Page 41 of Finding Her Strength

“You didn’t.”

“Didn’t what?” I ask with fake innocence. “I thought you’d want to know you had paint on your face.”

“That you put there!” Hope lunges, wiping her hand down my stomach, streaking gray paint down my blue T-shirt.

I breathe in a dramatic gasp as I look down at my shirt. “I can’t believe you’d do something so mean when I did nothing to you.”

Hope giggles at my theatrics. The sound slams into my chest like a punch. If I can keep a laugh on her lips forever, I’ll die a happy man.

“Payback’s a bitch.” She winks.She fucking winked at me. God, I am falling so hard for her. I reach down and wrap my hand around my roller again. Paint covers my wide palm, and I look back at Hope with my hand turned toward her so she can see it.

Her eyes grow big, and she shakes her head, her smile as wide as her eyes. She backs away from me as I step closer. “Levi! Don’t you dare.”

“Payback’s a bitch, babe.”

She takes off running across the room, her laughter flowing behind her. I race after her as she makes it to the hallway, running toward the staircase. She runs into the library, turning around when she realizes she has nowhere else to go. Her chest is heaving, cheeks pink from exertion, while her eyes shine with happiness. She’s fucking stunning.

I hold my hand out, showing her the paint covering it, and she shakes her head, her grin growing wider.

I lunge, her squeal echoing in the empty room. She turns to get away, but my arms wrap around her from behind, my paint-covered hand sliding down the front of her black T-shirt. She squirms in my arms, making me lose my footing, and we fall to the floor in a tangle of limbs and paint. I turn at the last second so she falls on me instead of me crushing her.

Our breath comes out in pants from our fake fighting. Hope gazes down at me, her eyes full of emotion. Fear, lust, and affection are all fighting for top billing.

I slowly lift my paint-free hand so she can see it before I slide it across her forehead, pushing her hair out of her face. “You’ve beguiled me, Hope. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted in a partner. I’m so glad I met you.”

She stares at me for a moment. “You overwhelm me in the best ways. For so long, I thought I’d never feel this way about anyone. You’ve made me feel safe for the first time in a very long time, and I’m terrified. I’m putting a lot of trust in you, Levi. So much more than you know.” Vulnerability flashes in Hope’s eyes, covered by the strength I’ve come to recognize as her armor. I am beyond floored at her admission.

“I swear, I will do everything I can to make you happy, to keep making you feel safe.”

Hope gazes at me for a second longer before leaning down to press her lips against mine. The kiss is tentative, explorative as she starts to learn my mouth. It takes most of my strength to not take over, allowing her to learn at her own pace.

As she deepens the kiss, I wrap my arms tight around her body, pulling her as close to me as I can get her. It never feels like enough. The soft slide of her tongue against mine has my control slipping entirely, and I take over. Flexing my muscles, I pull us into a seated position, her straddling me. Hope naturally drops her knees on either side of my hips as my hand slides up her spine into the silky curls of her hair.

Before I’m ready, I have to pull away from the kiss in order to breathe. I lean my forehead on Hope’s as we both pant. Her eyes stay closed as I take in every soft feature. She’s stunning. Every inch of her calls to me, making me want her more every time I look at her.

“Come away with me,” I blurt out.

Hope’s eyes fly open at my words. “What?”

“Have Claire take over the shop tomorrow, and come away with me. I want to take you somewhere for the weekend.”

She stares at me for a minute, debating about agreeing to my request. I can see she wants to but is still nervous about being alone with me.

“You can say no, and I’ll take you to dinner tomorrow instead, but I want to go on an adventure with you.” I run my hand down Hope’s spine, and a little shiver moves through her. The lust in her eyes tells me it was a good shiver instead of one of nerves.

“Okay. I’ll go on an adventure with you.” Hope’s smile is slow in coming, but when it finally hits its full wattage, I feel it all the way through me.

She’s got me falling so hard for her that I can barely tell what’s up or down. She has no idea the effect she has on me.

But I plan to tell her very soon.

23

UNKNOWN

The jingle of keys echoes down the white-washed hallway. The small cell doesn’t allow me to see who’s coming, but it wouldn’t matter anyway. I’ve solidified my strength in this hell hole well enough that trivial things, such as who’s coming to my cell, are no longer a concern. It’s amazing how quickly you can establish your leadership over a group of thugs needing the validation of someone higher than their station.

“You’ve got a phone call, boss,” the guard says, stepping up to the bars to open the door. It was just as easy to get the guards on my payroll. A few well-placed threats and a greased palm or two got me any luxury I could need. I’ve always been good at getting exactly what I want, no matter the situation. It’s what has made me so successful.

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