“Four years ago.”

  Finley walked to the end of the room, then turned, her hands on her hips. “I’m going to build you a couch. You can choose the upholstery.”

  He gazed at her for a moment. Some tendrils of hair had come out of her ponytail, and her cheeks looked flushed. He didn’t like her all the way across the room. “You really don’t have to do that.” He walked toward her, but she sidestepped him.

  Heading into the kitchen, she said, “I’m glad you at least have a table.”

  Levi followed her into the kitchen and watched her inspect the table, then the two mismatched chairs.

  “You could paint these,” she said. “They’d look brand new.”

  He didn’t answer, but leaned against the counter. He liked Finley at his place, even though she was inspecting it thoroughly.

  She lifted her gaze to look at the kitchen walls, which were absolutely plain. “You could do with some paint as well. It’s sort of a gray tinge right now—very . . .” She looked at him. “Boring.”

  He lifted his brows. “Boring? Is that the window to my soul you hoped to see?”

  She didn’t laugh. Instead, she moved closer to him, looking over the cupboards and counters. “You’re not even close to boring, Levi Cox.”

  She stopped a few feet away from him and leaned against the counter. “Why do you live like this?”

  Levi blinked. No one had ever asked him this kind of question so directly. Sure, any of his buddies who saw his place gave him a hard time.

  “You mean, why do I live without all the fancy stuff?” he asked.

  She folded her arms. “A guy who throws down a hundred-dollar bill to pay for a twenty-dollar plate isn’t denying himself the fancy stuff. He’s avoiding something.”

  Levi had no idea where she was going with this. “What am I avoiding?”

  She merely looked at him. “You tell me.”

  He straightened from the counter and moved toward her. She watched him approach but didn’t move as he stopped in front of her and placed his hands on the counter on either side of her. Her raspberry scent made her all the more kissable. “I could say the same thing about you.”

  Her brown eyes held his gaze. “What are you talking about?”

  “You won’t tell me why you really box,” he said in a quiet voice. “Where all that energy comes from.”

  Her mouth twitched. “I guess we both have our secrets.”

  Levi scanned her face, from her brown eyes to her upturned chin. He lifted a hand and smoothed back an escaped tendril of her hair, then he let his fingers trail down her neck. “I, for one, like my gray walls. Remember, gray is my favorite color.”

  “I remember,” she said, her voice soft.

  He leaned a bit closer. Breathed in raspberries. Rested his hand on the curve between her neck and shoulder. Her skin was warm, and her pulse fluttered beneath his thumb.

  “You need a couch at the very least,” she said. “I mean, where do you sit and relax?”

  “I don’t.”

  Her dimples appeared. “You’re kind of a stubborn man.” She wasn’t touching him, but his heart was racing anyway.

  “I’ve been called worse.” He slid his hand over her shoulder, then down her arm. When his fingers moved from the short sleeve of her shirt to her warm skin, goose bumps broke out on her arm.

  Still, she didn’t move. “So where do you want me to sit when I visit?” Her voice was light, coy.

  He gazed into the warm brown of her eyes as he shifted his hand to her waist. He placed his other hand on her waist, then moved them lower, over her hips. With a single movement, he lifted her onto the counter.

  “There’s plenty of counter space,” he said, stepping closer.

  Finley laughed and wrapped her arms about his neck. “Terrible argument, Mr. Florida. I’m finding you a couch, and you’re going to love it.”

  He couldn’t help but smile. “You’re kind of bossy.”

  “I think that’s what it takes being around a hardheaded guy like you.” She moved her fingers at the edge of his hair, drawing him closer.

  “Thanks for coming to my game,” he said.

  Her smile was soft. “Thanks for inviting me.”

  “You’re welcome,” he whispered. Then he was done waiting. He kissed the edge of her mouth.

  She seemed to sigh into him, and he pressed his mouth against hers fully.

  Finley nestled her legs around his waist and drew him even closer as she kissed him back. Now he was the one with goose bumps. He didn’t know what it was about this woman that drew him in so much, but when he kissed her, it was like his world was reduced to one thing—her.

