Page 63 of Stroke of Fate

“You need anything else?” He asks casually- like he didn’t drop an atomic bomb of words on me.

I chew and swallow the last bit of chocolate goodness, giving him a small shake of my head.

Standing, he grabs our empty plates and heads toward the kitchen. I’m left staring at his broad back, the muscles flexing and moving beneath his shirt as he walks.

***

My eyes slowly open as the sound of someone moving around my apartment stirs me awake.

It takes me a minute to figure out why I’m on my couch and not in bed, but gradually, bits and pieces from the night before come back to me.

Noticing Levi isn’t beside me, I look around and spot him slipping on a shoe by the door.

“You’re leaving?” My voice comes out groggy, and I clear my throat.

Surprise flashes across his features when he looks up at the sound of my voice. Why is he acting like someone trying to sneak out unnoticed?

We talked into the early morning hours before falling asleep on the couch together. Not exactly a reason to leave without saying goodbye.

Unless he woke up regretting our night together…

I try not to let the thought sting.

“I have somewhere to be and wanted to freshen up first,” he says as a way of explanation. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

Somewhere to be? On a Sunday? And it requires him to freshen up?

I shift under the covers, ignoring the unease settling in my stomach. Just because we spent one night together doesn’tmean he owes me anything more than a vague answer. Vague answers like those Hunter gave me whenever he was suddenly too busy to follow through on our plans.

Shaking thoughts of my ex away, I refocus on Levi.

“I’m a light sleeper,” I say, tucking the blanket under my armpits.

He slips on his other shoe before closing the distance between us. I move my legs aside, creating space for him to sit on the edge of the ottoman.

Taking my hand, he slowly runs his thumb along my palm. The rhythmic motion sends a shiver of pleasure through me.

“I enjoyed spending time with you last night,” he murmurs.

I run my tongue along my teeth, noticing how icky they feel. Tucked against Levi’s side last night, getting up to brush my teeth like usual was hard.

“Yeah, it was nice.”

He lifts a brow at my lackluster response. “Just nice?”

“Fine, a little more than nice. I enjoyed it, too.” I admit, digging my teeth into my bottom lip to stop the giddy smile from spreading.

Looking pleased with himself, he squeezes my hand. “Come with me to the bonfire this weekend. Invite your friends, too.”

I’ve seen posters on campus about the annual bonfire. Nibbling my lip, I wonder if he means as his date. The words sit on the tip of my tongue, but I don’t have the nerve to say them out loud.

So, I swallow them down and say, “Are you asking me or telling me?”

“We’ll ride together,” is his only response.

Telling me it is, then.

I study his face. High cheekbones, a strong, defined jaw, and those full lips I’ve fantasized about more than I care to admit.

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