Page 49 of The Bad Boy's Homecoming
After using allthe blank canvases she had, it took Missy twice as long to wash the brushes and put away the paint.She felt invigorated and exhausted all at once.It had only been a few days since she hurt her hand, but it was like all the ideas were overflowing in her mind, and she had to get them out.There were three new complete pieces of varying sizes, but the theme was clear.She couldn’t stop thinking about how she felt when Levi had touched her, and it was depicted in paint now.These were a full departure from the landscapes she’d been doing.But it forced her to create a new page on her site, like a gallery with different rooms, where art enthusiasts could look for pieces based on their mood.
Next, she took pictures of each painting and posted them on her virtual gallery site.Then she managed to find space for each canvas on the shelves that ran along the wall of the house in her studio, so they could dry.Thankfully they were out of sight from anyone who passed by her studio.Finally, she sent an email to Mr.Greer at the art supply store in town to see if her canvas order had arrived.She just needed to ask someone to bring them to her.
As she sat down, her stomach growled and she realized she’d been in her studio most of the day alone.No one had bothered her.Usually Mrs.Hart would pop in, but maybe she could see Missy had been focused.She hadn’t heard or seen Levi either since breakfast.But it wasn’t uncommon for her to block out the world around her when she was in her artistry zone.
As she walked through the first floor, she saw that each room was empty.She ended up in the kitchen and started to pull out a few things to make a sandwich.But as she pulled out the bread, the side door opened and Levi walked in.He’d kicked off his shoes.His shirt was drenched, his face red, and his brow was pebbled with sweat.He smiled as he sucked in a few deep breaths and walked to the sink.Without even bothering to get a glass he turned on the faucet and dipped his lips down to drink the water.
She watched, riveted, thinking of how his lips had felt on her mouth the night before, firm but searching.
Finally, he splashed some water on his face and then turned off the faucet and grabbed some paper towels.
“Did you finish your paintings?”he asked, his voice gruff.
“Yes, for today.Did you go for a run?”
He nodded.“I ran into town, visited the batting cages and then ran back.”
“Isn’t that, like, a six-mile roundtrip?”she asked, trying not to get caught checking him out.
He shrugged.“Seven but I needed that.”
“Did you have a good meeting with your agent?”
He moved closer and she stepped back but ran into the island.He stopped a breath away and set each of his hands on the counter behind her.She was caged in, surrounded by him.
“Yes.”
“Do you know where your grandmother is?”she asked.“She usually tells me if she’s going out.”
“It’s card night, at one of her friends’ houses.She said we shouldn’t wait up.”He was studying her mouth but now he moved his face lower to her neck and inhaled her, all the while careful not to touch her.
“I’ve lost track of what day it is,” she said.
“Something must be distracting you.How is your hand feeling?Do you need any more medication?”
“Not yet, but I was getting hungry,” she said, arching toward his hot breath on her neck, unable to resist wanting to get closer to him.
His mouth rewarded her when his lips pressed against her neck and his tongue darted out to taste her skin, leaving a trail of wet kisses over her collarbone.
“This is the perfect time for us to finish our conversation from last night, after you eat,” he said, trailing more kisses up her neck.
She was full-on panting now and lifted her good hand to grip his damp shirt.Pulling him closer, she took over and kissed him back.His angular jaw was covered in a days’ worth of scruff and the prickle against her skin enticed her to get closer.His hands cupped her bottom and he pulled her into him, she could feel the bulge in his thin shorts hard against her hip.
With one hand she pulled at the hem of his T-shirt, moving it up his chest, but it was impossible one-handed.She grunted in frustration.
“Tell me what you want.”His words were gruff as he gripped her face in one hand.He kissed her like he was drowning and she was his last gulp of air.
“I want you to take this shirt off,” she breathed.
He leaned back and easily removed his shirt in one swift movement.The coiled muscles of his chest were like a masterpiece, on display for her to enjoy.She ran her hand up his well-defined abs, to trace the tattoo that was drawn on his ribcage, then leaned forward and tasted him before leaving kisses along a path up his throat.
He sucked in a breath.“What else do you want, Little Miss Magic?”
“What magic do I have?”
“Enough to make me wonder what spell you’ve put me under.”
“Hmmm, I like that.I want you to take off the rest of your clothes and mine.Even though I know I shouldn’t.”
