My Greatest Joy (Maplewood Falls #2)

Chapter Eighteen

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

FALLON

As soon as we’re back in our room, I sigh in relief at how cozy and warm it is.

The fireplace is on, and two hot beverages wait for us on a tray. Thank God for turndown service.

Immediately, I grab the coffee and moan when I take a sip.

“Wow, this is good.”

“It’s Italian beans, apparently. They have a great café, and the food is delicious too. You hungry?”

“Starving.”

“Good, I got us a reservation in forty-five minutes. Then I’ll show you around the resort.”

My mind’s already exploding with mental notes I need to write down, but I need to clean up and change, so I’ll have to wait to write my thoughts down until later.

I hear the shower running and am tempted to take a peek but decide against it. As much as I want to join him, I’m leaving in two days and don’t need to add heartbreak to the list of things I take back to Seattle with me.

When Levi is done in the bathroom, I go inside and quickly step under the stream, washing off the sweat. Once I’m dressed and put on fresh makeup, I find Levi waiting in the living room.

“Wow.” His eyes brighten. “You look beautiful.”

“Thanks. You don’t look too bad yourself.”

“Well, that was almost a compliment,” he mocks.

I roll my eyes, then stand in front of him and tug on his collar. His hair is finger-combed, and he smells like the beach. “You look very handsome. It’s giving me mountain man meets surfer vibes.”

“So damn mouthy.” The corner of his lips curls up in amusement, but he’s staring at my lips as if he wants to devour me.

“You’d be bored if I wasn’t.”

“I have no doubt about that.”

Levi leads me to the elevator and down to the restaurant. It’s decked out in Christmas decorations, and I count three trees on the way to our table. The lights are dimmed with flickering candles at each table as the fireplace roars. Garland and mini Santa Clauses line the massive mantel.

Even though I could do without the décor, the cozy romantic vibes are a nice surprise.

“You look nauseous,” Levi says once we settle at our table.

“Just thinking about how this place makes your decorations look like child’s play. I didn’t think that was possible.”

He looks around and smiles. “Honestly, I hardly notice it anymore. I’m used to everything looking like Santa’s workshop during this time of year.”

“I can see why the tourists would enjoy it, though. Especially kids. It’s magical.”

“My parents took Lucy and me here every year when we were little. Even in the middle of our crazy season, they’d always make time to let us ski and enjoy the holidays without work.”

“That’s sweet.”

“I guess add it to my long list of traditions. Going to Bennett’s during the fall and Halloween season, cutting down a Christmas tree after Thanksgiving, and then a weekend away skiing. I think most locals do those things each year too. Well, between lots of shopping in the downtown square and going to the winter festival. In the spring and summer, there are also a lot of family-friendly activities.”

“I wish my boss would’ve assigned me to visit in the summer. There’s something nice about being outside and soaking in the sunshine.”

He laughs. “We have tons of outdoor concerts. We’ll take blankets for the lawn and drink mojitos all day while listening to awesome music. I like to go strawberry picking, but the farmers’ markets are popular, too. Oh, and our Fourth of July parade and firework display are incredible. It’s something I look forward to each year.”

“Wow, it sounds like something is always going on,” I say, not realizing how active they are year-round.

“Maybe you could ask to come back? Experience Vermont all over again. It’s completely different, then.”

His hopeful tone makes me frown.

“Yeah, maybe. Though I’m hoping this article will get me promoted to senior editor, which means less traveling.”

“You don’t like the jet-setter lifestyle?”

“I do, but I’d rather visit places for pleasure, ya know? When it’s always for work, it kind of sucks the fun and spontaneity out of it.”

“You, spontaneous ?”

I playfully kick him under the table. “I’m only work-focused when I have to be.”

A server interrupts our conversation to discuss the specials and hands over the wine menu. To my surprise, Levi orders a bottle.

“We’re celebrating,” he says.

“We are?” I ask, confused.

“You skiing and not breaking a bone. Or any of mine.”

“Ha! Funny. But I’m not complaining.”

“That’s my girl.”

“What do we plan on doing after you show me around?” I wonder if he has any other surprises up his sleeve today.

