Chapter Nine

Friday evening, Kinley parked her car at Levi’s house, then walked onto the porch, carrying her small suitcase of clothes and the red blouse on a hanger.

“Kinley.”

She turned to see Levi walking toward her.

“Hi,” she said.

He kissed her lips. “Hi, baby.”

“Where were you?”

“Just getting some fresh air.”

“Why?”

“I was thinking about us.”

“Is that good or bad?” She smiled when she saw a puff of cold air in front of him and knew he’d huffed out a breath.

“I’m just worried that you’ll change your mind about wanting to have kids.”

“Levi, I love you and want to be with you. I believe we’ll be fine without kids.”

“Are you sure?”

“I am.”

“I hope so, baby because I will not change my mind.”

“I know. Now, let’s get in out of the cold.” She turned from him, but he touched her arm making her face him and leaned down and kissed her lips.

“Happy New Year,” he said against her lips.

“It’s not new year’s yet,” she said with a grin.

“It’s not? Well, I guess I’ll have to kiss you again when it is.”

Kinley laughed. “Sounds good to me.”

Levi took the case from her hand, then led her up the steps and into the house.

“Let me take your coat. I have a fire going in the living room.”

“Good. I’m freezing.”

He pulled her close, kissed her deeply, then raised his lips.

“I bet I could warm you,” he murmured as he placed his lips against her neck, and she shivered. He lifted his head and gazed into her eyes. “You are cold, aren’t you? You’re shivering.” He grinned.

“You know it’s not from the cold.” She wrapped her arms around his waist. “I’d love to have you warm me. We don’t have to be at Addison’s until seven.”

Levi looked at his watch. “That gives us two hours.”

“Do you think that’s enough time?” She raised her eyebrow.

He laughed. “In that time, I could warm you several times.”

“I want to know about the woman texting you,” she said, as they removed their coats.

“Of course, you do. Come on, let’s sit in the living room.” Levi hung their coats and his hat, then led her to the sofa.

He took her hand in his and rubbed his thumb over the back of it. Taking a deep breath, he looked at her.

“As much as I thought I loved her, it’s nothing compared to how I feel about you. I met her seven years ago, but there was someone else before her. Juliette. I was with her for less than a year. When she found out I didn’t want kids, she broke it off with me. I was thirty-four then. I didn’t think I’d meet anyone again, but I met Tara two years later. We fell in love and were together three years.” He shook his head. “I told her all about my past and the same thing I told Juliette, and she said she was fine with it. She was, for a while. Then when her sister had a baby, she started on me about kids. We had a huge argument about it. She told me to leave, and I did. I didn’t hear from her until two years ago, she emailed me to tell me she was getting married. I told her I was happy for her, and I was. She got what she wanted. Both Tara and Juliette wanted marriage, kids, the white picket fence, and I couldn’t give it to them. Tara moved to Billings, but her grandmother still lives in Clifton. My father constantly used his fists on me and my mother and it kills me thinking I could be that way. I’m not taking that chance.” He sighed. “I won’t risk it. Like I told you before, I want to spend my life with you, but children are out of the question. It’s not a risk I’m willing to take. I want you to understand that. If you think you’ll change my mind, you won’t.”

“And I told you, I’m fine with it. I remember Vivian Beckett telling me that when she told Grayson she might not be able to have kids, he told her he could live without kids, but he couldn’t live without her. That’s how I feel, Levi.”

“As long as you’re sure.”

“We can make it,” she said, as a tear rolled down her cheek.

Levi kissed her lips. “How about a shower to warm us up?”

Kinley grinned. “I’d love that.”

****

Levi got to his feet, pulled her up, picked up her case, and led her to the bathroom.

“What’s in this?” He held the case up.

“Clothes.” She hung up the blouse.

“You don’t need clothes here,” he said with a grin.

“They’re clothes to wear to Addison’s.”

“Ah, I see. Well, yeah, you would need clothes for that.”

Kinley laughed as they walked toward the bedroom.

When they entered the room, he set the case down, pulled his shirt off, and she smiled as she removed hers. He entered the bathroom with her following. He reached into the shower stall, turned the water on, then continued to undress as she did the same, all the while keeping their eyes on each other. He removed his wallet, opened it, and reached for the condom, but Kinley put her hand on his.

“I don’t want anything between us anymore. I’m on birth control, and I’m safe.”

Levi groaned. “I am too.”

He reached into the stall to see if the water was warm enough, then put his hand out to her and held it while she stepped into the stall. The warm water cascaded down their bodies as they stared at each other. He stepped closer to her, touching her arm, then he moved his hand down over her breast and smiled when her nipple hardened as he ran the pad of his thumb over it, then he took it between his lips, sucking on it as he slid his hand down her body. Her hands fisted in his wet hair.

As he gently caressed her inner thighs, his fingers gradually found the warmth between her legs. Delicately, he traced the contours of her intimately, feeling her arousal build.

“You’re so incredibly wet, and it’s not from the shower, baby,” he whispered huskily in her ear, a note of hunger in his voice.

