Page 39 of Along Came Summer

“It would be a shame if we didn’t,” I answer jovially and use my spoon to cut into the dessert, ensuring I get every layer of the milk, dark and white chocolate mousse as I do. “As you are a guest, I think it’s only right you have the first bite.” I hold up the spoon to him, and he looks down at it before he opens his mouth to accept it. I watch closely as his lips part. Biting my own lip, I go to feed it to him; only instead of pushing the spoon to his mouth I purposely miss it and smear chocolate mousse all over his bearded chin and his mouth. “Oh,” I gasp playfully, “Oh no!” I exclaim comically as he stares at me in mock disapproval, fighting off laughter. Levi catches up the chocolate with his tongue and then chuckles.

“Mm, wow, that’s really good,” he hums between licks and my brain is too preoccupied with watching his tongue nimbly dart out and lick up the mess I left on his mouth. “I think you should try some as well.” Before I can even blink, he scoops up some mousse with his fingers and smears it across my mouth all the way up to my cheek.

I gape at him as he chuckles in amusement. I take a moment to savour the sweetness of the dessert while nodding in appreciation. “Mm, that really is good. I think you should have some more.” With my left hand, I scoop up what’s left on the plate and am about to spread it across his face when Levi moves swiftly, clamping down on my wrist.

“Oh, no you don’t.” He smirks, drawing me closer to him as his arm wraps tightly around my waist, trapping my other hand so I can’t move. He stares deeply into my eyes as he pushes my hand up to my own face.

“Levi, don’t, please, don’t!” I plead hopelessly as he holds me in place with ease; still, he covers me with chocolate mousse. “Ahhh!”

“Oh, wait, what was that?” He snickers as he pulls my hand back from my face, taking in my now-chocolate-covered visage. “Were you saying something Lovey? I didn't quite catch it through all that chocolate in your face.” He drawls cockily.

Licking the chocolate off my lips, I shake my head. “Let this be a life lesson to you. You should never wage a war you’re not prepared to see through till the end, Freckles.”

Sighing, I look up at him and narrow my eyes. “Who said the war is over, King?”

Levi’s brows go up with intrigue, and his eyes sweep down to take in my defeated position, “Well, judging by your current state, it looks to me like you’re all out of manoeuvres. So, you might as well surrender.”

Typical male ego. Always underestimating the small, powerless woman. We may not be as big or as strong, but we possessothertraits that will bring a man to his knees. “Ah, but you see, that goes against my character. There’s only one place I’ll submit to a man, and that’s in the bedroom.” Then, I fix my gaze on him and slide my index finger between my lips, letting out an enticing moan as I suck off the chocolate. Levi’s eyes dip, drawn in by the sight of me sucking my finger, and he swallows hard. “It’s a real shame we didn’t eat this cake,” I speak softly after I draw my finger out. “It really isdelicious.”

Levi’s eyes narrow, his fingers tightening around my wrist when I go to suck the mousse off from my middle finger, but he stops me. “Looks to me like you’re eating it all on your own and not sharing.”

My stomach does somersaults while I fixedly watch as he moves my hand closer to his mouth, his lips part, and my middle finger disappears inside his mouth. Every drop of oxygen I have in my lungs vanishes when I feel the warmth of his mouth and the silkiness of his tongue close around my finger and suck the chocolate off.

Oh boy.

When I look up again and find his eyes watching me, I feel a flush travel up my neck. I can see this going someplace it absolutely shouldn’t, but I can’t seem to scrape together an ounce of strength in me to put a stop to it. The longer I’m locked in his gaze, the blurrier everything around me gets. He looks at me, eyes smouldering, as if there’s a fire burning behind them; a fire that would burn me alive if given the chance.

A mischievous smirk curls up the corners of his mouth as if to say, 'Your turn'. I can feel the electricity igniting between us, the tension growing thicker. Lust runs hot in my veins, leaving no room for reason or caution. As I lean in closer, dipping my head, I slowly run the tip of my tongue over the fleck of chocolate on the column of his neck before I suck it off, emitting a low groan of pleasure from Levi. His fingers loosen from around my wrist and glide over my forearm.

