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  “Are you happy? Honestly?”

  “Some days happier than others.” I playfully bump my body against his. “But in a general sense, yeah. The pros always outweigh the cons. Even if they didn’t I’m happy designing book covers and promotional graphics. I enjoy the creativity and freedom I’m entrusted with. Do I want more gold stars for my nametag? It wouldn’t hurt my feelings any.”

  His grin becomes crooked.

  “I guess what I really want is a bigger salary and more responsibility. More…control without having to get the stamp of approval first all the time. Does that make sense?”

  “Yeah. I see what you’re saying.”

  He prepares to look away when my question stops him. “Why do you ask?”

  Levi lifts his eyebrows up.

  “Why the sudden curiosity about my future?”

  The reticence in his answering adds tension to the situation. “I uh….I guess I was just trying to help free up some space on that plan of yours.”

  My tone becomes strikingly tender. “Oh yeah? Why’s that?”

  “I want a permanent spot.”

  His confession causes my breath to hitch.

  “I figure, if you can cross off some of the other things, it’ll give me room to prove I can be more than just the fun that was initially missing. That I can be the type of man you wanna marry someday. That I can be the type of man you have kids and dogs with….”

  Before I can filter my response, I whisper, “Who says you haven’t proven that already?”

  He inches his face closer to mine. “Have I?”

  My mouth crashes against his with voraciousness. Levi’s approval of the conversation ender is released in a heavy groan. His hand glides upward to my ribs, securing us together. The racing of my tongue syncs to the racing of my heart, and I suddenly forget how to breathe.

  Am I crazy for being this…into some guy I practically just started dating?

  The ache between my thighs begins to reach an uncomfortable degree, and I harshly fist his white t-shirt in a silent protest. He groans louder. Claws at my side. Nips at my bottom lip. Within seconds our actions begin plummeting towards the reckless behavior we should be more cautious of considering his celebrity status.

  Between hungry rolls of our tongues, our shirts are banished and our bodies are wedged in the sand. His hands explore every exposed inch, offering me numerous moans of excitement. Our jean covered lower halves grind against one another creating too much friction. Too much need.

  All of a sudden, my body flies up and my hands busy themselves with undoing his belt.

  His hands initially mimic mine yet he unexpectedly stops. “We can’t do this here.”

  I try to hide my disappointment.

  “Not because I don’t wanna make love to you in the sand…by the ocean….at night…all of which would easily win me the Most Romantic First Time Together award,” he smoothly starts, “but because I um.…Well I don’t….Fuck, this is gonna sound stupid, but I don’t have any condoms on me.”

  My shoulders drop. “Are you joking?”

  He squeezes his eyes shut and shakes his head. “I really fucking wish I was.”

  A sigh of disbelief soars to the sky.

  “I have one in my wallet, which is back at the house. And I have a whole box in my bedroom.”

  That’s almost a mood killer. Wonder if it’s a new box he bought or leftover from the last slut brigade. Oh….Yeah. That’s definitely the end of my sexual run for the night. Probably for the best. Having sex this thoughtlessly would’ve probably been a major disaster. Geez, what is it with him? Why do I keep throwing all my intelligent, thought through choices out the window? He’s not that charming.…Is he?

  Levi’s blue eyes open to meet mine. “That…that last comment came out kind of shitty.”

  “And a little slutty.”

  His sneer makes me smile.

  “We should probably call it a night,” I casually state. “We’ve both got early mornings anyway.”

  Refusing to accept defeat, he shoots his body up and lets his lips imprison mine. Instantly, my mouth opens, more than willing to melt into every push of his tongue. His hands sail down to my ass to give it a firm squeeze.

  Our kiss breaks on a heady moan.

  Levi’s repeats the movement as he skirts his teeth along my neck. “Let’s have dessert first.”

  I hum and my body returns to grinding against his.

  Did we or did we not just discuss why we should stop!?

  “You taste me,” he growls, stealing a nibble, “and I’ll taste you.”

  Our tongues reunite once more while our hands begin tearing at each other’s clothes with newfound impatience. By the time we’re positioned to simultaneously devour one another, I’m convinced I’m going to blow from the heat of his breath alone. Levi lets his tongue take a small swipe of the wetness dripping from my pussy. His initial groan is delicious but the greedy one he makes immediately after with his face drowning between my legs has me desperate to return the pleasure. I guide his weeping tip past my parted lips, thrilled with the way it thickens in the confines of my mouth. He groans again and the vibrations cause me to shudder. I let the head of his cock touch the back of my throat, cup his balls, and begin sucking. More moans escape him and his tongue thrashes wildly, which spurs mine to retaliate by doing the same. My fingers lightly tug at his nuts while his graze along the slit of my ass. The feathery touches in combination with the hard sucking of my clit create lecherous cries that repeatedly bump against the tip of his dick. As if incapable of ever finding satiation, the two of us greedily ravish each other and reward one another with primal sounds of satisfaction. Feeling my orgasm no longer willing to be denied, I suck as hard as I possibly can at the same time I surrender my final moan. My body quakes on top of his tongue, riding the ruthless devil, demanding it keep going until I can’t take any more. A hard grumble is the only warning Levi gives before completely letting go. Hot rushes ruthlessly coat my tongue and splash against the back of my throat. I selfishly swallow every little bit, loving the fact I know he’s fulfilled outside of sex.

