Page 37 of The Bad Boy’s Homecoming (The Southern Hart Brothers #2)

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Missy

This Is Not Your Life

S aying goodbye to Levi was hard; she had to fight every instinct to pack up her things and go with him to Florida.

Maybe he was in her future, but first she was going to Atlanta for an art exhibit of her dreams. Suddenly she wasn’t so worried about the gallery not finding a flow in her paintings, because she could feel the flow.

As she stood in her studio surrounded by all her work over the last month, and more ideas flooding her mind, she was certain of her own destiny and her ability to make her dream a reality. It was already happening.

Five days later, and one long drive in a rented van full of her artwork back to Atlanta, excitement filled her.

It was weird driving back to the city she’d lived in for almost three years.

And she realized she hadn’t missed it at all—if anything she didn’t like being back there.

It was a relief that Levi had signed with another team.

If they were going to be seeing a lot more of each other it didn’t need to be in this town.

“You made it. I can’t wait to see the new pieces in person,” Rose said, meeting her out in the service alley next to the gallery.

Two large men in gallery T-shirts joined them and they put on gloves before they helped carry each piece of her recent efforts into the back room where they would be framed and prepared to be hung.

The lighting was harsh, there were gallery workers everywhere, and a lot of activity. But everything seemed to quiet as Rose unwrapped each piece and had them displayed on empty narrow shelves for viewing.

“This is where you study the work before you decide which to promote?”

Rose smiled but her eyes didn’t leave the paintings. Blues, pinks, yellows, and grays, each different depictions of intimacy. “Yes, or in this case where I torture myself with wondering how many I can fit on each wall in the gallery.”

Missy let out the breath she’d been holding. “Then you approve?”

Now Rose faced her. “Missy, there was never any doubt. Your work speaks volumes. I hope you have a stunning dress, because your picture is about to be plastered on every art magazine, local paper, and likely international markets.”

“A dress?”

“You do have a dress, don’t you?”

Missy’s stomach sank. She’d been so busy all week she hadn’t thought much about what she’d wear. She had her black suit and a few blouses to choose from. She wasn’t much for wearing dresses.

“I have an outfit. It’s mostly black.”

Rose walked closer and gripped her arms in a gentle hold. She was chic in her navy-blue sheath dress, with square cuffs that highlighted her fit arms, and blunt-cut hair.

“I’m going to send you to my favorite boutique, and you have a look around. If you see something you like you can put it on my account. My treat for your big debut.”

Missy nodded. Why not enjoy the full experience. She was only going to have her debut once.

“I have a few guests for tomorrow. I hope that’s okay.”

“Of course, just give their names to my assistant and they’ll be added to the list. Sometimes families find it easier to arrive early, so they can get a chance to see you before the whirlwind.”

“Great, I’ll let them know.”

“Now let’s work on a list but I think in total we have thirty-six pieces. You really outdid yourself.”

Missy just nodded. She’d kept a few for herself, one in particular for Levi.

Three hours later she was standing in the fitting room of a posh boutique with price tags that made her cringe. And her phone rang with an incoming call from Levi.

“Baby, are you undressing?” he said in a low voice.

She belatedly realized it was a FaceTime call and he was riding in what looked like the back of a taxi.

“Oh my gosh, I didn’t know this was a live call—and yes, but because I’m in a fitting room.”

“Oh, I thought you beat me to the hotel.”

“No, but I might if I can get out of here in the next fifteen minutes.”

“What are you looking for? Let me see your options.”

She turned the camera to show him several dresses the stylist had picked out for her. “I’m not really a dress person but Rose said there will be a lot of pictures taken. She seems to think some media will want to write about my little exhibit.”

“Little? According to my publicist it’s all over the internet. Atlanta’s art event of the season.”

She sat down on the velvet chair in the small fitting room and groaned.

“Babe, I think you need to wear whatever you’re going to feel the most like yourself in tonight. You’re a talented, beautiful woman, and your art will speak for you.”

