Tilting her head, she hummed softly. “But someone turned me down. I took that to mean you weren’t interested.”
Turning her, Levi saw just a hint of hurt and uncertainty there and knew he needed to reiterate all the things they talked about last night. “Willow, me turning you down last night had absolutely nothing to do with you and everything about feeling weird about being in my sister’s house.” His hands rested on her hips again, gently kneading them. “I want you; you have to know that. But I’m not going to take advantage of our situation. And trust me, with your grandmother essentially across the hall from us…”
“Her room is on the other side of the house,” she explained and then grinned. “And she’s a little hard of hearing, so…”
“Willow…”
“Okay, I know what you’re saying, and as much as I hate to admit it, I agree. It’s weird. This isn’t the time or the place for anything to happen between us.” She nibbled on her bottom lip–something he loved seeing. “But that doesn’t mean I’m happy about it.”
“Believe me, I feel the same way.”
“Really?”
“I do,” he said, reaching up to caress her cheek. “But just in case you need a little more convincing, let me show you.” Leaning forward, Levi captured her lips with his and poured everything he had into kissing her. It probably wasn’t the smartest thing to do, considering her grandmother wouldn’t be gone long, but it was important for him to show her how desirable she was and how much he wanted her.
In the back of his mind, Levi knew the next few nights were going to be torture–to lie in bed with Willow and not make love to her, but…they could possibly change their plans for the trip home. Originally, they figured they’d stick to the same accommodations they used on the way down to Florida and stay with his sisters. But now? Now he was going to book them at a couple of hotels along the way and see about dragging out their road trip a little longer.
Whoa…getting a little ahead of yourself, aren’t you?
Levi really wished his inner voice would shut the hell up.
“Yoo-hoo! I’m back!” Gammy called out. “Turns out, Shirley went to the post office earlier with Dorothy! So I’ll just go tomorrow while we’re out!”
Reluctantly, Levi lifted his head and saw Willow shaking hers. “She’s going to be a handful. I just know it.”
“Oh, there you two are! Oops! Am I interrupting?”
Willow took a step back and Levi’s hands dropped to his side. “No, you’re fine, Gammy,” she said.
“Well, just so you know, there are condoms in the linen closet.”
“Gammy!”
“What? I told you weeks ago, Willow bell, I’m not a prude. I always keep them in the house.” Then she winked at Levi. “You never know when they’re going to come in handy.”
“Shoot me now,” Willow murmured, hiding her face in her hands.
“Oh, stop. You’re a big girl now and talking about sex shouldn’t embarrass you.” Shaking her head, Gammy continued to explain things that no one wanted her to. “Sweetie, you might not believe this, but I keep them in the house for me too.”
All Willow did was groan.
“Not that there’s any chance of me getting pregnant.” She laughed heartily. “Heaven forbid! But did you know, Levi, that retirement communities have some of the highest STD rates in the country?”
He choked a little as he shook his head. “Uh…no. I wasn’t aware of that.”
“True story! I’m telling you, there are a lot of swinging singles here, and they all thought since the threat of pregnancy was gone that they were safe. No one gave a thought to how often or how many different partners they were going to have or that we aren’t too old to get syphilis or chlamydia!” She shuddered dramatically. “I had a very dear friend who…”
“Gammy, please,” Willow plead. “I don’t think Levi needs to hear about the sex lives of your friends. And honestly, neither do I.”
“Oh, poo. You’re no fun.” She turned to walk out of the room but turned around at the threshold. “Just remember, condoms in the closet. Tootles!” Closing the door behind her, they could both hear Gammy’s laugh.
“So like I said…she can be a handful,” Willow said wearily, sitting down on the bed.
Moving beside her, Levi laughed. “That was a definite first for me. Neither of my grandmothers ever openly talked about sex in front of anyone–not just me. I always considered them to be asexual. But your grandmother really just…I mean…I never…”
Patting his leg, Willow rested her head on his shoulder. “You’ll be traumatized a few more times before we leave. Trust me.”
8
“You two have a good night! There are clean sheets on the bed, but…don’t worry about dirtying them up! Nighty-night!”
Willow quickly closed the door–and locked it–before leaning against it with a weary sigh. “I am so sorry.”
Levi was taking all the decorative pillows off the bed while laughing quietly. “She’s a pistol, that’s for sure.”
“I didn’t think she was ever going to let us go to bed!” Pushing away from the door, she helped him with the rest of the pillows and then with pulling the comforter down. “I know we didn’t discuss this but, which side of the bed do you prefer?”
“Prefer?”
“Yeah, when you’re home and in your own bed, which side do you sleep on?”
“I sleep in the middle.”
“Okay, no preference then.” She walked around to the opposite side where he was standing and climbed onto the bed. “I sleep on the right side. I hope that’s okay.”
His smile was slow and sweet. “It’s totally fine.”
They had each taken turns showering and getting ready for bed almost two hours ago, so there was nothing else to do but…get in the bed. Willow felt mildly self-conscious, but considering Levi had seen her in her pajamas for the last two nights, she was okay with that. It was the fact that he was going to be sharing a bed and blankets
