Page 104 of Stroke of Fate

My own emotions have a vice grip on my throat, making it hard to speak. “I never realized you saw the picture.”

When I unpacked my stuff that day, it was exactly how I remembered packing it. It never even crossed my mind to ask if he’d seen it.

“The moment I saw you, my entire world shifted. And I didn’t even realize it, at least at that moment.”

His honesty is refreshing, and I know in my gut that this is the moment I’ve been waiting for. After everything he confessed, the words don’t seem as scary.

“Levi, I love you,” I whisper, watching his Adam’s apple bob as he swallows. “You don’t have to say it back.” I hurry to add when he keeps staring at me. “But I need you to know how completely and utterly in love I am with you.”

My heart is beating like crazy, but I keep going. “You walked into my life when I least expected it, but I wouldn’t change any of it. Thank you for making me feel like I'm someone worth loving.”

Levi tugs me to my feet, crushing me against him, and I cling to him just as tightly. When he pulls back, I’m shocked to see his eyes shining with moisture under the soft light.

“You don’t know how happy hearing those words makes me. I love you too, Bear. So fucking much.” He cups my face in his hands as my smile breaks free. “You make me feel like the best part of my life started when I met you.”

His mouth finds mine, and he kisses me, deep and slow. Like I’m the source of his next breath, and he’s mine.

We fumble back to the fort, dropping clothes along the way.

Once we’re back in our little world, Levi peppers my skin with soft kisses, each accompanied by a whispered"I love you,"which sends shivers down my spine.

There’s only him and me as our bodies move together, sweet and slow.

The world outside a distant memory.

30 | BEAR

On the morning of my twentieth birthday, I’m woken up with pancakes in bed courtesy of my best friend. Birthday pancakes were a tradition in my house growing up, so it means a lot that Pia’s taken it upon herself to keep it alive.

“Happy Birthday, Care Bear!” she sing-songs, setting a tray on my lap.

“One chocolate chip and one blueberry? You remembered.” I could never pick between one or the other, so I always went with both.

“We haven’t been away from each other that long,” she giggles, grabbing her plate from the tray.

“I wish we weren’t away from each other at all.”

“Yeah,” she mumbles around a mouth full of pancakes. “But after meeting Levi last night, I wouldn’t blame you if you never want to come back to California again.”

“So, does that mean you like him?” I’ve been dying to know since we picked her up from the airport.

We didn’t get much of a chance to talk last night, at least not about this. Levi left shortly after we arrived home since he had to be up early for his swim meet. And by the time we said goodbye to him, we were pretty worn out ourselves. Pia from her travel day and me, well, let’s just say Levi was very enthusiastic about our love confession. And he made it known by making me come multiple times.

“Are you kidding? A gentleman,andhe’s hot.” She fans her face dramatically, making me giggle.

This right here is what I’ve missed.

“He’s pretty amazing,” I admit, thinking of how good last night was.

Not only was it good, but it was everything and more I could have hoped for as someone who’s always loved love. The date he planned, the words we spoke to each other, and the honesty and vulnerability we shared still blows my mind.

I’ve never felt closer to him than I did in those sacred moments. And I may not know what lies ahead for us, but I’ll hold on to that memory for the rest of my life.

“Do you know what else I like about him?” Pia says, and I put my fork down, waiting for her to say more.

“He makes my best friend happy. You’ve got this glow about you. With Hunter, I felt like he dimmed your light a little. Don’t get me wrong, he had some redeemable qualities,” she admits begrudgingly. “But after seeing you and Levi together, it’s obvious he was never supposed to be your person.”

“The glow could be from the three orgasms he gave me before we picked you up,” I confess, covering my face with one hand to hide my embarrassment.

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