Brows furrowing in thought, Levi’s answer is slow to come. “I’ve spent a lot of time in hospitals. Being hooked up to IVs, having surgeries, knowing there’s more to come. It sucks. It’s even worse when all you have to occupy yourself is a shitty local broadcast television and a view of a field or street through the window when you’re bored. This gives them something to look forward to at least.”

Studying all the kids, they’re having fun. Even the ones in wheelchairs, with IVs still attached, wear smiles. My chest constricts when I think of what he’s given to them. “You’re doing a lot of good here, Levi,” I say softly.

Dipping his head to his chest, Levi smiles sheepishly while raking his fingers through his hair. “Thanks.”

Turning my head, I wait for him to look up at me, and when he does, I hope he can see just how proud I am of him. How proud I am to be standing here beside him. “Thank you for bringing me here. For sharing this with me.”

“You mean you’re not starving and you don’t want to kick my ass?”

His mouth twists into a teasing smile that gives me a hint of those deep dimples beneath his beard, and I chuckle. We missed lunch coming here, but truth be told, my hunger was forgotten the minute we stepped off the elevator.

Grinning, I tell him, “Don’t push your luck, mister. A girl’s gotta eat.”

I love how he looks at me, especially when he gets those little creases around his eyes. I’m beginning to learn that there’s a lot more to Levi Black than what he puts out there. Maybe I should be putting less stock in the media circus and more into what I see with my own eyes.

“Did I tell you that this little shindig comes with a buffet?”

“You did not,” I chastise him playfully.

“Allow me.” Hooking his elbow out for me to take, he guides us past a group of nurses and parents to a table that’s, indeed, filled with all kinds of delicious looking food.

“Did you pay for a caterer?” I ask Levi as I take the plate he’s offering.

He chuckles, shaking his head. “No. This is a potluck. Everyone loves me here, obviously. Whenever they know I’m coming, they do this. We’re family here.”

For a moment, I can’t take my eyes off him. His quiet confession leaves me speechless, and I begin to think about all the things he’s told me about his father. The way David Black spoke to his son this morning was upsetting to watch. There was no respect there, no sign of fatherly love. I won’t pretend to know what kind of relationship they have, but from what I saw today, I can say with confidence that what’s happening in this room is giving Levi something he needs.

Shrugging off the heavy thoughts, I take another look at the dishes available and my mouth waters. There are enchiladas, baked spaghetti, several kinds of pasta salads, and a whole table dedicated to desserts. My stomach growls loudly.

“This is beyond awesome. Don’t let this go to your head, but I’m kind of jealous of you right now.”

“As you should be.” Nudging me with his elbow, Levi tips his head closer and his blue eyes meet mine. “Eat.”

He doesn’t have to tell me twice.

***

“You’re going down!”

Levi is having his ass handed to him in a game of Mortal Combat against a kid that can’t be any older than seven. It’s the most hysterical thing I have ever witnessed. Not because the kids is as cocky and self-assured as Levi, but because Levi’s really trying. His face is scrunched up in intense concentration and his fingers are jamming on the controls so hard he’ll probably have to buy a new one, and he’s losing. Hard.

“You rotten...scoundrel! When I figure out how you’re cheating, I’m giving you the worst wedgy of your life.”

“In your dreams, rich boy!”

On the screen, one of the characters throws out an arc of lightning and electrocutes the other character until his eyes burst in his skull. The boy throws his bald head back and cackles wickedly. I guess he won.

I look around at some of the parents lingering nearby, checking their reactions. This is the most gruesome game I have ever seen. So far I have witnessed spines being ripped out, bodies split down the middle to reveal their internal organs, and a man’s genitals exploding. But none of the adults here seem to care. I guess as long as the kids are enjoying themselves, then that’s all that matters.

When I turn back to the action, Levi has his arms full of little boy. The kid is wrapped around him like a blanket, and Levi is speaking softly to him. The boy nods once, and then he pulls back, his smile revealing a gap where he’s recently lost a couple of teeth. As I sit here watching him cuddle the small child, I feel my stomach perform flips and there’s a funny tightening in my chest that forces all the oxygen from my lungs. And the only thought that runs through my head is that this man is amazing. Totally, completely, and utterly wonderful and I know…I might be falling for him.

“Same time next week?” Levi asks him.

“Hell yeah. Make sure you remember to bring a box of tissues, ‘cause you’re gonna be crying like a baby when you lose.”

“The only thing I’m going to bring with me is a bar of soap ‘cause you’re gonna need it after I mop the floor with you.”

“Dude, lame.”

“What? I thought that was pretty awesome.” Levi pouts, but it’s quickly forgotten. Reaching out, he rubs the boy’s head the way he would if he still had hair, then holds out his fist for him to pound. “Next week, bro.”

“Better bring that A-game.”

“Dude, always.” Turning, Levi finds me and walks over. “You ready to take off?”

“Yep.” Standing, I stretch my legs then head for the exit with Levi’s hand at my back to guide me. We’re only stopped a handful of times on the way so some of the parents can thank him for spending time with their kids. One couple, though, nearly brings me to tears at the sight of their own when they thank him for settling their hospital bills so they won’t lose their house while their daughter receives treatment.

What Levi is doing here is far more than just providing recreation to a bunch of bored kids. It’s more than a pet project. He’s changing lives.

Levi is quiet on the way back to his motorcycle. I’m not sure what he’s thinking, but I get the feeling that his head is back upstairs with those kids instead of here with me.

“Does David know what you’re doing here?” I ask him as we navigate the maze of hallways back toward the parking garage.

“He knows I have a foundation for kids,” he responds darkly.

“He doesn’t know you’re helping all those families?”

The set of automatic double doors slide open as we approach, granting us access to the underground garage, and our footsteps echo on the concrete as we make our way to his bike.

“This,” Levi says as he helps me fasten the helmet on, “is mine. It has nothing to do with my father, and that’s how I plan to keep it.”

“So it’s a secret?” I ask, confused.

“No, like I said, he knows it exists. He just doesn’t know my level of involvement. If he did, I’d never hear the end of it.”

“But why? Wouldn’t it be good for your image to be involved with something like this?”

Swinging his leg over the bike, Levi gets situated then waits for me to join him. The moment I do, he reaches back, grabbing my thighs and pulling me snug up against his back. I love when he does that. It causes little flutters in my stomach to be so close.

“What’s good for the image isn’t always good for the wallet. At the end of the day, my father is more concerned with the bottom line.”

The engine roars to life, filling the cavernous space. I guess that’s my cue to close my mouth and enjoy the ride. Flattening my palms against his rigid abdomen, I press my cheek to his shoulder and close my eyes as we pull out and blend into the city traffic.