My Greatest Joy (Maplewood Falls #2)

Chapter Eleven

CHAPTER ELEVEN

FALLON

I snuggle into Levi’s bed with the scent of him lingering on the blankets and relax. The heat of the fire smothers me in warmth, and I never want to leave this perfect sanctuary.

My mind wanders as I imagine what it’d feel like to sleep in Levi’s arms and wake up in this bed every day for the rest of my life. I’ve only experienced it for a few nights, and I’m already addicted to the way he makes me feel—safe and wanted.

His strong hand always snakes around my waist and then he grabs my hip. Having him hold me is a gesture I secretly crave.

In a sleepy haze, I think about how much I desperately want his hands and mouth on me. Every inch of him screams out that he’s a man who definitely knows what he’s doing.

While my heart knows it’s irresponsible to have a short-term fling, my body wants to throw all reasoning out the window and experience his touch on every inch of me.

A phantom squeeze over my hip has me moaning out his name, and I seek more. I arch my back, wishing I could clear my doubts about his fuck man ways. By the multiple fan club members who begged for his attention today, I’m convinced he’s exactly like my ex—unwilling to commit exclusively to one woman.

I feel it again and know in my fantasies, I’d let him slide his hand underneath my panties and discover how wet he makes me. Another whimper of a moan escapes me as I ache to feel the real thing.

Just as I’m about to widen my thighs and do the job myself, I feel his mouth press against my ear. “You moaning out my name in my bed is testing my willpower, Fallon. I have a lot of respect when it comes to boundaries, but you’re making me hard as fuck right now.”

My breathing grows erratic at the realization that his hand is tightly gripping my hip.

“What are you doing?” I whisper, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

His facial hair scratches along my jaw and neck, his lips marking my skin along the way. “I came to wake you for dinner, but after hearing your sexy little whimpers, all I can think about is devouring you instead.”

My chest rises and falls, and there’s no denying we’re both worked up. His erection pushes into my lower back, and I fight the urge to turn and grasp it in my palm.

“What were you dreaming about?” he asks when I stay silent. “Or rather, who?”

“I wasn’t dreaming,” I admit.

“So you were fantasizing. About me?”

My heart explodes with each rushing beat it takes. “Maybe.”

“I can help with that if you want,” he murmurs as his hand slides under my shirt. My breath hitches as the pads of his fingers rub circles along my bare skin.

My lips part as a moan slips through. “But now I’m more awake and aware of what’s going on.”

His hand freezes as it travels toward my breasts, and I almost beg him for more.

“I want to respect your boundaries, Fallon,” he says, inching away and pulling me to my back so I’m forced to look at him. “But there’s some undeniable chemistry between us. If it’s not one-sided, then we owe it to ourselves to explore it further.”

“I know,” I whisper. “I just…” I can’t find the right words to explain my conflicting thoughts.

Levi, being the perfect gentleman, gives me a sweet smile. “It’s okay. You need food and way more rest. Wake up a bit, then meet me downstairs.”

He stands, adjusting himself, and I fall back in bed, elated but also mortified. I don’t know what he heard or saw.

Once I compose myself, I make my way downstairs.

When I enter the kitchen, the hearty tomato aroma floats through the air, making my mouth water. Levi’s standing at the stove, making our plates. “What would you like to drink?”

“What are you having?” I ask.

He smirks over his shoulder. “Hard cider. Wanna try some? It’s from Bennett’s orchard and will help you stay warm.”

“Yeah, that sounds good,” I say, happy to have some alcohol to loosen me up.

“Wow, you did a good job,” I say as he sets my food in front of me.

“Don’t thank me yet. Taste it first and let me know what you think.”

I stare at his tight ass as he digs in the fridge for our drinks. Once he straightens, I snap my gaze to his.

“Thanks,” I offer when he hands me a can.

I pop it open, take a sip, and am surprised by how sweet it is.

“I like it. Now for the real test.”

I twirl the zucchini in my fork, then stab a couple of tomatoes.

“Here goes nothing,” I tease, hoping to clear the tension in the air. I know a man like Levi isn’t used to women hesitating, and I feel guilty for denying us both what we want, but I was half asleep and not thinking clearly.

“Oh my God…” I moan around a mouthful. “You nailed it.”

“I found a video tutorial and did everything the same,” he tells me proudly.

I take another bite, thinking about how good he is at following directions, and am curious if he’s that way in the bedroom too. “I’m starting to wonder if there’s anything you can’t do.”

“Oh, there is…” He stands next to me while I sit at the breakfast bar so I’m only a few inches shorter than him. “Seduce you, for starters.”

Ah, there’s his hurt ego.

“That was you trying to seduce me?” I bite back a laugh, finding it cute that he has no idea how crazy he makes me.

He glares as if he’s offended.

“It’s probably because you’ve never had to try with anyone before. You snap a finger, and they come running.” At the sound of me demonstrating, Dasher comes over, and I laugh at the prime example. “You even have him trained.”

