We ride for what is probably a couple hours, but it still feels too short to me. I love the feel of the cool, crisp air in my face. I love the smell of Levi’s leather jacket in my nose. I should be mourning the distance from my little man, but I’m enjoying myself with my big man far too much. Feeling exhilarated, I allow my hands to wander a few times, groping Levi and laughing in amusement at the low rumble of frustration that vibrates through his chest.

That’s probably why he’s crossed state lines. At first, I was worried. Being in the dark, not in control, already had my head spinning. So when the sign indicating we were leaving Ohio flashed by, I definitely needed answers.

Answers I never got.

Entering Chicago was an even bigger mystery. We haven’t been back since Levi cleared out his apartment in the sky and we set up our new life together in Ohio, the adjustment made even easier when my mom moved to be closer to us.

Without a reason to come back, my mind immediately jumps to David. But that idea is quickly cast aside when I feel the firm bulge beneath my questing fingers.

If we were going to visit Daddy Dearest, I doubt Levi would be hard as a rock.

Just as I suspect, Levi has something entirely different in mind. Only, I couldn’t have predicted just what that was until he takes us down a road less traveled that holds meaning for both of us.

After coasting down the bumpy path, we climb off the bike and take a moment to soak in our surroundings.

“Well, the house is still here,” Levi comments.

I study the dilapidated structure. The first time I laid eyes on it, I thought it was creepy as hell. Now, it somehow feels like home.

“Come on.” Taking my hand, Levi leads us around back to the water’s edge and selects a spot that’s flat and covered in a light cushion of dark green grass.

“So what’s the occasion?” I ask, looking out over the pond. This was his place, someplace to let go of his worries for a while. I still feel privileged that he thought enough of me to share it. Come spring, the aging structure behind us will be gone, making way for construction to start on a new cabin where we’ll make new and lasting memories together.

Raising our combined hands to his mouth, he kisses the back of mine. “Does there have to be one?”

“No,” I chuckle. “It’s just not every day that we travel so far for a date night. Something is up. I can feel it.”

“Never could get anything past you,” he teases and pecks me on the nose. Drawing my arm across his lap, he pulls me into his side and wraps his strong arm around my shoulders. “It’s been a hell of a year, hasn’t it?”

I think about all that we’ve been through and how far we’ve come, and I can’t disagree. “Yeah, it really has.”

“You make me happy, Vista,” he says softly, pressing his lips into my hair. I try to tilt my head back so I can see his eyes, but his grip on my shoulder hardens and his chin presses down on top of my head, holding me immobile. “No, don’t look at me when I say sappy shit. It makes it weird.”

Grinning, I stay put and just listen. “Anyway, I’m happy. And for a guy who used to think he was happy, that’s saying something. You’re, like, the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

“Oh, Levi—”

“No, no. Just shush and listen or I’ll never get this out.” Rubbing his bearded cheek across my hair, he continues. “So you’re probably wondering why I brought you here. Like any good criminal, I wanted to return to the scene of the crime.”

“What crime?”

“The first time we sinned together,” he purrs seductively in my ear. Unbidden, my body shudders and wet heat floods between my legs. Grasping my chin, Levi tilts my head back, finally allowing me to meet his heated gaze. “Now that we have Chase, you don’t get nearly as much quality time with me as I know you’d like.”

His wolfish smile has me laughing. “I like how you twisted that around.”

“What? You don’t!” he defends. His thumb tracing my jawline, his expression softens. “I thought it would be fun to get back to our roots and maybe…revisit old memories. So, what do you say?”

Biting my lip, I take a prolonged moment to think about it, then I reach up and slide my hand behind his head, cupping his neck and bringing his mouth to mine. Running my tongue over his lips, I relish his needy growl and the way his hands slip over my curves.

I break away, flashing him a drugged but devious smile. “I say…last one in is a rotten egg!”

I’m up on my feet in a flash. Kicking my shoes off, I quickly strip out of my pants and race into the water, ripping my shirt over my head and tossing it toward shore, leaving Levi to catch up.

I scream when his warm arms circle my waist and drag us beneath the water’s surface. When we come up, gasping for air, we’re both laughing. I turn toward Levi. Water sheets from his dark hair and down his face. His eyes are filled with the same love and adoration I feel echoing in every pound of my heart. His lips, full and soft and glistening beneath his thick beard curve into a cocky smile and I’m reminded of Murphy’s Law: Anything that can happen, will happen. We may have started off on a rocky path, one filled with countless roadblocks and misunderstandings, but now I know…Levi is my heart, my soul, my everything good, and I’m going to love this man for the rest of my life.

The End.

Read more books by J.C. VALENTINE

Note from the Author

              I kept this book a secret for a while. It was a spark of imagination that struck me one day, and I knew I had to write it, but I wasn’t sure where it was headed. I just knew that Levi and Vista, despite their circumstances and Levi’s s.o.b. tendencies, were destined to be together.

As with most of my characters, they start out one way, and end up another. Initially, Levi was supposed to be your typical billionaire playboy. What I didn’t expect was for him to have goals, ambitions, and such a beautiful heart. In typical Levi Black fashion, he completely hijacked this story and took it on a journey I couldn’t have predicted. His story and his need to help others touched me, and I hope the same is true for you.

I hope you enjoyed reading about Vista and Levi, and if you did, please consider leaving a review. Just a line or two, nothing fancy, helps immensely.

              Whether you are a long-time reader of my books, or this is your first, thank you for joining me on this journey.

Much love,

JC

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

USA Today Bestselling author J.C. Valentine is the alter-ego of Brandi Salazar, whose enjoyment of tales of romance spurred her to branch out and create her own.

She lives in the Northwest with her husband, their wild children, and far too many pets. As a university student, she studies literature, which goes well with her dream of becoming an editor. Brandi entertains a number of hobbies including reading and photography, but her first love is writing fiction-in all its forms. Connect with JC on Facebook!

Acknowledgements

I usually don’t make many changes to these things because, well, why mess with perfection?

To my usual suspects:

My sister from another mother, Kim- You are the best! We’ve been doing this for year now. I never could have imagined that I would be friends with such an amazing woman as you. You read everything I throw at you, you’re my sounding board, and you help keep me sane. It is such a pleasure to have you as my assistant and I am truly blessed to call you my friend.