She placed her hand over his, and he realized he’d balled it into a fist. “We’re from two different worlds, I’m afraid.”
Clearly, they were on the same page. “Another reason that kiss was probably a mistake.”
She squeezed his hand, then leaned onto her arm, bringing her closer. “That doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the time we have, though, does it? I mean, I understand your reservations. I have some too.” Then she looked up to him with those wide, luminous eyes of hers. “There’s only one problem.”
He swallowed hard, his upper body swaying closer of its own accord. “What’s that?”
Her hungry eyes were intent on him. Tension hovered in the space between them. “I can’t stop thinking about you.”
His breath caught in his chest. His lungs forgot how to function. He was completely lost, and moreover he didn’t want to be found. He was only human, after all. He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers.
She responded in kind.
It was only when Levi heard feet tromping down the hall sometime later that he finally pulled away.
thirty-two
Mia draped her clothes on the chaise in her room and slipped into her pajamas. What a day. She hadn’t found the necklace, but she’d found something so much better.
She sent Brooke a quick text.
I’m falling for Levi. He kissed me today for real.
She dropped into bed unable to prevent the dreamy sigh. She and Levi had spent most of the day together, sorting through the library. They’d taken a break and gone to dinner at the Country Skillet. There’d been a couple of locals who’d approached, asking for photos with her, but they’d been respectful.
Mia had been impressed with how Levi handled the interruptions. Some men got sulky when fans approached, and others were jealous of the attention. Levi just seemed adorably flustered. He later joked about being her chauffeur and escort. But when they’d gotten home a while ago, she’d made sure he knew he meant more to her than that.
She gave another breathy sigh at the thought of those kisses. His touch did something to her that no other man’s, including Wesley’s, had ever done. There was just a... rightness about it. She’d known she’d wanted more from Levi, but until his lips had settled on hers today she hadn’t realized how much her feelings had grown.
The way he’d kissed her... his lips so passionate, his touch so reverent... as if he treasured her. He made her feel cherished.
Women often thought she was lucky to have been kissed on-screen by so many handsome leading men. But a kiss meant nothing when there were no real feelings behind it. Those scenes were so choreographed. Step closer. Right hand to waist. Tilt head to left. Don’t block the camera. Shift. Embrace. And cut. It was all so mechanical. She pretended to be ardent. She pretended to be moved.
With Levi there’d been no pretending. When his lips consumed hers, she forgot the rest of the world even existed. Had to remind herself to breathe.
Fear leached into her thoughts at the depth of her feelings for him. He’d shared his concerns earlier, and they were valid. Even the one about his being a regular guy—but not for the reasons he thought.
A text came in from Brooke.
I thought that photo looked like the real thing!
Mia propped up on her pillows.
He’s so sweet. So steady and strong. And boy, can that man kiss.
How much longer are you staying?
Not sure. Filming doesn’t start till mid-July. Might hang around here until then.
Is it serious then?
Sure feels like it. I should be thinking in temporary terms, but I don’t even want to think about leaving.
How would something permanent even work? The long distance?
I don’t know. He’s pretty tied up here with his inn for now, but he plans to move back to Denver once the business is stable.
That’s still a long way from LA.