The masculine yet spicy scent of his aftershave still lingers on his skin, not overpoweringly strong like when it’s first sprayed on, but hours later, when it’s had enough time to open up, infuse and merge with his natural scent, leaving behind an addictive concoction. God, no one should be allowed to smell this good. Closing my eyes, I breathe him in, burning every note of his scent into my senses to recall later.

Drawing back slightly, I peek up at him through my lashes. Levi opens his eyes and meets my gaze. Our faces are less than a hair apart. I can feel the warmth of his breath on my lips. Practically taste his kiss, and my God, am I burning for it.

Levi’s hand comes up, and he takes hold of my chin and looks down into my face as he leans in. My eyelids slide shut, and I instinctively wet my lips, parting them while eagerly awaiting his kiss. But he doesn’t kiss me—well, not where I want him to anyway. His mouth and tongue move along my jaw, my cheek, and my chin, peppering kisses and licking up the chocolate. I go lightheaded, and I’m barely able to stand straight, let alone think coherently. Between the alcohol I’ve consumed and the very evident attraction I feel for him, I’m done for.

My chocolate-stained hands wander up his torso, discovering ridges and valleys of lean muscle beneath the fabric and my lady parts flutters in elation. It shouldn’t be a surprise because just looking at him and his arms, you could tell that under all the clothes, he has a magnificent physique.

One I’m eager to unveil while I slowly remove one piece of clothing at a time. “Do you know what I’m wondering, Freckles?” Levi burrs against my ear, sending a corpus of sparks through me.

“What?” I respond breathily.

“If your pussy tastes as good as your desserts.”Holy smokes! An aberrant heat consumes me, and my stomach curls in on itself into a knot of anticipation. Not only is he insanely gorgeous, but he talks dirty to boot.

My exes… all,both of them,couldn’t form a cohesive sentence, much less talk dirty, so Levi’s remark caught me off guard.

“It doesn’t,” I moan, biting down on my lip when his lips brush along my jaw. Levi stills for a second until I add, “It tastesbetter.” And I feel him smile before he draws back to look at me. “What?” I ask. “You think I don’t taste myself? When you’ve been single for as long as I have, you need to get creative.”

Levi’s eyes flash with interest before they narrow. Licking his lips, he brushes a strand of my hair away from my face. “Oh? And exactly how long has it been since you’ve had sex?”

“Not that long.” Levi gives me a look that indicates he’s waiting for me to elaborate. “Two years,” I admit, averting my gaze and trying my darndest to keep from turning crimson. Not that I have anything to be ashamed of. We don’t all need to hump like bunnies to get through our day… though it would be nice. I’ve just been focused on building my business and haven’t taken an interest in anyone… till now.

“Twoyears.” He intones, and I nod, clearing my throat. I can’t tell if he’s judging me or if he’s genuinely surprised a human can go that long without getting dicked down. God, what was I thinking? I’ve not even kissed this guy yet, and I’m divulging intimate details about myself. Yes, there are days when I wonder if my virginity has grown back after such a lengthy time of no intercourse. I’ve put him off. Bloody hell, I should have said six months because now he’s looking at me like I belonged in a convent rather than the attractive stranger he saw moments ago.

“Why do you look as though I just stole the wind right out of your sails? I mean, if it’s put you off, we don’t have to—”

Levi’s brows draw together, and he places both his hands on my upper arms and looks down at me. “Put me off?” he iterates, shaking his head. “Summer, no, I’m not put off. In fact, it’s the opposite, I’m… fuck you’re like a breath of fresh air,” he sighs, smiling warmly. “I was just thinking, I don’t even know you, but I can see how kind and wonderful you are. That guy you went on a date with is an absolute moron to not take notice of how special you really are.”

Something happens to my insides at his proclamation, and I almost melt into a puddle at his feet. This time, there is no containing the blush I feel amassing in my cheeks, and Levi, of course, notices me turning a deep shade of red even through all the smears of chocolate and smiles. “You look even cuter when you blush, Freckles.” I hate my freckles, always have, but every time he calls me Freckles, my heart flutters wildly.

---