Well, that made sense, she supposed. Since she did get some in her hair.

  He pressed his mouth against her jaw. The scruff of his whiskers was like a prickly caress, only adding to the goose bumps racing along her skin.

  “You’re not watching the fireworks,” she whispered, unable to stop herself from leaning into him.

  He draped his arm across her shoulders. “I’ve seen plenty of fireworks. I’m more interested in you.”

  When he said things like that, she could swear her toes curled. Did he have any idea what he was doing to her? Finley exhaled and turned her head.

  Levi’s gaze locked with hers, and Finley gave into the temptation that had been plaguing her all day. She ran her fingers along the line of his jaw, then behind his neck. Levi watched her, not moving.

  “What’s happening here?” she asked.

  The edge of his mouth lifted. “I think it’s pretty obvious.”

  “I mean, beyond the obvious.”

  She hadn’t really expected a serious answer, so she was surprised when Levi said, “I don’t know exactly. This is new territory for me.”

  “Yeah, I kind of got that with all the teasing from your friends,” she said. “And your brother said I’m the first woman you’ve introduced to him.”

  “That’s true,” Levi said, moving his hand down her back.

  Everywhere he touched, she burned.

  “So to answer your question,” he murmured, “I like you, Ms. Gray. Beyond that, I can’t make any predictions.”

  She couldn’t stop the smile that bloomed. “I like you too, Mr. Florida. And I can’t make any predictions either.”

  If anything, his gaze only intensified. “Maybe that’s good enough for now.”

  “Maybe.” She looped her other arm around his neck. Then she closed the rest of the distance and pressed her mouth against his lips in a barely-there kiss.

  At that moment, a crescendo of fireworks exploded overhead. Finley drew away from Levi and looked at the sky. Whites, blues, golds, and red collided into a grand finale. From the baseball field, a rendition of the Belltown University song had started.

  “Come back here,” Levi said, tilting her chin toward him. This time, he kissed her.

  Her entire body buzzed as he kissed her slowly, taking his time, as if there were no risk of someone passing by at any moment.

  Finley rested her hands on his shoulders and kissed him back, exploring him as much as he was exploring her. His scent was warm, and she sighed into him. He drew her closer, deepening his kisses, then in one movement, his hands gripped her hips and he pulled her onto his lap.

  Being this close to Levi was like an ambrosia, one she wanted more of. She pressed against him. Everything about him was delicious, and she couldn’t help the moan that escaped her lips. Levi’s arms completely encompassed her, and it was like he’d created an alternate world where only the two of them existed.

  Voices rose and fell some distance away, and Finley clued into the fact that the crowd from the fireworks was dispersing, and their privacy would be compromised.

  She drew away from Levi, and he protested, keeping her locked in his embrace.

  “People are coming,” she whispered.

  He slowly eased his hold, and she slid off his lap.

  “Come on,” she said, extending her hand. “You promised me a tour.”

  He gazed up at her, his eyes seemingly out of focus. “I did?”

  She grabbed his hand, and he rose to his feet. But instead of heading down the bleachers, he pulled her against him. She wrapped her arms about his waist and leaned into him. Closing her eyes, she listened to the steady beat of his heart. Levi’s hands moved slowly up and down her back as if the last thing he wanted to do was release her.

  Voices grew louder, and by the squeals and laughs, Finley guessed it was a group of teenagers.

  Levi exhaled and drew away. “Okay, you’re right.” He linked their fingers and led her down the bleachers. “Although I’m not opposed to heading back to the hotel.”

  “When in Belltown . . .”

  He shook his head, but he was smiling.

  They walked slowly across the campus, and Levi pointed out the buildings where he’d had classes. When they reached the athletic department, Levi stopped. “This is where I spent most of my time,” he said. “The first place I met the other guys in the Six Pack.”

  Only the outside lights of the building were on, so Finley couldn’t see inside. “What did your brother do when you started college?”

