Past Promises

Chapter Three

Linda could barely breathe, let alone think. Levi had the letter from her brother. Correction, Levi had stolen the letter out of her trashcan. Obviously, he’d read it. But why?

She reached for the letter and he let her have it. As she crumpled the heavy paper in her hand, she tried to figure out what to say. Finally, she decided she didn’t have to say anything. This was nobody’s business but her own.

Levi was watching her with that guarded expression he wore almost all the time. It was as if he assessed every situation, constantly searching for the best approach to take in order to gain the results he wanted. That was fine when he was working on a construction project. Not so great when he was trying to dissect her mind and figure out how to handle her. She’d had enough of men trying to handle her. Her father, brother and ex-fiancé were the worst offenders.

“This is none of your business.” She turned to leave, but he stopped her once again by placing his hand on the door. Levi was much stronger than her and there was no way she was getting out of here until he let her.

Linda faced him again, not the least bit intimidated by his scowl. He might be much bigger and stronger than her, but she knew without a doubt he’d never use that against her in any way. She was safe with Levi.

That thought surprised her. Safety wasn’t something she usually associated with a person. Owning this building, having a business of her own, a place, gave her a sense of safety. It was never a good idea to rely too heavily on people—especially men. They tended to have their own agendas and let you down when push came to shove.

“It affects you. That makes it my business.” Levi leaned in as he spoke, taking up most of the space around her, making it hard for her to focus.

The clean scent of his soap mixed with the spices from dinner made her mouth water. She swallowed hard. She had to get control of this situation. Levi was acting out of concern. While she was grateful to have him as a friend, she didn’t exactly approve of his methods.

Placing one hand against his chest, she pushed. Levi stepped back, but she was under no misconception that she’d actually be able to move him if he didn’t want to go. The heat from his body soaked into her palm, even through the layer of his T-shirt.

“Thank you for your concern,” she began as she dropped her hand back to her side. Her fingers curled inward of their own accord, holding the heat from his body a little longer. “But you shouldn’t have read the letter. It’s private.”

“It hurt you.” The way he said the words told her he considered that justification enough.

Her stomach began to burn as humiliation washed over her. It was bad enough that she knew her family didn’t think much of her, but it was another thing altogether for Levi to find out. All her life her family had been disappointed in her, labeling her a failure.

She squared her shoulders and ignored the tears welling in her eyes, blinking them back. She would not shed one more tear over her family. There was nothing wrong with her. It was a mantra she’d repeated over and over the past few years. As far as she was concerned, now that her grandmother was gone, she had no family.

“Yes, well life hurts sometimes.” She tried to make her voice strong and brisk, but it came out sounding slightly pitiful.

“Yes it does.” Levi brushed a strand of hair from her cheek. Linda closed her eyes for a brief second, soaking in the care and concern behind the gesture. “But that doesn’t mean you can’t do something about it,” he continued.

Linda sighed as he let his hand drift from her face. “I am doing something. I’m ignoring them.” She leaned back against the door, exhaustion creeping in once again. “I’ve gotten very good at that,” she added wryly.

Levi’s frown deepened. “I don’t understand what their problem is in the first place. You’re beautiful and smart and successful. What more could they ask for?”

Heat crept up her cheeks as she stared in wonder at Levi. He truly believed what he said. The warmth left her face and spread out to other areas of her body. She almost groaned as her nipples tightened and liquid slipped from her core to dampen her panties.

She swallowed a groan. She had to get out of here before she did something stupid like jump Levi’s bones. It had to be the combination of emotions and exhaustion making her feel this way. The two of them were friends. In the months they’d been working together, he’d never shown any sign he’d felt anything for her beyond friendship. Plus, he was just passing through, not settling here for good.

Getting involved with Levi wasn’t a good idea. She’d only had one serious relationship and that had ended in disaster. She wasn’t the type of woman to jump into bed with a man, not without some sort of commitment.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “It’s an old fight. One we’ve been having my entire life. They want me to be something that I’m not and I’m through trying to fit in to please them. They can’t accept that. Hence the letter.” And the occasional phone call from her mother, but she wasn’t going to mention that.

“It’s still not right.” His voice was pitched low and intimate. The room was dark but for the flickering candlelight and the small light over the stove in the kitchen.

“It is what it is.” She turned it back on him. “What about you? What’s your relationship like with your parents?”

Levi became very still. The air around him changed. Tension pervaded the room. This was obviously a sticky subject for him too. Just when she thought he wasn’t going to tell her anything, he spoke, “My mother died of a drug overdose when I was sixteen. I have no idea who my old man is. I don’t think she knew. Given my mother’s taste in men, he’s probably in prison, if not dead.” Levi’s face was grim as he continued, “I didn’t exactly have a loving family.”

She hurt for him. He was the strongest person she knew. According to Amanda, Levi was loyal and kind. He’d come to help Jonah without asking any questions and had helped save Amanda’s life. Character. That’s what Levi had—strength of character. Obviously he’d risen above his upbringing and made himself into the man he was today.

But like her, he carried scars from the past.

