Levi lowered his head to my forehead and laughed. I would have laughed with him, but I was mesmerized by him. A full smile pulled at both corners of his lips, brilliant white teeth that seemed a little sharp. He was an ass, but Goddess he made me happy. I shook my head and punched him in the chest.
“Gods, I love you,” Levi said. My lips parted as I watched him swipe at his eyes.
“I love you too,” I said. My throat dried and I looked away from him.
“What happened?” Levi asked.
When I didn’t answer, he grabbed my arms and held it above my head. I was taken back to the night in Dylan’s car. My mouth dried, my throat tightened, and my body went cold. I gasped as I struggled to drag air in. Levi moved to release me, but I shook my head. I looked up at him, with tears blurring my vision.
“Wait,” I choked.
“Tell me what to do. What do I need to make it better?” Levi whispered.
“Just don’t let go,” I begged.
I knew what was happening. I hadn’t really panicked since that night, or really cried it out, other than when I was with Levi. I didn’t want this to be something that happened from now on. I didn’t want Dylan to be the first thing I thought about when I was touched a certain way. That’s why I didn’t want Levi to let go. Deep down I knew that Levi would never hurt me, but that didn’t stop the fact that my body went into fight or flight mode when I was put into the same position as I had been with Dylan. If Levi did this until the panic attack went away, maybe the next time it happened I wouldn’t think of Dylan, maybe I would think of Levi.
“Okay,” Levi said.
His grip tightened on my wrists and I swallowed as I opened my eyes. I looked up at him and he stared down at me. He nodded his head to let me know that it was him here with me. He sucked deep breaths through his nose and I copied him. When he exhaled, I mirrored him.
“That’s my girl,” Levi praised.
My chest exploded with warmth. A tear escaped and ran down my cheek. I closed my eyes as oxygen filled my lungs. I inhaled deep lungfuls of air as a warm hand cupped my cheek. I opened my eyes as Levi wiped my tear away with his thumb. I melted into his hand and my body relaxed. I could feel the tension leaving my body as I looked into his eyes.
“I’m going to let you go now,” Levi said. I started to shake my head, but he smiled. “I’m going to let you go because you’re ready. You know that it’s just you and me here. No one is here to hurt you. I’m letting you go because you aren’t afraid of me,” Levi cooed.
I repeated his words like a prayer. When he released my wrists, I pulled my hands down and wrapped them around his shoulders. A cheeky smile pulled at the corner of his lip and his eyes darkened.
“Don’t look at me that way,” Levi warned.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I breathed.
“Don’t you?” Levi asked.
“I’m just hugging you. Is there something wrong with that?” I asked.
“It’s not that you’re hugging me, it’s the way you’re looking at me,” Levi warned.
“Then why don’t you tell me, Levi? How am I looking at you?” I asked. Levi’s eyes dropped to my lips and he licked his lips. He wrapped me in his arms, rolled onto his side, and pulled me into his chest. “Do I get to keep you today, or are you going to sneak away to meet up with the big bad wolf?” Levi asked.
“I didn’t sneak away and, wait, are you avoiding the question?” I asked.
“You told me you wanted to deal with things tomorrow. As much as I want to, I’m not going to push you,” Levi said. I bit my lower lip, it was an annoying habit. He was right. I’d thrown a boundary down. I couldn’t fault him for respecting it. I wasn’t used to it, I wasn’t used to someone caring about me, hearing me, and actually listening. Levi was a gem in a cave of stones. There was no one else like him.
“You get me,” I said.
“What?” He asked.
“You get me today. I’m not going anywhere,” I promised.
That was true for today. I wasn’t going anywhere today. I wanted to talk to Levi about a few things. As my friend, he would give me the best advice he could offer. I was unsure about what my dad, but I did know I couldn’t stay with my mom anymore. It would only get worse if I stayed in that house with Greg. There was also Andrius. I needed to tell Levi that I accepted Andrius’ offer for a week. I wasn’t going to hide that from Levi. My stomach growled and Levi looked down at me.
“Someone’s hungry,” Levi said.
“Guilty. Aren’t you?” I asked.
“Mm, starved actually,” he said. There was that damn sparkle in his eye that said he thought something was funny.
“Well, get up then,” I teased.
“Yes, Mistress,” he teased back.
I giggled. Levi lay on his side, his head rested on his hand. I don’t know much about the BDSM scene, but what I did know I learned from books. I did know that subs called a female Dom that and if that’s what he was into, I’d go with it. I’m probably the complete opposite of one, but I didn’t mind the name. He sat up, threw his legs over the bed and I stared at his muscular legs. He faced me, leaned down, and scooped me up. I doubt he’d drop me, but I held on tight as he held me bridal style.
“Levi!” I squealed.
“My Mistress doesn’t need to walk,” he said.