  Levi didn’t answer for a moment, then he said, “He was the easy brother, you see, so he didn’t have to move around as much as when I was paired with him. I worked as a school groundskeeper to get enough money together to buy him a cell phone so that we could keep in touch.”

  “You were a groundskeeper?”

  Levi turned to face her, their hands still linked. “Yeah. Best and worst job ever.”

  Finley raised her brows, waiting for him to continue.

  “Best, because it was outside, and I could do it solo,” he said, stepping closer. “Worst, because my shift was five to eight in the morning.”

  Finley wrinkled her nose. “That’s early. Bet that cut back on your college partying at night, right?”

  “What makes you think that I was a partier?” he asked, running his thumb over her hand.

  “Well, you’re a beautiful man, and I’m sure the Belltown girls were knocking down your door.”

  “Not exactly,” he said. “I was sort of moody back then. Pissed off at the world, you might say.”

  “No girlfriends, then?” she pressed. Knowing about Levi’s past would help her figure him out. Besides, she was curious about his previous relationships. Had there been anything substantial, or were they hookups?

  When Levi hesitated, Finley didn’t know if she should be glad or not. Obviously, there was a story.

  “I’ve only had one girlfriend,” he said. “My junior year here. We dated a few months, and well . . .” He looked away.

  Was he still hurting over the breakup?

  He returned his gaze, but Finley couldn’t read the expression in his eyes.

  “When I told her about my past—you know, my record—she bailed.”

  Finley blinked. “Just like that?”

  “Yep,” he said. “We said goodbye that night, like usual, and after that she never answered any of my calls or texts. I waited for her outside one of her classes a couple of days later, but she ignored me when she came out.”

  “That’s harsh,” Finley said. “But I’m glad too.”

  Levi’s brows jutted up. “What?”

  “I’m glad she dumped you,” Finley said, releasing his hand. She traced her fingers up his arm and over his shoulder. Then she stepped close as her hand wrapped around his neck. “Because then I wouldn’t be here with you, right now.”

  Levi slipped his hands around her waist and pulled her flush against his body. “You make a good point.” He leaned down, and Finley closed her eyes, waiting for the kiss to come.

  “Steal! That you?” A voice called out of the darkness.

  Levi lifted his head, and Finley moved out of his embrace.

  Seconds later, two guys walked under the nearby streetlamp. Rabbit’s white-blond hair was unmistakable, along with Axel Diaz’s darker hair.

  “What are you doing out here?” Rabbit asked, a laugh in his voice.

  “Giving Finley the tour,” Levi said, his voice barely civil.

  “Great, we’ll join you,” Rabbit said.

  Axel chuckled.

  “Did you tell her about the time you split your pants when you stole home during the playoffs?” Rabbit asked.

  “Uh, no,” Levi said.

  Rabbit smirked. “What about when you got so sick that you—”

  Levi shoved Rabbit’s shoulder, and he only laughed.

  “Okay, okay,” Axel cut in. “Finley would probably like to hear the good stories about Levi.”

  Rabbit grinned. “I don’t think I know any.”

  “I think I heard Sinclairs is giving out free donuts tonight,” Levi said.

  “Really?” Rabbit said, slowing his step. “All night?”

  “Until they run out, so you’d better hurry,” Levi deadpanned.

  That was all it took, and Rabbit and Axel took off, saying a quick goodbye.

  Finley turned toward Levi. “What are they going to do to you when they find out the donuts aren’t free?”

  Levi grinned. “Not my problem.”

  “They’re going to be pissed,” Finley said.

  “They’ll get over it.” He grasped her hand. “I have a couple more things to show you.”

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Levi sat in the Minnesota Ice dugout Saturday night after the game, ignoring the team congratulating each other on another win, while he pretty much admitted to himself that he’d fallen for Finley. If yesterday in Belltown was any indication of how he continually tried to get rid of his best friends in order to have Finley all to himself . . . And this morning.

  He’d found her in the hotel workout room at six running on a treadmill. She said she had to make up for not working out the night before since she had another fight in a week. He convinced her to go outside with him, and they ran some of the Belltown hills. Then he’d kissed her beneath a tree at the top of a neighborhood, despite her protests that she was too sweaty.

