Page 25 of The Love Ambush (The Sullivans #1)

Levi

I ’m awakened by Gentry’s soft snores, and I smile even before I open my eyes. She’s tucked up against my chest, sleeping so peacefully, her warm body in soft PJs making me almost too hot.

I hate being high or drunk these days. I hate losing control of myself. If I were waking up any other way, I’d be angry at Daphne’s grandmother, and I’d probably spend some time ruminating about all the stupid things I said while I was high.

This morning, I don’t care about any of that, because Gentry’s in my arms.

It makes my chest ache how much I want this. Even before it’s ended, I know I’m never going to want to let her go.

I tilt my hips so she won’t feel my insistent hard on. I’m certain she’s going to freak out as soon as her eyes pop open, and I don’t want to scare her by making her think I want to have sex with her.

Though I do want to have sex with her.

Very, very much.

It’s just not the only thing I want.

And, for the first time in years, I might just have a tiny, infintesimal shot at a future with Gentry. I’m not going to do anything to ruin it.

She stirs against my chest, letting out a little sigh of contentment. I consider sliding out from under her and going back to my own bed, just so I won’t see the look of horror I’m expecting when she realizes she’s shared a bed with me.

I very much doubt she’ll remember how she begged me to cuddle her all night. But I’ll definitely never forget it.

Gentry bolts suddenly upright with a gasp.

“The kids,” she says.

“They’re with Brodie and Liza, honey. They’re fine.”

She sighs, and her whole body relaxes. She drops back down onto the bed and smiles sleepily up at me. “Thanks for staying with me.”

I let out my own sigh of relief. “You remember asking me to stay?”

She laughs. “I was stoned, not drunk. Of course I remember.” She rolls over and supports her upper body with her elbows so she can look right at me. “I remember everything from last night. It was the best night I’ve had in a very, very long time.”

“Are you still high?” I ask because this is not the Gentry I’m used to.

She smiles sweetly. “Nope. I’m feeling more like myself than I have in forever. And I’m not mad at you anymore. It feels really good not to be mad at you, Levi Sullivan.”

I love this relaxed, happy side of her almost as much as I love hearing that she’s forgiven me for my past fuck-ups where she’s concerned. “Well, what do you want to do this fine morning?”

She rolls right out of bed. “First, I’m going to brush my teeth, because I cannot talk to you while I have morning breath.

Then, I’m going to get back into bed and cuddle with you until I have to be responsible again.

” She hesitates, looking unsure for the first time.

“If that’s okay with you? I just… I really love cuddling. ”

“I am at your service,” I say, sitting up. “And happy to be.”

Her gaze drops to my bare chest, and her tongue darts out to lick her bottom lip. “I’ll be right back.”

While she’s in the bathroom, I put on deodorant and brush my hair. As soon as she’s out, I go in and brush my teeth. I do not put on a shirt.

When I get back to the room, Gentry’s sitting on the edge of the bed, looking unsure again.

I dive onto the bed, hugging her to me as I fall. She laughs and cuddles up against me.

“Are you sure?” she asks. “If you had other plans, or—”

“If I change my mind or ever don’t want to do something, I’ll tell you.” To emphasize my point, I kiss her forehead. Her skin is so soft, and she smells so sweet, that one kiss isn’t enough.

I pull back just enough to study her face, and she smiles softly at me. So, so sweet.

I kiss the tip of her nose and am aiming for her round chin when she tips her head and meets my lips with her own.

The kiss is more intense this time, like she’s been building to it since last night as eagerly as I have. It almost feels like too much, too bright, too combustible, too hungry.

Almost, but not, because she’s right there with me, moaning into my mouth and arching her body against mine.

Her hands are on my back and in my hair, pulling me closer with an urgency I never expected from her.

She is perfect, learning me as I’m learning her. The kiss is even better than the last one. I can’t remember how I survived so long without her in my life.

I slide my hands slowly under her pajama top, giving her time to tell me to stop.

She pulls away with a gasp.

“I’m sorry—” I start.

“Not your fault.” She runs a hand through her hair.

“Maybe…” She looks around the room, like she’s just realizing where she is and exactly what she’s doing.

“I can’t promise you anything beyond right now, Levi.

” She looks at me, her gaze intense. “But I really want this, and it’s been so long since I’ve done something I’ve wanted as much as I want you.