“I thought we’d hang out by the fire or hop in the hot tub. Whatever you want. I’m up for suggestions.”

“Both sound nice,” I say sheepishly. The thought of being isolated in a romantic hotel room with him has my heart racing with anticipation. This man tests my willpower, and I wish I could throw my hesitations out the window.

“You should try the steak. It’s some of the best in the state,” he tells me as we look over the menus, and I notice the prices.

“This is expensive,” I murmur.

“Don’t worry. Guests staying at the resort get a fifty-percent discount.”

“Oh.” It makes me wonder about the cost of our room.

We order the same things—steak and veggies. Although I don’t drink red wine often, he picked one I like.

“This place reminds me of the last restaurant my ex Blake took me to before he broke things off.”

“Blake’s a fucking moron.”

I snort. “I was living in a false bubble and should’ve seen it coming. I wanted us to be exclusive and for him to acknowledge that.”

“Wait…you weren’t?”

“ I was. But he never wanted to make it official.”

His jaw twitches. “And how long did you date?”

“Six months. He kept stringing me along, saying all the right things at the right times, buying me gifts, and showering me with countless compliments. I was certain he wanted to make things official because we hit it off so well. But I was very wrong and stupidly fell for his act.”

“Christ. Was he a frat boy? What man doesn’t make it known that you’re his?”

My heart pounds at his words.

I lower my gaze. “A lawyer.”

He breaks out in a humorless laugh. “Oh, Fallon.”

“I know. Trust me. As soon as he hesitated and came up with some stupid excuse about not ruining a good thing, I should’ve walked away.”

“It’s not your fault,” he reassures me, which only encourages me to keep talking.

“I thought he was different, just busy with work. So I kept waiting, wanting to take our relationship to the next level. I honestly believed we were together together , but I needed the confirmation. I wanted to hear him say it, but when he didn’t, I was gutted. He’d already met my family, and I’d met his. He took me to his cousin’s wedding and introduced me to his nana! I didn’t know putting a label on what we had would make him run. I thought I was in love, and it hurt to learn he was a player, and I got played.”

“Take it from a former fuck man , if we want a woman, we’ll make it known and do whatever it takes to win her over. You know the saying if he wanted to, he would ? Because that’s exactly it. He didn’t appreciate what he had. You deserve better than that, Fallon. Asking him that question, as hard as it might’ve been and as much as it hurt later, helped you in the long run. Sorry bastard.”

I suck in a deep breath, taking his words to heart. Then I smile. “ Former , huh? When did that change?”

“About twelve days ago when a brunette bombshell entered my life. Weirdly enough, I haven’t been able to get her out of my head ever since she maced me.”

My cheeks burn as I hold back a laugh. “I’m tempted to add that into my article.”

“Do you need a replay of events? I can model naked for you.”

This time I don’t hold back and bellow out a hearty laugh. It feels good to be around someone who makes conversation easy and fun.

I tap my temple. “Trust me, I still have that visual right up here. Engrained forever.”

“That seems like an invasion of privacy.”

I shrug with amusement. Considering his tongue’s been between my legs and ass cheeks, the man has no room to talk.

When our food arrives, I realize how hungry I am and dig in right away.

“I think this is the best steak I’ve ever had.”

“Told ya. It complements the wine nicely too.”

“It almost helps me forget this place looks like a neatly arranged storage warehouse for Santa’s toy factory.”

“Have another glass, then,” he taunts. “Or bottle.”

“I might. But considering my business card was canceled, it’s not happening. They get weird about alcohol when I file for a company reimbursement.”

“Fallon, I’d never take you on a date and make you pay. You know how to bruise a man’s ego.”

“This is a date ?” I meet his eyes.

He looks flabbergasted that I even asked. “Nice restaurant, fancy dinner, you looking hot as fuck. Of course it’s a date. You must really think I’m a serial one-night stand kind of guy.”

“Aren’t you?”

