33. Hunter

"Wait." Levi tugs on my hand, stopping me from opening the passenger door of his truck. His baseball hat is still backward on his head, his deep blue eyes piercing in the soft glow of the illuminated cabin.

I release my hold and turn to him, practically floating. Filled up with champagne and helium. Buzzing with the kinetic energy that accompanies the start of something new.

After the scary incident with the truck, then the memorable moment that followed, we stopped for dinner.

We talked and laughed the whole meal, just like we always have. Our reconnection was immediate that day in the hospital, but now? It's grown so much deeper.

I needed that release.

Finals week was a beast, and my anxiety has been flaring up big time over the last few days.

Tonight, Levi Moore gave me just what the doctor ordered.

Speaking of doctors… Dr. Ferguson's car is not in the bay where he usually parks. Greedy's truck is gone, too.

Greedy.

I've worked so damn hard to push him away, to keep him at arm's length. I make a point of acting distant and sometimes even mean just to get through the days when I have to be near him.

I hurt him every day. I know that, and I've long accepted this is how it has to be. It's the only way I can survive being in his orbit. It's the only way I can protect my heart and ultimately keep my secret.

He was peeved by the fake dating act. I can't even begin to imagine how he'll react when he learns that what Levi and I are doing doesn't seem so fake anymore.

It feels like we're hovering on the precipice of causing irrevocable damage. Levi and I have to tread lightly. Anything we do—whatever comes next—we have to consider Greedy.

"What am I waiting for?" I ask, tossing my hair over my shoulder.

He's grinning at me, his eyes locked on mine in a way so intense it makes heat creep into my cheeks.

I'm not embarrassed by what we did. In fact, I'll probably never be able to look at his forearms again without feeling all tingly and warm inside.

But with the way he's looking at me now…

"Come here," he urges, leaning over the center console and cupping the back of my head.

I let him guide me until our noses practically touch.

"Would it be okay if I kissed you?" he asks.

Sheesh. Again with the consent check-in.

Even after I rode his forearm like my own personal pony a few hours ago, he still feels compelled to ask.

What a flex. I love it.

I tilt my head slightly and part my lips, sharing his breath.

He smells divine. Like peaches and cedar.

I almost say yes.

But then I remember who's truck we're in. Who's house we're staying at. Who else is part of this equation, despite my very best efforts to hold him at bay and make him hate me.

"Daisy," Levi teases in his southern drawl, pulling my thoughts from Greedy and back to the present.

He's so close my tongue caresses his bottom lip when I wet my own.

The heat from his body soaks into mine, urging me to sink into his comfort. "Tell me I can kiss you. Please."

It's the please that does it for me. Always the southern gentleman.

"You can kiss me," I finally answer.

He presses his lips to mine in an attentive, chaste kiss. I open for him instinctively, touching the tip of my tongue to his.

A low growl escapes him as he forcefully pulls himself away.

"Dear god, woman," he huffs. "Just kissing you is a mind-blowing experience. I'm hard again." He sits back and roughs a hand over his face, as if it's truly a burden.

Smiling, I bow my head to hide the grin splitting my face. I also may or may not home in on the apex of his jean-clad thighs.

"Come on," I tell him playfully, opening the passenger door. "Let's go inside so you can calm down."

I unbuckle, then carefully step onto the running board before hopping to the ground.

By the time I've circled the bumper, he's waiting for me and reaching for my hand.

Glee washes over me when he gives me one of his dazzling Levi smiles. I grin back, interlacing our fingers and squeezing his hand.

Is this really happening?

Does he feel it too?

And if so, what does this mean for our arrangement?

As we weave through the garage, he keeps my hand in his, occasionally looking at me over his shoulder, still grinning.

"So can we count tonight as our first date?" he asks, that one dimple popping as he gives me a sheepish smile.

My body lights up at the suggestion.

We are absolutely on the same page.

Levi wants this. Levi wants me.

He drops my hand, then he quietly opens the door.

We make it all of three steps into the entryway before the hairs raise up on the back of my neck and I pull up short.

There's a soft voice coming from deeper inside the house. A voice I know. A voice I dread in the most visceral, stomach-churning way.

"Is someone—" Levi looks back at me, his brow furrowed in concern. Then he quickly positions himself in front of me.

As if that small gesture could protect me from the danger that has already arrived.

Ignoring the anxiety flooding my veins, I will myself to peek past Levi's shoulder.

I spot her immediately. She's striding through the kitchen, dressed to the nines. She walks with her head held high, acting like she owns the place. I guess, technically, she does.

"Hunter, darling! It's been too long."

Stunned, I stand completely still. I reel as every mental defense in my arsenal kicks in and my mind quickly works to re-erect boundaries I haven't had to worry about for years.

Levi takes a step to one side as she approaches.

My mother.

My mother is here.

My mother is in our house.

My arms dangle at my sides as she steps into my personal space and squeezes me tightly.

"Oh, let me look at you." She pulls back and smooths a hand over my hair. "I see you're going for the more natural aesthetic these days," she comments.

Except it's not a comment.

It's an insult.

It barely processes, though, because in such close proximity to her, my brain empties entirely.

I say nothing.

I do nothing.

I feel nothing as she assesses me up and down.

Levi clears his throat then. His face is marred with concern as he watches me.

Her eyes widen as if she's noticing him for the first time. "And who do we have here?"

He gives her a terse nod. "Levi Moore, ma'am."

She offers him her hand, head tilting to one side in a way she uses to trick people. "Charmed, I'm sure. Magnolia St. Clair-Ferguson."

The. Audacity.

They've met before. When Levi was younger. More boyish. Not so chiseled. He was dressed casually that day, making it obvious he didn't come from money. Of course she doesn't remember meeting him. She wouldn't have deemed him worthy of her attention then.

Levi clumsily shakes her hand, his gaze flitting from her to me and back again, brows furrowed in confusion.

My mom is here.

My mom is back in North Carolina.

I had no fucking idea she was even in the country.

Flovely.

I'm still rooted to the spot, digesting this information, when the door behind me swings open with such force it hits me and sends me barreling forward.

I put my hands up to catch myself but bump into my mom as I lose my footing, and the two of us tumble into Levi.

His quick reflexes are the only reason we don't end up on the floor. He's got an arm around each of us, his face fixed in a grimace.

A cacophony of apologies and outrage echo throughout the small room.

Levi helps my mom first, then guides me to my full height and keeps his arm wrapped around me.

Emotionless and hollow, I take in my mother. Then I turn to Levi. Finally, I force my attention to the person who just shoved into the room like a wrecking ball.

Greedy.

His eyes are frantic and his chest heaves with panicked breaths as he takes in the scene.

He looks at my mom, his face morphing into a look of disgust, then focuses on me.

His attention dips to where Levi has one arm wrapped around the front of my shoulders protectively, and his expression morphs into one of puzzlement.

Before anyone can speak, I spin out of Levi's hold, mutter something about not feeling well, and take off toward my bedroom.