Page 69 of How Sweet It Is

“I’ll put it in the refrigerator at the church until it’s time for the reception.”

She nods. “I see.”

I rub my hands together, excited that the cake is done and it’s turned out exactly how Kiki wanted it. I hop down from the truck and turn to Claire. “Are you ready to get dressed for the wedding?”

She pokes me in the side. “You just want to see my dress.”

I step closer to her. “Can you blame me? You’ve been teasing me about it all week.”

“You’ll just have to wait until three o’clock.” She rises up on her tiptoes and gives me a quick peck.

I catch her around the waist before she can pull away, anchoring her against me. “That was not nearly enough for the week of anticipation you’ve put me through.”

She laughs, but it hitches slightly in her throat when I lower my head closer. “Is that so?”

“Oh, it is.” I brush my nose against hers. “You don’t get to parade around all week in your librarian outfits telling me to wait until the wedding and then kiss me like we’re just friends.”

Her lips curl into a playful smile. “I thought we were pretending this wasn’t a relationship.”

“We were.” I press my forehead to hers. “But that ship sailed somewhere between pottery and peanut shells.”

She leans into me, her fingers curling into the front of my shirt. “Then I guess I owe you a proper kiss.”

Before I can reply, she kisses me again, slow and sure this time, like she’s not rushing off anywhere. Like maybe she’s not planning to leave me after all. Her hands move to the back of my neck, and I slide mine around her waist, lifting her slightly until her toes leave the ground for half a second. Her breath catches against my lips, and I swear I feel it down to my bones.

I set her down gently but don’t let go. “Claire,” I murmur, searching her eyes. “You’re messing with my head.”

Her thumb brushes my jaw. “You’re messing with mine.”

My hand slides against her lower back. She shivers but doesn’t stop me. “I keep trying to hold back,” I whisper, “but then you look at me like this.”

“Like what?”

“Like maybe you want to stay.”

Her smile fades into something more vulnerable. “Levi…”

“I know.” I press another kiss to her forehead, trying to cool the fire I started. “I’m not asking for promises. Just… let me have today.”

Her voice is barely a whisper. “You already have it.”

And then she kisses me again, slower this time. Deeper. Her fingers tangle in my hair, and my hands roam more boldly now, memorizing the curve of her waist, the feel of her pressed against me. The cool breeze is forgotten, the morning checklist is forgotten. There’s only the feel of her and the way kissing her makes everything else disappear.

When we finally part, her cheeks are flushed, her lips parted, and I’m completely undone.

“I should go get dressed,” she says, breathless.

“Yeah.” I exhale hard, trying to regain my balance. “Before I completely forget how to behave like a gentleman.”

She flashes me a wicked smile as she turns to walk away. “Too late.”

And for the first time since she told me she’ll eventually leave, I let myself hope. Maybe she’ll come back to me after the trial.

“See you at the wedding,” she says.

“I’ll come pick you up,” I call to her.

She turns and lifts an eyebrow. “As much as I’ve enjoyed your motorcycle, I can’t show up at a wedding with helmet hair.”

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