Page 94 of Code of Heart

Aurelia couldn’t explain it, couldn’t pin down a reason, but it clung to her like a shadow, growing heavier the closer she got home. She had triple-checked every last detail, every task on her list completed with the kind of meticulous precision that left no room for error. And still…the feeling persisted.

Selene had been incredible all week, diving headfirst into helping her tie up loose ends. Aurelia hadn’t realized how much she missed the effortless rhythm they shared until the week flew by in a whirlwind of teamwork. Before she knew it, the ball had crept up on her, and so had her arrival home.

Snapping out of her trance, Aurelia realized she was already in the driveway, her car idling beside Levi’s SUV. Her earlier nerves shifted, replaced with hesitant excitement at the thought of seeing the dress Levi had picked out.

Please don’t be taffeta…please, anything but taffeta,she silently chanted while climbing out of the car and making her way inside.

She found Levi exactly where she expected, lounging on the couch with his laptop perched beside him, a glass of whiskey in hand like he hadn’t a care in the world. When his eyes landed on her, a lazy, predatory smile curved his lips.

“You’re home early,” he drawled, voice rich and velvety with mischief.

Aurelia rolled her eyes, ignoring the way her stomach flipped at the sight of him. “Finished everything earlier than expected,” she answered, her words coming out more breathless than she liked. For a moment, she hesitated, then blurted, “Can I see my dress?”

Levi laughed, deep and indulgent, pushing to his feet with slow, deliberate grace. He tipped his head toward her bedroom. “Who am I to deny my wife anything?”

He had barely finished the sentence before Aurelia was gone, barreling toward her room like a woman on a mission.

Levi followed at a much more leisurely pace, his grin only growing as he leaned against the doorframe and watched her approach the long garment bag hanging on the dressing rack.

Her hands trembled slightly as she reached for the zipper. Drawing in a bracing breath, she pulled it down…and the world held its breath with her.

The fabric glimmered under the soft lighting, a masterpiece of elegance and enchantment. Words completely abandoned her. She took a slow, awed step back, overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of the dress.

Tears stung her eyes before she could stop them. No one—no one—had ever done something like this for her.

When she turned to face Levi, the emotion on her face caused him to immediately tense. He stepped forward, his expression clouded with worry.

But then, through trembling lips, she whispered, “Thank you.”

The tension bled from his shoulders.

“Thank you,” she repeated, this time stronger, the emotion behind it cracking something wide open between them.

Levi didn’t have a chance to respond before she threw herself into his arms. He caught her easily, holding her tightly, desperately wishing to never let her go.

When she looked up at him, her eyes searching his face, her gaze fell to his mouth…and that was it.

Their lips met in a kiss that held every word she couldn’t say aloud, every wall crumbling around her heart. Levi scooped her up and carried her to bed, laying her down with the kind of veneration that made her chest ache.

This time was different; slow and exploratory with something…more.

Every piece of clothing removed was a new act of devotion, every touch unhurried and filled with intent. Levi pulled back, sitting on his heels to simply look at her, his eyes drinking her in like she was a living, breathing miracle.

“You are perfect,” he whispered, his voice thick with something more than desire.

Aurelia had never been seen like this before—never mattered like this before. And in that quiet, soul-baring moment, the wall around her heart collapsed completely.

She reached for him, trailing her fingers over her skin in a way that made his control snap.

Without a word, he settled between her thighs, the tension in his body shaking as he held himself back, his eyes locked on hers in silent question.

Aurelia answered with a real, radiant smile and wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him into her completely.

The moan that tore from Levi’s throat was nothing short of euphoric as he sank into her, slow and deep.

They moved together with the kind of perfect rhythm that felt ancient, inevitable. Every thrust drew them closer to that precipice, every soft sigh and low cry a symphony of connection and release.

When it came, it hit them both like a tidal wave, crashing and wild and breathtaking.