Page 43 of Finding Her Strength

“Yes! Let me get it going.” I take Levi’s phone from his outstretched hand, clicking on the app to open the right book. I sent him a couple of great military romances with tons of action. The narrator is phenomenal, which is a bonus. A good narrator can make all the difference in the world.

The man’s voice blares over the speakers, starting right in on the action. The story follows a group of Navy SEALs as they fight bad guys across the ocean. It’s thrilling to listen to their adventures as they try to fight against the evil of the world.

As the story progresses, Levi grabs my hand, interlacing our fingers, and setting them on his lap. I went so long without being touched like this, I forgot how amazing it can feel. And I love that Levi doesn’t hesitate to touch me now. It makes me feel like he sees me as more than the broken girl he first met.

I also love how much he likes holding my hand. It’s almost as if he can’t stand not touching me, so he holds my hand to make up for it. I feel the same way about touching him. I want to be close to him always. His scent comforts me while his strong arms make me feel safe from the world.

The feeling has become addicting.

The narrator begins to read the first sexual encounter between the two main characters, and I realize how bad of an idea this was. I didn’t even think about how explicit these scenes are. I’m not sure I’m brave enough to listen to this while sitting next to the man I’ve started to have some seriously heady sexual fantasies about.

‘I can’t wait anymore,Heather. I need you now.’ Tom’s hands slide down Heather’s body in a sensual glide. He starts to take her clothes off, slowly revealing her silky skin. When she’s bare, Tom kisses down Heather’s body, pulling her taut nipple into his mouth.

Levi clearshis throat as the narrator describes every aspect of Tom and Heather’s passionate encounter. My face is flaming as my body reacts to the erotic images the story paints. Normally when I read these scenes, I tend to be unaffected. They always feel so far removed from me.

But sitting next to Levi, every word from the story has my imagination picturing him doing the same moves, creating a fire in me so hot, I’m not sure how to tamp it down.

Apparently, it’s getting to Levi, as well, because he moves our joined hands from his lap to his lips. He presses his mouth against my knuckles, then gently bites them, nipping at the back of my hand with his teeth. I gasp, the sensation going straight to my core. I can’t take my eyes off the sight as the narrator ends the scene, picking up the next chapter.

“So, these are the books you enjoy. Very spicy.” Levi smirks at me with an eyebrow raised.

I pause the book, working to push past the embarrassment flowing through me. “Yes, but if I’m honest, those scenes have never affected me quite like that before.”

“Oh, really?” The wolfish grin on Levi’s face makes me laugh. “Care to elaborate?”

“No.”

“Come on! I need to know what was different about this one compared to the others. It was me, right?” He waggles his eyebrows, which makes him look ridiculous.

I shake my head, but he keeps pushing, pleading for me to tell him. Eventually, I give in, unable to handle how cute he looks when he’s pouting. “Fine! Yes, it was you. Happy?”

“Ecstatic.” He laughs. “Now that we’re being honest with each other, tell me, were you imagining me doing those things to you?” His voice goes deeper, lust punctuating every word. “Because I was definitely imagining doing them to you.”

I bite my lip as my heart rate increases. “Yes, I wasthinking about you.” My boldness surprises me, but I’ve come to realize that’s the effect Levi has on me. He pulls out the characteristics I haven’t felt free enough to show.

“Good.”

I wait for him to ask what my thoughts were, fully expecting him to want to know everything. When he doesn’t say anything else, I look over at him. My eyebrows furrow as I take in his relaxed position. His hand is still holding mine, his thumb running across the back while it rests in his lap.

“That’s it?” I finally ask.

“What do you mean?”

“You don’t want to know what I was thinking?”

“I have a guess, but no. I figured you’d tell me if you wanted to.”

My shoulders deflate a little. I’m even more confused now than I was a minute ago.

“Are you disappointed I didn’t ask?” Levi asks, amusement lining his face.

“Apparently, I am.” I huff out a laugh. I can’t keep up with myself. I would’ve been incredibly embarrassed to share what I was thinking with Levi. It also would’ve been an incredibly arousing experience that I’m a little sad I didn’t get to have.

“Well, maybe you can tell me later.” Levi gives me a gentle smile followed by a wink. I grin. His winks get me every time.

I press play on the audiobook again, and we both fall quiet, listening to the narrator continue the story. It still amazes me how Levi never does what I expect him to do. It’s like he knows exactly what will keep me at ease while pushing me out of my comfort zone at the same time. He also gives me the space to make my own choices despite his efforts to coax me out of my shell.

I know I’m likely to fall for this man quickly. If I haven’t already.

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