Page 14 of Knotty Bargain (Monster Holidays #3)

CHAPTER 14

CORDELIA

V ibrant oranges, reds, and golds paint the park as Levi and I stroll along the leaf-strewn path. The crisp air nips at my nose and I snuggle deeper into my scarf.

I sideglance at Levi. "There's no way you're not cold," I hiss to the inside of my scarf. He's upgraded from the seven-eighths-sleeve Henley to a button-down dark blue shirt that he rolled to his elbows. It's sinfully hot. Even his forearms are sexy.

Worse. He was even sexier at home, in his true form. I never knew I was into the monster thing, but the dark blue of the shirt goes so well with the red of his skin. Also, there's something about massive, muscular guys wearing button-downs; I don't know why.

"It's pretty comfortable, if you ask me," he says, grinning. "Hell's always warm."

"Because of all the hellfire?"

He scoffs. " No . Because it's the most comfortable for newcomers. You're already traumatized by death. You don't need to be shocked by ice cold or scalding hot." He takes a beat, his boots crunching the fallen leaves. "Since I run hot, I prefer this weather right here."

A squirrel rushes down a tree toward us. I slow down as it approaches.

"Hi, Mr. Squirrel!" I say, smiling as I search for the peanuts I brought, especially for this situation. "Here, I brought you a snack."

"You feed any animal you find in the street?" Levi asks, stopping next to me. "I didn't see you feeding that raccoon we passed yesterday."

"It's not the same," I say, knowing very well I'm lying. I glance up at Levi, his shaggy black hair tousled by the breeze. "Raccoons eat trash. They might have diseases."

Levi smirks, obsidian eyes glinting. "Pretty sure any rodent might."

"Your point?" I kneel and offer the squirrel a peanut, but the animal doesn't move, staring wide-eyed at Levi.

"Squirrels are rodents, Pumpkin."

That nickname again. It makes my heart skip. I can't help but giggle. "Leave me be," I hiss, grinning like an idiot. "The squirrel is afraid of you. Can you take a step back?"

The breeze changes and the rich aroma of apples and cinnamon wafts over us. I lift my eyes to find a cider stand a few paces from us. Levi's brow furrows.

"What's that delightful scent?" Levi asks.

"Apple cider. It's amazing."

Levi ambles over to the stand, glancing over his shoulder at me. "I'll grab us some," he says, "while you feed your definitely-not-a-rodent."

Chuckling, I offer the squirrel the peanut again. This time, the squirrel accepts my offer. Fallen leaves crunch behind me and I glance up.

With a jolt,I recognize Marcus striding towards me, his designer coat flapping. His brown hair is pushed back from his face and he's dressed in a white overcoat with white trousers. And he's already seen me. Great. No time to make a stealthy escape and no Levi to kiss me again. I get to my feet.

"Lia." Marcus halts in front of me, jaw tight. "What's up? We couldn't catch up that day."

"Yeah. Everything's great." I force a smile onto my face. "Ready to get married?"

He shoves a hand through his hair but it barely moves. "Of course, of course. It's about time. We're not getting any younger." He frowns at me. "Look. I know there's a lot of pressure to get married. Truly, I do. But I need to talk to you about your new... friend." He glances over my shoulder toward the apple cider stand.

I straighten, crossing my arms. "Levi is not my friend. He's my boyfriend." My heartbeat picks up. Did he find something out? Did he overhear us?

"He's an asshole. Can't you see he's just using you?" Marcus's green eyes flash with indignation. "Come on, Lia. You've always been smart, but too innocent. Too trusting."

"Not anymore," I say, cutting him in.Heat rises in my cheeks. "And you don't know the first thing about Levi or our relationship."

"Come on, Lia, open your eyes! That guy is bad news. The way he treated Vivian? That was so uncalled for. Rude. You know that."

"Vivian was being rude first," I tell him. "Look, I know we have history, but we're both over it. She should get over it, too." My chest burns, emboldened. I feel bigger, for some reason. More powerful.

Steps crunch the leaves behind me, heavy, ominous. Marcus looks up and up, his face going serious.

"Is there a problem here?" Levi appears at my side, two steaming cups in hand. His eyes narrow at Marcus as he steps closer, towering over him.

Marcus scoffs. "Just looking out for Cordelia. Someone has to."

Levi's voice drops to a menacing rumble. "I suggest you worry about yourself. If I catch you harassing her again..." He lets the unspoken threat hang in the air.

Despite myself, a shiver of excitement runs down my spine. There's something thrilling about Levi's protectiveness, misguided as it may be. And it feels so good to know I have him on my side.

Marcus backs away, hands raised. "Whatever. Your funeral." He stalks off, leaving us alone.

Levi turns to me, brow creased. "What was that about?"

I sigh, accepting the warm cider from him. The steam curls around us. "What you heard. He thinks you're bad news because you were rude to Vivian."

"Who was rude to you first," Levi adds, arching an eyebrow.

"Yeah, I told him that." I blow at the cider. "This is so stupid. Marcus and I dated back in high school. But it was never serious. And it was forever ago."

"He seems awfully possessive for an ex." Levi takes a sip, eyes widening at the taste before he continues. "Surprised you went for an asshole like that. I guess you didn't have many options in such a small town."

I chuckle as we return to our walk. "Honestly? I've never really been in love. The bar really is pretty low." I shrug, kicking at a pinecone.

Levi is quiet for a moment. "I get that. Hard to believe in love when your own family can't be bothered to show it." He sips the cider. "You'd expect that, if love exists, your family would have it toward you, right?"

My heart clenches. He understands. More than anyone else ever has. "Right," I whisper. "I feel exactly the same."

We walk in companionable silence until the path opens into a small clearing. There's no one around. All the tourists are back in the main part of the park. The golden trees arch overhead, framing the blue sky. When I sip from the cider and breathe out, air condenses in front of me.

Levi stops, turning to face me. His gaze roams over my features with an intensity that steals my breath.

"What?" My voice comes out softer than I intend.

I blink and Levi has changed. He has four arms and his red skin is beautiful with the dark blue shirt and his eyes are on me. With one hand, he holds the cup away. With the second, he grabs my hips and pulls me into his chest. The other two cup my face so gently that my breath hitches.

Levi leans down and captures my lips with his. The kiss is tentative at first—a gentle brush of skin on skin. Then he parts his lips and the world falls away. I melt into him, fingers clutching the front of his shirt.

He tastes like apples, oranges, and cinnamon. My eyelids flutter shut as I put my weight into him. His fingers tangle with my hair. My heart beats in my ears as I sigh into his mouth.

Levi dips his tongue into my mouth. I do the same with him, experimenting. Then he takes over, devouring my lips, sucking on my tongue, and eating up every little whimper I make.

It's nothing like any other kiss I've ever received. He's nothing like any other man I've ever met. My knees tremble as I gasp for air, but Levi doesn't let me go. He's too hungry for me. And I'm starved for him in equal measure.

It's not our first kiss, but somehow, in this moment, it feels like it is. It feels real .