Page 108 of Fallen Stars

With what he’s been through, I refuse to be the person who steals his choices. As desperate as I am to have Levi in my life, the decision isn’t mine to make.

Shuffling closer and standing within inches of me, he licks his lips, tucks them between his teeth, swallows and releases them. On a shaky inhale, his eyes dart between mine. “I need you.”

The backs of my eyes sting as I nod woodenly. Saliva floods in my mouth as my breath catches in my throat. I swallow and blink a few times, not wanting to cry and distress him.

In the small space between us, I lift and offer my hand. His gaze drops. For a beat, he stares at my hand. I don’t breathe, don’t move, don’t say a word.

I just wait.

His blues lock onto my greens as his fingers curl around my hand. With one simple touch, one easy connection, the earth steadies beneath my feet. He laces his fingers with mine and I instantly feel whole.

“We can go back to my place.” I jerk my head in the general direction of my house. If we shortcut through the trees, we’ll reach the stairs to my loft apartment in no time.

Levi nods. “Let’s go.”

I tighten my hold on his hand. “Need to text Trip and Hailey. So they know to pack up my drums.”

“We don’t have to go now.” His breathing picks up as his eyes dart to the crowd.

“Hey.” I caress his knuckles with my thumb and wait for his gaze to meet mine. Inching closer to him, I whisper, “Moje srce.”

Blue eyes flash to mine. A hint of that luster I’ve missed so damn much rims his irises. A glint of his passion simmers just beneath the surface.

“I promise they won’t be upset.”

With a gentle tug, I take one step, then another, and slowly guide us through the crowd. When we reach the clearing beside the stage, I pull out my phone and type a text in the Hailey’s Fire group chat. Levi tries to release my hand so I can type with both.

Not a chance in hell.

I strengthen my hold on him, but not in a possessive or controlling way.

Bumped into Levi. Headed back to my place. You cool to pack up my shit?

Hailey

Go. We got you.

Trip

Absolutely. Chat later.

I shove my phone back in my pocket. “All good.”

We follow a faint footpath through the trees and come out on my street a few minutes later. Two houses down, we climb the stairs that lead to my apartment above the garage.

Levi doesn’t let go of my hand the entire time.

It only makes me want to hug him, kiss him,love himmore.

Unlocking the door, I gesture for Levi to go in first. Hands inseparable, I shuffle in behind him and ease the door shut but don’t lock it. For a moment, we loiter in the small entryway.

At his side, I peer up at his profile. Watch him as he takes in the space with a new perspective. Study his nuances as he steps into the home we shared briefly.

I trail the pad of my thumb over his knuckles. “Hungry?”

He blinks then turns to meet my gaze. “Yeah.”

The longer he looks at me, the more I see hints of the old Levi. No matter what, though, he will always bemyLevi.

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