N. Walters - Past Promises

All humor fled and the mask dropped over his features once again. She hurt inside to see it happen, but she had to know.

“I’m a man like any other, but I have certain skills that make me unique. There isn’t anything I can’t find with a computer, no information that I can’t access. Do you understand what I’m telling you?”

Holy crap! He was a hacker. That was how he’d found the information about her father. Another worry hit her. “You didn’t do anything that can be traced back to you, did you?” She grabbed his shoulders and shook him. “You can’t do that again. What if you got caught? You’d go to prison?”

The look in Levi’s eyes softened. “Don’t worry, darlin’. It’s not something I make a practice of. And I didn’t even have to dig that deep to find dirt on your family and ex. I got some of my information from a guy I hired to watch them as well.”

“You hired someone?” The surprises just kept on coming. “Didn’t you think I could deal with this situation myself?” That was the crux of the problem. She was strong and independent. She’d planned to handle this on her own. Needed to confront all of them, one final time.

“Of course I knew you could handle it.” He looked shocked that she’d even questioned him about it. That went a long way to soothing her battered pride. “You’ve been handling them for years. The fact that you were able to forge your own life away from them is nothing less than astounding. The pressure they’ve put on you over the years has been tremendous. Most people would have buckled years ago. Your brother certainly did and so did Dyson.”

She’d never thought about it from that perspective before. She had memories of her brother saying he wanted to be an artist when he grew up. He’d been quite talented as a young man. That had all changed when he’d hit about fourteen. His art supplies had disappeared and she’d never seen him pick up a paintbrush again, not even as a hobby. The same applied to Simon. There’d never been any question that he would become a lawyer and join the family firm. “You’re right.”

Levi rubbed his hand in circles at the small of her back. The heat and his gentle touch worked their magic, relaxing her. “Of course, I’m right.”

She gave a small laugh. “Don’t expect to hear those words very often.”

“I won’t. Even though we both know the truth,” he teased. “I knew you could handle them, but why should you have to do it on your own. You had enough to worry about with everything they’d thrown at you and I was here and able to help.”

No one, other than her grandmother, had ever taken her side before. Never stood against her powerful father. “I wish you’d told me. Shared it with me.”

He lowered his head and sighed. “I know. And I’m sorry for that. I had no idea you were planning to confront them yourself. I assumed I’d be back by tonight and I would have explained everything over dinner.”

She caught his chin in her hand and raised it. The stubble of his beard lightly scratched her palm. The sensation sent a shiver down her spine and she tried to ignore the tingles that radiated to all the sensitive parts of her body.

“I understand that. But from now on, talk to me first. Okay?”

He nodded. “I’ll try.”

Levi was so self-contained and such a man of action, she knew it was difficult for him to make this promise. “That’s all I can ask.” She glanced at the table. “We should probably eat dinner before it’s icy cold.” She slipped off his lap. Her breast brushed against his arm and she almost groaned as the nipple pebbled on contact.

He cleared his throat. “There’s one more thing.” Linda turned and raised one brow in question.

His gaze went to her breasts so she crossed her arms over them to hide their aroused state. She knew it was too late. He’d seen her nipples outlined against her top. The man didn’t miss anything. “What?” She was almost afraid to find out.

Levi slipped an envelope from under his napkin and handed it to her. Linda opened it, drew out the heavy paper and gazed at the official document. She had to read it twice before she understood it.

The paper slipped from her fingers and drifted to the floor. Levi waited patiently, as always. He was so large and fierce—most people would never think him vulnerable. But Linda knew him better than most and she could see the uncertainty lurking in his eyes. He had his massive arms crossed in front of his chest and his chin slightly tilted. His entire body posture said he could take whatever anyone could throw at him. And he probably had over the years.

“You bought me a building?” The thought was staggering.

He shook his head. “Not any building. This one. It’s yours. I paid off the promissory note before I visited your father. There was nothing they could do to legally stop me as your representative from paying it off.”

“That’s a lot of money, Levi. I’ll pay you back.”

A muscle ticked beneath his left eye. “No, you won’t pay me back. It’s a gift.”

“Levi.” Exasperated, she placed her hands on her hips and glared at him. “You can’t just give me a building.”

He stood and stared down at her. “Why the hell not? It’s my money.”

Another thought struck her. “You didn’t do anything…you know…illegal, with your hacking and everything?”

Levi chuckled. “No. The money was mine.”

“But that has to be your entire life savings. You can’t do that. You don’t even have a job.”

He cleared his throat. “Actually, I do.”

Everything inside her froze. If he had a job, he would probably be leaving Jamesville very soon. “I’m very happy for you.” Her smile felt frozen on her face. “When do you leave?” She’d known her relationship with Levi wasn’t a long-term one, but she’d hoped for more time. She was determined to be an adult about this, even if it killed her.

He frowned, his expression growing dark. “I’m not leaving.” He raked his hand through his hair. “Unless you want me to.”

“Not if you don’t want to.” Great. Now she sounded like she was in junior high. “Levi, I’m glad you have a job, but obviously I’m missing something. Did you get a job here in Jamesville?” She couldn’t imagine what it was as there weren’t a lot of full-time jobs available in town. “Are you going to work for Jonah?”

