Page 88 of Golden Days

“For the date, yes. But that doesn’t mean we can’t do other things,” I say, walking my fingers up his chest, over his collarbone. “Non-public things. Things involving your bedroom and maybe some champagne, if you’re up for the deal.” I grin.

Levi’s smile is slow to bloom, but once it does, it’s a glorious sight. “We’re really good at making deals together,” he says, kissing the corner of my lips.

“Oh, yeah? What else are we good at?” I tease, pushing him back slightly, threading my fingers through his.

“Golf,” he says, squeezing my fingers. He smiles and tugs, leading me to the kitchen. Levi backs me into the kitchen counter, his thumb giving me one swipe on the back of my hand before pulling away.

He moves swiftly around the island and grabs two champagne flutes followed by an expensive-looking bottle of Dom Perignon from the fridge. Popping the cork, he pours us each a flute, then hands me one.

“Congratulations on the win.” I take it, feeling a sort of anticipation through my whole body.

His lips tilt to one side in his signature Levi smile and my heart rate picks up. He’s so damn handsome. “We’ve celebrated me all day, it’s time to celebrate you,” he says, gripping the counter next to my waist with one hand. The other brings the champagne to his lips, and he takes a generous swig.

I take one too and close my eyes, trying not to let out a moan over how good this champagne is. When I open them again, Levi is looking at me with a tender expression. “Me?” I ask quietly.

“Are you fishing for compliments, Hazel?”

My cheeks feel instantly hot and I don’t know if it’s from his question or the champagne. “No, I genuinely don’t know why we’d celebrate me.”

Levi hums once in that deep voice of his, then places his flute on the counter somewhere to my right. He takes mine too, repeating the gesture. Then, his intent gaze lands on me. “Well, you’ve been incredible the past few weeks.” He beams and shakes his head in wonder. “I’m so damn proud of you, and I don’t have a right to be. Because you did that all on your own. You spoke your mind, adapted to the team, you gave this job your all, even when you had to work at the club the next day.”

My chest swells at his compliments and pride but I shake my head. “No, Levi. I didn’t do it on my own. It was a team effort. But you’re right, we do work exceptionally well together.”

When Levi pulls his hand back from the counter, it grazes my hip and we both seem to feel this pull between us intensifying. He trails his fingers down from my hip to my thigh, finding the slit in my dress. As soon as he realizes he’s reached skin, his eyes flare. He doesn’t move further but he searches my face for any indication that I don’t want this.

As if. I’ve been waiting for this.

Desire must show plainly on my face because Levi’s fingers trace a path over my skin, following the seam of my sundress. He slips a finger beneath the material and lifts it an inch.

“What else do you think we’d be good at together?” he asks.

I groan, letting my head drop back. Everything.

I swallow but don’t answer yet. Levi’s fingers continue their trail, lifting my dress a little higher each time.

When he leans in a little, I say, “I bet we could win a cornhole tournament.”

Levi pauses just enough to give me an amused smile before continuing his exploration. His other hand finally, blessedly, finds my waist and squeezes.

“What else?” he says, leaning in to run his nose along my jaw. My head tilts up to give him more space.

“Disc golf?” I say, voice squeaky.

“What else?” His lips graze the soft skin by my ear. I become a puddle in his arms. He steadies me with a soft laugh.

“I bet we’d be really good at sex,” I say boldly. My voice comes out steady and sultry, and I feel the effect it has on Levi when he steps into me, hand bunching the material of my dress at my hip.

“Good. I think so too.” His voice is ragged, and as soon as the words are out, his lips slam down on mine.

The kiss is full of need and hunger. It’s bruising and tender all at once and I feel Levi’s heart beating fast under my palm. The hand at my waist lets go and his fingers make their way into my hair, gripping lightly at the base of my neck.

That small move makes me gasp and he takes it for the invitation that it is to swipe his tongue against mine. He angles me, leading the kiss, taking what he needs, and I give it all. My hands move from his chest to his shoulders and I grip him tighter, moving up on my tiptoes.

He pulls back and I look down at our heaving chests. Pressed together. We don’t let go of one another, holding on for dear life. The smile on my face must show exactly how I feel in this moment, and it’s all Levi needs to dive right back in.

It’s like he wants to worship and devour me at the same time. One of his hands moves from the back of my neck, skimming along my jaw, and moving down to my throat. His thumb presses into the hollow of my neck and I take a ragged inhale.

My fingers tangle in his hair and I pull just the tiniest bit, taking control of the kiss. Levi’s teeth sink in my bottom lip and he tugs. Before I know it, I’m being lifted and my ass finds the cold, hard marble of the kitchen island.