He doesn’t see them as something bad, while my whole life, I considered my scars my weakness.
Maybe they are my source of strength after all?
Wrapping my hand around my throat, I feel the tender skin on my neck along my scars, remembering how this so-called Norse god took my virginity last night, right after mapping my body with hickeys and bite marks.
My cheeks heat as the carnal images play in my mind, sending heat into my cells and urging me to indulge in the illusion just a little longer.
But the sunlight is here, so I have to go, or I’d start to believe last night meant something.
Shaking my head, I force myself to push all the flashbacks away and not believe whatever he whispered in my ears because that’s what men do, right?
Promise all kinds of sweet things during sex to get what they want, although that’s not fair.
I was a willing participant and don’t regret a thing. I’m also a realist despite my limited experience.
To Levi, I’m a game and a challenge, plus a way to stick it to my brother for what he has done to Aileen. His attraction to me has nothing to do with me and everything to do with the outside factors.
He rolls from his back to his side, and the muscles in his arms flex as he searches for me next to him, so I quickly slide the pillow toward him and let him hug it.
I gently touch his cheek, and he doesn’t even so much as flinch. He must be a heavy sleeper. Maybe that’s what happened when no nightmares disturb your sleep. Must be nice. “Thank you, Levi,” I murmur. “I’ll never forget it.”
Quietly, I get off the bed and find my clothes, deciding to take a shower at home because if Levi wakes up and tries to stop me, I won’t be strong enough to resist.
That’s a lie.
I’m afraid he won’t try to stop me, and it will feel awkward and traumatic. Despite wanting to have a one-night stand to gain some experience, I simply don’t have the emotional capacity right now to handle them.
Putting on my clothes and slipping into my flats, I grab my phone and, without even bothering to study my reflection in the mirror, dash downstairs, where different smells waft through the air. I hear voices coming from the kitchen in the otherwise silent space.
I didn’t have much time to walk around the mansion or find out if anyone works here. Levi brought us inside in the middle of the night and took us straight to his room. I was half asleep by that point.
I just assumed since there was no security that there was probably no staff either, and that’s why he brought me here. It provided more privacy.
I halt my movements at the sight of the butler in a standard black suit and white gloves. He must be in his late sixties, judging by the wrinkles on his face and his gray hair.
He is in the middle of receiving a package, and blinks at me. “Good morning, Miss Wright. How can I help you?”
He acts as if we’ve seen each other many times, and this is a regular morning! “Hello.” I clear my throat when his eyes scan over me, lingering on my neck. I throw my hair over it, hoping it covers whatever needs covering. I really wish now I’d looked in the mirror earlier. “I’d like to go.”
He ignores this and instead takes out from the package a hot, steaming paper mug, the mint tea scent floating in the air. I recognize the brand name right away. I usually stop by this coffee shop on my morning walks after exhausting nights filled with nightmares and bad memories. “Your favorite, I believe. Breakfast will be ready shortly. Would you like to wait in the living room in the meantime?”
A sudden rush of anger washes over me, and the now familiar green monster awakens again, because all of this?
Looks like a well-rehearsed routine.
Maybe that’s what Levi does all the time.
Brings women to his secret mansion, has wild sex with them, and then his butler handles the rest?
Feeds them and sends them on their merry way with some gifts, so they won’t be a problem in the future?
That would explain why he has his reputation, yet no one ever calls him an asshole. Come to think of it, I’ve never seen him with any women. So he’s discreet, I’ll give him that.
He probably wasn’t even asleep.
“No, thank you…”
“Gavin.”
