Page 53 of The Crownless King
Was she really doing this?
Her body disobeyed her mind and stepped further into his bedroom. Gods protect her from her impulsive decisions.
Chapter nineteen
Levi didn’t know how to feel. Amaya was finally in his bedroom. He slid his hands in his pockets and watched as she wandered through his room lightly touching his things. He tried to see the space through her eyes.
A king-sized platform bed took up the middle of the room, made up with dark gray bedding. The wall behind it was black with gold marbling, warmed by the shelves and lighting on either side of it. To the right of his bed was his sitting area, the fire place electric, controlled by a switch.
His room was comfortable and his sanctuary. He led her into his bathroom, satisfied with the pleased look on her face. Her eyes took in the sunken tub and the oversized shower with three showerheads. There were fresh towels folded under the floating sink, which he grabbed for her.
“I’ll bring you something to sleep in,” he told her.
“Levi,” she started.
He closed the distance between them. Her exhaustion was evident in the simple fact that she hadn’t yet erected the shield over her mind. Levi didn’t feel a twinge of guilt for greedily exploring her thoughts. He read her wariness, but underneath that was her own need that she was actively fighting. It soothed a part of his ego that worried none of his efforts were getting through to her. Instead of taking advantage of it, he simply pulled her into his arms.
Amaya sighed, resistant for only a moment before her arms went around his waist. She rested her head against his chest and Levi closed his eyes, savoring the closeness.
“No shit tonight, baby doll. I just want this with you,” he assured her.
She nodded, and he relaxed.
“Shower and I’ll have clothes for you when you come out,” he murmured against the top of her head.
She raised her head and Levi couldn’t resist. He kissed her lips softly, no heat, just comfort. He unwrapped his arms from her and stepped back, leaving her to take a shower. His body yearned for hers, but he would not go back on his word to her. When he re-entered his bedroom, he felt Bas prodding at his mind. He sat on the edge of his bed and tuned into his friend.
‘What’s wrong?’
‘That meeting with the Collective…they’ve called it for tonight.’
Levi sucked his teeth in aggravation. It wasn’t as though he didn’t work at night, but still. He had plans. He looked towards the bathroom door and resigned himself. Ignoring a summons from the Collective would invite more trouble than it was worth. Levi had no desire to be fighting on two fronts.
‘Let me settle Amaya,’he told Bas.
His friend pulled out of his mind and Levi closed his eyes to stave off the anger building in his chest. He opened them a moment later, realizing that two hours ago, before Amaya had shielded the Akachi, a summons like this would’ve sent him off the deep end. There was still residual anger rumbling around in his mind, but in the last few months, that anger would’veswelled until he blacked out. Already he was feeling the effects of her shielding. Cloudiness still hovered around the edges of his consciousness, and were it not for his single focus on caring for Amaya, he was sure his thoughts would be jumbled. But there was a distinct difference. He put his head in his hands, leaning forward on his knees.
Fuck.
Amaya had saved him.
He summoned a maid with instructions to go to Amaya’s room for her clothes, as well as the dinner she’d skipped to help him. Ten minutes later, a small knock on his door signaled that his order had been followed. He allowed them entrance, his mind already getting into work mode. The maids left as quietly as they’d arrived.
He looked up as the door to the bathroom opened and she stepped from the steam-filled room. Her skin was dewy, the towel wrapped tightly around her voluptuous body. A red haze of lust took over his mind and his teeth ached.
“Come, baby doll,” he called to her, unable to stop the power infused in his voice.
The indecision was all over her face. She bit her lip, her thoughts racing.
“No funny shit,” he promised, holding up his hands in surrender.
She nodded and walked over to him. He gripped her waist once she was within touching distance.
“You’re so fucking beautiful,” he whispered, kissing her soft stomach through the cloth. He stood and towered over her, leaning down to put his forehead against hers.
“I have to go handle some business, but I want you here when I get back.”
Her eyes widened, relief one of her central emotions. There was some regret, but Amaya quickly pushed it aside. It was fascinating finally being able to see the way her mind worked. She compartmentalized better than anyone he’d ever observed, moving her feelings and thoughts around easily. It seemed her top priority was her and her mother’s safety. He fucked with that and knew that talking would never get him anywhere with Amaya. She needed to see action, feel security. He would make sure that she felt that and more going forward.
