Strong hands slide under my arms as Levi lifts me out of the puddle and helps me to solid ground.
My entire backside is completely caked in mud. Not only am I wet and cold, but also mortified.Why oh why did Levi have to see that?
Gathering my pride, I turn and look directly into his beautiful face. I’ve tried avoiding looking directly at him, worried that I won’t be able to look away. His brown hair is longer on top and shorter on the sides, styled but a bit messy. His strong jaw is accentuated with light scruff. And those eyes? Whoever said brown eyes aren’t pretty haven’t seen his yet. I could swim in those eyes, all swirling shades of amber and a deep rich brown that makes me think of chocolate.
Momentarily stunned, I spend too long admiring him. Thankfully, Quinn elbows me in the side, effectively breaking my focus on his face. Quickly looking away, I clear my throat. “Um, thank you for your help.”
“No problem.” His smile is kind and warm as we look at one another.
“You should probably get cleaned up,” Quinn cuts in. How long have Levi and I been staring at each other?
What in the world is going on with me? Get a hold of yourself, Sammie.
Levi glances around at the parking spots lining the street. “How’d you get here? I thought I saw your car in the driveway before I left.”
“That’s because you did,” I sigh. “I walked here this morning.” Turning toward my assistant, I ask, “Can you take me home Quinn?”
“Can’t,” she replies. “I rode my bike from campus.”Just Perfect.
“Come on then.” Levi turns around, hand waving over his shoulder as he calls, “I’m parked right over here.”
Opening my mouth about to protest, he stops and turns. “There’s no way I’m letting you walk home. Come on, get in the truck.”
Huffing a breath, I weigh my options. I could walk home, literally freezing my ass off or I could take a short ride in Levi’s truck.
“Sammie!” Levi calls as he stands in front of his truck. “Don’t make me carry you.” His tone is teasing, but his eyes say that he will actually pick me up and carry me to his truck.
Rolling my eyes, I stomp to his truck. Fine by me if he wants his seat all muddy.
Chapter Four
Levi
After working all week, Greyson and I sit at the bar of Bottom’s Up drinking beers while a football game plays on the tv overhead. This week was spent spending every day with Sammie, going over the designs of the new decorations and the overall layout of the square for the Christmas Spectacular. She’s a bit bossy but she has a clear vision. The town is going to be wowed by what she can do.
“Wait, so your aunt put you up to this?” This is the first time we’ve been able to meet up since he helped me move in. I’ve spent the last ten minutes filling him in on my first week back in town.
“You know my aunt. She doesn’t take no for an answer.” Swigging down some beer, I place my half-empty glass on the bar top. “But you won’t see me complaining.” Thinking of Sammie brings a grin to my face that Greyson catches.
Stopping mid-drink, Greyson points at me. “What was that for?” Setting his drink down, his voice lowers. “You have a thing for that chick?” he asks.
I shrug. “I can’t help myself, man. Sammie is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Plus, she seems to hate my guts which makes her even more attractive.” Thinking about how she huffed and puffed on the ride home with her ass covered in mud has me chuckling. There’s just something about this woman that I can’t get over.
“You’re a sucker for punishment is what you are.”
“Oh, and get this,” I say. “She lives in the duplex next door. She was so mad when she found out too. It was damn cute.”
Full of skepticism, he turns to me. “So let me get this straight: you’re working with this woman, find her attractive even though she doesn’t like you, and she lives next door?”
“She likes me. She just doesn’t know it yet.”
He shakes his head as he brings his beer to his mouth. “You’re an idiot.”
“I’m telling you, she’s the girl I’ve been looking for.” Deep in my gut I know it’s true. Ever since she stepped out of that car and looked at me with that glare on her face, I was done for.
Greyson just sighs. “Tell me again in two weeks and I’ll believe you.” He’s skeptical and he has a right to be. He thought he’d found the one for him, but that was before she left him for another man.
“Deal.”