Without thought, she reached out and placed her palm against his jaw. The slight stubble was rough against her skin. “I’m sorry.”

His jaw tightened and a muscle beneath his right eye began to twitch. “Don’t be. It was a long time ago.”

“Doesn’t make it hurt any less.” She knew that for a fact.

“I don’t need pity.” His voice was harsh, but he didn’t move away from her. In fact, he shifted closer.

“No,” she agreed. “You don’t need pity. You’ve made something out of your life. Something you can be proud of.”

“You don’t know that.”

She started to move her hand away, but he captured it with his much larger one and pressed her fingers back to his face.

“I do know that. I know you served your country with honor and distinction. I know you’re a loyal friend. I know you’re a good man,” she continued. “Working alongside you these past months, I’d like to think I’ve come to know you rather well.”

“You don’t know me at all.” She heard the faintest edge of hope beneath the anger and it made her heart ache. They both carried such pain inside them.

“I may not know everything about you, but I know you here.” She released her death grip on the letter and let the paper fall to the floor. It didn’t matter any more. The only thing that mattered was the man before her. She placed her free hand over his heart, feeling the heavy thud. “You’re a good man, Levi.”

Levi swore as he stepped forward, herding her toward the door until her back hit it. “I’m not a good man,” he gritted out. “If I was so good, I wouldn’t want to strip off your clothes and fuck you against this door.”

Her body went hot, then cold, then hot again. Had he said what she thought he had? He wanted her. Her mind could barely wrap around the concept. All these months, he’d kept his distance, never giving her any indication that he was attracted to her.

“If I was as good and honorable as you think, I’d open the door and let you go.” He crowded closer, pressing his lower body against hers.

His erection pressed against her belly, hard and thick. Linda sucked back a moan of pleasure as her sex clenched hard in anticipation. Cream slipped from inside her, coating her labia with moisture.

“Tell me to let you go.” His voice was rough and thick with arousal. His breathing, ragged.

Linda couldn’t speak. Need flowed through her like wildfire, setting her blood aflame. She forgot all the reasons why she shouldn’t get involved with Levi. There was no place for reason in the heat of madness.

She had to get closer. Her clit throbbed in agreement as she hooked her leg over his hip and arched her pelvis, grinding her swollen sex against the front of his jeans. The friction was so marvelous she did it again.

“Fuck.” Levi gripped her hips, hauling her closer.

A moan of pure pleasure escaped her as he pressed against her. “So good,” she groaned.

“If we’re going to stop, it has to be now. I’m not sure how much longer my control will hold out.” Levi’s words came out in a rush and were followed by a low groan as their hips met again and again.

A sense of power flowed through her. That she could bring a man like this to the brink of losing control was a heady rush. But it was quickly followed by tenderness and need. He needed her. She needed him. It was as simple as that.

Maybe she might regret it in the light of day, but that was a long way off. She’d always been a good girl. Now she simply wanted to have hard, heart-pounding sex. With Levi.

Gripping his hair in both her hands, she pulled his face down to hers. “Don’t stop.”

Levi captured her lips in a searing kiss. There was no tentative exploration, no gentle seeking. He took control, licking her lips until she parted them on a gasp. Then he plunged inside. His tongue was hot as it tangled with hers.

She didn’t recognize the soft whimpers of need that came from her. Tilting back her head, she tried to get closer to him. Their teeth clinked together as Levi’s hands molded her hips, lifting her into each stroke of his hips.

He tore his lips from hers. “Too much clothes,” he muttered. Releasing his hold on her hips, he grabbed the front of her blouse and tugged. Buttons popped, pinging off the floor and the wall.

Her hands clutched the cotton of his shirt, shoving it upward as large hands cupped her breasts. Linda moaned as his thumbs traced her nipples through the thin lace of her bra.

“I’ve got to see you.” He reached behind and undid the hooks holding her bra in place. Shoving the fabric up, he leaned down and nuzzled her breasts. First one. Then the other. Her breath caught in her throat when his tongue swirled around her distended nipple.

Levi took the tip into his mouth and suckled. Her pussy clenched and began to throb. “Levi,” she moaned, needing more.

She tugged at his shirt, wanting it off, wanting to be able to feel his bare skin against hers. He released her long enough to drag his shirt over his head and toss it aside. Before she could touch him, he was kissing her again.

His hands shaped her breasts as his fingers toyed with her nipples. Grasping his shoulders, she tried to wrap her legs around his waist. The pressure between her thighs was becoming unbearable.

“Not yet,” he groaned in between pressing open-mouthed kisses along her neck. He shoved her legs back down and went for the buttons on her slacks.

While he was busy, she stroked her hands over his chest. It was even better than she’d imagined. Muscles leapt beneath her palms as she touched him. His skin was soft, yet what was beneath it was rock solid. Several pale scars ran down his chest. Another curved around his left shoulder. Reminders of the dangerous life he’d lived.

He had a light patch of hair in the center of his chest that angled down toward his navel, thinning as it went lower. Her finger slowly traced that line of hair.

