Page 32 of Taken By Storm

Levi ran a hand over her hair, trying to find the words to explain it because the truth was, he’d been just as blindsided by this instantaneous need to be with her. He hadn’t been looking for love. Hell, at thirty-seven, he was starting to think he’d never find his woman.

“You’re a woman now, Kasi. A strong, beautiful, intelligent woman. I’m not sure how I missed that the past few years, but when you fainted, when I caught you, whatever was blinding me just fell away, and I knew I’d never felt anything more right than holding you in my arms.”

“I’m not…” Kasi bit her lower lip. “This is too fast. I’m not…ready.”

Levi shifted, reclining on his side next to her. He drew his fingertips over her cheek. “I’m trying not to rush you. And yes, I’m failing,” he added with a wink. “So for now, let’s just leave it at I care about you, Kasi. A lot. You could have been seriously hurt. Head injuries are nothing to fuck around with. I’m glad Keith forced you to go to the hospital.”

“Okay,” she said. “I get it. I need to sleep more. I need to eat better. I promise I will.”

Her words might have carried more weight if she’d managed to maintain eye contact. As it was, she was studying the ceiling again like it was the most fascinating thing she’d ever seen.

“I’m getting tired of you lying to me, Kasi, but that’s not something I can fix right now. You’re bruised and concussed, so those consequences I told you about will have to wait until you’re healed.”

He thought he saw a glimmer of—fuck him—desire, but she locked it down quick. Not that it mattered. He’d seen it, and ithad the effect of throwing tinder on a dying fire. Sweet Jesus. He couldn’t wait to take her to his bed. A grocery list as long as his arm started playing in his head as he considered all the ways he’d make his sexy girl come.

But now wasn’t the time for that. His gaze locked on her bruised forehead and tired eyes. He placed a soft kiss on the side of her head, wishing he really could make it better with just that touch.

She sighed, and it was the saddest sound Levi had ever heard another person make.

“You’re not taking me home, are you?” she asked woodenly.

He shook his head. “Not right now. No.”

“What do you want?” He hated how resigned she sounded, but he refused to back down. Even if she couldn’t see it, he knew what he was doing was for her own good.

“So fucking much, Kasi. But for now, I just want you to go to sleep.”

She nodded. “Okay. Only for a couple of hours. I still need to get home and figure out dinner for Daddy.”

Levi didn’t respond to that because, despite the fact she had no problem lying to him, he refused to lie to her. She wasn’t taking a short nap, and she sure as shit wasn’t making dinner.

When he didn’t answer her, Kasi tugged her cell from her back pocket and set an alarm before placing it on the nightstand. Then she sat up slowly, toed off her sandals, and climbed on top of the duvet.

If he wasn’t so frustrated and worried, he might have laughed at her corpse-like pose as she lay on her back, her hands folded together over her chest.

Levi stood up, reaching for her hand. She slipped hers into his without thought—something he liked—but she resisted when he tried to pull her up.

Two minutes ago, she couldn’t get off the bed fast enough. Now she wouldn’t leave it.

“What are you doing? You said you wanted me to sleep.”

“I do,” he said, “but I want you to be comfortable.” Once she stood next to the bed, he pulled down the duvet.

Kasi’s hands flew to his when he started unbuttoning her shorts. “Wait.”

Levi shook his head. “Your clothes have blood on them, Kasi. You’re not sleeping in them.”

“Fine.” She continued to try to pull his hands away. “Go away, then, and I’ll take them off.”

Levi grinned. “Nope.”

“Levi.”

Once again, he won the battle, mainly because her energy was completely shot. It took less than a minute to tug off her shorts and pull her T-shirt over her head. Kasi stood in front of him in just her bra and panties, attempting to shield herself with her hands, her cheeks flushed bright red.

“You don’t have to be shy with me, little bear. You’re beautiful, and very soon, I’m going to see it all anyway.”

“Cocky asshole.” This time, he heard her loud and clear, and he chuckled as he reached behind her, unhooking her bra with one quick flick of his fingers.

---