Can we just do this and have it not mean anything? ”

I swallow hard and shift away from her a bit.

“I can’t promise you that. If we do this, it’s going to mean something to me.

” I consider my options, because as much as I want this for myself, I also want her to have it.

I want to give her all the pleasure in the world.

Even at the risk of my own heart being broken in the end.

But isn’t that what every relationship is? It’s always a risk. “But I can handle—”

She shakes her head. “No. It wouldn’t be fair to either of us. I can’t do casual.”

“This has never been casual,” I say. “Not for me. And whether or not we do this, my feelings for you won’t change.”

“What do you feel for me?” she asks, eyes wide.

It’s probably a mistake, but I can’t lie to her.

“I’ve never felt about anyone the way I feel about you, Gentry.

I know we haven’t spent a lot of time together, but I feel like I’ve known you forever and like I’m never quite sure what you’re going to do or say next at the same time.

I want to see you naked, but I also want to hear about your day and all your hopes for the future.

You make me laugh in a way no one else can, and I’ve never had as much fun fighting with someone as I’ve had with you. ”

She chuckles, but it’s a bit watery.

“This feels like more to me than the start of a relationship that’s not heading anywhere. This feels like the start of the rest of my life.”

She sucks in air on a gasp. “Wow,” she says, tears springing to her eyes. “You really are good with the words.”

I grin, expecting her to pull back, to say it’s too much.

Instead, she leans in. “I really like you, Levi Sullivan.” She shrugs almost helplessly. “I don’t know more than that. I don’t know what the future’s going to be, and I’m still scared, but I like you enough to want to try.”

“I’m good with trying. Like the kiss, we can just find out if we’re sexually compatible.”

She snorts. “I think we’re way beyond that.”

She leans back and pulls her top off over her head, revealing two perfect breasts, lit by the sun shining through the window like nature is putting the spotlight on her.

She is even more gorgeous than I’d imagined, and I’m the luckiest asshole on the planet to be the man who gets to see her like this. To be the man who gets to learn she has a tiny freckle in the shape of a heart on the top of her left breast, right above her perfect, pink areola.

I only get a moment to enjoy the view before she’s back on me, pressing those breasts against my bare chest.

It’s better than anything, but also makes it too hard to think. I want to enjoy every inch of her, to learn her body and what makes her feel good.

Holding her in place by her shoulders, I scoot down the bed until my face is at the level of her breasts.

“What are you—?” She says as I lower my mouth onto her breast and flick her nipple with my tongue. “Oh,” she says with a sigh. “Oh, that’s nice.”

I aim to do better than nice as I move to the other breast, gently kneading the first with my free hand.

I cannot get enough of this woman.

Taking my time, I kiss my way down her soft belly and pause at the edge of her pajama pants. I grip the waistband and give it a little tug. “Okay?”

She nods, biting her lip, her eyes glazed like she’s loving this.

Her being turned on turns me on even more than I thought possible.

She’s not wearing panties under her PJs, so I’m greeted with the sight of her gorgeous body fully nude as soon as I pull off her pants.

Sliding between her legs, I push her knees open, spreading her out before me.

“Um, Levi,” she says. “What are you doing?”

“I’m going to taste this sweet pussy until you come all over my face. Sound good?”

“No. I mean, yes. That sounds amazing, but I should probably shower first.”

“Is that your only hesitation?”

She nods.

“I don’t want to wait to taste you, Gentry.”

Her cheeks flame pink. “Okay.”

“You sure? I don’t want to do anything you’re not comfortable with.”

“I’m sure,” she says. “I just had a boyfriend, and he…” She winces. “I should not have said that. Way to ruin the moment.”

I squeeze her calf. “Gentry.”

She looks at me. “Uh-huh.”

“Your ex was a fucking idiot. You’re perfect, and I want to do this. Do you want me to make you feel good?”

She nods.

“I need to hear you say it.”

“Yes, Levi. Please make me feel—”

I dive onto her before she finishes the sentence. She tastes even better than I’d expected. Her skin is petal soft down here, and she already tastes like sex, which means she’s just as turned on as I am.

She moans when I suck her clit, and I somehow have the presence of mind to lift my head and remind her to be quiet with a finger to my lips.

She grabs her pillow and puts it over her face.

She screams into it when I make her come the first time.