He flashes a cocky smirk and spins the barstool until I face him. Then he leans down and rests both hands on either side of me, caging me into his arms. “I’m not gonna lie and say I don’t like a good chase, but when you close me out because of something that happened in your past, it makes me want to prove to you that I’m not like that.”

“I think at least thirty-eight women would disagree.” I throw out the number he’d told me he’d been with. Whether or not that’s true, I still don’t know.

A wide grin covers his face as he scrubs a hand over his facial hair and inches closer.

“Fallon…” He says my name with pure sex on his tongue. “Can I kiss you?”

Instinctively, I lick my lips and inhale sharply. Having him kiss me is all I’ve thought about for the past three days, so now that he’s asking and offering, I can’t say no.

So I nod.

Slowly, he cups my face and rubs the pad of his thumb gently over my cheek, making my heart pound impossibly harder. The anticipation is almost too much as he takes his sweet time.

And then, finally, he brushes his mouth over mine.

I lean into him, giving him all of me as he dips his tongue between my lips. Deeper and deeper, he takes and takes, kissing me tenderly one moment, then savagely the next as if he’ll die without the taste of me.

“Fallon,” he growls, standing between my thighs. His erection jabs into my stomach, and it takes every ounce of my strength not to explore him.

“You taste even better than I imagined,” he whispers, and I greedily want more. Instead, he releases me.

After taking the seat next to me, he spins my chair back toward my plate. “Don’t want your food to get cold.”

I glance over at him, wondering what he’s thinking and why he stopped. It’s not because he was worried about my dinner, but my stomach growls, so I finish eating.

After ten minutes, he asks, “Want another?” He holds up my empty can, and I nod, hoping it’ll help me relax since my nerves feel like they’re on fire.

“Thanks,” I say when he hands me a different flavor.

“That’s my favorite one.”

I look at the label. “Sour Apple,” I read aloud, then try a sip. “Wow, it’s delicious.”

“Try mine. It’s their seasonal flavor.”

I take his can and read it. Cranberry.

After I take a drink, I nod in agreement. “Yum. That’s good too.”

“Be careful. These will get you fucked up without you even realizing,” he teases, but I can tell he’s serious. I can hardly taste the alcohol.

Once we’ve cleared our plates and he loads the dishwasher, we meet in the living room. He sets more logs on the fire, and we watch the flames dance in the dark.

“Wanna play a game?” he asks.

“Like Checkers?”

He chuckles. “No, like Never Have I Ever or Truth or Dare .”

“Isn’t that for teenagers?” I furrow my brow.

He shrugs. “Well, if you’re too chickenshit, forget it.”

I elbow him in the side. “I’m not! Let’s play the first one, then.”

I won’t admit that the thought of playing Truth or Dare gives me hives. I know he’d come up with things I’d either not want to answer or do. So Never Have I Ever it is.

“Alright. If I say something I’ve never done but you have, you drink, and vice versa.”

“Fair enough.”

Not for him , though. I can think of at least a hundred things I haven’t done.

“Ladies first,” he says, getting comfortable on the couch next to me.

I think for a quick moment. “Okay. Never have I ever had sex in a public place.”

“Damn, woman. Going right for the jugular.” He chuckles and takes a drink.

Why am I not surprised?

“My turn. Never have I ever broken into someone’s house and slept in their bed.”

I glare at him, tightly pursing my lips as realization dawns on me. He’s here to deliver gut punches and make sure I lose.

“That was low… even for you . I wasn’t even asleep yet.” I chug back the can. “And it wasn’t even low-key breaking in. You left the door unlocked!”

“I doubt that excuse would fly with the police.”

I roll my eyes, ready to play him at his own game.

“Never have I ever exposed myself to a complete stranger and flailed on the floor with my junk hanging out.”

His tongue darts out as the curve of his mouth turns up. Then he takes a drink.

“I hope you know what you’re doing. I’m the reigning champ of this game.”

“Well…you were ,” I counter.

“Never have I ever masturbated in someone else’s tub and loudly moaned.”

I keep my gaze locked on his, determined not to admit that very thing.

How would he even know that? Unless he heard me moaning and saying his name?

“You’re not drinking?” he asks with amusement in his eyes.

“I’m not sure I believe you. Surely, you’ve jerked off in a shower other than your own before.”

“Well, that’s why I said tub , sweetheart.”

“I’m not drinking on a technicality .”

“Fine, we’ll call a truce and both drink.”

I lift my can, and he cheers it with his, then we both down the rest.

“Guess we need another.” He stands to retrieve two more, letting me pick which flavor I want.

“Your turn,” he tells me.

I swallow down my doubt and put on a brave face.

“Never have I ever…” I hesitate before forcing the words out. “Wanted someone as badly as I do right now after only knowing them less than a week.”

He stares at me as if he’s waiting for me to take a drink, but neither of us moves.

“Your turn then,” I say.