Linda suddenly realized Levi was no longer moving. His hands were frozen on the zipper of her slacks. He sucked in his belly as her hand played along the waistband of his jeans.

“Touch me.” He arched his hips upward, reaching for her hand.

Using her index finger, she traced the hard line of his zipper. Levi swore, grabbed her hand and placed it solidly over his erection. She could feel the heat and the pulse of it through his jeans. Her fingers closed around him and she moved her hand up and down, learning his size and shape.

He yanked down her zipper and pulled her slacks and underwear down her thighs, shoving them toward her feet. Going down on one knee in front of her, he pulled off her shoes before tugging away the wad of fabric circling her ankles. She helped as best she could. And then her legs were free.

Levi grasped her ass in his hands as he stood. Lifting her, he squeezed both globes, his fingers hot against her skin. She wrapped her legs around his waist and braced her hands against his shoulders, pressing her sex against the hard planes of his stomach. Her clit throbbed as moisture seeped out to coat his belly.

“Hold on,” he ordered. He ripped open the front of his jeans. She heard the sound of a foil packet being torn open and he fumbled briefly. Then she felt the broad head of his penis searching for her opening. Levi held her hips steady, pressing past the initial resistance of her body.

She hadn’t done this in a long time. Her body was tight. Linda tensed in spite of her best efforts not to.

“Relax,” he crooned. “We can take it slow.”

She wasn’t sure she believed him. Every muscle in his body was tense and a light sheen of perspiration coated his chest and shoulders. She closed her eyes and braced herself for the invasion, but it didn’t happen.

She opened her eyes and found Levi watching her. The moment their gazes met, he pushed inward another inch.

Her body, so ready for him, gave way easily. The heat from his body surrounded her. His cock pulsed inside her like a heartbeat—slow and steady.

“More.” She squirmed, trying to get closer.

Levi held her steady, fighting her, fighting for control. Linda leaned inward and nipped at the sensitive skin on his neck.

“Linda!” He roared her name, driving forward in one long, hard stroke and burying himself to the hilt.

She gasped and then moaned. He stretched her and filled her to the point of pain, but it passed quickly as her body adjusted. Pleasure drove out any feelings of discomfort as Levi bent his knees and withdrew almost to the tip before driving forward again.

Linda gripped his upper arms, moving her body in rhythm with his. The door was hard against her back, her bra and blouse still tangled around her upper body, but she didn’t care. All that mattered was finding release.

Pressure built low in her body as Levi pounded into her over and over. Linda gasped for breath, tightening her thighs around his waist. “Close,” she moaned.

His strokes got quicker. Harder. He angled her hips so her clit was pressed against the hard planes of his stomach with each stroke. She could feel the first twinges starting deep in her body.

The explosion was instantaneous. She cried out. Every muscle in her body clenched and released. Her pussy clutched his cock with each stroke, pulling it deeper inside her.

Levi yelled and pushed deep one final time. The ripples from his orgasm made her catch her breath. He leaned heavily against her, his forehead touching the door, his chest heaving as he struggled for breath.

Quivers shook her body and she knew she would be in a heap on the floor if Levi wasn’t holding her up. A cramp in her leg caught her off-guard and she groaned. Unhooking her legs, she let them fall back to the floor.

“What’s wrong?” Levi was alert immediately. She could see the concern etched on his face as he withdrew from her body.

“Cramp.” Linda stretched out her leg and it subsided. She cursed the cramp, wishing Levi was still buried deep inside her. She wasn’t ready for the interlude between them to be over. But from what she’d read in magazines, and from her experience with her ex, she knew men were different. He’d probably want her to go.

Feeling suddenly vulnerable and aware of her nudity in a way she hadn’t been before, she tugged her blouse closed without even trying to hook her bra. She was reaching for her slacks when Levi swore under his breath. She glanced his way and her breath caught in her throat.

It wasn’t fair how good he looked. His hair was tousled and his chest gleamed in the candlelight. He’d yanked up his jeans and zipped them, leaving the button undone. She had no idea what he’d done with the condom. She felt sticky and uncomfortable, while Levi just looked plain sexy.

“That shouldn’t have happened.”

She flinched at his words. Obviously, his world hadn’t been rocked in the same way hers had. Holding her slacks in front of her while she tried to untangle her panties, she gave him a smile. It felt brittle and fake. “Sorry about that. Just give me a minute and I’ll be out of your way.”

“Fuck!” Levi grabbed her slacks, but she held on, not willing to give up their dubious protection. “That’s not what I meant.” He released her pants and raked his fingers through his hair. “I’m sorry. I was rough with you. You deserve better.” His golden-brown eyes examined her from head to toe.

“Pound her against the bloody door,” he muttered so low she knew he hadn’t meant for her to hear him. He looked down at the floor, rubbing one hand over the back of his neck.

Linda blinked as she watched him. He wasn’t sorry they’d had sex. He was mad at himself for not being gentle with her.

“It’s okay.” She smiled and this time it felt more natural. “I didn’t mind being pounded against the bloody door.”

His head jerked back up. Every ounce of his attention was on her.

“In fact, I enjoyed every minute of it.”