“Nice choice, I will be back with it shortly.” By the expression on the waiter’s face I knew it must be really expensive.

“So you know a lot about wine?” I asked.

“You could say that.” He smiled.

“What do you mean?”

“My family is originally from France, and we still have some vineyards in Bordeaux.”

“Oh, wow. That’s really cool.”

“Yeah, it’s a very beautiful area; we’ll have to visit sometime.”

The waiter returned with the wine and I watched as Levi got serious when he tasted it. “Yes, perfect, thank you.”

This really was a different side of Levi, and I liked it.

After the waiter retreated, Levi held up his glass reminding me of the night we toasted with coffee.

“To a truly amazing summer and to many more celebrations,” Levi said lightly before we clinked glasses.

He watched me intently as I took a sip. “What do you think?”

“Wow, that’s really smooth.” Even with my limited experience with wine, I knew this was a good one.

“I thought it was perfect for tonight.”

I smiled, picking up a menu.

“You don’t need that.” Levi took the menu from my hands placing it on the table next to me. The waiter appeared immediately.

“Are you ready to order?”

“Yes. We’ll start with the huîtres a la Rockefeller and escargot la bordelaise. Then we’ll both have the Chateaubriand.”

Prepared to argue with his presumption that he could order for me, I stopped myself realizing that if he was even half as good at ordering dinner as he was at picking wine, I was in good hands.

Finishing my first glass of wine right as the appetizers arrived, Levi refilled my glass.

“Okay, the Oysters Rockefeller are incredible,” I said between bites.

“The dish was invented here.”

“Really? That’s cool.”

The rest of the meal was equally as good. We shared an entrée designed for two, and there was something intimate about sharing with him that just added to the setting.

“I have something for you.” Levi glanced at me nervously, an expression that looked wrong on his face. I didn’t like it.

“Really? You didn’t have to get me anything.”

“It’s actually a family piece but it was made for you.”

“Levi… I can’t take anything like that.”

“Shh. Just let me enjoy giving it to you, okay?”

“Okay.” I smiled.

He pulled out a small box from his pocket and my breath hitched, Levi didn’t seem like the jewelry type.

He gently opened the box, pulling out a small ring covered in tiny rubies. Before I could even react, he slid the gorgeous ring on my left hand. “Perfect.” He smiled contently, all evidence of nerves gone.

“Levi, it’s beautiful, but I can’t take it.” I moved to remove it from my finger, but he stopped me.

“It looks perfect, doesn’t it? Do you like it?”

“I love it. Red is my favorite color, you know.”

“I know.”

I wasn’t completely comfortable wearing a ring on my left ring finger but I didn’t want to insult him by moving it. It wasn’t like he had proposed or anything, it was just a gift and making a big deal out of it would just ruin the night.

“Thank you. It’s beautiful and I’ll treasure it.”

“I’m glad.”

Overwhelmed by the gift I let the words on my mind slip out. “I can’t believe the summer is almost over, it went so fast.”

“Entirely too fast.”

“So what happens now? Or when I leave?” I bit my tongue, hoping I hadn’t just spoiled the evening.

“We’ll make it work.”

“You think?”

“I know.”

“I guess at least we don’t have to worry about airfare if you want to come to visit.” I laughed lightly.

“Let’s not even think about it now. Just enjoy tonight.” He took my hand again, running a finger over the small stones of the ring.

“You’re absolutely right.” As I said the words aloud, they echoed in my head. No matter what happened between Levi and me after I left, I was going to enjoy the time we had together. The heated look Levi gave me let me know he was thinking the same thing.

“Do you want dessert?” he asked as the last of our dinner dishes were cleared away.

I paused momentarily. “Maybe later.”

“Good, I agree completely.”

Signaling for the waiter, Levi never took his eyes off me. He paid the check and we headed out.

The electricity between us sizzled as we walked hand in hand through Jackson Square. Without warning, Levi yanked my hand pulling me into Pirates alley, right off the square. Pushing me against the bars of the railing, he pinned one of my arms above my head. I held onto a bar with the other, steading myself as he moved his face close to mine. With his other hand, he pulled my body towards him.

Shivering with anticipation, I didn’t let my eyes leave his gaze. When the kiss came it was as aggressive as the way he held me—unyielding. Without waiting, he pushed into my mouth, deepening the kiss quickly. Groaning, he pulled me even closer, his hands holding me possessively. I gave myself over to him completely, wanting him more than I thought possible. His hands roamed and as he broke the kiss, I opened my eyes slowly.

His eyes held an unasked question and finding the answer he was looking for, he quickly unbuttoned his dress shirt, pulling it off to reveal a white tank. He started kissing me again, and I instinctively closed my eyes, barely registering us leaving the ground until we were on my balcony a near split second later.

Levi pushed open the door and we stumbled backwards into the room. Closing the door with his foot, Levi moved us toward my bedroom. I slipped off my shoes, dropping my bag.

Never taking his eyes off me, he unzipped my dress, letting it fall to the floor. He kissed my neck as his fingers found the clasp of my bra. I pulled the shirt over his head, relieved to finally have his bare skin against mine. He tilted my head up towards him, kissing me again as my arms wound around his neck.

All at once he intensified the kiss while picking me up. I wrapped my legs around him as he carried me over to the bed, placing me down gently before leaning over me with a faint smile that left nothing to the imagination.

Chapter Fifteen

There was something so natural about waking up in Levi’s arms. I snuggled into him as he kissed the top of my head. Rolling over I looked at him, enjoying the look of contentment on his face. I had a sudden feeling that this was the real Levi. Maybe it was his rumpled hair, or the sleepiness still evident in his eyes, but there was a rawness about him that made it hard to believe he was the same arrogant man I met at the beginning of the summer.