There was something slightly comical about this whole thing–it was like being a teenager back in high school where it felt forbidden to be making out with a girl on a bed. Although there was no fear of his parents or hers coming home and surprising them, there were enough similarities that it made him smile.
Willow pulled back and looked at him. “What’s so funny?”
“Nothing. Why?” he murmured, leaning in to kiss her throat.
“You were smirking.” The words came out, but she was arching to give him better access to her skin.
“I was just thinking…this was a lot like…being in high school.”
She laughed even as she rolled to pull him on top of her. “How often did you get lucky like this in high school?”
Instead of answering right away, he gave her a very thorough kiss. Lifting his head, he said, “I never got lucky like this. No other girl compares to you.”
Ugh…way to sound creepy and a little…intense.
Luckily Willow didn’t comment on it and cupped his head and steered him back in for another kiss.
And another.
And so many others.
The next time Levi noticed anything, the room was dark. Glancing at the bedside clock, he saw it was almost eight. Reluctantly, he rolled away from her and sat up. “Wasn’t it just barely five a few minutes ago?”
With a soft laugh, Willow sat up and attempted to smooth her hair. “That’s what I thought.” Her stomach growled loudly, and she groaned. “Oh, my God…I’m sorry.”
“For what? Being human?” Jumping off the bed, he held out a hand to her and helped her down. “Come on. I’m starving too.”
And not really for food…
“Let’s see what Katie left for us. Or we can get something delivered. It’s up to you.”
“Why don’t we see what she made and then decide.”
“Smart girl.”
Her hearty laugh was infectious, and once she calmed down, she said, “I’m not so sure about that. After all, who invites someone they barely know on a weeklong trip to hang out with her family while pretending to be her girlfriend?”
Levi hauled her in close and kissed her soundly. “A really smart girl.”
7
“Quick! What're three things we have in common?”
They were less than fifteen minutes away from Gammy’s house and Willow was starting to panic. Their thirty-six questions had gone out the window yesterday, and now she was afraid her family was going to look at them and know this was all a sham.
Unless they asked her to make out with Levi.
But somehow, she didn’t think she’d get that lucky.
Just like she didn’t get lucky last night.
After kissing and touching for hours, they had eaten the rotisserie chicken and salads Katie had left for them, then watched some re-runs of Friends. At eleven, Willow had gone and taken a shower and was totally prepared for Levi to join her in bed and take things to the next level, but he had turned her down.
Sweetly, but turned her down nonetheless.
She had stared at the ceiling for hours and tried not to take it personally. His theory was that he didn’t want to make love to her in his sister’s house, and she had to admit, once he put that out there, he had a point.
Not that it made her feel better.
And neither did the cold shower she took this morning.
Levi had mentioned having to do the same, but…well, that one made her feel a bit better, but only marginally.
He was holding her hand and driving at a very leisurely pace. Grinning at her, he asked, “Three things, huh?”
Forcing images of Levi naked in the shower from her mind, Willow nodded. “Yup.”
“Okay, we both like kids.”
“You should probably avoid mentioning that if anyone asks.”
“Why?”
“Because I have a feeling that will have my family–especially Gammy–pushing for you to put a ring on my finger.”
Ugh…why did I just say that?
Open mouth, insert foot…
“Gotcha,” he said, interrupting her thoughts. “So…we both love sushi, have similar taste in music and movies, and share a love of baked goods.” He glanced toward the coolers in the backseat. “Speaking of, are there any brownies left?”
“Hmm…I think only one.”
“Any chance I can have it before we get to your grandmother’s place?”
“Seriously? It’s barely lunchtime!”
“Don’t worry. I won’t spoil my appetite.” Winking, he continued to smile, and she knew she couldn’t say no to him.
Too bad he didn’t have the same problem with you…
Twisting in her seat, she grabbed the cooler and pulled out the last brownie and decided she might as well be a total glutton for punishment and fed it to him.
Piece by piece.
And he licked her fingers with each bite.
It would be wrong to ask him to pull over, right?
Beside her, Levi let out one of those low, sexy laughs. “I can totally read your mind, Willow. And if we hadn’t promised your grandmother that we’d be there for lunch, I would be totally open for a detour.”
She wanted to fan herself.
Or put the icepack from the cooler down her pants.
The GPS noted how they were three miles from their destination and for the first time since this whole crazy charade started, she wasn’t looking forward to seeing Gammy. What she was looking forward to seeing was Levi.
Naked.
And sweaty.
And possibly handcuffed to her bed.
Gasping, her hands flew to her mouth as if she said that out loud.
“You okay?” he asked, concerned.
“What? Oh…yeah. I just realized…” That I have a very dirty mind. “I realized I forgot the birthday card I had bought for Gammy.”
Lame, Willow. Very lame.
“Do you want to stop at the store and grab one?”
“Uh…no. It’s okay. Really. I have the gift, and I can just mail her the card when I get home.”
He didn’t look like he quite believed her, but luckily he didn’t push her on it. Instead, they drove the rest of the way in silence. Once they pulled into Gammy’s neighborhood and turned
