Page 153 of Code of Heart

He shared many stories about Levi’s grandmother and loved her deeply. This secret little getaway was built as a physical testament to his love for her. Now Levi understood what had driven his grandfather to do it. It felt only right to bring Aurelia there.

The place had fallen into disrepair over the years, and both he and his father shared blame for that. Determined to make it right, Levi spent weeks restoring the cottage and transforming it into a romantic hideaway. All those late nights and long hours had been worth it for this moment.

The joy in Aurelia’s eyes was something he would remember long after his memory faded. She was etched into his very soul, and for the rest of his life, he would make sure she never regretted choosing to stay with him.

Remembering how insistent she had been about needing to talk, Levi gently pulled back and brushed away the tears on her cheeks. “Now that we’ve gottenthisout of the way…” he teased, voice light but full of love, “what did you need to talk about, Mrs. Lockwood?”

Aurelia blinked at him, startled by the question. The joy on her face dimmed. She sat back on her knees, attempting to gather her thoughts. Levi readied himself for a potential setback.

“I wanted to talk aboutus,” she began quietly, “about how much I hated you sleeping in the guest room. How much it hurt that you never mentioned the rings I gave back…or what was happening between us.”

He opened his mouth to speak, but she held up a hand, stopping him.

“And…I’ve been a hypocrite,” she admitted, her eyes shining. “From the start, you’ve been patient withmyissues every time they came up. But I never gaveyourpast the same attention or understanding. I’m so sorry, Levi.” Her voice cracked as her eyes met his, full of raw, unguarded vulnerability.

“And there’s something else.” She took a measured breath. “I need to apologize for how fast I pushed physical intimacy. It was the only way I’d ever known how to feel…wanted. In control. Like I mattered, before people got bored with me.” She winced, clearly uncomfortable with the confession. “Not that it wasn’tincrediblewith you,” she added quickly, cheeks flushed.

Levi’s eyebrows lifted, surprised by the admission, but he didn’t dare interrupt.

“I just…I still have things to work through. The doctor gave me a referral for a therapist this morning that I’m going to reach outto,” she whispered. “But Imissedyou, Levi. I missed having you next to me more than anything. I missthis…because I love you too. I love being with you, in every way.”

Levi’s heart stopped at those four words.

I love you too.

Out of everything she had said aloud, those four words echoed through him. Over and over reverberating through his very being, embedding into his very essence.

There was so much he wanted to say, but the only thing that mattered was her…and right now she was too far away.

With a wide grin, Levi grabbed her by the waist and pulled her flush against him. His forehead dropped to hers, his breath warm against her lips.

“I love you, Auri,” he whispered. “There’s no scar too deep, no hurdle too high, that we can’t overcome. Together.”

Then he kissed her.

Deep, assertive, and utterly consuming, he poured every ounce of his love into it. His tongue relished the taste of her like it was the first time all over again, like he had found something precious he never wanted to lose.

When he finally pulled back, both of them panting, he buried his face in the crook of her neck and grinned wickedly against her. His hands slid down to cup her backside, pulling her closer still.

“Why don’t we finish this conversation in the lagoon?” he murmured against her ear. “The water’s nice and warm…and doesn’t require any pesky bathing suits.”

Aurelia arched into him, her body already aching for his touch.

“Warm and wet…like your wife,” she breathed, threading her fingers through his hair.

Levi laughed low, dark, and sinful as he stood and swept her into his arms.

And with nothing but the quiet sounds of the night around them, he carried her toward the steaming water.

Aurelia

They barely made it to the edge of the dock and the picnic before their clothes vanished, discarded without a second thought. Levi was unable to wait another moment to taste her.

Before Aurelia could blink, she was sprawled across the cushioned patio loveseat, her legs draped over his broad, tanned shoulders. The carefully curated picnic lay forgotten on the nearby table as Levi buried his head between her thighs, his tongue on a relentless mission to rediscover every inch of her. Her cries echoed through the secluded woods, lost to the night as he worshipped her with every stroke and flick.

When her senses finally returned, she pushed him back against the cushions, her eyes gleaming with delicious intent. Levi sat back, watching her every movement like a predator in his element, muscles taut, waiting for her next move.

With a knowing smirk, Aurelia shifted to the table and bent over the picnic spread, intentionally lingering as she searched for the right selection. Levi hissed through his teeth at the sight of her arched back, her body on display, but he held himself still, anticipation thrumming through his veins.