Fuck it. I couldn’t let that go.
Not because of a garbage truck full of what-ifs. I’d told Levee once that I wasn’t perfect and I didn’t want her to be, either, but then, at the first sign of trouble, I’d hit the road to spare myself. I’d known from the first moment I laid eyes on her what I was getting into. I might not have known she was some super celebrity, but I’d known she was damaged. We’d met on the top of a bridge for God’s sake, yet there I stood as if I were surprised she had issues. I’d known it then, and I’d known it when I’d decided to take her to bed. But, worst of all, I’d known it when feelings above lust or worry had begun to spiral out of control. I hadn’t been sure what those feelings were, but I had known they were there.
And I knew I wanted them to stay.
I was a man, and it was time to start acting like it. I could survive the tumultuous wake Levee Williams would surely leave behind. But what I couldn’t survive was letting her walk away without even trying. In the span of five seconds, I’d thrown all of my apprehensions out the window and come to the decision that I desperately wanted something with her. I just needed to figure out a way to make her come to that decision too.
“C’mere,” I whispered, hoping she’d at least give me that.
A sob bubbled in her throat, but she rushed in my direction, not stopping until she collided into me.
“I’ve missed you so much,” she told my chest, and relief flooded my veins.
Well, that was easier than I expected.
I chuckled, wrapping my arms around her waist, kissing the top of her head.
“Don’t laugh at me,” she sniffled, squeezing me tighter.
Of course, that only made me laugh harder. Her head tipped back, and a scowl covered her gorgeous, tear-stained face.
Tucking stray curls behind her ears, I smiled down at her. “I’ve missed the view.”
Her gaze jumped away. “I’m not allowed to go to the bridge anymore.”
Using her chin, I tipped her head back. “Good,” I breathed, kissing her forehead.
“You haven’t been going up there either?”
“I’ve been there every night, but that’s not the view I’ve been missing.”
Her cheeks pinked, and her eyes smiled.
Her mouth didn’t.
Because it was suddenly on mine.
Her tongue invaded my mouth as mango overwhelmed my senses. Levee. My whole body slacked as I slid a hand down to her ass.
“Uhhh…” Meg’s voice stole my attention and reminded me that we weren’t alone the way I so fiercely wanted to be.
Levee giggled and tucked her face into my neck.
“Hey!” I greeted Meg awkwardly.
“Nice to see you too, Sam.” She rolled her eyes then flashed them to Levee’s back in a silent question.
I shrugged. “Well, it’s good to know your loud-mouth brother at least takes attorney-client privilege seriously.”
“Shut. Up,” she whispered. “Ryan knew about this and didn’t tell me!” Her face morphed from humor to anger.
“Yep.” I rubbed it in just to be sure Ryan thoroughly got his ass handed to him later.
“Mom,” Morgan choked.
We all looked down at her, including Levee, who spun in my arms. Morgan’s face was pale as tears welled in her bright-blue eyes.
“What’s wrong?” Meg asked, settling on the bed next to her.
“Does this mean that Levee is going to be my aunt?” A trail of tears streamed down her cheeks.
“Well…” Meg stalled then leveled me with an annoyed frown. “Sam? Levee? You got an answer here?”
Levee blew out a sigh of relief. “Maybe.”
Panic followed by a tinge of elation filled my chest as I swung an incredulous glare in her direction.