Page 69 of Hopeless Romantic
He laughed. It was a good laugh, and it transformed his entire face. A hum vibrated through her entire body.
“Noted.”
Chapter 14
Typically, when Levi wanted something, he made a plan, then went after it. And he wanted Beckett. Bad. He’d bet the boat she wanted him back, but neither of them was ready to take it too fast.
Beckett had a habit of dating forget-me-tomorrow kind of men. Which boggled the mind, because she was in no way close to a forget-me-tomorrow kind of woman.
Levi slid her a glance as he pulled into her driveway, noticing she was wearing a grin about as big and dopey as his. When he flicked off the engine, they stared at each other as the dome light faded and the cab grew cozy.
“I wanted to thank you for tonight,” he began, taking her hand. “I know how hard it is for you to find time for yourself. That you chose to spend it with me is pretty humbling.”
She glanced his way. “Youwereblocking my escape.”
“That was a pretty desperate move on my part,” he admitted.
She snorted. “You haven’t had to make a desperate move in your life, Levi Rhodes.”
“I’m about to make one.” He leaned across the cab and gave her the kind of kiss she deserved. Tender and warm, a gentle invitation with a finish that hinted at possibilities.
Naked and panting possibilities.
Before he lost himself again, he pulled back and rested their foreheads together. Slowly, Beckett’s lashes lifted to unveil a pair of big, whiskey-brown eyes and—Christ almighty—he saw more than he’d anticipated.
Beckett’s normal sharp edges were softened, her mascara slightly smudged, her nose pink from a night under the stars. She looked adorable, windblown, and completely carefree. It was a good look on her.
“Can I take your sweet smile to mean that you had a good time tonight?”
Her eyes widened into matching circles of surprise. “Are you fishing for compliments, or is the great Levi ‘Lady Whisperer’ looking for reassurance?”
“How about we go with the latter.”
She snorted. “I had a great time. I’d hoped the laughing and ear-to-ear grin were enough, but next time I’ll be sure to pat you on the head.”
“Next time, huh?”
“You did invite me to dinner at your mom’s house. That’s some pretty strong game,” she teased. “Should I relay the invitation to Annie, as well?”
“Only if you want the guys to give me shit from here until eternity.” As if his previous line of questioning hadn’t already made him look like a total fool, he found himself saying, “After the quiet ride home, I may or may not have started second-guessing my approach.”
That sweet smile faded into a single, tight line of reproach. “I don’t play games, Levi. Just because I’m quiet doesn’t mean something’s wrong, or that I’m tentative or unsure. And don’t mistake my shy side for me not knowing my mind or—why are you smiling?”
Levi framed her face. “Your shy side is one of my favorites. Right behind your feisty side. As for knowing your mind, that was never in question. I just can’t always make out what you’re thinking, and that makes me nervous. You make me nervous.” He paused at her smile. “Oh, you like that you make me nervous, do you?”
“You’re always so confident—it’s a nice change.”
“Confident?” He was amused, if not a tad moved, by her assessment. “That’s complete and utter fear you’re seeing.”
“Then you wear it well.”
Loud music sounded in the distance. It was difficult for Levi to make out the song through the truck’s cab, but Beckett didn’t seem to have any trouble. Apology, mixed with tired resignation, flickered in her eyes as she glanced over her shoulder to the front door.
“I also like that you can’t guess what I’m thinking, because the inside of my mind usually sounds like the trading floor on Wall Street.”
She was trying to make light of all the balls she was juggling and the snap decisions people in her life made that affected her ability to keep her word. But he’d already looked past the tough-girl exterior to the fragile woman who was fueled by constant fear of disappointing others.
“And now?”
