Chapter 24

 

I can’t sleep. Not after the night Livi and I shared together. I’d never made love that tenderly, with that much passion. Livi ignited a flame inside of me, a passion and drive that up until last night, I had no idea even existed. The night had been sublime; incredibly blissful for both of us. The best part of it all, was the fact that it felt so natural between us, yet surreal and magical at the same time.

I’ve been awake for about an hour, but I’m contented to just lay here watching Livi as she sleeps. She looks peaceful and beautiful. Dawn is breaking against the sky, erupting the atmosphere with a magical array of colors and hues that blend together as purples, pinks and oranges. The canvas of the sky shimmers across the lake and it’s a serene and breathtakingly remarkable view, undoubtedly.

Every day when I get to wake up to this view, I count myself lucky and remember why I chose this house in the first place. I could seriously stare at Livi in her dreamy state of mind for hours on end. I watch as her face lights up under the soft glow of the morning sun and she looks positively radiant.

Her cheeks are flushed with sleep and her eyelids are like soft little clouds. Her hair spills delicately across the pillows, providing a canopy of feather like wisps of beautiful blonde hair.

She’s gorgeous, but her physical features aren’t the only reason I’m profoundly, desperately attracted to her. She has such a good heart. She’s not tainted by the world yet and she still has that sweet, innocent quality about her personality that makes her tender and soft. She’s not naïve, but she is open to the prospect of seeing the purity and goodness of those around her and I want that view point of the world to rub off on me too.

She’s so sensual as she sighs softly. I wonder if she’s dreaming about us, naked together and making love once again. I can’t wait to cradle her in my arms and bring her enormous bursts of pleasure over and over again, because in my eyes, Livi deserves the world on a silver platter and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make sure she’s happy and never suffers an ounce of pain ever again in her life.

As I stare into the beautiful features that light up Livi’s face, even in sleep, I still find myself plagued with the thoughts that wreak havoc in my brain about how many times I’ve been burned by women in the past. I’ve been a closed book…a sealed tomb up until now. I don’t know what it is about Livi, but she opened up that tomb dusted it off. She makes me realize that I can be a better man.

She makes me realize that all women are not sadistic, lying bitches and that if I choose carefully, I can open up my heart to a special person who will love me. I know I’m open to receiving Livi’s love, and I have a world of joy to shine and rain down upon her if she’s willing to have me.

I try to shift my weight, because Livi’s head is currently laying on top of my bicep and my arm is falling asleep. My efforts are a struggle because on the one hand, I don’t want to make her stir and rouse since she is sleeping so magnificently.

On the other hand, I can’t wait for her to wake up because I want to spend every moment with her. I can’t wait to talk to her again, to look into her gorgeous chocolate brown eyes.

I want to know everything about her, and I can’t get enough of her…awake or asleep.

As soon as my arm is free, I lean back against the pillows and affectionately stroke her hair. The action must be enough because as she awakens from her deep slumber, her eyes open and she frowns.

She jolts up like a bolt of lightning. My heart drops through my chest and splatters onto the floor. She must not have remembered she fell asleep in my bed, and judging by the look of sheer horror, dread and panic that now splashes across her facial features, I’m guessing she’s thinking she made a huge mistake.

“Livi…” I trail off because I can’t find the words to beg her to stay here with me.

I reach up to her because I want to hold her tightly to my chest and never let her go. I need to convince her that we belong together, no matter the cost or how difficult it may be.

“Alexa!” she says and jumps from the bed, fumbling around to find something to wear. “I need to check on her!”

I glance down at the floor, but I can’t find her t-shirt and jeans that she was wearing last night anywhere. I shrug and give her a look. “You can borrow one of my t-shirts,” I tell her and point to the dresser across from the bed.

“Thank you,” she says gratefully as she dives into the top drawer. She picks a “Metallica” shirt and throws it over her head. Even though I feel a little guilty about forgetting that Alexa was staying down the hall, I have to smile over how adorably cute Livi looks in my oversized t-shirt that comes down to her thighs.

