Autumn Bliss (18 page)

Anna gave him a look that reassured him she’d behave. Sure she would—unless she thought she was ‘helping’ him. Then she’d toss him under the bus faster than Santa Butch.

“Janelle is always happy for more volunteers,” Mallory said. “We’ll talk soon.”

Levi’s stomach tightened, but he ignored it. Anna insisted he come for dinner soon and he promised sometime in the next week. As his sister began backing away with the kids, she swung her gaze to the woman at his side.

“You should come, too, Mallory.”

See—’helping.’

While he glared at Anna, Mallory called back, “Sounds like fun.”

He released the breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. After the past week, he’d expected an outright
no, thank you
. Progress.

Ignoring his sister’s way too satisfied grin, he turned to Mallory. “Can we talk for a moment before you get back into all this?” He gestured widely toward the festival.

Caution entered her eyes, but she replied, “Okay.”

He tugged her through the barn, weaving around children and their parents in the petting zoo, hoping outside the back entrance would afford them some privacy.

“Levi,” she half-heartedly protested. “Where are we going?”

“You’ll see.”

When he glanced over his shoulder, he saw Janelle, Mark, and another couple enter the far side door, but he ignored them and hurried Mallory outside.

His heart practically bruised his ribs as he rehearsed the jumble of words swirling in his head.

I’m crazy about you. Whatever this is between us, it just keeps getting stronger every day. I know you want to go, but would you stay instead? Stay and give me a chance to make you happy.

It was the second time he could recall being nauseous about speaking his feelings out loud. The first had been when he faced his shrink across an ugly chrome and glass coffee table. He’d come out on the other side of that and continued going through the motions.

Now, he wanted so much more, all because of her, and even though he wasn’t sure if he could get the words out without screwing everything up, he knew he had to try. Because something else was tearing at his gut besides nervousness—the certainty that if he didn’t take a chance now, he’d regret it for the rest of his life.

They were alone once they stepped through the door. After he closed it and turned to face her, the multitude of emotions vying for dominance in her expressive eyes struck him speechless.

Apprehension…hope…regret…anticipation.

She didn’t say one word as the link between them drew him closer with inescapable force. Her breath hitched, his gaze dropped to her lips, and suddenly all he could think about was kissing her.

So he did. It was easier than trying to give voice to the tornado inside him. Easier, safer, and much more enjoyable.

Until a loud knock jerked her from his arms. The hand she lifted to her mouth shook as her gaze skittered from him to the opening door.

Janelle stepped halfway through, her expression almost comical with its contrite grimace. “I’m so sorry to interrupt, but there’s a couple here from Minnesota, and they
really
want to talk to Mallory before they go.”

She frowned as she quickly smoothed her hair. “About what?”

“That’s their place to say. But I wouldn’t have bothered you two if it wasn’t important.”

Her gaze had switched to Levi with the last bit, and her eyes practically begged for his forgiveness.
Why?

Unease swirled in his stomach as Mallory finished checking her appearance, then hurried through the open door.

“I’m sorry,” Janelle whispered to him before disappearing back into the barn.

He blew out a breath, then drew in another just as fast to loosen the irrational apprehension gripping his chest. So someone wanted to talk to Mallory. Big deal.

His tension did not ease, though, and he wondered,
what does Janelle know?

He stepped inside, remaining in the background to listen as the fear that’d been growing since the night he’d shared meatloaf dinner with her became a reality.

She was going to leave. Now.

Technically it was a week, but that was close enough to now.

The couple from Minnesota, the Scotts, were so impressed with the work she’d done on the festival in one short month, they’d offered her a job with their company, a furnished apartment, and a salary that boggled the mind.

With the initial offer, Mallory had cast him a glance that made his heart soar. She was torn—he wouldn’t automatically lose her. He still had a chance.

But as the couple continued talking about their company, and the events they wanted her to plan, the light that brightened her eyes nearly seared his soul and broke his heart.

