Free The Harder I Fall by Jessica Gibson

always do when they have to pee and it lightened my anxiety. I knew he wasn't doing it, but it still made me laugh to imagine it. I cautiously opened the door and found him sitting on the edge of the bed in just a pair of pajama pants. I could feel my cheeks getting hot and I was embarrassed all over again.
    He gave me a heated look and went past me into the bathroom. The bed was still made, so I untucked a corner and smooshed myself in between the tight sheets. Levi came out and laughed when he saw me with the blankets tucked up to my chin. “You know I’m totally capable of behaving myself, right? I was only kidding before.” He untucked his side and slipped in beside me.
    “Tell me about your parents.” This subject was much more comfortable for me.
    “My parents are amazing. They’ve put up with a lot of nonsense from me over the years. My dad’s name is Samuel. He runs the family business, which is one of the top jewelry stores in the country. My grandfather started it when he first came here from Israel in the 1920’s and now my dad and his brother, Jacob, run it. It went from a one store operation to a multi-store franchise? with in-house gemologists and our own wholesale business.”
    I smiled. He sounded so proud of his dad, and that made me happy for some reason. Maybe because I never knew what normal was.
    “My mom’s name is Ruth. She runs the charitable side of the family. We fund and operate a women’s shelter and a family shelter. My mom’s in charge of both. She oversees who’s hired, how much we give, and to which charities.” His parents sounded wonderful, and I honestly was sort of excited to meet them. Some of my anxiety melted away.
    “They will love you,” he said. “My mom already does. I’ve talked about you enough to her.”
    “What have you told her?” I was curious.
    “All about your ballet, and how amazing you are when you dance. I told her how driven you are, and how you wouldn’t give me the time of day when we met.” He leaned over and kissed me. “You’re amazing, I honestly don't know how you pulled yourself out of the shitty situation you were in. Most people would have just given up.”
    “I didn’t have a choice then, and I don’t now. Chad would never have lasted without my drive to make a better life for us.”
    “Don’t do that,” he said.
    “What?”
    “Make less of who you are and what you’ve accomplished. Take the damn compliment and say thank you.” He grinned at me.
    I threw my pillow at him. “Shut up!”
    He rolled over me and kissed me softly. “I love you, Becca.” His lips were on mine and it wasn’t soft or gentle this time. It was hungry and rough, and I wanted more, more of him. My hands slid over his back, his skin hot under my fingers.
    “Do you want to stop?” he whispered.
    “No…”
    He crushed my lips to his again, stealing my breath. Slipping my shirt over my head, he kissed down my neck to the edge of my lace bra. I arched my back as he dipped his tongue under the fabric. He kissed his way across the swell of my breasts and back up to my lips. I clung to him, never wanting him to let me go. He moved to slide the straps down my shoulder but I stopped him.
    “Baby steps.” I gave him a shy smile.
    He laughed and kissed me. “I’m okay with that. Doesn’t mean we can't step right up to the line, does it?”
    Something coiled up deep within me as he spoke. His voice was thick and hoarse. He rolled us over so I was on top of him and motioned for me to sit up. I could feel just how much he wanted this, wanted me. “Holy hell, Becca. You are so hot.” He pulled my face down to his and gripped my hips tightly. I ran my tongue along his lower lip as we kissed and he groaned and pulled me tighter against him. “Okay, we need to stop now, or there won’t be any turning back.” He slid out from under me.
    In that moment, I felt sexy and powerful. I looked over at him, his breath coming quickly, a dangerous look in his eyes. I