Page 43 of My Greatest Joy

I keep a tight hold on her, not wanting to let go. “Are you sure you didn’t twist or pull anything?”

She looks up at me and licks her lips as if she wants to say something but is holding back.

“No, I’m fine,” she bites out, grabbing the rail and moving toward the door.

Once it’s unlocked, Dasher flies toward us, and he comes outside with me.

I refuse to make more than one trip, so I haul all ten bags inside. It’s a miracle I don’t fall or drop anything. As soon as I set them on the counter, Fallon helps me unload them.

“So what do you want me to make with those zucchini?”

“Zucchini noodles. They’re good with tomatoes and garlic topped with parmesan cheese,” she tells me, which explains the weird food we bought.

“I can make it tonight for you if you want? In fact, why don’t you go lie down, and I’ll finish here.”

“You know how to make it?” she asks, yawning.

“No, but I know how to Google a recipe,” I counter.

“Fine. But it’s still cold in my room.”

Jasper hasn’t given me an update yet, so I assume he’s still backed up.

“Sleep in mine. I’ll build a fire for you, and you’ll stay toasty warm.”

“Thanks.”

She heads upstairs, and I grab a few logs from the living room before meeting her.

Dasher follows and lies next to her on the bed.

“Alright, you should be good for a few hours. I’ll wake you for dinner,” I tell her, then snap my fingers for Dasher to come.

“He can stay,” she murmurs, pulling the covers to her neck.

I arch a brow in surprise. “Okay.”

By the time I finish putting away the groceries, my head is spinning. Fallon quickly shut down after talking to so many people, and I can’t help but feel like it’s my fault. We’ve been in our own little bubble for five days, so I didn’t realize she wasn’t overly social.

Perhaps a nap and a hot meal will help her recharge and put her in a good mood.

Well…one can hope.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

FALLON

I snuggleinto Levi’s bed with the scent of him lingering on the blankets and relax. The heat of the fire smothers me in warmth, and I never want to leave this perfect sanctuary.

My mind wanders as I imagine what it’d feel like to sleep in Levi’s arms and wake up in this bed every day for the rest of my life. I’ve only experienced it for a few nights, and I’m already addicted to the way he makes me feel—safe and wanted.

His strong hand always snakes around my waist and then he grabs my hip. Having him hold me is a gesture I secretly crave.

In a sleepy haze, I think about how much I desperately want his hands and mouth on me. Every inch of him screams out that he’s a man who definitely knows what he’s doing.

While my heart knows it’s irresponsible to have a short-term fling, my body wants to throw all reasoning out the window and experience his touch on every inch of me.

A phantom squeeze over my hip has me moaning out his name, and I seek more. I arch my back, wishing I could clear my doubts about his fuckmanways. By the multiple fan club members who begged for his attention today, I’m convincedhe’s exactly like my ex—unwilling to commit exclusively to one woman.

---