Page 74 of Ill Will

There were wedding decorations strewn on the floor, and my ring was on my finger, so we were definitely married.

I just hoped I was alone in my morning misery.

As the coffee brewed, I grabbed a glass bottle from the fridge just as I heard footsteps. I turned to see Levi gazing at me from the doorway, and I knew that my denial could no longer continue.

He was here.

“I know there’s a lot going on,” he said, “but it might be too early to be drinking.”

I paused, looking at the glass bottle in my hands and then to him. “No, this isn’t alcohol.” I turned the label so he could see. “It’s maple syrup.”

“You’re putting that in your coffee?”

“As opposed to what? Maple-flavoredsyrup?”

His brows knitted, but then he grabbed a mug. “Can I try it?”

“You could just think I’m weird and move on.”

“I do think you’re weird. But you’remytype of weird, and I wanna join you.”

I pressed my lips together and poured him some. He added coffee to his cup and took a sip.

“This is good.”

“Right? It’s the best way to have coffee.”

“Did you sleep well?”

“Yep. Slept great. Like the dead.” My voice was flat.

“You’re in a great mood this morning,” he said sarcastically as his eyes roamed over me again.

I did not look my best. I’d tossed and turned all night and didn’t put my hair in a silk bonnet, which meant my curls were two times bigger than usual. I’d groaned when I got up and stuffed all of my mane into a bun.

At least Levi had the sense to not say anything.

“I always am before coffee,” I muttered before finally taking a long sip.

“Mind if I have another cup?”

“Sure. What’s mine is yours, or whatever people say about marriage. Though, if you finish the pot, you better make more.”

“That I can agree to.” He walked by me, eyes flicking down to my top and back up. I frowned and followed his line of sight.

That was when I realized that he could see right through the thin material to my nipples.

“Oh my God!” I yelled, covering myself with my arms.

“I didn’t see anything!”

“Don’t lie! You did!”

“Only a little, but I wasn’t gonna mention it. I have self-control. I can be respectful.”

“That doesn’t mean I’m letting you see my nipples for free, buddy!” I yelled as I darted back to my room.

I threw on a T-shirt and leggings, determined never to show Levi my breasts again. When I got back downstairs, he was sipping coffee andnotlooking me in the eye.

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