“I feel like an ass for forgetting about Alexa,” I say somberly. “I was enjoying watching you sleep.”

Livi’s face washes over with affection. She leans over and gently rubs my cheek. She moves her lips to mine and presses them together, awakening that lust in me again.

“Gotta go!” she says, giving me a coy grin. Then she’s gone, jogging out of my bedroom and down to see Alexa.

I wait for a few minutes, then I climb out of bed to go take a leak. I glance at my naked body in the mirror. I don’t even bother to put clothes or boxer shorts on because Livi has seen me naked now and I have nothing more to hide from her. Alexa is a late sleeper, so I doubt she’ll be up any time soon.

I rub the hair on top of my head that’s always a little more unruly and lighter than the brown part on the bottom. Yawning and stretching, I walk over to the set of windows that overlooks the balcony of my master bedroom.

It already appears as if it’s going to be another gorgeous spring day here in Mable Falls. I don’t know if it’s the fact that I’m completely lovestruck by Livi, or the fact that I’m so grateful to find someone I might be able to consider a soul mate, but I’m flooded with joy in this moment.

The sky is blue, and the birds are singing. My perfect woman is just down the hall, and soon she’ll come back to me, hopefully for round two of a paradise filled love making session.

I get back into bed and roll the sheets up to my chest, closing my eyes for a moment. A few minutes later, I hear the bedroom door open once again and there is Livi, grinning from ear to ear and brightening up the room with just her presence.

“Alexa’s good. I woke her up and gave her more pain meds then told her to get some more sleep.”

“That’s good. Come here, sexy,” I say and toss her a wink. She giggles sheepishly and walks over to stand beside me in the bed. “That t-shirt is a bit big on you,” I tease her.

She looks down at her torso and picks up the shirt with her thumb and index finger. “Yeah, it’s not very trendy is it?” She laughs, and it sounds like a windchime blowing softly in a faint breeze.

“You are adorable,” I say, and I know I’m swooning over her. “I hope I’m not making you uncomfortable.”

“Not at all,” Livi grins and bites her lip. “I think you are pretty cute, too.”

“Admit it, you liked me from the beginning?” I ask even though I’m only teasing her.

Her eyes have a twinkle in them. “Let’s just say I did find you attractive,” she chuckles.

“Well in that case,” I say and slide over to tickle her. She giggles and tries to squirm away, but I grab her up by the hips and scoop her up. She’s so tiny and petite with a dainty figure that I love. “What are you waiting for?” I tease her. “Get back in this bed with me.”

“Now that I’ve done my caretaker duty for the morning, I would be happy to join you,” Livi announces with a smile.

She cuddles up to me and nestles her head in between the crook of my arm. She smells clean and dreamy, like I’m floating through a garden of vanilla.

“So,” I whisper and kiss the top of her head. I stroke her hair and I know she loves it because she’s practically purring by now. “How is Alexa doing this morning?”

Livi sighs. “She didn’t like being woken up, but she’s good.”

“She’s never liked waking up,” I say. “I’m glad you had to do it and not me.”

Livi sits up, propping herself up on an elbow, her eyes sizing me up. “Man…” she says. “This was certainly um…unexpected.” Her cheeks flush a shade of crimson.

I wrap my arms around her again. “I’m sorry,” I confess.

“Sorry for what?” Livi sounds confused.

“For being so standoffish,” I admit. “I know you probably thought I was a real jerk in the beginning.”

“Maybe a little,” she teases.

“I’ve had some issues with relationships in the past,” I finally admit. “It took me a while to snap myself out of it. I suddenly realized I was going to regret it if I allowed someone as perfect as you to slip through my fingers.”

“It’s okay,” Livi says softly and smiles, lacing her fingers with mine. “I understand. At least we are together now.”

“I was scared of you,” I say and chuckle at the irony. “Scared of opening my heart in case I got hurt again.”

I glance up at Livi, feeling vulnerable and exposed. To my relief, she gives me a smile that’s bursting with compassion.

“I’m scared too,” she admits. “But what’s life without a little risk?”