“I’m doing this all wrong,” he muttered. Squaring his shoulders, he glared at her. “I’ve always had a job. I play the stock market. I invest. Not just my money, but also other people’s. Mostly guys I served with, including Jonah.”

“Isn’t that risky? Especially in today’s economy.”

Levi shook his head. “I have a knack for it. I can read the trends before they happen. I know when to get in and get out. I make a hell of a lot more money than I lose.”

“Wow!” She didn’t know what else to say. “That’s incredible.” But something troubled her. “If you already had a job, why did you do renovation work for me in exchange for free rent?”

“Because—” Levi cupped her shoulders and tugged her close, “—I wanted to be near you.” Leaning down, he kissed her forehead. “I wanted to spend time with you.” More kisses on her cheeks, nose and chin. “Because I want to make love with you.”

Breathless, she pressed herself against his chest. His large body was hot and he always smelled so good. She ached between her thighs and in her soul. She needed this man to fill both places.

Linda had no idea where their relationship would go from here. There had been a lot to digest tonight. All she knew was she loved him and he was staying. The man had given her a building for heaven’s sake. Not that she was accepting it. She’d be paying him back as soon as her inheritance came through.

She’d tell him so. Tomorrow. All that mattered now was getting closer to Levi. Going up on her toes, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down until his lips met hers. “All you had to do was ask.”

All the tension that had filled Levi since he’d gotten back to Jamesville slipped away as Linda tightened her arms around him. Their lips melded together in a tender kiss. He wanted to be gentle with her, show her a softer side. She’d seen a side of him today that he’d never wanted to show her. But she’d taken it all in stride. He still couldn’t believe that she was worried about protecting him from her father.

He let his palms slide down her slender back until he was cupping her ass. It filled his hands and he squeezed. She moaned into his mouth before sucking on his tongue.

Levi was a man renowned for his patience. He was a legend in certain circles for his ability to block out all else and concentrate on the problem at hand. But this slender woman made a mockery of self-control.

She stroked her fingers over the nape of his neck before tunneling into his hair. Her nails scraped over his scalp in an erotic caress. She rubbed her breasts against his chest. Even through the layers of clothing, he could feel her taut nipples.

He had to have her. Now.

Lifting her, he started down the hallway. Linda didn’t break their kiss. Instead, she wrapped her legs around his waist and ground her mound against his erection. Levi staggered, bouncing off the wall before regaining his balance. He tore his mouth from hers and gasped for breath.

That didn’t stop her. Linda peppered his face and neck with hot little kisses. He managed to make it into her bedroom. The light from the hallway was more than enough. He stopped by the bed, but she kept her legs wrapped tightly around his waist.

“Linda.” He tried to get her to unlock her legs. Really, he did. But he didn’t want to hurt her. “Darlin’,” he tried again. “You’ve got to let go if we’re going to get naked.”

That seemed to galvanize her. “Right.” She slid her legs away, brushing the entire front of her body against him. She smiled, a sexy teasing smile, as she ripped her top off and unhooked her bra. The straps slid down her arms and the scrap of material fell to the floor at her feet.

Levi grabbed a handful of his shirt and dragged it over his head. He couldn’t stop staring at her. As always, the sheer beauty of her drew him. His hands were trembling as he reached out, using his thumbs to trace the soft skin surrounding her nipples. Her breath was faster now, short puffs of air that were warm against his skin.

Leaning down, he blew softly on her nipples. They pebbled even more. Satisfied, he drew one of them into his mouth and sucked. Hard. Linda’s fingers dug into his scalp, tangling in his hair, tugging him closer. He worked back and forth, teasing one breast, then the other, loving the sounds of pleasure that came from her.

Suddenly, it wasn’t enough. He had to have her naked. Beneath him. He had to bury himself deep in her warmth. He’d been cold for so long. Only Linda could warm him.

Releasing her nipple, he kissed a path down her torso until he reached the band of her jeans. On his knees in front of her now, he flicked open the button and drew down the zipper. Levi pushed his hands inside, dipping beneath her silky panties to the even softer skin beneath.

He inhaled the scent of her arousal, pushing one of his hands between her thighs. She was hot and wet, her cream coating his fingers. She whimpered, digging her nails into his shoulders.

“Levi.” She drew out the sound of his name on a moan. His cock jumped in response.

“I need you naked.” He stood and reached for the opening of his jeans. “Finish it,” he prompted her as he toed off his sneakers and kicked them aside. He shoved his jeans and briefs down his thighs. He stepped out of them and drew off his socks, leaving him naked.

His eyes hadn’t left her while he’d been stripping off his clothing. Linda shimmied out of her jeans and panties, skimming off her socks in the process. Her pale skin gleamed in the light from the hallway.

As always, he was struck by the sheer wonder of her. She was so slender and delicate in appearance. Her short black hair framed her fine-boned face and her dark blue eyes to perfection. She might be tall for a woman, but she was so much smaller than him. He was always aware of his strength when he touched her. Right or wrong, it brought out the primitive part of him. He wanted to claim her, fuck her, protect and cherish her. It was as confusing as hell. But it also felt right.

She shivered and he swore at himself for keeping her standing there while he looked his fill. He started toward her, but she stopped him by raising her hand.

“What’s wrong?” He didn’t know if he’d survive if she wanted to stop, but he’d damn well do it.