t take it anymore. I need to face this head-on, to decide if I’m willing to take the leap of faith that’s been hovering in front of me.

I find Levi in the kitchen, his back to me as he chops vegetables for dinner. The sight is so domestic, so unlike the Levi I used to know, that it makes me smile despite myself.

“Need help?” I ask, leaning against the doorway.

He turns, surprised but pleased by my presence. “Not unless you’ve magically learned how to cook.”

I laugh, stepping closer. “I’ve learned a thing or two.”

“Is that so?” he teases, setting the knife down and turning to face me fully. “Show me.”

I hesitate for a moment, the weight of what I’m about to say settling over me. But then I take a deep breath, meeting his gaze. “Levi, I need to tell you something.”

His expression shifts, the teasing smile replaced by quiet curiosity. “What is it?”

“I love you,” I say, the words tumbling out before I can stop them. “I’ve always loved you. And I’m tired of pretending I don’t.”

His eyes widen slightly, and for a moment, he looks stunned. But then he closes the distance between us, his hands cradling my face as he stares at me with an intensity that makes my knees weak.

“Tania,” he murmurs, his voice thick with emotion. “You have no idea how long I’ve waited to hear you say that.”

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, and I let out a shaky laugh. “I’m still scared, Levi. But I think... I think I want to try. I want to see if we can make this work.”

“You won’t regret it,” he says, his voice fierce but soft. “I swear, Tania, I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure you never regret this.”

He leans down, pressing his lips to mine in a kiss that’s tender but full of promise. It’s a kiss that feels like the start of something new, something real.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Levi

The ballroom is a glittering spectacle of polished marble floors, sparkling chandeliers, and the quiet hum of calculated conversations. It’s another high-profile charity event, the kind of gathering where reputations are made and destroyed with a single whispered word.

Tania stands by my side, her head held high and her poise unshakable. She’s radiant in a midnight-blue dress that hugs her figure, her confidence making her even more breathtaking. But I can sense the tension in her shoulders, the way her smile doesn’t quite reach her eyes. She doesn’t like these events, and I don’t blame her. They’re a battlefield disguised as a social gathering.

And tonight, Damon is here.

I spot him across the room, his smug grin already grating on my nerves. He’s leaning against the bar, his gaze flicking to Tania every so often, like a predator circling its prey. It’s nosecret that Damon thrives on tearing people down, and I know he’s been waiting for an opportunity to strike.

“Tania,” I murmur, leaning closer. “Stay close tonight.”

She glances at me, her brow furrowing slightly. “Is something wrong?”

“Just Damon being Damon,” I reply, my tone clipped. “I don’t trust him.”

She nods, her expression tightening, but she doesn’t argue. She knows as well as I do that Damon doesn’t play fair.

It happens halfwaythrough the evening. Damon approaches with that trademark smirk of his, a glass of scotch in hand and a dangerous glint in his eye. He makes a beeline for us, and I feel Tania tense beside me.

“Levi,” Damon says smoothly, his tone dripping with mock camaraderie. “Always a pleasure.”

---