  Finally, he’d convinced her to try the donuts at Sinclairs. Watching her eat a warm glazed donut was better than eating one himself.

  “Good game, Steal,” Scrubs said, slapping Levi on the shoulder. “Are you camping out in the dugout tonight? Or are you going to sign some baseballs?”

  “Coming,” Levi said, looking up. He hadn’t realized the dugout had cleared out. His mind was not on task. At least he’d been able to focus throughout the game, although he wished Finley could have come tonight. He couldn’t expect her to take both weekend nights off work for him.

  Levi rose from the dugout bench. They’d barely pulled off a win tonight, beating the Wisconsin Bears by one point—a point that he’d scored by stealing home in the bottom of the eighth. He guzzled the last of his water, then stepped out of the dugout. Finley’s dad, Charlie, had come and was talking to Big T.

  Levi walked over and shook Charlie’s hand.

  “You coming to play darts?” Charlie asked.

  Hanging out in a pub without Finley was the last thing he wanted to do. “Uh, I’m going to take Finley home from work. If she’ll let me.”

  Charlie chuckled. “Good luck with that.” He turned to Big T. “I’ll meet you over there. I’ve got to stop at the gas station first.”

  “Sure thing, Gray,” Big T said. “Bring your A game.”

  As Charlie headed across the infield, several other Ice players talked to him.

  Levi was pleased with how Charlie had become so comfortable around the Ice players. His earlier misgivings had seemed to completely disappear.

  As soon as Levi could, he escaped the crowd and headed to the team locker room. After showering, he picked up a turkey sandwich from the spread the coaches had ordered in after the game.

  Then Levi headed to the parking lot and climbed into his Bronco. He still had a while before Finley would be off work, and he wasn’t in the mood to sit in the pub and wait for her. He wished he could do something for her, because she’d had a long day. Well, both of their days had been long. Still.

  He checked the time, although it was never too late to call Grizz.

  “Hey,” Grizz said when he answered his phone. “Congrats on the win.”

  “Thanks,” Levi said. “How did the Knights fare?”

  “Win.” The smile in his voice was evident.

  “Nice,” Levi said. “I haven’t checked the Six Pack texts yet.”

  “Sounds like you didn’t call me to congratulate me on my amazing catches then,” Grizz continued. “What’s up, Steal?”

  Levi exhaled. “Do you know anything about flowers?”

  Grizz choked on a laugh. “Let me guess. You’re standing at an all-night grocery store and staring at bouquets of wilted roses.”

  “Not quite.” Levi cleared his throat. “I mean, I’m heading to the grocery store right now.”

  Grizz’s laugh escaped. “Okay, here’s the best advice I ever got. If you like the flowers, then Finley will like them.”

  “Huh.” Levi thought about that. “Who told you that?”

  “Mamma Sal,” Grizz said. “Worked too.”

  Levi was surprised at this. “Do I know this story?”

  “We’re talking about you here, not me,” Grizz said.

  “Is Rachel part of the story we aren’t talking about?” Levi asked, referring to Sawyer Bennett’s sister.

  Grizz chuckled. “Smooth, Cox. Why don’t you turn that smoothness toward your own lady?”

  Levi might have pursued the conversation, but he’d arrived at the grocery store. “Okay. I’m going in. Any more advice?”

  “Don’t be cheap.”

  Levi didn’t know if he should be offended. “Did Mamma Sal tell you that too?”

  “Nope,” Grizz said with a chuckle. “That’s directly from me to you.”

  So that was how Levi found himself standing before a giant, glass-doored refrigerator full of vases of flowers. He immediately dismissed the single-flower vases. Grizz would consider those cheap. Other arrangements had teddy bears or cheerful plastic messages like “Congratulations.” None of those either.

  His gaze locked on the roses. Orange. Pink. White. Red. The orange roses were pretty cool, and Levi stepped closer to eye the price. Thirty-nine bucks. Was that good? Was it cheap? The red roses were forty-five. Did red roses cost more to grow? And weren’t red roses more of a symbol of . . . love?

