Page 27 of Tower
I’m not going to lie. I miss the sex. It’s gotten better and better as the weeks have passed.
But I misshimmore.
It starts raining at lunchtime, so I’m hanging out in the lounge with some of the others. Everyone was feeling lazy and restless, so Jen started reading a book out loud to amuse us.
It’s a romantic suspense novel about a woman who witnessed a murder and the hot, mysterious security specialist who’s protecting her. I’m enjoying it, and it’s making the time pass as I wait for Levi to get home.
Becca just did my toenails, so I’m turned sideways in a chair with my legs dangling over the armrest so the polish can dry.
A shout from the perimeter alerts us that something is happening. Dep gets up to investigate, and after a minute, he calls out, “They’re back! Looks like everyone made it.”
I sit up eagerly, but Becca squeals and tells me it’s too early to move or I’ll mess up all her hard work on my nails. So I’m still sprawled out across the chair in a ridiculous position when Levi strides into the lounge.
My heart jumps at the sight of his big body, untrimmed hair and beard, and dirty clothes. Itjumps. Excitement and deep relief and pleasure.
He’s okay. And he’s home.
“You plannin’ on loungin’ there all lazy and unconcerned instead of comin’ out to say hi to your man?” He’s scowling at me fiercely, although his eyes are running up and down my body with an urgency it’s impossible not to notice.
“I’m sorry.” I’m laughing and straightening up again, taking care with my pretty toenails. “Becca just worked on my toes, and she’ll be pissed if I mess them up.”
“Maybe I’ll be pissed if I don’t get any sorta welcome from you.”
He doesn’t look pissed, although he isn’t smiling. He looks and feels warm as he watches me check the condition of my toenail polish.
Deciding it’s dry enough, I swing my legs around to slide my boots back on.
When I’ve done so, Levi approaches my chair.
I think he’s going to help me up, so I reach up to grab his extended hand. But instead of levering me to my feet, he leans over to pick me all the way up and cradle me.
Letting out a shrill sound of surprise, I grab his neck as he bounces me slightly to rearrange my weight in his arms. “I’m too heavy!”
“You sure as hell are not.” He bounces me again. “Just right.”
I’m not sure how I can help but melt at the sentiment and the sight of his familiar face and possessively pleased dark eyes. “Fine, but I’m capable of walking, you know.”
“You were actin’ like your toenails were the priority here. Who am I to argue with that logic?”
Giggling helplessly, I hide my face in his shoulder as he carries me out of the building and into the courtyard and then up the stairs toward our room. There’s all the predictable laughter, hoots, and raunchy jokes from the others. It’s all in fun, but it still makes me self-conscious.
When we get into the room, he sets me down on my feet abruptly. “Shit, I’m out of breath. Way too old for that shit.”
I laugh some more at his self-deprecating tone. Then I watch as he sits down in his favorite chair and leans over to untie the laces on his hiking boots.
Of course. The sexy, dramatic display was for the benefit of the others, the roles we’ve played from the beginning.
He’s getting comfortable in his chair, the way he does when he wants to rest. He’s been traveling hard for days without a safe bed to sleep in. He’s got to be utterly beat.
It’s fine. I was getting excited, but I can wait for sex until this evening. I’ll give him a foot rub and help him relax. I’m just happy he’s safe and he’s back.
I’ve turned and am walking toward the old bathroom to dampen a towel and get the lotion when he demands gruffly, “What the fuck you doin’? Get your clothes off.”
Whirling around, I gape at him with wide eyes. “I thought you were tired and needed to res?—”
“I’ll rest later.” He’s already dragging his shirt off over his head. “Get naked. What you waitin’ for?”
I’m so surprised and thrilled I start giggling again, pulling my dress off without hesitation. It’s a long, loose one in my favorite boho style with a floral print on a dark pink background. “I didn’t know. I thought you’d be tired.”