  So am I….

  Levi’s first to concede. His spent face falls away from my still shaking body. “Can we go back to the house and have seconds?”

  I release his softening shaft with a comedic pop sound.

  “Damn. Thirds?” His hoarse voice flames the fumes of my faded orgasm. “Can we have dessert for breakfast?”

  The side of my face lands on his toned thigh. “If you promise to make us something better than those gross ass pancakes.”

  Levi laughs, gives my bare butt cheek a smack, and offers to serve whatever I want.

  Neither of us make the effort to reach for our clothes or cover ourselves.

  Benefit of a private beach.

  His fingers gently caress the area he just spanked while I stare out at the water pounding against the rocks like applause for a job well done on both our parts.

  It’s a relief to know Levi wants to be in my life as much as I secretly want him to. He’s definitely not the guy I had in mind when I pictured building a future with someone, yet no matter how many times I refer to or remake my pros versus con list, the outcome is the same. I end up not caring about how there are more negatives than positives on paper. I love the way he makes me feel. I love the idea of feeling this special, this wanted for a lifetime. This is exactly how I imagined I would feel about the person I wanted to form forever with….Truthfully? I can’t see that person being anyone other than Levi Stone. Is this a bad thing?

  Chapter 8

  LEVI

  “And that’s a wrap!” Tom loudly proclaims.

  Fuck. Finally. This shit should’ve been done four hours ago.

  I stroll off the set and place my hand in Tom’s. “We’re gonna miss you, Levi.”

  After a firm shake, I kindly state, “I’m gonna miss you guys too. Being on this show for the last couple of years was like being a part of a family. I’m grate
ful.”

  Tom folds his arms firmly across his chest. “You were…an incredible addition to this show.”

  “Thanks. I appreciate that. And I also appreciate you convincing the network to keep a spot open for me just in case my next movie flops.”

  No. Kadence doesn’t know about it yet. I just signed the finalized contracts earlier this week. Filming the season finale of Lawless Lives has been very unforgiving with my time. I’ve barely had the seconds it takes to shake after taking a piss let alone have a real conversation with my girlfriend. But that changes today. Or at least it changes today for a few weeks…

  Tom brushes off my joke with a hearty laugh. “It’s gonna be great, Levi. Whatever it is. You’ve got real talent. The type of talent that could take a garbage concept with an ex porn director and airhead co-star and have it make the Oscar nomination list. Hell, you already won an Emmy.”

  Hm? No. I don’t brag about that….The trophy sits in the upstairs library next to the ones I used to win for surfing. Like my favorite sport, I don’t do it for recognition. I do it because I enjoy the hell out of it.

  There isn’t time to counter the compliment. A crew member calls him over and he bids me one more good luck before hustling the direction he’s being summoned.

  As soon as I spin on my heels to begin a swift walk to my car, I bump into Miranda who is lingering uncomfortably close.

  How long has she been standing here?

  “Last day on set. You know what that means.”

  “Dinner and drinks with the entire cast.”

  “Wanna give me a ride?”

  The less than subtle attempt at being seductive forces me to clench my jaw to prevent from saying something assholish. “I would, but I’m not going.”

  “What!?” She shrieks.

  “I have plans.”

  That I am running extremely late for.

  “What do you mean you have plans?! Why would you make plans? It’s totally tradition for us to all go out, share a few drinks, and reminisce on the season!”

  “Which I already did a couple times this week,” I smoothly inform. “You weren’t able to make it.”

  What? Of course I did that shit on purpose. The last thing I wanted my final week was to deal with her pouting after being rejected during a drunken attempt to get me into bed. It happened six times during last season and four during this one. I was really saving us all the embarrassment. Well, that and this was the only day my publicist could come through with the favor to impress Kady.

  She starts to whine again, but I quickly cut her off. “I really gotta go, Miranda. It was a nice working with you.”

  Of course I’m lying. I’m trying to remain professional. Sometimes there isn’t a difference between the two.

  “Hopefully we get to do it again very soon.”

  A week after never would still be too soon in my opinion.

