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We’d kissed millions of times before, but the moment our lips touched this time, electricity flooded my body.

Internally, I screamed. My hand tightened around him.

I didn’t want this to stop. I wanted all of him right now.

My mind flooded with thoughts of him pushing me away, of him leaving, but then his one arm wrapped around me, while the other pulled me down, and he kissed me back.

All this time, all this flirting and banter, finally maybe it was over, and we could take the next step toward becoming one.

His tongue washed through my mouth, as his hand fisted my hair, then cupped my cheek.

I moved my hand off his cock and placed it on his hip as he slid his body closer to mine, grinding himself against me.

I swung my leg onto his hip, wanting to feel more of him as he continued grinding into me.

I felt the warmth of his smooth skin as my fingers trailed along his back.

I couldn’t breathe—not because I was nervous, but because I was afraid any type of movement would make this moment end.

I wanted us to cross this imaginary line, because until now, the most he’d ever done was cuddle me during a movie, place tiny kisses on my neck when we were alone, and flirt with me until I was ready to drop because he’d made me so weak in the knees.

I felt his fingers playing with the buttons on my shirt, and one by one he slowly undid them all, slipping his large hand into my shirt and gripping my side. He kissed me deeper, and when his thumb grazed the side of my breast, I let out a soft moan.

Just as I ran my fingers through his thick, dark hair, he broke the kiss and looked down at me, his hair disheveled.

He studied me, looking deep into my eyes. “We—”

I placed my fingers on his lips. “Don’t say it,” I whispered, my throat straining from the flood of emotions I was feeling. “Please…don’t say it.”

He looked down at me for what felt like forever, then he slowly lowered his head and took my lips with his, consuming my mouth.

When he pulled his lips from mine and looked down at me again, I thought for sure he was going to say it, but he got up, shut the TV off, held out his hand for me to take, and led me down the hall.

I felt as if I were floating on a bed of clouds as I followed him, my hand in his.

He met my eyes, softly smiled, and then stopped right outside the spare bedroom, pushed me up against the wall.

He pressed himself against me, took my mouth with his, his tongue washing through my mouth as his hands explored me.

Then he broke the kiss, pulled away and stepped back.

“I’ve wanted you for so long, Scarlett. I promised myself I’d never lay a finger on you until you’re done school…and as fucking tempting as you are, I’m hell bent on keeping that promise.”

I stood there, my body on fire as I watched his eyes wash over me while he slowly backed away.

“That’s why I’m saying good night, Scarlett, and I’m going to ask that you don’t come into my room tonight, because I don’t think I have the strength to hold back much longer.”

Six Months Later

“Congratulations, Scarlett.”

I could feel my cheeks heat as Scottie and Levi stood there holding a small graduation cake in Levi’s living room.

It just so happened that Levi had a couple days off from games and had invited me and Scottie to stay before we took off home to see Mom and Dad.

“I should also announce this isn’t the only celebration,” Levi added, slipping a knife through the cake.

“Oh, what else are we celebrating?” Scottie questioned.

“Well, I’ll let Scarlett tell you,” Levi added, popping a piece of cake on a plate for each of us.

Scottie looked over at me, a smile on his face as he waited for me to tell him.

“Now don’t get too excited, but I got a job with Ice Insiders . I did a co-op for them this past semester, and while it’s only a temp position for now, it has good promise to become something more once I prove myself.”

“That’s outstanding, Scarlett. So, you’ll be staying in the city then?”

I glanced over at Levi. We’d kept our relationship on the quiet side for the past month, and a couple of weeks ago, with the news of the new position, just as planned, we were moving in together.

I had no idea how Scottie was going to take this news.

I still needed to tell Mom and Dad. I was probably crazy for telling Scottie first.

“I will be.” I swallowed hard, still trying to gage his reaction.

“Well, I’d ask Levi to check in on you, but with his schedule, he’s barely in the city.”

“Don’t be silly. You don’t even need to ask. I’ll keep an eye on her,” Levi added, passing each of us a piece of cake.

“How are you going to do that? Like I said, you’re barely here. I think I counted two weeks out of the past eleven.” Scottie chuckled.