“What are you wearing?”

“I brought my tux, with tails. Obviously.”

“What?”

“Just kidding, I brought a suit. Hey, let me see your face.”

She picked the phone back up and looked into the phone.

“There she is, my gorgeous girlfriend. Do me a favor, get the black and the blue dresses, and whatever else you thought you liked, and get your butt back to the hotel.”

“I can’t get all of that. It’s too much. But I need to decide on at least one dress.”

“Where are you?”

“Boutique Jolie—it’s near the hotel.”

“Great, I’ll meet you there. Love you.”

And then he hung up. A moment later there was a light knock at the door.

“Miss, I’ve brought you a few more options.”

“Thank you, I have a friend coming. Can you send him back when he arrives?”

“Of course.”

Ten minutes later Levi walked back with his suitcase, into her dedicated fitting room area. She stood in a black sequin dress that wasn’t fitted, so much as it just seemed to know exactly where to hug her curves.

“Wow, yes we’ll take this one for sure.” In two more strides his hands were on her and he lifted her up off her feet to hug her then spun her around the space.

“Hi,” she said breathlessly as the stylist smiled and closed the curtain for them.

“Hi yourself. I missed you.”

“You look tan. Are you using that sunscreen I sent you?”

“Yes, I’ll do anything you tell me to while you’re in this dress. Can I watch you try on a few more things?”

“Sure, you can tell me if you like any of the other three selections better. Then we can go.”

Levi sat in the velvet chair and crossed his arms behind his back. “Oh you can take your time, babe.”

She was surprised at his eagerness to watch her try on clothes until she realized how erotic it felt to undress for him.

She let him help her with her zipper and he stole a few kisses along her hip before she walked away to hang the dress.

Next she tried on the blue one he’d thought he’d like.

It was a silky material that she was worried would show too many wrinkles.

“Let’s test it,” he said, ushering for her to walk toward him.

Then he pulled her waist toward him. “One knee here—” he lifted her leg to straddle his right hip “—and the other here.” He guided her to sit on his lap and reached up to put one hand on the back of her neck under her low ponytail, holding back her wild curls.

“Maybe I should have had my hair pressed for tonight. I really didn’t think many people would show, much less media.”

Levi kissed along her throat and untied the back of the halter-style dress, letting it fall in front and revealing the strapless bra the stylist gave her to use to try on the dresses. He ran his thumb along the underside that hugged the top of her ribs, pushing her small breasts up.

“No. My girlfriend has wild, lush curls, and she’s a phenomenal artist.” He kissed the tops of her breasts with reverence. “And we’re buying this bra as well.”

Laughter bubbled up and she couldn’t help but enjoy his attention and faith in her. She draped her arms on his shoulders and clasped her hands behind his head.

“I guess I’m getting this dress no matter what, if it gets this reaction,” she said, feeling the thick bulge beneath her. Rocking her hips she ground down his length.

Levi sucked in a breath and gripped her hips. “You aren’t playing fair.”

“Who said I was playing?” She kissed his throat and then his ear, breathing into it before whispering, “I want you to bend me over in this dress in front of that mirror.”

“There’s no door on this dressing room, but I bet there is a mirror in our hotel room where we can make that happen.”

“Then we should go.”

His mouth captured hers in one possessive kiss. “Get dressed, love. I’ll have the stylist wrap these up.” Then he stood with her still straddling him and he palmed her bottom and squeezed.

She giggled and he slid her down his tall, hard body. “Yes, sir.”

“Emm…I take it back—keep this dress on.”

Missy moved over to the pile of things she liked but then Levi scooped them all up. “I’ll have her rehang everything and you can decide,” he said and then stepped out. She folded her things and put them in her bag then wheeled both their bags out to the front of the boutique.

“Miss Shaw, I’ll have everything delivered to your hotel within the hour.”