  “So is that a yes on the couch?” she asked, drawing away.

  He slid his hands behind her back and kissed her again. “You can do whatever you want to my place.”

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Finley decided that she rather liked kissing Levi while sitting on his counter, but a couch would be better. His kisses were plenty heated, yet she could tell he was holding back, which she was grateful for. Levi in small doses was overwhelming enough. And being at the pub with her dad and Levi’s teammates had driven her crazy, since she’d much rather have him to herself.

  Which only told her that her heart was getting involved with this man, probably too quickly. A week ago, she hadn’t even known he existed, and now . . . he was kissing her quite thoroughly, and she was thinking all kinds of things that she shouldn’t be thinking. Especially for a first date—or maybe it was a second?

  Levi kissed her slowly, and her heart thumped like mad. Everywhere he touched her sent rivulets of heat through the rest of her body. His hands were splayed across her lower back, and the length of his body pressed against hers. He smelled of fresh shower and pine and maleness all in one.

  “This isn’t so bad, is it?” he whispered. “You look good on my counter.”

  Finley couldn’t help but laugh. “I can honestly say I’ve never heard that line before.”

  His smile was brief before he kissed her forehead. “That’s because it’s not a line.”

  She ran her hands over his shoulders. She loved the way they were built, sturdy, muscled, yet warm and soft. “Okay, whatever. There are a few garage sales this weekend that I’m going to hit up.”

  “Mmm. Can we talk about that stuff later?” he asked, kissing her temple, then her neck just below her jaw, then moving lower.

  Finley exhaled as her skin tingled with his trail of kisses. She placed her hands on his chest to put the smallest bit of space between them, although feeling his heart thump only made her pulse increase a notch. “I think we should plan now because you probably have a game,” she said, her voice coming out breathless. “And I’m working too. Garage sales are best first thing Saturday mornings.”

  Levi pressed a kiss on her collarbone, then lifted his head. “I’ll be in Belltown Friday night. I fly back Saturday morning. My game’s Saturday night, so I have to be at the field by two.”

  “Belltown?” she said. “That’s your college, right?”

  “Yeah,” he said, moving his hands to her waist. “It’s Belltown Days, and it’s kind of a big deal. They have a parade float for the Six Pack. Fireworks, the whole bit. My brother will be there too.”

  “That’s right,” she said. “You told me he’s at Belltown University. Does he have a couch in his apartment?”

  Levi smirked. “He does. Remember, we’re pretty much opposites.”

  “He doesn’t play baseball and start brawls?”

  “Not even close,” Levi said. “He’s the smart kid in the family. I have to do the dirty work.”

  She smiled, and Levi’s gaze searched hers. Then he leaned forward again, and his pine scent was filling her own senses. His warm lips touched hers, and she closed her eyes.

  Kissing Levi was like being in that half-awake state between dreaming and waking up. She slid her hands around his waist. Levi lifted his hands and cradled her face.

  “You should come,” he said quietly.

  She blinked. “What?”

  His thumbs brushed across her jaw. “Big Dawg is picking up Grizz and me in his private jet tomorrow afternoon. You can be my date, and I’ll, you know, show you around Belltown.”

  Finley swallowed. Did he know what he was asking? This was boyfriend-girlfriend stuff.

  His hands moved to her shoulders. “What?”

  “I don’t want to get in the middle of all that,” she said. “And a private jet? I thought Big Dawg was a centerfielder.”

  Levi grinned. “He is. His real money comes from his dad—Texas millionaire stuff.”

  “I’m on shift.”

  Levi studied her, his gaze penetrating, making it hard for Finley to turn him down. “Get the night off.”

  “It’s a Friday night,” she continued. “You know, a weekend, so super busy.”

  “I know,” he whispered, leaning down again and pressing a brief kiss on her mouth. “Think about it. Talk to your boss. We fly out at one.”

  Finley exhaled. “I can’t. I’m sorry.” She was flattered by the invitation in the first place. It showed that Levi wasn’t hooking up with her. It showed that he liked her beyond superficial stuff.

