Page 57 of Her Runaway Duke
Levi’s hands moved to her waist, pulling her closer as he deepened the kiss. Siena’s heart raced as she realized that this man had, so unexpectedly, captured her heart.
As their lips parted, they gazed into each other's eyes, both breathing heavily. Raw emotion reflected in Levi's gaze, a vulnerability that touched her soul and made her feel truly seen for the first time in her life.
"I never expected to find someone like you," Levi whispered, his voice husky with emotion. “Even before everything changed in my life, I didn’t truly believe that a woman for me existed.”
“Perhaps there wasn’t at that time,” she said. “Perhaps I am only right for the man you are now, and not the man you were then.”
Levi's hands traveled up her back, tangling in her hair as he pulled her closer, kissing her deeply once more.
His thumb brushed gently against her cheek, wiping away a stray tear. "I want to spend the rest of my life getting to know every inch of you, Siena," he said, his voice filled with raw emotion, his eye gazing into hers.
“You want to,” she whispered, “but will you?”
He didn’t answer her then, instead leading her over to the bed, where he provided her with no more words but instead worshipped her body, peppering kisses over her skin,discovering every curve and dip that made her bodyuniquely hers. Siena felt a sense of liberation, of being truly alive as Levi's hands explored her with reverence and desire.
He didn’t draw anything out this time, slowly notching himself inside of her and moving in and out, finding a rhythm that was as old as time, each touch igniting a fire — one that they both allowed to consume them. Siena released all of her inhibitions, giving herself completely to the man who had unexpectedly stolen her heart, and soon enough they were coming together, overwhelmed by both their pleasure as well as the emotion that this night had revealed.
As the night turned into dawn, they lay entwined in each other's arms, the light of a new day peeking through the curtains. Siena traced lazy patterns on Levi's chest, his heart beating steady beneath her touch.
"I could stay here forever," Levi murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
Siena lifted her gaze to meet his. "As could I," she replied softly. "But reality will soon come knocking at our door – likely in the form of your valet."
Levi's expression darkened slightly at the reminder of the world they would, at some point, have to face.
But not right now.
Right now, they would simply enjoy one another.
CHAPTER 21
Levi couldn’t stop smiling the entire next morning.
As much as it was possible for him to actually smile.
It wasn’t only because he had spent the night with Siena. It was that she had sought him out. She had needed him. He couldn’t remember the last time someone had needed him, and not just for what he could provide but for who he was.
He still avoided his little makeshift house party – the one that he had no desire to be hosting – but he found himself seeking Siena out that afternoon, eager for time alone with her.
He discovered her in the front parlor with Lady Eliza and Lady Willoughby, looking out over the front drive beyond them as they took tea together.
“My apologies for the interruption,” he said gruffly, not enjoying the way they were all staring at him, although rationally he understood that he was the one speaking, standing in the doorway as he was, although as far from their scrutiny as possible. “Lady Siena, I was wondering if you might join me for a walk in the gardens?”
The beam that lit her face was worth his discomfort. “I would love to,” she said. “That is, Lady Willoughby and Eliza, if you do not mind.”
“Of course not, dear,” Lady Willoughby said, patting her hand. “We shall see you afterward. Enjoy yourself.”
Siena collected her hat before joining him, smiling up at Levi and slipping her arm through his as they stepped out into the sunshine. When she closed her eyes and lifted her head to the sky, he realized that it wasn’t the sun that was warming him. It was her.
She was changing something within him, lifting the weight that had been sitting on his shoulders for far too long.
He was so caught up in her that he didn’t notice the commotion far up the drive until it was too late.
Siena’s head snapped forward at the noise of the horse’s hooves against the gravel, and she stiffened as she turned and looked up at him frantically.
“Levi,” she said, “who is that?”
The alarm in her voice mirrored his own unease, but her fear was much more justified than his own discomfort. If these new visitors were here for her, then it could mean that everything she had worked so hard to overcome could come crashing down around her, sending her right back to the prison she had escaped.