He leans forward with his elbows resting on the table and clears his throat. “The last woman I slept with was six months before I met you, and I broke it off when I found out she was married. The woman before that was four months earlier. She lied about having children. I love kids and would’ve had no problem being with a single mom, but she lied to my face, and I don’t fuck with liars. The woman before her, I took out a few times before she told me she was moving to Japan for work. I can deal with long-distance, but she had no plans to ever come back, so it was pointless to try. We ended on good terms, and she’s now married with a baby on the way.”

I gulp at the realization of how wrong I’ve been about him.

“And the numerous women before her didn’t work out for one reason or another, but I wasn’t sleeping with them for sport. Have there been a few one-night stands? Yes. But I didn’t plan them. Either they ghosted me or ended up dating someone else instead. Most couldn’t handle my work schedule, and I’d rather find that out sooner than later. If I wasn’t interested for any reason, I’ve always been straightforward about it. I’ve never led a woman on and have always been honest. That is…” He pauses, staring intently into my eyes. “ Until you. ”

My heart’s beating so hard that I’m shocked he can’t hear it. Licking my dry lips, I attempt to ask him what he means, but he continues.

“Because I haven’t told you how I feel about you. I’ve been holding back, respecting your wishes to pretend our night together didn’t happen. But every damn day, I bite my tongue so I don’t break down and beg you to stay—even if for a couple more weeks. I’m not ready to say goodbye to you. I’m only telling you now because I don’t want you leaving here thinking I used you or that you aren’t worthy enough for me to fight for you. I’m not your ex because I’d never let you go if you were mine.”

Tears fill my eyes as I choke back a sob. I’m too stunned to speak as I soak in his every last word.

No man has ever allowed his heart to speak to me like this. My chest rises and falls as the world around us briefly disappears.

Levi brushes his thumb over my cheek, catching a tear. “Who knew the grinch could cry?”

I choke out a chuckle and shake my head, knowing how hard I’ve fallen in such a short time. This is his fault for being so incredible.

With my next breath, I find the courage to say my next words. “Ask me to stay.”

I’d happily reschedule my flight if he wanted me here. Though I feel like I’d be a Debbie Downer during his holiday since my family stopped celebrating years ago, I’d rather spend it with him than be depressed and alone.

His face splits in two as he grabs my hand and rubs circles over it.

“Fallon Joy, will you stay and be my date for New Year’s Eve?”

“Hmm…I’ll have to check my schedule,” I taunt, though it’s wide open.

He leans forward, his voice in a low whisper so no one else can hear. “Not to bribe you, but I’d make it worth your while. First, I’d wine and dine you. Then we’d ring the new year in as I fucked you raw and hard to the sound of fireworks.”

Jesus Christ.

“Okay, I’m convinced.” I beam.

Levi sits back and waves his hand in the air.

“What are you doing?”

“Getting the check and our desserts to go. I’m not wasting another minute not being inside you.”

As soon as Levi unlocks the door, his mouth and hands are on me. Though I don’t know what this all means in the long-term, all that matters right now is having more time with him. With my office closing for the holidays, I can easily stay with him a couple more weeks.

“Fuck, Fallon. I want you, baby.”

“I’m yours.”

He lifts me, and my legs wrap around him as he pushes me against a wall. “Say it again.”

I smile against his mouth. “I’m yours, Levi.”

“Goddamn right you are.” He cups my ass and grinds his erection against my core. “About to dedicate every one of your orgasms in honor of Brad.”

I laugh. “Blake.”

“Don’t say his name. You scream mine and only mine.”

“Is that jealousy I hear? It’s giving possessive murder-y vibes.”

“You’re just now realizing that? I thought you were a Crime TV junkie.”

“Is this where you admit you’re going to bury me in the yard once you kill me?”

“The only thing I’m burying is my dick inside your sweet cunt. Now let me hear you scream my name.”

He brings me to my feet, then kneels, tugging my pants down to my ankles.

“Where are your underwear?” Licking his lips, he stares up at me.

“I forgot to pack them.”

“Scandalous, but I know you’re lying.” He helps me step out of my shoes and pants, then tosses them aside. “Spread your legs. You need to be punished for being so damn naughty.”