  “Well, you have my number if you change your mind,” he said.

  “Yeah, I do,” she said. “And I think you’d better take me home now, Mr. Florida.”

  “So soon?”

  “I have a double shift tomorrow,” she said, “and I have to plan out my garage-sale route for Saturday morning. This place needs a lot of work.”

  “So . . . if I had a couch, you’d stay longer?” he asked.

  “Too late to find out,” she said, smiling. She pushed on his chest, then slid off the counter.

  Levi captured her hand, but she continued toward the door, pulling him with her.

  “Okay, okay,” he said. “We’re leaving, I guess.”

  They held hands as they walked to his Bronco, and he stole another kiss before she climbed into the passenger seat.

  Her pulse fluttered as she watched him walk around the Bronco. The more she was with Levi, the more she liked him. She hadn’t known what to think when she walked into Levi’s almost empty apartment. It had a barren feel to it, as if he was afraid to put down roots. Or maybe he didn’t know how since he’d never had roots. Finley couldn’t imagine what it might be like to live in foster care. Never having something that belonged to you. Never having a true home to call yours.

  When he climbed into the Bronco, she said, “I’ve figured you out.”

  Levi snapped his gaze to hers. “Really,” he deadpanned.

  “Yes, really.” She glanced out the window as he drove, and the buildings sped by. “You won’t furnish your place because you never had anything of your own as a kid. You never had a real home. So it’s easier to not settle in. To not get attached to anything.”

  He was silent for so long that Finley wondered if she’d offended him.

  “That makes a twisted sort of sense,” he said finally. “But the truth is, I don’t really care about stuff like furniture or decorations.”

  “That’s part of it,” she said in a quiet voice. “You don’t let yourself care.”

  When he pulled up to her apartment building, he put the Bronco into park and turned off the ignition.

  “You don’t have to walk me up,” she said. “I’ll be fine.”

  “I’m walking you up,” he said, opening his door. “I won’t come in if you don’t want me to.”

  “Now who’s being stubborn?”

  Levi smiled, but his gaze was serious.

  She waited for him to come around and open her door. Then he held out his hand, and she set hers in his.

  When they reached her apartment door, Levi said, “So do you think your dad likes me now?”

  Finley held up her phone. “He’s sent several texts about playing darts with your teammates. I think that translates into a great night for him, which could also translate into him liking you.”

  Levi took her phone and glanced through her dad’s texts. He smiled. “Nice logic.”

  When he handed her phone back, he moved closer, his dark-green eyes on her. “Call me tomorrow and tell me what you’ve decided about Belltown.”

  “I already decided,” she said, although her voice sounded hesitant to her own ears.

  He leaned down and kissed her cheek, lingering. “Still call me.”

  Then he stepped away, and she wished he’d give her a real kiss. But she knew it would be almost impossible to send him away again. She turned toward her door and opened it. Then she went into her apartment and locked the door behind her. She made her way in the dark to the front window, where she had a view of the street.

  She watched Levi get into the Bronco and drive away. Her heart pinged, and she already missed him. Leaning her forehead against the window, she closed her eyes. Things were moving fast. And she didn’t know how she felt about that. On one hand, she really liked Levi, and on the other hand, she knew her heart was in real danger of being broken. The more she allowed herself to like Levi Cox, the more vulnerable she’d become.

  He’d told her a lot about her past, but she knew there were more things, deeper things he probably never talked about. Seeing his barren apartment tonight had made it hard to ignore. She thought of the young boy that he’d once been, moving from one foster home to another. And her heart cracked thinking of how scared he must have been. And how much responsibility and worry he’d taken on at such a young age as he tried to be a good older brother to Rhett.

  Finley blew out a breath. And now Levi had asked her to go to Belltown with him. They’d be surrounded by the Six Pack, Levi’s closest friends, and she’d meet his brother. Her mind spun thinking about it all.

  Was this something she could ask her dad for advice on?

  No, because she’d already turned Levi down. So it wasn’t even a concern. Right?