But instead, he locks his eyes on mine while chugging his drink.

And then I do the same.

Without a word, he grabs my can and puts both of ours down on the coffee table. Then he pulls me onto his lap to straddle him and presses his mouth to mine.

As his lips consume me, I wrap my arms around his neck and rock against the hard bulge between my thighs. He sucks on my tongue as I grind faster on him.

“You’re playing with fire,” he warns, cupping my ass and pushing up into me. The friction’s a mix of warmth and desire.

“I want you, Levi,” I admit as his mouth moves down my neck and toward my ear. “Now.”

“On your knees, Fallon.” His voice comes out in a low growl.

I immediately obey, positioning myself between his spread legs.

“Pull out my cock,” he orders.

He lifts his hips so I can pull down his pants and boxers, and his dick springs free. I spit on it, then slowly stroke him from top to bottom.

“Fuck.” He bucks his hips. “Take whatever you want, Fallon. I’m all yours.”

As I look up at him, I feel powerful, knowing he’s at my mercy. He’s giving me the power to do whatever I want to him with no pressure or guilt.

I grip his thick shaft, admiring how much blood pumps as it aches for a release. Swiping my tongue up his thick vein, I land under the tip, and he hisses in response. I can’t deny how much I like hearing him moan.

Pulling his crown between my lips, I hollow my cheeks and suck. My tongue slides around and tastes every delicious inch of him.

“My God, Fallon. You’re driving me fucking crazy with that hot, greedy mouth of yours.” He grabs my head, tangling his fingers in my hair as I continue to worship every long inch of him. I love having his soft, velvety skin between my lips. The ache between my thighs becomes unbearable as he hisses and groans out my name.

“You still planning to give me that pearl necklace?” I taunt when I come up for air, keeping my palm tightly wrapped around him.

“Fuck, sweetheart. It’s all I’ve thought about. But not right now, I need to taste your cunt before I lose my goddamn mind.”

Standing, I strip, knowing he’s seen all of me already. As soon as I slip off my panties, he hauls me to the couch and settles me flat on my back.

“Jesus.” I groan, needing him to hurry.

He removes the rest of his clothing before he spreads me wide and slides between my thighs.

Levi lifts my legs over his shoulders and swirls his tongue over my sensitive bud.

“Holy shit.” The intense sensation has me writhing underneath him. No guy has ever been so willing to please me, and I never realized how amazing it could feel when a man enjoys eating pussy.

His breathy growls and wet kisses push me toward the edge fast and hard.

“Levi, right there…” I moan, arching my hips into him as he cups my ass and holds me steady.

Minutes, hours, days …I don’t know how much time passes because the pleasure his mouth creates nearly makes me black out. His steady circular movements over my clit have me flying toward the cliff.

Everything shakes as my vision goes white, and I dig my nails into his shoulders. My chest tightens and expands as the hold on my orgasm releases.

“Oh my God,” I breathe out, my limbs going numb.

“Christ, baby. You came so damn hard.” He wipes his chin with his forearm. “You taste so good. My new favorite flavor.”

He crawls up my body, cups my cheek, and tenderly presses his lips to mine. His deep, rough voice calling me baby is enough to make me explode again.

“Are you okay?” He chuckles when I don’t move.

I swallow, wetting my lips. “That’s never happened before,” I admit.

He arches one brow. “You’ve never had an orgasm?”

“Not from oral,” I explain. “Only from my fingers.”

He stares at me with disbelief. “You’re joking .”

“I wish.”

“Have you finished during sex?”

I lower my eyes and shake my head.

“That’s not your fault.” He tilts up my chin, forcing our eyes to meet. “You deserve better than that.”

“I’ve not had the best of luck with dating,” I confess. “I should’ve had higher standards, but I didn’t always know what to look for.”

“Higher standards? Where was the bar? The floor ?”

I snort because he’s not wrong. “You could say that.”

“Alright, get up.”

“What?” I ask, confused.

“I’m not letting a beautiful woman like you go without knowing what an orgasm feels like during sex. I hope you’re ready because I’m going to blow your goddamn mind.”

“You sound awfully confident,” I taunt as he lifts me, then hauls me over his shoulder like a possessive mountain man. “Levi! Put me down!”

“For the next few hours, your body is mine, Fallon.”

Hours ?

Is he serious?

His hold on me tightens as he takes the stairs. “Levi…I can walk.”

He chuckles darkly. “You won’t be saying that tomorrow.”

I groan, kicking my feet. He locks his arm around me.

“You’re about to see my possessive side, baby. We aren’t leaving my bed until you’ve counted to five.”

“Five? Five what? ”

He smacks my ass as we go into his room, then tosses me onto the mattress. Levi hovers above me with his palms on either side of my head.

“Five mind-blowing, earth-shattering, tsunami-level orgasms.”

I blink up at him. “I won’t be able to move after that.”

He winks, then lowers his mouth until his breath brushes over my flushed skin. “That’s the point, sweetheart.”