  Levi rubbed the back of his neck. He was pretty sure every person in the store was watching him. Although when he turned around, he didn’t see one person staring.

  Red. Huh. They definitely stood out the most in the group. The red color also reminded him of what Finley wore to the fight he’d watched. Did that mean she liked the color? Maybe the white roses would be the safer color, although white looked boring next to the red. And what Levi was doing was anything but safe.

  Then he saw the discounted Fourth-of-July bouquet. The blooms had already peaked but were still vibrant. How long were flowers supposed to last anyway? A week? A few days?

  “Can I help you, sir?” someone said behind him.

  Reluctantly, he turned around.

  A young woman with a messy blond bun stood there, her grocery store shirt smeared with something white. She must work in the nearby bakery.

  “No, thanks, just looking.” He walked away from the flower case and found himself staring at a rack of fishing and hunting magazines. When the employee moved on to other things, Levi went back to the flowers. It was time to make a decision and get out of there. Before he drew more notice.

  Thirty minutes later, he was sitting in his Bronco in the parking lot of Finley’s pub. He had a couple of hours to wait, and he supposed that he could have gone to his apartment or joined the guys and Charlie for a game of darts. But here he was, wishing Finley would walk out of the pub doors right now. Was this stalking? Likely. He decided to text Finley closer to closing time so that she didn’t think he was a total stalker.

  In the meantime, he settled in the front seat and closed his eyes for a short time.

  A knock startled Levi awake.

  It took him a second to realize he’d fallen asleep sitting in his Bronco. He turned his head to see Finley standing outside the truck, smiling at him.

  Levi exhaled and popped open his door. “What time is it?” His voice came out raspy.

  Finley rested her hand on the edge of the door. “One fifteen. How long have you been here?”

  He rubbed at his face. “A while.”

  “I was going to let you sleep,” she said, “since I wasn’t sure if you’d come to meet me or if you were wanting to sleep in a parking lot.”

  Her voice was teasing, and Levi still wasn’t fully awake. “I meant to text you.”

  She gave a soft laugh. “You know I can walk home just fine.”

  Levi climbed out of the truck, and Finley stepped back to give him room to stand. But he didn’t want room. He grasped her hand and drew her close. “How was work tonight?”

  She looked up at him and shrugged. “It’s over. And your game?”

  “We won.”

  He liked the softening he saw in her eyes. And the dimples that appeared with her smile.

  “Nice,” she said. “You guys are on a streak.”

  “Something like that.” He drew her hand to his chest and clasped it there.

  “You really didn’t have to come, Levi.” She rested her other hand on his stomach. “You need to sleep at some point.”

  “Sleep can wait,” he said, leaning down. “I wanted to thank you for coming to Belltown.”

  Her lips curved right before he kissed her. For once, it was nice to not have the Six Pack around. But Finley drew away too soon.

  “I don’t smell too great,” she said.

  “Don’t you think I should be the judge of that?” Levi asked, pulling her closer and burying his face in her neck. He inhaled. “French fries. Yum.”

  Finley laughed and tried to slug him, but Levi caught her hand and pinned it to her side while he kissed her again.

  She finally relaxed and melted against him, kissing him back.

  “That’s better,” he said, sliding both his arms about her waist.

  She lifted up on her toes and wrapped her arms about his neck. He felt her smile as she kissed him, and his heart went into a full soar.

  “Today’s the big day,” she whispered against his mouth.

  He drew away to look at her. “For what?”

  “For your couch,” she said. “I’m hitting the garage sales at eight.”

  “I’m coming with you.”

  “You should sleep,” she said. “I don’t want you slacking on your game.”

  “I don’t slack, ever.”

  She raised her brows.

  “I’m coming with you,” he repeated.

  “Okay, Mr. Florida,” she said, amusement in her tone. “You’d better get me home soon so that I can get some sleep.”

 

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