He didn’t want her to go. But want was a whole other matter—one he couldn’t think about now. She needed this far more than he needed her.

She deserved this chance to leave and make something of herself outside the small town that had kept her mother suppressed for so many years. Mallory would be the one to get out and do all she was meant to do. Along the way, he prayed she’d figure out she was not the
nothing
her mother had drummed into her subconscious.

For that reason alone, he knew he could never ask her to stay. Because although she was standing right in front of him, the truth was, she was already gone.

Chapter 21

Everything was packed. The lodge had bought her couch, bed, and other large furniture pieces for the cabin since she wouldn’t need them in Minneapolis. The rest of her things were in the brand new car Shane had helped her purchase, ready to go first thing in the morning.

She should be happy. She was getting all she’d wanted with a great new job in a city that would offer opportunities galore.
Mom would be so proud
.

And yet, her eyes burned, and she couldn’t even summon a ghost of a smile. Instead, she sat on the couch thinking how depressingly ironic it was that she’d spent a week avoiding Levi before the festival, and now, when she most wanted to see him, he was avoiding
her.

When she finally worked up the courage to ask where he was, Mark had averted his gaze and told her he’d taken vacation.
Vacation
.

The sonofabitch made her fall in love with him and then left without so much as a goodbye.

She thought about confiding in Nikki, or Josie, or even Janelle. She could’ve used the support only true friends would provide, but she knew exactly what each one would say—they’d tell her to stay. Not only because they’d all stated they didn’t want her go, but because they all believed love was enough—even Josie, who hadn’t had a truly serious relationship since Nash left town eight years ago.

Hell, she wanted to believe it was, too. With all her heart, she wanted to.

But right now, as she sat by herself, her love alone wasn’t enough. Just as it wasn’t enough for her friends to ask her to stay, because the one person she really wanted—no
needed
—to voice that request had gone AWOL on her.

Levi had to be the one. She’d give everything up for him, if only
he’d
ask.

The thought of leaving him, of never seeing him again, put an ache in her chest that not only refused to go away, but grew worse every day. Until she wasn’t sure she’d ever draw another breath without her heart hurting.

She’d said her goodbyes to all her friends a couple nights ago, and had dinner with Shane last night.

Earlier today, after finishing her last day at the gift shop and thanking Mark and Janelle for everything they’d done for her, and for being so understanding about this opportunity, she’d taken a walk past Levi’s place. He still wasn’t home. And though she’d given up hope he’d come back before she left, for the past two hours, she’d been sitting in her living room watching for the telltale shine of his headlights to flash by the window.

Nothing.

It was almost ten o’clock. Time to face facts and pretend to get some sleep for the five hour drive in the morning. A last glance at the jar on the coffee table had her reaching inside to dig out the one that meant the most.

Levi finally smiled today.

She lightly brushed her finger over the ink. That one she’d take with her because the memory of that moment in the woods would always live in her heart. The rest she’d leave, hopefully to inspire the guests that came after her.

A loud rap on the door nearly made her jump out of her skin. She surged to her feet, whirling to face the door. There’d been no lights, meaning whomever was on her porch had walked.

God, please, let it be him
.

Pocketing the slip of paper, she hurried across the room, barely able to catch her breath as her heart hammered high up in her throat. She opened the door—

And there he was.

Stubble-darkened jaw, messed hair, and the most turbulent pair of green eyes she’d ever seen.

“Hey,” he said softly.

Suddenly, she could breathe again. Without giving him a chance to say anything more, she threw her arms around his neck and held on tight. Joy soared as his arms closed tight around her.

Willing away happy tears, she whispered into his neck, “I didn’t think you were coming back.”

“I didn’t want to,” he admitted, his voice rough as he walked her inside and kicked the door shut. “I tried not to, but I couldn’t stay away. I wanted to—”

She silenced him with a kiss that quickly blazed out of control. She didn’t care if he hadn’t wanted to—she only cared that he had. Within minutes, his jacket lay on the floor, her shirt was half-unbuttoned, and she was desperate to feel his hot skin against hers.

