“Oh, Levi,” she moaned and moved faster still as breathless words of pleasure fell from her mouth. “So good,” she hissed. “Yes.” And then she gripped my shoulders and slammed down harder and harder until she froze and then shuddered as her body pulsed and clenched around me.
Her cries combined with watching her take her pleasure from me was more than enough to send me over the edge a second time. “Maybe I can be your cameraman,” I joked and she rewarded me with a laugh.
“I am not opposed to that, or doing this at the end of every day.” She shivered as our bodies separated and she fell against the sofa beside me. “Not opposed at all.” Her satisfied sleepy grin hit me in the chest, and I pulled her close.
“Same,” I sighed and dropped a kiss on her forehead.
After a luxurious shower that would have environmentalists protesting outside, we found our way to the kitchen to enjoy the lunch I’d gotten up early to make for us on this special day, our last together until she returned from her trip. “Oh my god Levi, did you really make all this?” Wide blue eyes looked from the Korean feast on the table to me, and then a smile lit her face.
“I did. I wanted us to have a memorable last day together.”
She let out a feminine sigh that sent my pulse roaring through my veins. “It was already memorable, Levi. This one is for the memory bank.” She stared at me like I was something special, and I luxuriated in that look for a good long time. “Are you sad that you’re not the one going?”
Her question was as open as her eyes as she waited for an answer. “Not at all. I’m envious because this is your first major story, but I’m right where I need to be, and more importantly, you’re doing exactly what you need to do right now.” I could tell she was both excited and anxious over the trip.
“Thank you for saying that, Levi. Ow, hot!” She chewed the bite of kimchi as if it was on fire. “Spicy.”
“Yeah, it is. I might have gone overboard with the chili flakes.”
“Delicious though. I’ve never had it. What is it?”
“Kimchi, fermented spicy cabbage.” I told her about all the dishes I’d prepared, and her smile grew wider. “And this is a spicy kimchi stew.”
“Levi this is so much, it’s all so great.” She sighed and did that head tilt thing women did that made a man feel ten feet tall. “Your encouragement means the world to me Levi, and your culinary skills, well let’s just say they are a gigantic bonus.”
I smiled back at her. “You mean the world to me, Lacey.” I leaned over the table and pressed my lips to hers in a short, affection kiss meant to punctuate my words. “And I have a going away present for you.”
“I thought gave me that already.” She laughed, her eyes sparkled with mischief.
“That was as much for me as it was for you. This is just for you.” I handed her a few sheets of paper. “This is more of a physical gesture, but I also emailed it to you.”
She stared down at the papers with a frown. “What is it?”
I laughed at her suspicion. “It is customary to open a gift before asking questions.”
Her eyes bounced over the words and I enjoyed the surprise on her face while I ate. “Cassidy Smith? You mean little Cassie Smith?”
I laughed. “Not so little anymore, she’s twenty-six.”
Lacey looked back down, brows tugged down. “She’s in college getting her early childhood education degree, using her GI benefits?” She rattled off a list of her Army medals and honors during Cassidy’s two tours of duty. “Wow, she’s incredible.”
“I thought so too, and I thought it would be a great human interest profile piece for your news site. Feel free to credit my source, Mickey Branson.”
Her eyes lit with humor. “Really?”
“Yep, told me she was a real-life superhero and my interest was piqued.”
“You’re giving me this story instead of CCDJ?”
I nodded. “Of course. I saw the page last night and it looks great, Lacey. Congratulations.”
Her expression was one of satisfaction and pride. “Thanks, Levi.” She got up and rounded the table before she settled in my lap, arms flung around my shoulders. “Thanks. You officially won the award for best boyfriend ever.”
My heart expanded at her words. “So, I’m your boyfriend now?”
She nodded. “Aren’t you? Or do you want to stay my secret lover?”
“Nothing secret about the way I feel about you, Lace.” One hand gripped her thigh and the other cupped her ribcage. “You’re mine. Don’t forget that while you’re off with Carlton.”
She giggled. “I looked him up, he’s quite handsome.” She laughed again and shook her head. “But I’m happy with the handsome man I’ve already got.”