At his order, I do and wait with heavy breaths for what he’s going to do to me.

His hands slide up my body, and he squeezes my thick thighs. “I fucking love your legs, baby.”

My entire body buzzes as he makes his way between them and captures my clit with his teeth. Then he dives in like a starved man.

Over and over, he brings me to the edge, licking, sucking, fucking my pussy with his long fingers, but then stopping right before I come.

“Levi!” I scream in frustration after he brings me to the edge for the fourth time, denying my release.

He thumbs my clit, grinning up at me with my arousal covering his chin.

“Punishment, my love. I’ll give you one when I think you deserve it.”

“That’s cruel,” I hiss, ready to do it myself.

As if he can read my thoughts, he pins my wrists to the wall. “The truth shall set you free.”

Groaning out in frustration, I surrender. “I left my panties behind on purpose.”

He shoves two fingers deep inside, causing me to gasp while my back flies off the wall.

“Because you knew I’d notice.”

“I thought it’d be one less thing for you to remove.”

“Sounds like you were planning to seduce me.” He stands, then tips my chin until our eyes meet.

I grin. “Did it work?”

He brushes my lips with his, soft and gentle at first, then swipes his tongue with mine. The scratch of his facial hair shoots shivers down my spine. I can’t tell whether I like it more against my thighs or mouth, but either way, I’m addicted.

“All you have to do is ask, and I’ll give you anything you want. No more games, Fallon.”

His words have me in a puddle of emotions as I hear the tenderness in his voice.

After what I’ve put him through since I arrived, I’m shocked he isn’t running in the other direction.

“I never claimed to be good at dating.”

He smiles. “That’s what I adore about you.”

“My inexperience?”

“Your vulnerability. You carry a shield in front of you, but little by little, you’ve opened up and let me in. The closer I get to your heart, the further I fall.”

Before I can respond, he cups my face and crashes his mouth over mine. I melt into his touch and moan.

“For the next two weeks, you’re mine. Got it?”

“Yes,” I whisper. “God, yes.”

He lifts me again and carries me to our room. As soon as he sets me on the edge of the bed, I rip off my shirt and bra. He quickly undresses, then joins me on the mattress.

I move to the middle and spread my legs. He’s already hard and thick, stroking his shaft as he pushes against my entrance.

“You’ve ruined me for any other woman, Fallon Joy. There’ll never be another like you.”

He thrusts into me, and I moan in instant pleasure.

Our legs and arms tangle together as our bodies wreak havoc on each other. I’ve never been with a man who puts my pleasure first, who seeks out my orgasms and tells me exactly what I do to him.

He’s the one who’s going to ruin me .

“Don’t stop, Levi,” I plead while he’s buried deep inside, torturing my clit and pinching my nipple. This man is the epitome of a skilled multitasker.

“On all fours, my love. I’m about to go so goddamn deep, you’ll feel me in your throat.”

Jesus .

Quicker than I’d like to admit, I flip over and stick out my ass. He gives it a hard smack before kneeling between my legs and pushing back in.

“Fuck, Fallon. You’re so tight and perfect.”

He snakes an arm between my legs and rubs my clit.

“Should we try to beat our record?”

“Oh God. I’m still recovering from that,” I say with a smile.

“Your cunt takes me so well, sweetheart.”

“It’s so deep, fuck.”

“That’s right, baby. Now give me that orgasm I earned.”

And within seconds, I do.

“Shit, I’m close,” he murmurs once I’ve come down from my high. “Get on your knees.”

I blink, trying to catch my breath to obey. As soon as I get on the floor, I open my mouth and stick out my tongue.

“As much as I would love that, I’m not coming in that pretty mouth tonight. I still owe you that pearl necklace.”

My face heats, and he shoots me a wink, stroking himself fast and hard.

Moments later, he growls out his release and covers my throat and chest in hot bursts.

“Fuck, aren’t you a gorgeous sight?” He shoves his thumb between my lips, and I taste my arousal on it.

“Let’s get in the shower and clean you up, sweetheart.”

Our mouths crash together, then he lifts me.

“And then, we can christen that hot tub.”