Page 6 of Farmer's Elegant Bride

“You can help to set the table. This is almost done,” Levi replies, gesturing toward the steaming pan on the stove while avoiding my gaze.

As I busy myself with setting the dining table, I can’t help but ask, “Is there something wrong?” Unable to keep the concern from creeping into my voice.

Levi pauses, his gaze briefly meeting mine with a hint of surprise. “Why do you ask?” he replies, his tone guarded.

I hesitate for a moment, unsure how to articulate the swirling thoughts and emotions in my head. “I just... I notice that things feel a bit tense, and I want to make sure everything is okay,” I explain, my voice soft with concern. “And you mentioned earlier that we can’t make work this work if we don’t communicate. So…”

Levi’s expression softens for a moment, his features relaxing into a thoughtful expression. “I appreciate your concern, Aurora,” he says, his tone genuine. “But everything’s fine, really.” We both know that’s not true, but I don’t push it.

Dinner passes in silence; the only sound is the clinking of utensils against plates as we eat. Afterward, we clean up together, the silence stretching like an invisible barrier that neither of us dares to breach.

As we head upstairs, Levi breaks the quiet with a soft murmur. “In case you need anything, my room is just down the hall,” he says, his voice low and hesitant.

“Thanks,” I reply, feeling a pang of disappointment at the lack of warmth in our exchange. “Goodnight, Levi.” There’s a long pause, and again, I think he might kiss me.

But then, he murmurs, “Goodnight, Aurora.” My name rolls off his tongue like a sweet melody. Levi turns and walks away, leaving me standing alone in the hallway, the echo of his footsteps fading into the silence of the night.

As I lie in bed, thoughts of Levi swirl through my mind, making it difficult for me to sleep. I’m awakened by a raging storm outside when I finally drift off. A sense of unease settles over me as the heavy storm rages outside. The howling wind and pounding rain make me feel unsettled. I hate storms; they make me uneasy.

I’ve always been afraid of storms. And tonight, as the storm rages on with relentless fury, sleep eludes me, my mind consumed by fear. Unable to bear the solitude any longer, I finally decide to seek solace in Levi’s presence. With hesitant steps, I make my way down the hallway.

As I reach his bedroom door, I hesitate, my hand hovering over the doorknob. Should I intrude like this? What if he’s already asleep, or worse, what if he doesn’t want me there?

Chapter Six

Levi

I lie in bed, staring at the ceiling, the memory of Aurora’s skin still fresh in my mind. Despite the exhaustion that weighs heavily on my eyelids, sleep eludes me, my thoughts consumed by the woman sleeping in one of the rooms down the hall.

The feel of her skin lingers on my fingertips, a tantalizing reminder of the intimacy we shared in the bathroom. The warmth of her skin beneath my fingertips rushes back to me in vivid detail, sending a shiver down my spine.

But more than that, the way she responded to my touch haunts me. Her body yielded to mine with trust and vulnerability, taking my breath away. At that moment, as she lay in the bathtub writhing under my touch, I felt a connection so powerful, so undeniable, that it left me reeling with longing and desire.

And yet, even as I lie here, consumed by thoughts of Aurora, I can’t shake the lingering doubt that gnaws at the edges of my mind. Does she feel the same way, or was it merely a fleeting moment of passion?

With a sigh, I roll over onto my side, my gaze drifting to the empty space beside me. Maybe I shouldn’t have dashed out of the bathroom the way I did. But I left because I suddenly felt bad for what I was doing, and I didn’t want her to think I was trying to take advantage of her.

And yet, in my haste to distance myself from the intimacy we shared, I fear that I may have only succeeded in causing her more confusion and hurt. With a heavy sigh, I run a hand through my hair, frustration and regret churning in my stomach.

I’m pulled out of my thoughts as my bedroom door creaks open. I blink in surprise, my heart skipping a beat at the sight that greets me. Standing there in the soft glow of the dimly lit room is Aurora.

“Levi?” she whispers, her voice barely audible above the roar of the storm outside. “Are you awake?”

She’s truly here, then; I’m not dreaming. I immediately sit up. “Yeah, I’m awake. Are you okay?” There’s a pause as she remains standing at the door. “Aurora?” I switch on my bedside lamp. She comes into full view, her eyes filled with fear, and my heart clenches with an overwhelming surge of protectiveness. “Aurora, what’s the problem?”

“I’m sorry to bother you,” she begins, her voice whispering, her head down. “It’s just… There’s a storm, and storms always scare me… Can I stay here with you until the storm is over? Please?”

“Of course, you can stay here,” I reply, my voice soft with reassurance. “Come here.” I scoot over, making room on the large queen-sized bed.

“Thanks,” she murmurs as she climbs onto the bed. I wrap my arms around her, holding her close as the sound of the storm rages outside.

As Aurora lays in my bed, her body nestled against mine, I can feel the heat of her skin seeping through the thin fabric of her nightdress, igniting a fire within me that I struggle to contain. With her soft curves pressed against my chest, her breath warm against my neck, I can barely think straight.

“Levi?” Her warm breath fans my skin as she calls my name.

“Yes?” I manage to croak out.

“Can I ask you a question?”

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