“Feels good?”
“Heaven.” Levi nodded. “Don’t stop.”
Piper worked her way down Levi’s body with the kind of diligence he admired. She missed nothing, including his butt. Sometimes, he decided—once in a blue moon—sex became the last thing on his mind.
Levi smiled. Maybe not last, but far enough down the list that he was able to shelve his healthy libido, at least temporarily.
“Turn over,” Pipe told him after she’d finished a toe-curling foot massage.
Complying, Levi rolled to his back, thrilled when he did so with pain-free ease.
“Claire was wrong,” Piper said. “Turns out, you are Superman.”
Confused by her nonsensical reference, Levi opened one eye. He followed her gaze to where the sheet was tented. With an unconcerned shrug, he waved away her concern.
“Don’t worry,” he said. “I’m only at half-mast. An automatic bodily function. Consider me mildly intrigued, but not in any condition to follow through.”
Piper sighed, shaking her head before placing her hands on Levi’s head and gently kneading his scalp.
“Men are worse than dogs,” she quipped. “You’d have sex in the mud without blinking an eye.”
“I might blink.” Levi made a humming sound from deep in his chest. “But I wouldn’t say no. If you’re the one making the offer.”
“I won’t.” Piper’s answer was emphatic. “Mud isn’t my thing. I want clean, impossibly soft cotton sheets on a bed big enough so my partner and I can spread out and make things interesting.”
“Done!” Levi exclaimed. “You have a king-sized bed. As do I. My sheets already meet with your approval because you gave them to me as a gift for Christmas. All we need to decide on is, your place or mine. I vote we alternate. One week here, one week there. At least until we move in together.”
“Whoa, fella,” Piper warned. “Don’t get so far ahead of yourself. We shared one kiss. The jury is still out on whether or not there will be a second.”
“You’ve shifted your stance from absolutely not to maybe.” Levi tried not to let his feeling of smug contentment creep into his voice. “You want me. I want you. The next step is only natural.”
“You seem to be back to your old self.” Piper held up her hands. “I’m done.”
“What about my calves,” Levi entreated, using his best puppy dog eyes. There was no way he’d let Piper leave after their conversation had taken such an interesting turn. “The muscles have knots on top of knots.”
“Five more minutes,” she told him. “Not a second longer.”
When Piper cared about someone, she was the most generous person in the world. As a result, Levi wasn’t surprised when five minutes stretched into ten.
“Scientifically speaking, what is the probability that someone can be so relaxed that their bones melt into a contented goo?” Levi asked as Piper moved the bottles of lotion onto a shelf in the attached bathroom.
“One hundred percent impossible,” she told him as she blew the candles out. “But I’m glad you feel better.”
“I feel freaking fantastic.” Levi took a breath, then took a chance. “Don’t go. Stay with me.”
“Not a good idea,” Piper said. “You need a good night’s sleep.”
The flash of regret—of need—in Piper’s expressive green eyes was all the impetus Levi needed to press his advantage. Desperate men rarely played fair.
“I’ll sleep better with you by my side.” He patted the bed. “I promise to be good.”
Looking down at her clothes, Piper hesitated.
“I don’t know.”
“Wear one of my t-shirts.” Levi pointed toward the walk-in closet door. “Take your pick.”
“No funny business?” she asked.
“The first time either of us laughs, I’ll move to the guest room.” Levi crossed his heart.
Piper let out a resigned sigh and moved to the closet. She left the door slightly ajar.
“Brush your teeth while I change,” she called out.
“Can’t neglect our oral hygiene.” Levi rolled to his feet amazed to find that he was almost back to normal. “Now I understand why Claire made a fortune. Her products work miracles.”
“Give the masseuse a little credit.” From the doorway, Piper eyed Levi’s bare backside. Without blinking an eye, she tossed him a towel. “Cover up. Your assets are showing.”
“Ha. Assets. Good one.”
Levi chuckled as he wrapped the blue and white striped towel around his waist. He handed Piper a toothbrush straight from the package. This evening wasn’t the first time they’d brushed their teeth side by side, spitting and rinsing in unison. On the other occasions, rather than climb into his bed together, they retired to the living room and watched a movie.
Levi often wanted Piper to cuddle with him under his covers instead of on the sofa. Tonight, his wish became a reality.
Together they made the bed, smoothing the clean sheets over the mattress and ending with a stark white patchwork quilt—another gift from Piper. Fluffing the pillows, Levi tossed away the towel before taking his spot. He waited for her to join him.
“Since when do you sleep in the buff?” she asked.
“Since the summer I turned sixteen. Elianna Stivic would climb through my bedroom window once everyone in the house was asleep. Figured if I were naked, we’d save time.”
“Wow. Even as a teenager you were a player,” Piper said with a sigh.
Pausing by the bed, Piper raised her hands and carefully removed the pins from her hair. Fascinated, Levi’s breath caught in his throat when she shook her head, releasing a fall of glossy red strands of silk. A second later, she slid beneath the covers.
“Now I know why you showed up dressed in such a ridiculous getup,” Levi told her, pulling her close, one arm around her waist. When she laid her head on his shoulder, he smiled. “You found the most sexless outfit possible so I wouldn’t be tempted to misbehave.”
“Guilty,” Piper admitted.
“Ah, Piper,” Levi said with a sad shake of his head. “You’re kind of clueless about how men think, aren’t you?”
With a snort, Piper poked Levi in the ribs.
“Be honest. There was nothing provocative about what I had on. Unless
