Wrapping his arms around her, he tugged her close. She rested her head against his shoulder and sighed. There was something about Levi that made her feel safe and secure and incredibly turned on at the same time. Her breasts were swollen, her panties damp. Yet she could stand here all day, not moving, and be totally content.

“You’ll let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.”

She leaned back and stared quizzically at him. “Other than painting and putting up shelving in the storage room, I can’t think of anything else.” The renovations were all but done except for a few odds and ends here and there.

“That’s not what I meant.” He brushed his lips over her forehead in a tender gesture. “If you need any help with your family.”

She stepped back and gave him a tight smile, wishing he’d let the subject drop. His hands fell back to his sides. “I don’t need any help with them. They’re in Vermont and I’m here. They have their life and I have mine. Case closed,” she added before he could pursue it further.

Levi reached out, gently tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. “If you need me, I’m here.”

She didn’t want to think about her family any longer. The subject always left her feeling slightly ill and totally inadequate. She’d been in therapy for an entire year after she’d struck out on her own. She knew it wasn’t her fault her parents had unrealistic expectations for her. She was her own person—successful and content. Yet, it took little more than a letter or phone call to make her feel like an insecure little girl again.

Well, no more. She’d had enough. This was her life and she was living it the way she wanted. That meant working to make her new store a success and possibly having an affair with Levi.

“I have to go.” Turning, she made her way to the door. She felt a blush creep up her cheeks as she stared at the heavy panel of wood. Memories of last night bombarded her. She’d never look at that door the same way again.

When she turned the handle, it opened easily. This time, Levi didn’t try to stop her. She glanced over her shoulder as she stepped out and closed the door behind her. Levi was standing there, arms crossed over his chest, watching her every move. The heat in his eyes told her he was remembering last night too.

That thought put a little jump in her step as she hurried up the stairs to her apartment. She had to get changed and take her medication before she went to work. The talk of her family, added to the heavy breakfast, was making her feel queasy.

Letting herself into her apartment, she hurried down the hallway to her bedroom, pulling off her wrinkled clothing. Her breasts were sensitive as she removed her bra and dropped it to the floor. She cupped them in her hands, shivering as her nipples puckered tighter.

“This is crazy,” she muttered. Dropping her hands, she went to the antique maple dresser and pulled out fresh underwear. “I haven’t had sex in more than a year and I didn’t really miss it. One night with Levi and suddenly I’m a nymphomaniac.”

Automatically, she tugged on a pair of light black wool pants and topped it with a dark blue cashmere sweater. A quick trip to the bathroom and she had a light coating of mascara on her lashes and a swipe of lipstick applied. Satisfied, she glanced at the clock.

It wasn’t quite nine.

Deciding she had time, she went to her kitchen and plugged in the kettle. While it boiled, she leaned against the counter and enjoyed the room. It was painted a cheerful yellow that made her smile. The cupboards were shaker style and painted a crisp white. Some of the cabinets had glass fronts, showcasing some of her nicer pieces of china.

She enjoyed pretty things and had surrounded herself with them. It was so different from the stuffy, stifling surroundings of her childhood. “Don’t think about that,” she cautioned herself.

But of course, she did.

The house she’d grown up in was filled with antique furniture and valuable oil paintings. She’d learned the value of them at a young age. It had been like living in a museum. You could look, but you couldn’t touch. Even her bedroom had been overdone. There had been a massive, four-poster oak bed, heavy armoire and chest of drawers. The bed curtains were dark burgundy, as were the drapes, bedspread and carpet. It had been oppressive and depressing. No place for a young girl to play and dream.

Which was probably why her bedroom now was a light and airy soft green with accents of pale yellow. Hardwood gleamed on all the floors, accented with colorful rugs that weren’t antiques.

This was her home and she’d made it everything she wanted. She’d put down roots in Jamesville and this was where she was staying. Her parents and brother could have as many plans for her as they wanted. The only ones that mattered were the ones she’d made for herself.

The kettle whistled, pulling her away from her musings. Grabbing a cheerful red mug and a teabag from the cupboard, she made herself some chamomile tea. The soothing steam wafted from the mug, settling her nerves.

