I whirl her around, and she squeals, her arms snaking around my neck in a steel hold like a child with someone they trust. And then she’s laughing and giggling so hard, I can’t help smiling back.
“Can’t you at least tell me what we’re doing afterwards?” She shouts between giggles.
“Do you really want to know?”
My lips find her neck and I suck on an unmarked spot in her collarbone until her breathing crackles.
“Once we’re done dancing in the rain, I will…”
“You will what?” The need in her tone makes me hard.
“I’ll fuck you in the shower, princess.”
Her pupils dilate and she swallows audibly as her body leans into mine.
A part of her might still fight me, but soon enough, she’ll learn that there’ll be no escaping my hold.
Uncle was right. I destroy everything.
But this is the first time I want to keep something instead of shattering it to pieces.
37
Astrid
It’s the queen who sacrifices herself for the king.
* * *
I’m panting as Levi and I throw on some clothes after stepping out of the shower.
And by some clothes, I mean he puts on black boxer briefs and I wear his team’s jersey.
That was… wow. Mind blowing is an understatement to describe what just happened in the bathroom.
I feel so used and pleased.
Give it to Levi to make me feel completely different emotions at the same time.
“Number ten never looked so damn good.” He drags his darkened eyes from my breasts to where the T-shirt reaches mid-thigh.
I pull my hair up. “Is that so?”
For the love of Vikings. Am I flirting with him right now?
“You know how it’d look better?”
“How?”
“On the floor.”
He reaches for me, but I duck out of his grasp, giggling.
I run down the hall, my bare feet slapping against the wooden flooring.
Thundering footsteps come from behind me. Fear and excitement erupt in my stomach, and I run faster, harder. Just like the prey Levi wants.
Two arms surround me from behind. I squeal as my feet leave the ground and he turns me around.
His hot, husky words tickle my ear. “You can run, but you can’t hide. I’ll always catch you, princess.”
“I know,” I pant, my heartbeat almost leaping out.
“Then why did you run?”
Because maybe I like the feeling of being chased. Maybe I like walking on the thin line between sanity and insanity with him.
I love the way my heart pounds as if I’m about to have a heart attack.
He brings me to the edge and I love the view.
“It’s a secret,” I laugh and continue running downstairs.
He catches me by the kitchen, making me squeal.
The only reason he releases me is because we need to eat.
He pulls back a stool, “Sit.”
I take my seat looking around the red and black decorated kitchen. It’s open bar style with a closet-like fridge and marble counters.
Then my eyes trail to the most beautiful thing in the kitchen.
His chest is too sculpted, I can easily count each one of his six abs. His muscles flex with every move — like he can crush anything in his path. He can even crush me if he chooses to.
The black boxer briefs outline his strong football thighs, barely leaving anything to the imagination.
Then there’s that V-line.
Now, I understand why all the girls are obsessed with that male perfection. It’s not about the V, it’s about the place it leads to.
A certain organ that’s been inside me minutes ago. Hard and thick and —
“Like what you see, princess?”
My eyes snap to his amused ones. “I wasn’t looking.”
The arsehole’s smirk widens. “Something on your face says otherwise.”
I turn around, wiping my mouth. Please tell me I wasn’t drooling.
“You’re blushing, princess. Nothing can erase that.”
Oh.
I whirl back around, feeling my cheeks hotter than earlier. “Hurry so we can go to school.”
He disappears behind the counter and throws over his shoulder. “No.”
“What?”
He faces me from the other side, leaning over on both his hands until his gorgeous face is in mine. “Tell me when you last broke a rule?”
He smiles and when it reaches his eyes, I can’t help smiling back. “You’re too uptight, princess. What did I say about living in the moment?”
“I did, didn’t I?” My cheeks heat, remembering how much I screamed in the shower when he disappeared between my legs.
“Sure did.” He taps my nose. “You’re fucking adorable when you blush.”
I swat his hand away. “I don’t need to break rules to live in the moment.”
“When was the last time you skipped?”
“Yesterday, remember?”
“That doesn’t count. You didn’t have a choice. Today, you do.”
“And if I do skip, what’s the plan?”
He shakes his head with disapproval. “Plans defy the whole point of skipping. We’ll just wing it.”
“Wing it?”
“Since it’s rainy, we’ll stay inside and do indoor things.”
“Things like what?”
“Like fucking your brains out, princess.”
My cheeks turn into a fire pit and a tingle draws up my spine at the promise.
Jeez. I’ve only discovered this part of myself last night and I already can’t get enough. Have I turned into a nympho or something?
“That is if you aren’t too sore?” he asks with a raised eyebrow.
“I’m not.” I am. But I won’t let that ruin my fun.
Ha. I’m starting to think like Levi.
A night with the devil and I’m already thinking like him.
“How do you like your eggs?” he disappears underneath the counter as the sound of pans and clanking fills the space.
“You know how to cook?” I ask.
“I learnt a trick or two from spending time here.”
“You don’t live with Aiden and your uncle?”
“I do, but I don’t call that house my home.” He reappears with a pan and utensils and heads to the stove.
“I also don’t feel like Dad’s house is my home sometimes.”
He tilts his head. “Sometimes?”
“I don’t know how to explain it, but at times, it does feel like home.” When only Dad is there. When I don’t see Victoria and Nicole’s faces or hear their taunts. When I help Sarah out in the kitchen like I used to do with Mum.
When Dad comes to wish me goodnight.
I hop down my stool and join Levi behind the counter.
One. The view from here is more gorgeous.
Two. I want to help.
“Just sit down,” he pushes me back but I nudge him.
“This is my way of living the moment. Let me.”
It’s an epic failure.
I end up with flour all over my face and arms because Levi’s definition of living the moment is playing around and feeling me up.