Page 50 of Broken Vows

Like of course I could do it, if I decided to.

“What?” he asks, frowning slightly at me staring.

I don’t think. I lean in, slide my hand along the side of his face, and kiss him.

Levi stills for half a second. Then his good arm bands around me and pulls me firmly onto his lap. I straddle him, cupping his face as I kiss him.

A low sound vibrates from his chest into my mouth. His hand spreads across my lower back, dragging me flush against him as he takes control. He tilts my head and deepens the kiss, his tongue stroking mine in a slow rhythm.

Liquid heat spirals through me. My nipples tighten and an aching pulse builds between my thighs. I bury my fingers in his hair and press closer, lost in the overwhelming taste of mint and the scrape of his stubble against my skin.

Without breaking the kiss, Levi stands, lifting me effortlessly. He sets me on the edge of the dining table and steps between my spread thighs, his body hot and solid against mine.

His hand slides down my stomach. With practiced ease he pops the button of my jeans and drags the zipper down.

Reality crashes back in.

“You should go,” I say, pulling back just enough to speak.

He looks feral—eyes dark and intense, breathing ragged, lips slightly parted like he’s fighting the urge to close the distance again.

For one charged second he just stares at me.

He swallows hard, visibly pulling himself back together. He steps back, giving me space, and nods once.

“Okay,” he says.

Without another word, he turns and walks out.

The door shuts behind him. I stay frozen on the edge of the table, staring at the empty space where he stood. My whole body is still humming. My skin feels too hot, my breathing uneven, and between my thighs there’s a deep, persistent ache I can’t ignore.

I press both hands to my face and draw in a shaky breath. What the hell am I doing?

How did that even happen? I kissed him. I climbed into his lap. I let his hands move over me like I had no intention of stopping.

One moment of a man looking at me like I was capable instead of ridiculous, and I came apart completely.

He didn’t laugh at my dream, so apparently that was all it took. A little attention. A little belief. One scrap of kindness, and I was in his lap like a woman who had never learned better.

I slide off the table on unsteady legs and smooth my shaking hands down my clothes.

I need to get myself together.

14

CARMEN

The next morning, I’m heading out the door for school when, of course, Levi is already outside. Sometimes I swear he times these encounters on purpose, even though I know he doesn’t.

Theo stands beside him. The poor kid’s shirt is at least one size too small, stretched tight across his chest, and his trousers sit awkwardly high on his ankles. He desperately needs a haircut, too.

Levi walks over, looking a little unsure.

“Look, about last night—” he starts, rubbing the back of his neck. “I went straight for your jeans like an idiot.”

“Let’s just forget it,” I say quickly. My gaze drifts to Theo, and my shoulders drop. “I think he needs some new clothes.”

That stops Levi short. He glances at his brother. “Right…I’m supposed to get them?”