  Or maybe Mark would be cool and let her only do the morning shift tomorrow. Maybe if someone covered for her Friday night, she could work a double on Sunday. Maybe . . .

  Sometimes Finley wished she had a good girlfriend, someone she could ask advice from. But she’d never really had other female friends. The closest she got to women was when she was facing one in a boxing ring. And any advice from Jess or one of the other waitresses at the pub would be useless.

  Finley settled on one of her couches, sitting in the dark, and scrolled through her dad’s texts. I beat Big T in our dart game. Three games out of five. About twenty minutes later, he’d sent: Just beat Scrubs. He’s paying for dessert.

  Finley smiled, then read the next text. Turns out the Ice plays in town Saturday night, and they all want a rematch. Same pub.

  She texted her dad back. Sounds fun. I’ll be working, but I can see if Levi can get you tickets again.

  Her dad wrote back almost immediately. Scrubs says he’ll get me covered.

  Wow. She wondered if Levi’s teammates thought she and Levi were more serious than they were. Or was Scrubs that nice of a guy and didn’t mind hanging out with a fifty-year-old guy?

  The question about Belltown still burned in her mind, and she knew it would be hard to get to sleep tonight. As if Levi knew she was thinking about him, he texted her. I think you’re right. I need a couch.

  She laughed. I knew you’d come around.

  Have you changed your mind yet about Belltown? he wrote.

  Finley debated whether to tell him that she was thinking of talking to Mark in the morning. Feel things out. But she didn’t want to give Levi hope when there might be none. I have a couch to find.

  Believe me, I’m in no hurry, he texted. It’s been four years. Another week won’t matter. Besides, you haven’t lived until you’ve had a donut from Sinclairs. Assuming you’re a donut person.

  I like donuts, she wrote. Maybe you can bring me one back.

  No. Not the same, he wrote. You have to eat them fresh, or it doesn’t count.

  Finley smiled. If you ever get cut from the Minnesota Ice, you can go into sales, Mr. Florida.

  His reply came quick. I’m having a hard time convincing you.

  Levi Cox could be persistent when he wanted to. Probably how he kept rising in the baseball ranks. Good night, Levi. Have a safe trip.

  Good night, Finley.

  She pressed the phone against her chest and closed her eyes. Her dreams about Levi would be sweet tonight.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  “Y’all want something to drink?” Big Dawg asked, leading Levi into the main cabin of his private jet. “Refueling will only take about twenty.”

  “Steal!” Grizz said, rising from his luxury lounge chair. “It’s been too long.”

  Levi laughed. “Not long enough.” He slapped Grizz’s shoulder.

  Grizz chuckled. “Can you believe the getup Big Dawg’s wearing?”

  Levi smirked. “Not surprised. I see a guy wearing yellow shoes and a yellow baseball cap, and I know it’s gotta be Cole Hunter.”

  “Hey, these are limited edition,” Big Dawg said, turning the brim of his hat to the back of his head. “I also got something special for the parade.”

  Big Dawg sauntered over to a table and picked up a shoe box. He opened them, and Levi laughed. “Flag-printed shoes? You’re kidding me.”

  Grizz hooted. “The parade queens won’t be able to keep their eyes off you, or stop laughing. One of the two.”

  “Rumor has it that you’re wearing a dress to the parade,” Dawg said. “Something to do with a bet you lost against Steal.”

  Grizz shut up.

  Big Dawg grinned. “Well, I’m used to the attention from the ladies. And my shoes will give them an extra reason to love me. Patriotic gestures go straight to the heart.”

  Grizz scoffed and retook his seat.

  Levi sat across from Grizz on the plush leather recliner. He’d been in Big Dawg’s jet more than once, and he never failed to appreciate it. Made flying first class on a commercial liner feel like riding on a cargo plane.

  “Thanks for picking me up,” Levi said.

  Big Dawg opened the mini-fridge and pulled out a couple of water bottles. “No problem. I was worried one of you would bail on me, so this ensures that y’all show up. Plus with Grizz playing in South Dakota last night, you were on the way.”

 

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