  We engage in a hug that lasts much longer than I care for. Afterward, I basically jog to my car only slowing down enough to pop by wardrobe to tell them I’m keeping the suit.

  It looks good, plus it’s saving me time not having to change.

  About half way over to Kady’s Sugar by Maroon 5 is rudely interrupted.

  “Incoming call from Agent,” specifies the Bluetooth system.

  I switch lanes and announce, “Accept.”

  “Levi,” Jeremy Lloyd states firmly.

  “Hello lovely,” Dee Parker, my publicist greets.

  A wave of annoyance attempts to drown me. “And what may I ask has created this unwanted 3 way?”

  “Unwanted?” Dee fakes a hurt tone. “Is that anyway to treat the two people who are always good to you?”

  “Except when you’re being really bad to me.”

  Like the time she made me volunteer to do a charity run earlier this year just to get my picture taken near the prince of some country. Apparently I don’t do enough for my foreign fans.

  “Let’s stay focused,” Jeremy demands. “Monday.”

  “Is still two days away.”

  “But you’ve been briefed?”

  “Yes. Believe it or not my assistant can do more than get me coffee.”

  He can do a lot more, which is why my life runs like a well-oiled machine and allows for more time on my board than it might if I had to micromanage his responsibilities.

  Dee speaks up as I take the exit off the highway. “Fuck it, I’m cutting to the chase, Jeremy.”

  “I’d appreciate it,” I mumble.

  “We need you to turn on the Levi Stone charm for this meeting. The director is a big believer in his cast having chemistry. We’re talking big. Like every couple he puts on screen has to have that whole Brad and Angelina cheat on my wife spark level of big.”

  My objection is instant. “I’m not cheating on my fucking girlfriend, Dee.”

  “No one is telling you to cheat on your girlfriend,” Jeremy inserts.

  “That might sound better if it was coming from someone who was actually faithful to their wife,” Dee jabs.

  “We’re warning you,” Jeremy continues through what I imagine are gritted teeth, “that you two need to get along effortlessly before you ever step foot on set. Francesco is a brilliant director but has no issues about firing actors he doesn’t feel mesh or occasionally pulling the plug on films if the chemistry fizzles. If he can’t feel a connection between the two of you before the cameras ever start rolling, they never will.”

  His words leave an uncomfortable feeling wedged in my chest.

  “Do you understand?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I spoke with Kyla, Lynn’s publicist, and she has assured me her client loves Lawless Lives and is a huge fan of yours,” Dee adds. “So…exploit that.”

  Jeremy jumps on the chance to back her up. “Exploit the shit out of that.”

  “Make her love you like your next meal depends on it because it just might.”

  Not really picking up on the confidence vibes from either of them. This is worse than when I was younger and learning how to stay on my board for the first time.

  “This movie has the potential to take you to a new level. Grab the attention and impress some very powerful people. Don’t fuck it up,” Jeremy huffs.

  “Got it.”

  “Good,” Dee snips.

  I take the left into Kady’s driveway, giving the guard a hello wave to let me enter.

  He nods, hits the button, and returns to whatever it was that had his focus.

  “I’m gonna go and try to enjoy my weekend now. Thanks again, Dee, for the tickets.”

  “You remember the deal?”

  A crooked smile crosses my lips. “Yeah. I have to take a few photos and am forbidden from doing any singing or other spectacles in public without your permission.”

  She was thoroughly livid when a video of me singing karaoke popped up on YouTube. Wasn’t exactly the type of public attention she approved of. Then the photos and videos from Spike’s started appearing all across social media and her squawking soared to seagull level of intolerable. You know before Kadence I was always the client she gushed over having to fret the least about. Now I’m right underneath Preston Wyatt who seems to have a spread done on him every other week. The media is having a hard time coping with the fact one of Hollywood’s favorite action heroes is gay.

  Jeremy clears his throat. “Act professional, Levi. At all times.”

  “You’re not just an actor. You’re a brand,” Dee scolds.

  “Behave like it.”

  The call is ended without waiting for my rebuttal.

  It may be hard to believe, but that was them being kind. I may not care for the way they treat me like a child determined to swim out into the middle of the ocean during a level five hurricane, but they’re damn good at what they do. Jeremy yanked me out of gum commercials and plunked me in supporting roles with well-known actors. Dee got me a haircut, a good teeth cleaning, and a date with a starlet who turned my name into a reputation after one candleli
ght dinner. Acting is a lot like playing sports. The best players have the best coaches and trainers helping them. Those two heartless money sucking demons are mine.

  Determined to put Monday’s meeting momentarily in the back of my mind, I kill the engine, and hustle over to Kady’s front door.

  Adrianna opens it wide and folds her arms across her gray sports bra covered chest. “Well don’t you look handsome?”