Page 34 of Finding Her Strength

“Sweetheart, please open your eyes. You’re safe.”

The soft tone has my eyes shooting open. I move my head around, trying to get my bearings. The soft gray couch underneath me, the sunlight shining through the windows, and the gentle hazel eyes staring at me allow my brain to catch up. I’m in Sonoma. I’m safe. I got away.

“Baby, you were having a nightmare.” Levi’s soft voice caresses me, helping my body calm down from the adrenaline of the too-real nightmare. I turn my body on the couch so I am chest to chest with Levi, my back facing the living room.

“Are you okay?” he asks, concern filling his eyes. He lifts his hand, and I flinch. A residual reaction from the dream. He freezes where he is, a hint of anger radiating off him.

“Sorry.”

“Don’t you dare apologize,” he says vehemently. He slowly lowers his hand, his eyes asking for permission, and I nod my head. He pushes my hair off my forehead, then gently strokes his thumb across my cheek. “I wish I could fix it for you,” he whispers. His words create an emotion I’ve never felt before. An ache sets up shop in my chest, forcing me to take deep breaths so I don’t lose it in front of him.

“You’re helping,” I whisper back. Between his gentle nature and constant zest for life, he’s helped bring me out of my shell. I just wish I could move on from my awful past.

“How did we end up here?” I ask, finally realizing we’re laying on the couch together. “The last thing I remember is startingRemember the Titans.”

Levi’s chest rumbles against me as he chuckles. “Well, I was sitting there enjoying the movie when, all of a sudden, you fell over on me. Hand still in the popcorn bowl.”

“I fell asleep?”

“Like a rock.”

“Oh, my god. That’s embarrassing.” I shove my face into Levi’s chest, trying to hide my mortification. Levi’s hand runs through my hair, and I want to purr at the sensation.

“You were so cute, asleep on my lap, I couldn’t stomach moving you. I guess I ended up falling asleep, too.”

“That’s all any girl wants to be. Cute.”

“Hey, you could’ve snored. Although, I’m pretty sure you drooled on me.”

“No, I didn’t!” I start to get off the couch, but Levi grabs me around the waist, pulling me in closer to him.

“I’m teasing. You didn’t drool.” He smirks at me, humor glowing in his eyes. His sandy brown hair is all messed up from sleep, making him absolutely adorable this morning.

“That wasn’t very nice,” I say sullenly. Levi presses his soft lips against my forehead in apology. I’ve never felt thiscomfortable in a man’s arms, this safe. I don’t want to ever get up.

“Do you want to talk about the dream?”

I look into Levi’s eyes, finding only patience there. I don’t even want to think about the dream, let alone talk about it. My past is just that, the past. There’s no reason to rehash it.

Allowing someone in could help you push past some of your insecurities.Joy’s voice echoes in my head, but I push it away. No one needs their lives darkened by my history. Especially someone whom I want to see me as more than the battered girl who barely made it out alive.

I shake my head no, willing Levi to take my mind off the fear still simmering under my skin. Maybe I can do it on my own. Be strong enough to take what I want for a change. I glance down at Levi’s plump lips, only inches from my own.

I’ve only kissed a handful of men my entire life. Each one was less thrilling than the last. But I know kissing Levi would be my undoing. He already consumes all my thoughts. Kissing is the next logical step.

And dammit, I just want to. I want to feel the unbridled joy in his soul spread into my own. I want to know what it’s like to be swept up so deep into a kiss it makes all other thoughts leave your head.

Without another thought, I press my lips against his.

For a second, Levi freezes in surprise at my boldness. But he quickly recovers, taking over the kiss. He explores my mouth, teasing my lips with his tongue and teeth. Little nips are soothed away by a swipe of his tongue. The erotic glide stirs something in my body I never knew I possessed. There’s a fire exploding in my core I didn’t know I was capable of experiencing.

My tongue sneaks out to meet Levi’s, and his chest rumbles with a groan. Power courses through me, knowing I made him make that noise. I slow the kiss down, needing a minute to pull myself together.

Our breathing is ragged, chests heaving into each other. I relax my fingers, having unknowingly curled them into Levi’s button-down shirt.

“Wow,” he whispers against my mouth.

“Yeah.”

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