Levi and I looked at one another.

“Well, I’ve asked Scarlett to move in here. It will be perfect. Honestly, someone will be here while I’m out of town, and since the building is secure, I know she’ll be safe,” Levi added.

Scottie thought about it for a moment as he shoved a forkful of cake in his mouth and then nodded. “Might be a good idea, Scar. I mean rent out here— well, I can’t even imagine what it must cost.”

I looked at Levi, my hands shaking with nerves as Scottie still rambled on about rent, bills, and how what I would earn in a temp position couldn’t possibly cover everything. How I’d never be able to support myself on that type of wage.

“We’re dating, bro,” Levi announced, saving me from having to tell him.

Scottie’s head lifted so quickly, I feared it might pop off.

“What?”

“The reason I’ve asked her to move in isn’t the reasons you’re talking about. We’re dating. We thought we should tell you first. After all, I promised you I’d never lay a hand on her until she graduated, and I told you once she had all promises were off.”

Scottie was quiet for a few moments as he looked from me to Levi.

“You were serious?”

“Yes, he’s serious, Scottie.” I nervously laughed and reached over, placing my hand on his, hoping he wasn’t going to be too angry.

“Well, you know I’m going to have to give him the lecture, right?” my brother said, looking at me.

I rolled my eyes at him. I’d have thought Levi had already proved himself to Scottie through this entire ordeal.

“Only if you feel it’s necessary, but I can assure you he will not hurt me.”

“Not gonna hurt her, bro. That I promise,” Levi said.

“What kind of big brother would I be if I didn’t say it?” Scottie asked, looking over at me.

“A shitty one.” I giggled.

Levi and Scottie laughed at the same time and then gave one another a congratulatory fist bump.

The next morning, I had my shower and made my way down to the kitchen wrapped in my bathrobe. Levi looked over at me, a smile on his face as I took a seat at the breakfast bar.

“It’s going to be so nice to have you here,” Levi said, sliding a plate of pancakes my way.

“I know, I can’t wait. My lease is up at the end of the month, which gives me time to go home, see my mom and dad and get back to the city to pack to move at the end of the month. Which, good news, I’ve already arranged a moving truck.”

“Babe, you should know the guys and I will move you.”

“No way, I’m not having the guys from the hockey team help move me. I barely know any of them, and besides, what if you’re at an away game?”

“Well, you best get to know them. They are my second family, and my schedule is right here for the entire season.” Levi winked, tapping the schedule that was on the side of his fridge.

Levi had just started eating while I shoved the last few bites of my pancakes into my mouth when someone knocked on the door.

“That better not be them,” I said, jumping off the stool, alarmed that I was naked under this bathrobe.

Levi chuckled before leaning down to kiss me.

“Might be. You never know.” He winked. “Go on, go get dressed,” he said, slapping my ass as I turned away from him, causing me to let out a giggle.

Once down the hall and in his bedroom, I took my time getting dressed, washing my face, and then I ran a brush through my hair and put it up in a high ponytail.

I shoved my things into my bag and then made my way down the hall.

I was just about in the kitchen when I heard voices.

I stopped and listened. Was that a woman’s voice I heard?

I stood still, listening. It was a woman’s voice. At first, she was calm, but soon their voices started getting elevated, but I still couldn’t make out their conversation as the exchange between them continued. Then things got quiet, and I heard Levi clear his throat and beg the person to wait.

A funny feeling settled in the pit of my stomach. I’d never heard Levi sound panicked before. He continued asking the person to wait, to give him a chance to figure out exactly what this was, and then the door slammed shut and the apartment was quiet.

I stood there for a moment. I wanted to give Levi a few minutes to himself. I felt that whatever had just gone on wasn’t really any of my business, but at the same time I wanted to know what had happened. I was about to turn and head back down the hall when I heard what sounded like a baby crying.

For a moment I froze, my stomach threatening to release the contents of the breakfast I’d just eaten. I tiptoed down the rest of the hallway and rounded the corner, stepping into the kitchen...and stopped dead in my tracks at the scene in front of me.

There, by the door, surrounded by a pile of bags at his feet, stood Levi.

And in his arms was a baby.