“It’s all because of you. Just one glance from you makes me feel this way,” she confessed breathlessly, her face flushed with desire. Their eyes locked as he took hold of her waist, lifting her effortlessly and pressing her against the cool wall. She responded by wrapping her legs tightly around his waist.

He could sense the anticipation in the air, their hearts pounding against each other as they prepared to fully explore their passion. With his free hand, he reached down to grip his hard cock, stroking it slowly as he leaned in closer to her ear.

“You know what I want to do to you, Kinley? I want to fuck you hard against this wall until we both come hard.”

She moaned softly, arching her back slightly toward him. “Do it then,” she whispered back hoarsely.

“Are you ready for me?” he asked gruffly as he pushed forward slowly at first, then with more urgency as she gasped and arched her back. The head of his cock pressed against her teasingly before finally inching in slowly, with a loud moan from both of them.

He began thrusting into her roughly, taking advantage of their position against the wall for leverage as he pumped his hips. She wrapped her legs tighter around him and threw her head back in pleasure as he filled her completely each time he thrust forward.

The sound of their gasps for breath and moans of ecstasy filled the steamy room.

With one hand, he held her up and placed his other one beside her head as he buried himself deeper inside her each time they connected. Her body slid up and down the cool surface of the wall creating an erotic rhythm that intoxicated them both further into their lustful desires.

When she whispered his name in his ear, he shuddered, and knew he was going to go over, but he was taking her with him. Removing his hand from the wall, he moved it between them and touched her clitoris. She cried out his name, and he pressed his lips to hers and growled into her mouth as he came with her.

Levi lifted his head and placed his forehead on her shoulder as he tried to catch his breath. He could hear her gasping for air against his ear, then she kissed his cheek. He raised his head and stared into her beautiful eyes.

“You know how I said I could warm you several times in two hours?”

“Yes,” she said breathlessly.

“I lied. That did me in.”

She burst out laughing. “I need a nap.”

He laughed. “That’s a good idea.”

He let her legs down and her knees buckled but he caught her .

“I need a few minutes,” she said.

“No problem, darlin’.”

He stepped out onto the rug beside the tub, grabbed a towel and rubbed it over his hair, then down his body. Once he was dry, he headed for the bedroom.

“I’ll meet you in bed.”

“I need my blow dryer. It’s in my case. Could you get it for me? I can’t get in bed with wet hair.”

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll be right back.”

He entered the bedroom, opened her case, pulled the blow dryer out, then entered the bathroom and set it beside the sink.

“I’ll be out once I get my hair dry,” she said as she stepped from the shower.

“Alright. I’ll set the alarm on my phone.” He made his way back to the bedroom, pulled the blankets down, and crawled into bed. As he set the alarm he could hear the blow dryer and hoped she wouldn’t be long. When Kinley got in beside him, he pulled her close to him, and they fell asleep.

****

Kinley tried to hit her alarm to stop the continuous beeping but hit Levi instead, slapping his chest, making him jerk awake.

“Damn, woman. What did I do to you?” he asked as he sat up.

“I’m so sorry. I thought my alarm was going off,” she said, trying not to laugh.

Levi rubbed his chest. “Hell of way to wake up a man. I set my phone alarm, remember?”

Kinley put her hands over her face and laughed.

“I’m sorry.” She snickered.

“Yeah, I can tell.” He swung his legs over the bed, stood, and looked at her.

She spread her fingers and looked at him to see him, trying not to laugh.

He shook his head and chuckled. “Get up. We need to get dressed and head to Cody’s.”

“Okay.” She tossed the blanket off, stood, then found her case and pulled out a pair of panties, a matching bra, and a pair of jeans. She removed the red blouse from the hanger, then dressed.

“Well, that was fun to watch. Who knew watching you put clothes on would be such a turn-on?” He grinned.

Kinley shook her head. “Get dressed. We have to be there in half an hour. You should have set the alarm for sooner. I need to make myself presentable.”

“Darlin’, you already are, but I’ll get dressed. I need to shave too,” he said as he ran his hand over his whiskered jaw.

“Yes, you do.”

“Did it scratch you?”

“No. I actually love the scruff, but it’s getting a little thick.”

He glanced down, then looked at her. “No, it’s not.”

Kinley laughed. “It will later. Get dressed,” she said as she removed her makeup case and headed for the other bathroom.

After applying her makeup, she walked to the living room to wait for Levi, but he was already there.

“You shaved awfully fast. You didn’t nick yourself, did you?” she asked with a smile.

“I didn’t shave fast, you just took a long time to put your makeup on, which you do not need.” He walked toward her, then kissed her lips. “I’ll kiss that lipstick off later,” he murmured against her lips.

“Fine by me, cowboy. We should probably get going.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

They walked to the kitchen where Levi removed her coat from the hook and held it for her, then he put his on, and removed his hat from the peg. He opened the door for her and inclined his head for her to go out. He stepped onto the porch, pulled the door closed, then placed his hat on his head, tugging it low and she almost sighed. God, she loved him so much.