“Time to go to work.” She locked the door of her apartment behind her, holding her keys in her right hand and her mug in the other. Her feet slowed as she passed by Levi’s apartment, but she didn’t hear him inside. Not that she expected to. The man moved like a ghost.

She unlocked the inner door to Past Promises and entered, stuffing her keys in her pocket. Satisfaction filled her as she went to her desk and began to get ready for her day.

Her mind was already working on new displays. She’d sold a lot of merchandise yesterday and needed to rework a few areas. Thankfully, Levi would be working on the storage room today. She had a lot of stuff still in boxes in the basement that needed to be opened and sorted. Plus, she planned on going to an estate sale on Sunday to look for more goodies for her shop.

Linda lost herself in her work, only looking up when she heard a tap on the door. She glanced at her watch and realized it was ten o’clock and time to open. Her mug of tea was still sitting on her desk. It was cold by now.

She shrugged as she unlocked the door and opened for business. She’d get another one later. “Good morning, Mrs. Saunders.” She greeted the older lady. “What can I help you find today?”

Levi spent the day working on the storage room. After he’d painted the walls, he’d checked on Linda, bringing her some lunch. She’d thanked him for the sandwich and smiled when she saw the oatmeal cookie tucked beneath the napkin.

As he worked through the afternoon, mounting shelving to the walls, he listened. With the door open, he could hear her voice as she chatted to customers. He liked listening to her, knowing she was near.

Last night had been the most incredible one of his life. His cock pressed against the placket of his jeans, thickening and lengthening in agreement.

He’d always been honest with himself and he knew that being with Linda had changed him. He’d always been a loner. Sure, he’d had drinking buddies in the army and guys he hung around with, but not many friends, except Jonah.

Since he’d arrived in Jamesville, he’d found himself being drawn into a circle of good folks—Jonah and his wife, Cyndi and Shamus O’Rourke, Shamus’s brother, Patrick, and his wife, Shannon. Levi stayed on the edges, mostly watching, as was his way. But he liked it here. He liked them.

Most of all, he liked Linda. A lot.

He wasn’t sure if he loved her. Wasn’t even sure he knew what love was. All he knew was he wanted to be with her all the time, loved to talk to her, to listen to the sound of her voice. He’d watched her sleep last night, marveling at how beautiful she was. She soothed the bad thoughts that sometimes haunted him in the dark of the night.

She was too good for him, but he’d take whatever he could get for as long as he could get it. And he would protect her, whether she wanted him to or not.

His eyes narrowed as he thought about that letter. He’d already started researching, digging into the lives of her parents and brother. He wanted to know everything about them, just in case. He’d always been a planner. Success was in the details.

He glanced at his watch. Speaking of details, he had to go shopping if he was cooking dinner for them again tonight. He’d done some research online while he’d wolfed down a sandwich for lunch, checking out ulcers and the foods that would be better for her.

Standing back, he admired the final shelf. The pine was thick and strong. Levi had sanded and varnished it so the wood grain shone. It might only be a storage room, but he wanted it to be perfect. It would hold everything from dishes to toys to whatever else Linda needed.

He’d bring up the boxes from the basement for her tomorrow and help her unpack them. He loved to watch her with her antiques. The joy in her face as she examined the stuff was something to behold. He didn’t know much about antiques, but he was learning. Partly from being around Linda and partly from the research he was doing online. A lot of the stuff he could do without, but some of the furniture had good, clean lines that he liked.

Maybe he should invest in a few pieces. He hadn’t missed the look on Linda’s face this morning when she got a good look at his thrift-store bedroom furniture. Not that she’d said anything. She was too classy for that. His furniture was functional, which was fine by him, but she was used to finer things. If he wanted her to be comfortable at his place, he should make a few changes. There was no reason he couldn’t buy some new furniture, make the place nicer for her.

Something to think about.

He shook his head at his musings. His buddies in the Special Forces would laugh their asses off if they could hear his thoughts. In all his years, he’d never once worried about furniture. He hadn’t had much growing up or during his years in the army. As long as he had a bed to lie on and a place to put his stuff, he was happy.