Chapter Twenty-Eight
Levi
2 months later…
“Thanks, bro,” I say to Mateo as he lets me inside Harper’s place. I texted him yesterday to tell him I was coming home early so he could be here this morning to help me surprise my girl.
We hug, slapping each other on the back. “Glad to have you home. We’ll catch up later.”
“Yeah.”
He ambles back down the hall toward Teague’s room like he’s half asleep. It’s a little early for a Sunday. I owe him one.
I roll my luggage out of the way before grabbing a glass of water. I’m incredibly stoked to be home. The shoot in Australia went phenomenally well, but damn, I missed Harper. I missed the feel of her soft body against mine and the way she shivers when I kiss behind her ear. I missed the sweet smell of her hair and the coconut-raspberry scent of her skin. I missed her taste, sometimes minty, sometimes tangy, always mouthwatering good.
The distance sucked.
But hearing her happy, enthusiastic voice on phone calls, and doing some sexy skyping, kept us connected on days when I really needed a fix. I loved receiving her selfies, too. Her lush lips smiling, or pouty, or blowing me a kiss. Each one stopped my heart in the best possible way, and I’ve fallen even more in love with her while gone.
I was busy as hell every day of the trip, all of them good. And each day I’d text, call, or write to Harper. I didn’t want her to worry about me, not for one second. I shared everything with her, sent pictures, and when Leo Gaines showed up to have Thanksgiving dinner with the entire crew, I think she was more excited for me than I was. (I’ve got Leo’s number saved in my phone. He told me to get in touch.)
Ham filled me in on all the details of her busy schedule, too. I’m so proud of her and everything she’s accomplished with her foundation in such a short time.
I put the water glass down on the counter. I’m finally home, and knowing Harper is under the same roof sends an electric current sizzling through me. It’s time to wake her, then spend the rest of the day in bed loving her.
…
Harper
Heart-whipped. Cock-whipped. Mind-whipped. I’m all of those things, and I don’t care. I had no idea I’d fall even more in love with Levi while he was gone. Absence has made my heart grow infinitely fonder. I reread his text and bicycle-kick my sheets. His sweet, sexy words never fail to put butterflies in my stomach. I’m like a schoolgirl with her first crush. Waking up every morning to a message from him is the best, and the only thing better will be having him home in two days.
We’ve talked, X-rated skyped, and texted over the past two months, learning more about each other, laughing, teasing, and sharing things no one else knows. He’s mailed me several more handwritten letters to add to my collection, too, filled with more love than I ever imagined, and gorgeous pictures from the sunshine coast with captions about wishing I were there with him. I’m so proud of him. He’s working really hard, and physically exhausted, but the joy in his voice when we talk is tangible.
I’ve kept busy, too, learning how to operate a non-profit. It’s energizing and fulfilling and sometimes stressful, being that I’m in charge, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. I’m learning to trust my instincts and not linger on my mistakes.
I put my phone down beside me on the bed, noticing the time. It’s a little after eight a.m. on New Year’s Eve. Teague and Mateo are in her room and will probably be asleep for a while longer, so I think I’ll surprise them with pancakes. They’ve been awesome, keeping me company when they’re in town, never allowing me to feel like a third wheel.
As I push up, there’s some rustling out in the hallway.
My door opens.
And standing there dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, his hair a fourteen-hour plane ride mess, is Levi. “Omigod! You’re home early.” I scramble out of bed and run to him.
He catches me with an oomph. “Hi, beautiful.”
My legs go around his waist, my arms around his shoulders. I bury my face in his neck, breathe him in, and tell myself not to cry. “Hi.”
He walks into my room, kicking the door shut behind him. “You feel incredible,” he says.
I lift my head. Time stands still as we soak each other in, looking our fill until I lower my feet to the floor. He’s here!
“God, I missed you.” He cups my face and looks at me with such reverence my knees go weak.
I touch his face in return, the pads of my fingers getting reacquainted with his sexy stubble. “I missed you more.”
He smiles. “Doubtful.” He rubs his thumb over my bottom lip. This is it. Once he kisses me, we won’t stop. “Have plans today?”
“I do now.”
“Tomorrow?”
“Same as today.”
“Happy New Year, Ham.” He lowers his mouth to mine.
I have a feeling it’s going to be my best year yet.
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