Page 27 of Flawless Foundations

"What about sponsors?"

"Not really, I get a lot of products to review, but I'm not there yet. I'd love to pick up a sponsor or two. But what are goals for, right?" I chuckle. He smiles, and we talk more about Glitz & Gloss. I love that his career is in the beauty industry, it makes talking about my passion so much more entertaining.

"What about you, Mr. King? Where do you see yourself in five years?" I mock interrogate him.

He nudges me again, a little more forcefully than before, and it knocks me off balance. Then we both laugh. "Really, though, how's your career going for you? Is it everything you thought it would be?"

He shifts, his eyebrows draw together. "I've worked my ass off to get where I am today. I'm nearly at the top of my career ladder, but I'm not quite there yet. At times, lately, it feels like it's suddenly unattainable." He rubs the back of his neck.

"How so?" I cock my head; clearly, he's flustered.

"With my father getting ready to retire, he's making life more... difficult. It's unnecessary, really," he says, gazing down toward the end of the bed.

"Hmm. Well, I'm sorry to hear that. Maybe this is just his last-ditch effort to make sure you're really ready to helm the ship," I offer.

As if he mentally shakes himself free from wherever he is in his mind, he looks back at me. It takes him a moment, but he finally smiles. "I'm sure you're right."

Hmm. Could there be more to this stress that Joseph is putting on Levi? He's always been hard on his children; I guess it would make sense that he never stopped.

Right as I get ready to further the conversation, my phone beeps with a text. My eyes go wide, and I stare at Levi.

"You didn't turn your phone on silent. You made me promise to silence mine, and you said you did it too. What the hell, Bex?" He tries for livid, but I can tell he's trying not to laugh. Then without warning, a pillow smacks me in the face. I'm caught off guard, once I recover, I start laughing and whack him with it. My giggles and his own laughter fill the room until we are both lying in the bed, catawampus from where we started. Catching our breath, he asks, "Where the hell is your phone, anyway? It sounded like it was coming from the bed, but you haven't had it all morning."

I bite my lip and hide my smile, but don't say anything. Then his fingers are digging into my sides as he tickles me. I hate being tickled, but of course, I naturally laugh uncontrollably.

"Where is your phone, woman?" He laughs, the tickling doesn't let up.

"Under. My. Bed," I say between laughter and gasping for air.

"You've got to be kidding me. Why?" The tickles start to slow and I'm able to catch my breath.

"I dunno, it seemed like a good place at the time."

He just shakes his head and leans in and kisses my nose. "You're a crazy one, Becca Nicely. But I love it and wouldn't want it any other way."

Hearing the L word on his lips makes me sober, just a tad. Then I wonder what it would feel like, even if he said those three little words that are probably way too soon to hear.

If I’m being honest with myself, it's not too soon for me, I've loved Levi for years now.

Chapter 14

Levi

It's nearly four o'clock on a Sunday, and for the first time in forever, I'm not looking forward to the week ahead. It's not because my father is making my life hell in the office. It's not work-related. No, it's Becca-related. I'm head over heels for her and after spending the weekend with her, I don't want to go back to only seeing her a couple times a week. Despite just living across the hall, I don't get to see her often. Granted, now that Emmy has moved out, I won't have to explain late night drop-ins to see my girl.

Yesterday, I had to work from my home office for a couple hours. It was a pain to pull myself away from Becca, but she came with me and worked on her blog in the living room while I worked. Knowing that she was nearby made working bearable. It's funny, even when I was dating Darcy—and before I realized she was an unfaithful bitch—I never craved time with her. I was content with seeing her every few days, a text or call on days I didn't see her. There were times, hell, I admit it, a lot of times that I used work as an excuse to get away from her.

No, this is definitely a new development. One that I wasn't expecting. A man could get used to this. I want to talk to her; I want to be near her; I want to taste her. Plus, she fucking smells good. She seems to feel the same way about me, which feels damn good.

I've only thought about my predicament a couple of times over the past couple of days, and only with thoughts of how she would be my saving grace if I could suck up enough courage to ask her. That if I had to shackle myself to this woman tomorrow for the rest of my life, I would do it willingly. But, I digress, the weekend is nearly over, and back to reality it is for the two of us.

I'm dreading my next night alone. After three nights in a row, will I even be able to sleep? I wonder if she'd be opposed to moving in with me.

"Do you rent or own this place?" I ask her. She's in the kitchen making nachos for the football game that is about to start.

"I own, why?" Her back is to me thankfully, so she doesn't see my defeat.Damn.Renting would be easier to part with.

"Just curious. How do you think you'll like being roommate free?" I tread lightly.

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