Page 24 of Billionaire Wolf Needs a Fixer

Carefully, I slipped out of bed, grabbing my clothes from the floor and padding quietly to the bathroom.The second thing I noticed was the ache and delicious soreness between my thighs.I winced, but it was worth it.Mating with Levi was beyond anything I could have imagined.Even as he slept, I could feel the happiness flowing from him into my mind through the mating bond.I glanced at myself in the mirror, my reflection staring back at me with wide, uncertain eyes.My hair was a mess, my lips slightly swollen, and there was the bite mark on my neck that made my cheeks flush.I'd never been one to lose myself in the moment, to let my guard down like that and let a man take control.But with Levi, I never felt scared, only loved and safe.It had been easy.Too easy.

I splashed cold water on my face, trying to shake off the lingering haze of sleep and the whirlwind of emotions churning in my chest.When I stepped out of the bathroom, I found Levi awake, propped up on one elbow, watching me with a look that made my stomach flip.His blue eyes were dark, intense, and filled with a mix of affection and passion.

"Morning," he said, his voice rough with sleep but warm in a way that set all my nerves alive.

"Morning," I replied, my voice coming out softer than I intended.I crossed my arms, suddenly feeling exposed despite the oversized T-shirt I'd thrown on.

He didn't say anything else, just held out a hand, his gaze unwavering.I hesitated, my heart pounding in my chest, but something about the way he was looking at me made it impossible to resist.I walked over, taking his hand, and he pulled me back into bed, wrapping his arms around me in a way that felt both possessive and tender.

"Thought you'd run off," he murmured against my hair, his voice laced with a hint of teasing.

"Not yet," I said, trying to keep my tone light, but the words came out more vulnerable than I'd intended.

He pulled back slightly, his eyes searching mine."You're not running anywhere," he said firmly, as if he could read the thoughts swirling in my head."Not unless it's with me."

I swallowed hard, my throat tightening.His words were a reassurance, but they also scared me.Because I wasn't sure I was ready to let someone have that kind of hold over me, even if it was Levi.

The kitchen was quiet when we finally made our way downstairs, the early morning sunlight streaming through the windows.Levi moved around with an ease that surprised me, making coffee and toast while I sat at the counter, trying to sort through the mess of emotions in my head.He was different this morning, softer, more open, and it was throwing me off balance.

"Here," he said, sliding a mug of coffee toward me.

"Thanks," I said, wrapping my hands around the mug, letting the warmth seep into my skin.

He leaned against the counter, watching me with that same intense gaze."You're quiet," he observed."Something on your mind?"

I shrugged, avoiding his eyes."Just thinking."

"About?"he pressed, his tone gentle but persistent.

I sighed, setting my mug down and finally meeting his gaze."About this," I said, gesturing vaguely between us."About us.I don't know, Levi.It's a lot.Last night was…" I trailed off, unable to find the right words.

"It was real," he finished for me, his voice low and steady."And it's not something I take lightly, Krista.We are mated.The bond lasts for eternity."

I looked away, my chest tightening."I know.That's what scares me.I've spent my whole life avoiding letting anyone get too close.And now, with everything going on, I just don't know if I can do this and still stay true to myself."

Levi was silent for a moment, then he walked over, pulling out the stool next to me and sitting down.He turned to face me, his expression serious but softened by something I couldn't quite place.

"Krista," he said, his voice quiet but firm."I'm not asking you to change who you are.You're strong, independent, and brilliant, and that's one of the things I admire most about you.I don't want to take that away from you."

His words hit me like a punch to the chest, and I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes.I swiped at them quickly, annoyed with myself for being so emotional.

"I'm scared," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper."I'm scared of losing myself in this.Of losing everything I've worked so hard for."

Levi reached out, his hand brushing against mine."You won't lose anything," he said, his tone gentle but resolute."You're not in this alone.We'll figure it out together.But I need you to trust me."

I looked at him, his blue eyes earnest and unwavering, and for the first time, I let myself believe it.Maybe I didn't have to choose between my career and my heart.Maybe, just maybe, I could have both.

Later that morning, I sat in our makeshift office with Zane, trying to focus on the task at hand.But my mind kept drifting back to the conversation with Levi, to the way he'd looked at me, the way he'd touched me.It was infuriating how much he consumed my thoughts, even when I had a million other things to worry about.

"You're distracted," Zane said, cutting through my haze.He was leaning back in his chair, arms crossed, giving me that look that said he knew more than he let on.

"I'm fine," I lied, forcing my attention back to the laptop screen in front of me.

"Right," he drawled, raising an eyebrow."Because it's totally normal for you to stare blankly at a spreadsheet for ten minutes without typing a single word."

I shot him a glare, but there was no heat behind it.Zane had been my best friend for years, and he had an uncanny ability to see right through me.It was both a blessing and a curse.

"Fine," I sighed, slumping back in my chair."What do you want me to say?"

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