Fisting her hand in his T-shirt, she backed toward the bedroom, pulling him with her.

The dimple that accompanied his grin about undid her. “Maybe we should talk first.”

“Later.”

The lamp beside the bed cast a soft glow out into the hall. As she passed through the door, he caught the frame with a hand on either side. When his shirt stretched but he wouldn’t budge, she arched her eyebrows in disbelief.

“Seriously?”

His smoldering gaze shifted to the bed. Indecision flickered across his face. “Kinda.”

Okay, that gave her some wiggle room. She released the material in her hand, backed up, and stripped her own shirt over her head. The fire in his eyes flared high as she tossed it aside, but he didn’t move.

She reached up for the front clasp on her light blue bra, paused, and met his gaze.

“That’s not fair,” he accused.

“And what are you going to do about it?” she taunted. “Other than make me do this by myself.”

He rocked backward in the doorway before he let go and strode into the room. The predatory gleam in his eyes backed her up until her knees buckled against the edge of the bed and she lost her balance.

Levi caught her, then laid her down in one smooth motion. He followed her descent to capture her lips in a deep, tender kiss that touched her soul. When he nibbled and licked his way down her neck, she arched her back, offering herself without reservation.

Quick and nimble, his fingers unclasped her bra, and the whiskers on his jaw scraped her skin. Anticipation tightened her nipples until they ached. The flick of his tongue on one sensitive bud drew a soft gasp, then the warmth of his mouth closing over her breast shot sensation straight to her core.

He cupped and massaged her other breast with his hand, rubbing her nipple with his thumb to heighten the pleasure as he sucked on the first. When he switched sides to give each one equal attention, she whimpered, desperate for his touch in other places, yet not wanting him to stop.

“Levi…”

His body moved over hers, his weight pressing into her as he trailed warm, sensual kisses back to her mouth. Through the material of their jeans, she felt the hard ridge of his arousal at the apex of her thighs. She opened her legs, lifting her knees to welcome him closer, grinding her hips against his while wishing a snap of her fingers would get rid of the rest of their clothes.

“Mallory.” He uttered her name on a half-sigh, half-moan and buried his face in the crux of her neck. “God, you feel so good. But…I didn’t mean for this to—”

“Shhh.” Leaving one finger against his lips, she slid her other hand between them, to the waistband of his jeans.

“But—”

“Levi.” She tugged the button free, found the zipper tab, and slid it down. “Why in the world do you want to
talk
right now?”

“I know, I’m an idiot, but…” He lifted his head to look into her eyes. “Are you sure? I mean, with—”

“I’m one hundred percent sure.” She rubbed her palm against the length of his erection. “You have no idea how much I need this right now—how much I need
you
.”

The moss-green color of his eyes deepened. His next kiss was hard, passionate, and so close to the edge of control, her insides quivered.

Gathering the hem of his T-shirt, she started to drag it up. Her left hand encountered a patch of roughness along his other-wise firm, smooth skin. Curiosity made her pause to trace the uneven shape on his side, but she couldn’t figure out what it was.

She became aware he’d gone completely still, his head slightly averted as his ragged breath stirred the hair by her ear. Swift tension vibrated along the surface of his skin, and the mattress trembled beneath her.

That’s when she knew.

Very quietly, eyes closed, she asked, “Will you tell me about this later?”

His hard swallow sounded loud in the hushed silence. “Yes.”

That was all she needed to know. She skimmed her hand up his back, over his shoulder, and threaded her fingers through his hair to pull his head back to resume the kiss. She offered everything, until the stiffness in his body was from nothing more than arousal. Then she dragged his shirt over his head and tossed it aside.

Levi shifted to one side, raising his head to look down at her as he threaded his fingers through the hair at her temple. “I never expected anyone like you in my life. Never.”