Where We Belong (A Touch of Fate 1)

“Shhh...Max is fine,” he whispers, gently pushing his hand back between my thighs, which willingly allow him entrance.

Damn traitorous thighs, I knew you couldn’t be trusted.

He growls deep in his throat as his mouth attacks my breast. Using his tongue and teeth, he flicks and nips my hardened nipple, alternating from one breast to the next. A deep warmth takes over my body and my hips begin to move in sync with his fingers as the tension starts to build low in my abdomen.

Increasing the pace of his movements, Levi starts a persistent attack against my clit.

“Oh God,” I moan, a deep flush crawling up my neck. “Please don’t stop." Throwing my head back, I give Levi complete control of my body. Waves of pleasure begin to crash through me, sending pulsating bliss straight to my core. My fingers dig into his back as I hold on for dear life.

Levi continues to rub, his movements slowing and the pressure lightening while I come down from my post-orgasmic high.

Lifting his head, he places a gentle kiss to my nose. “That was the sexiest fucking thing I’ve ever seen." Removing his arm from the water, he uses my towel to dry it off and walks to the door. Flicking the lock, he turns the knob and then stops, turns slightly, and gives me a wink before sauntering out.

I stare at myself in the mirror. My lips are red and swollen and my neck is excoriated from the stubble on Levi's face. I should be elated, considering a gorgeous man just gave me an amazing orgasm...but I'm not. I feel nothing. I don't get goose bumps when Levi walks into the room and no butterflies flutter around my belly when he touches me. Am I okay with that? I run the tips of my fingers across my swollen lips and consider the fact that maybe Levi and I shouldn't be doing this.

I finger comb my hair and throw it into a messy ponytail. Slipping on my favorite yoga pants and T-shirt, I make my way out into the hall before sneaking a peek in Max’s room. He's already asleep. Tiptoeing quietly to his bed, I brush his hair back from his face and place a kiss on his forehead. “Love you, buddy,” I whisper softly.

Walking into the living room, I find Levi sprawled out on the couch with a beer in his hand. “Max was already asleep by the time I left the bathroom, so you’ll have to brush his teeth twice in the morning,” he says, giving me a cheeky smile.

I make my way to the couch and curl up next to Levi, resting my head on his arm. Shifting the beer to his right hand, he encircles my shoulders and hugs me tightly. “Why is it that this should feel weird with you, but it doesn’t?" I ask.

"What do you mean?" he says with a frown.

Straightening my back, I shrug off his arm and sit up, turning to face him. Levi mimics my position and rests his hand on my thigh. Taking a deep breath, I respond, “You just got me off in the bathtub—” He grins and I slap his chest playfully. “And then we come out here and sit like nothing ever happened. You aren’t even upset that you didn’t get off.”

“Oh no, I’m actually really pissed about that,” he says with a wide smile while reaching down to unbutton his pants. “In fact, get down on your knees.”

I roll my eyes, not acknowledging his feeble attempt at amusement. “See, I’m trying to have a real conversation with you and all you—”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” he cuts me off. “I won’t joke anymore. You want to talk, we’ll talk.”

“Thank you. Now where was I? Oh yeah...you don’t think it’s weird that we have been intimate in every way possible for a man and woman, and yet afterward, we so easily fall right back into our friendship like nothing ever happened?”

“Oh no, we're definitely fucked up. But it’s us, so who cares?" He takes a long swig of his beer, emptying the bottle and then setting it down on the table. Grabbing my hands, he continues, “This works for us because I’m not your prince.”

“I don’t need rescuing,” I scoff.

Levi’s gaze softens and he raises his hand to gently brush the side of my cheek. “I know you don’t need a prince, Harley, but that’s what you deserve. You deserve a prince.”

“Well, I’m not your princess,” I say with a light smile.

He nods once. “Exactly. I love you, Harley, but I’m not in love with you, just like you’re not in love with me. We have filled a void for each other, but that's all it is. That's all it'll ever be.”

Laying my head against the back of the couch, I raise my eyebrows, urging him to continue, and he chuckles softly. “Because someday you’ll find your prince. But that’s not going to change anything; it’s not going to change how I feel about you. You will always be my best friend and I will always be here for you...even if I’m not the one making you come on a regular basis." His smile is infectious and I can tell he’s trying to get a rise out of me, but this is my chance and I’m taking it.

“And you’ll find your princess.”

“Huh?"

“You said some day I’ll find my prince, and I’m saying that someday you’ll find your princess.”

“Sorry, sweetheart,” he says, closing his eyes as he leans his head back and runs a hand down his face, “that ship sailed a long time ago.”

I cock my head. “I don't understand.”

He scoffs but continues, “I’ve already found my princess, Harley." My eyes widen, doing a piss-poor job at hiding my shock. Levi has never talked about his past girlfriends, and he’s never alluded to having already found the one.

“Levi...”