“Oh, can you add this dress, bra, and these shoes too? But please don’t put them on Rose’s tab. I’ll pay for them now.”

“The bill has been settled,” Levi said and the stylist handed him what looked like a black card and receipt.

“Levi.” But he held up his hand.

“You can’t really deny me buying you a gift when I’m the one who is going to enjoy it the most,” he said.

She sighed and tried not to pay too much attention to the stylist or her assistant who were staring at Levi like he was a rock star and a god combined.

He took his and her bag in one hand and then held out his hand to her. “Thank you, ladies, fantastic selection. We’ll be back next time we’re in town.”

“We will?” she said to him once they moved through the rotating circular door onto the street.

“Hell ya, that store is my new favorite place to go with you. Come on, we need to get to the hotel fast.”

But before she could ask why, they were approached by a young kid.

“Hey, mister, Levi Hart, why’d you leave Atlanta for Tampa? Come on, man.”

“Hey, buddy, it was time for some warmer weather for my old bones,” Levi called but gripped her hand and kept moving. A few more feet and another man recognized him and asked for an autograph and a photo. By the time they got to the hotel he’d stopped at least ten times.

“Sorry about that. I should have put on my hat.”

“I doubt that would have helped—you’re like a giant walking among men.”

His boyish grin lifted higher on one side, and she wanted to pull him down to her height so she could kiss him, but the concierge appeared.

“Mr. Hart, please right this way. Your room is of course ready, just to your specifications. Private elevator and I would be happy to have our courtesy car service available for you anytime you need transportation during your stay.”

The man didn’t even wait to see if Levi acknowledged him and had a bellman taking their bags and preceding them in the elevator. Then the concierge handed Levi two keys.

“Enjoy your stay with us.”

The elevator doors closed silently.

“Wow.”

“This is my favorite hotel chain because they don’t treat us like babies and the beds are huge.”

“Emm-hmm.” Missy didn’t want to think about who he’d spent time with in those huge beds in the past; she was focused on what Levi was about to do to her in this dress. So much so that she could feel the wet heat pool just thinking about him beneath her.

“Hold that thought,” Levi said to her as they entered the hallway and found their door at the end. He tipped the bellman who left their bags just inside the door and then turned to her.

There in the foyer of their room was a huge floor-to-ceiling mirror with a small table for their keys. She caught his eyes on her as she moved to the table and placed both her hands on it. Then slowly bent forward.

“You were saying,” she said.

Levi did not miss a beat. He moved behind her without breaking eye contact.

One hand reached down to grip her leg, starting at her calf, and he ran his huge, warm rough hand up her skin until it was under her new blue silk dress he’d bought her.

Sliding the material up and over her bottom.

She knew the moment he realized she’d removed her panties, and it was priceless.

“Oh, baby, I love the way your brilliant mind works.”

Spreading her arms wider she leaned forward more. “Prove it, baby.”

And he dropped to his knees. She could feel his mouth on the backs of her thighs, her bottom and then one soft smack of her ass.

“Is that okay?”

“Yes,” she gasped. “I like it.”

“I want to learn everything you like. I do know one thing,” he said as he spread her legs wider.

“Oh?”

Then he ran his tongue along both sides of her lips, before he blew his breath along her seam. “I know you like my kisses here.” And then he open-mouth kissed her, driving his tongue inside her, and she saw literal stars.

Gripping the side of the table she slid even lower until her face was flat against the mirror and her legs began to shake.

“I won’t last if you keep that up,” she breathed.

But Levi’s tongue was on a mission to taste all of her and drive her over the edge within minutes.

With each plunge of his tongue and then when he smacked her other cheek, her body exploded into pieces.

As she came down from the sensation of her entire body being wrung out, Levi stood and gripped her hips.

She could feel his long length pressing her swollen heat and she pushed back to get closer.

Even now she wanted more of him and she smiled knowing he was hers to have.

This unexpected man was everything and there was no stopping how much she needed him in every way.