Chapter 170
ISABELLA
The sunlight slipped through the curtain and brushed across my eyelids, pulling me slowly out of sleep. I stirred, stretching my arm across Levi’s chest with a soft yawn. My eyes settled on the man beneath me, and an unfamiliar tug of a smile curved my lips. Warmth filled my chest, as though the whole world had fallen silent and at peace.
At first, I didn’t know why I was smiling. I had a fair idea—after all, I woke up in Levi’s arms—but it felt like something more. Something was different in my chest this morning, lighter, almost too good to be true.
Then it hit me. Yesterday. Levi.
The memory of us making love the day before—his gentleness, his submission—washed over me like warm water, so vivid it made my chest ache and my cheeks burn from smiling so hard.
I closed my eyes to hold the picture in place. The way he had let me take control, how he had made me feel powerful, worthy, whole—as if I wasn’t simply with him, but as if he belonged to me. His voice echoed in my head, the words I had been clutching all night.
He told me he loved me. And it felt real. Yesterday felt real, even if it shouldn’t.
Maybe it had been the heat of passion speaking, a careless confession in the middle of the fire that burned between us. But God, I hoped not. I hoped he meant it. I hoped, more than anything, that I had my Levi back—the one I had dreamed of holding for years, the one I had feared I might never truly have.
My heart gave a sharp, dizzying race at the thought. I shifted slightly, realizing I was still nestled against him, my cheek resting on his shoulder, wrapped up in the heavy duvet that carried the faint scent of his skin and soap. After we had bathed together last night—his strong hands washing me, every inch of me, slow and careful as though I was precious—he had carried me in his arms, still naked, straight to his bed.
We had fallen asleep almost immediately.
Now, looking up at him, I caught sight of his face in the half-light. His lips were parted in sleep, his chest rising and falling in steady rhythm, and to my surprise, he was softly snoring. A laugh almost bubbled out of me. I wanted to nudge him awake, to tease him about it—who knew Levi snored? But then, would he tease me back about how I drool in my sleep?
A faint smile tugged at my lips. This was the first time—really, the first time—I had woken in his arms, still wrapped in the afterglow of being his. Not just his intern. Not just a fleeting indulgence behind closed doors. Back then, it had always been sex with Mr. L—intense, consuming, but fleeting. When it was over, he always left.
And that first night we had made love after the engagement, I had run, unable to let myself enjoy the beauty of what we had done.
But today felt different. Today felt permanent.
At least, I wanted it to.
Levi had said he would stand by me. That he wasn’t going to run from what this meant anymore. I wanted to believe him. I wanted to believe every word.
Still, as much as my heart wanted to race forward, my mind pulled me back.
I remembered Jenna. And then I remembered the engagement party.
The knot in my stomach tightened, anxiety slithering up my spine, choking the breath from me. My chest rose too quickly, as though my lungs had forgotten how to work. The warning Mr. Anthony had given me echoed in my ears: He didn’t protect you before—what makes you think he can protect you now?
The words twisted cruelly in my head, threatening to undo everything Levi had promised.
Could he stand by me? Could he really protect me this time? Or was I only dreaming again, clutching at something that would vanish the moment I dared to call it mine?
I had tried my best not to think of Mr. Ferrari’s threat. I had convinced myself it held no weight because I never believed Levi truly cared for me. That was why I hadn’t seen the danger in his words. But now—now that I knew he cared, and what it would mean if he discovered the truth—his anger would be even worse.
Levi stirred beside me, lifting his head, his eyes soft and drowsy, a smile forming slowly as his lips parted.
“You’re awake?” he drawled, then smiled. “Did you take my clothes from my closet?” he teased, grinning with a lazy drawl.
I burst into laughter at his sarcasm. “You snore,” I said playfully, wrinkling my nose and resting my head on his shoulder.
Our eyes met, his grin spreading so wide it felt as though he carried the world in it. In that moment, all my fear drained away and my heart settled into his warmth.
“Do I now?” he joked.
“Yes…” He covered his face with his hands and I laughed, prying them away.
“It’s not that bad. It’s like music.”
“What the hell!” He chuckled, and we both laughed. Then he leaned closer and pressed a kiss to my cheek before wrapping his arms around me.
“I have so much to tell you, baby…” he murmured.
I let go of his hand and drew in a sharp breath, whispering, “I’m scared, Levi. Scared you’ll leave me again.” My voice cracked, the words tangling, and he pulled me against him before I could even understand what I had just admitted.
His hands began to knead the tension in my back. “That won’t happen. Nothing you tell me could ever change what I feel for you…”
My lips trembled against his, my heart racing. “The thing is…” I began—only to stop when my phone rang.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