Levi brought his truck to a halt beside the porch, the engine purring as he turned it off. Opening his door, he stepped out and began making his way around the front of the vehicle. But before he could reach her door, she was already out, her hand extended toward him.

As they ascended the stairs, the door swung open and Addison’s smiling face greeted them.

“Come in. It’s freezing out there,” she exclaimed.

Kinley chuckled. “Make your man keep you warm.”

“He’ll be doing that later.” Addison laughed.

“Who will be doing what later?” Cody asked from behind them when he entered the kitchen.

“I mentioned how cold it was outside, and Kinley suggested having my man warm me up.” She shrugged. “I told her you’d be doing that later.”

Cody grinned. “We could ring in the new year with a bang,” he joked before grunting as Addison elbowed him playfully, causing everyone to laugh.

After removing their coats, Kinley took a look around the kitchen and spotted trays upon trays of food, causing her stomach to growl in anticipation.

“We’ll eat in a little while. I’ve made pulled pork, spinach and artichoke dip, nacho cheese dip, and stuffed mushrooms.”

“I didn’t think I was hungry until you listed all of that,” Levi chimed in.

“We can eat whenever. The pork is cooking in the crockpot, so help yourselves.” Addison grinned.

“What can I offer you to drink? We have cola, root beer, ginger ale, and of course, water,” Cody offered politely.

Kinley noticed Levi quickly glance away before answering. “Thank you,” he said sincerely.

“No problem at all. What would you like?”

“Ginger ale would be perfect.”

“And for you, Kinley?”

“I’ll have the same, thank you Cody.” She replied with gratitude. She knew he was doing it for Levi’s sake.

“Well then, let’s settle in and watch some movies as we wait for the ball to drop.” Addison beamed as she led the way toward the living room.

Kinley stole a quick kiss from Levi before following her. She couldn’t have asked for a better way to ring in the new year than with the people she loved most.

****

Levi took the two glasses of ginger ale from Cody’s outstretched hand.

“I appreciate you doing this,” Levi said, with a grateful smile.

Cody grinned back. “We don’t need alcohol to celebrate. Now, let’s go join our women and have a fantastic evening.”

Levi nodded, following him into the living room. He handed Kinley a glass and settled down beside her on one of the plush sofas. On the other sofa sat Addison and Cody, their laughter filling the air.

The group playfully argued over what movie to watch, with the women wanting a romantic comedy and the men leaning toward an action film. They finally compromised on The Fall Guy , starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt.

As the movie played, Levi couldn’t help but look at Kinley as she kicked off her boots and curled up next to him on the sofa. He leaned in and pressed a tender kiss to her forehead, feeling grateful for her presence in his life.

After enjoying a delicious meal together, they gathered around to watch the ball drop and ring in the new year. As soon as it hit midnight, Levi couldn’t resist capturing Kinley’s lips in a sweet kiss. Meanwhile, Cody did the same with Addison.

“Happy New Year, baby,” Levi murmured against Kinley’s lips.

She smiled back at him. “Happy New Year to you too.”

“Let’s hope it’s a good one,” he said optimistically.

“It will be,” she replied confidently.

Levi couldn’t help but grin at her unwavering faith in their future together. As he gazed into her eyes, he knew that every day would be perfect as long as she was by his side.

As time flew by and it reached one-thirty in the morning, Kinley yawned.

“I think we should head out,” she said, her voice sounding tired.

“Yeah, I’m ready,” Levi agreed.

“You could stay here if you want,” Addison offered kindly.

Levi chuckled. “And listen to you two ringing in the new year with a bang? Not a chance.” Everyone laughed.

Cody stood up and stretched, offering his hand to help Addison up from the sofa.

“Seriously, you’re more than welcome to stay,” he insisted.

“We appreciate it, but we should head home,” Levi replied, standing up and helping Kinley to her feet.

After they put their coats on, Levi shook Cody’s hand, then hugged Addison. While Kinley hugged them both.

“Thanks for a wonderful evening,” Kinley said.

“Yeah, it was fun,” Levi added.

“We’ll make this a tradition,” Addison said with a smile.

“Sounds good to me,” Cody said as he switched on the porchlight.

Levi opened the door and froze as he heard ice hitting the roof.

“We’d better go before this gets worse,” he said.

“I knew we were supposed to get another storm, but I didn’t think it would be here until tomorrow,” Kinley said.

“It is tomorrow,” Levi teased, making her laugh.

“Yeah, you’re right. Let’s go home, cowboy.” She looked at Addison again. “I’ll talk to you later. Love you.”

“Love you too. Please be careful. I know it’s not far, but the weather is terrible already.”

“We’ll be fine. Goodnight.” Levi took Kinley’s hand, led her to the truck, and after getting into the truck, he drove them back to his place.

As they entered the house, his cellphone buzzed. Removing it, he saw a text from Tara wishing him Happy New Year. He shook his head, and put the phone back into his pocket.