Ancient Guardians: The Uninvited (30 page)

Upon discovering that Levi was no longer in her bed, she began to wonder how he felt about her actions the previous evening. Hopefully Levi didn’t pass this all off as the erratic Reece he had been encountering over the past few weeks. Even if he did, today was the day she would put an end to any insecurity he might have in regard to her. She was determined to restore their relationship to the way it was before.

She got out of bed, feeling more rested and rejuvenated than she had in a long time. Excitement coursed through her as she recalled what Harrison had planned for her and Levi today. With that, she went directly to the shower, and began the process of preparing to leave with Levi on a boat for the entire day.

After her shower, she walked over to a dresser and searched for a swimsuit. Not wanting to waste any more time, she reached for a bikini, found the matching strapless dress to wear over it, and dressed for the day. Once she finished, she grabbed a pair of sandals, and quickly left the room.

She stepped out of her room and saw Levi and Harrison in quiet conversation, standing in front of the large windows that overlooked the pool. Their conversation halted, and both men turned when she entered the room. Levi’s eyes widened when he first noticed her, and he smiled warmly at her.

Harrison stared at her speculatively. She restrained her laughter.
I bet I’ve given them a lot to talk about this morning!

“Good morning, gentlemen,” she greeted them cheerfully.

Harrison’s expression softened and he exhaled in relief, while Levi addressed her formally. “Good morning, Reece.” He glanced down at her outfit before his eyes met hers. “It appears Harrison has already informed you that we will be spending the day out at sea. Would you care for some breakfast before we depart?”

Reece could tell he was unsure of how to take the entire situation with her. It all encouraged her to tease him more. “Breakfast sounds great!” She looked at Harrison. “I hope you’ve made other plans today, because I’d like to spend the day alone with Levi.”

A broad grin stretched across Harrison’s face. He clapped Levi on his stiff shoulder, startling him as he stood there speechless.

“Reece, I believe I have three days of vacation plans I need to catch up on.” Harrison said as he nodded to his cousin. “You two have a marvelous time!” Harrison walked toward the door. “Wear plenty of sunscreen,” he called out as he left the villa.

Reece laughed softly, and then brought her attention back to Levi, who was still frozen in place.

She arched her brow at him. “I was told I needed a swimsuit for the day; please tell me you plan on getting in the water as well?” She crossed her arms and eyed his clothes. “Or do the Pemdai warriors swim in button-down shirts and slacks?”

A faint smile turned up in the corner of Levi’s mouth. It was easy to see that he was questioning her mood. “Give me a few moments to change. I will have breakfast sent up, and then we can leave after that.”

Reece smiled. “Hurry, I’m starved.”

She could see the excitement in Levi, but she also saw his hesitation as well. She could tell that he was guarding himself from her, in case her emotions took another irrational turn. She didn’t mind; she’d created these insecurities in him, and now she must correct them.

They strolled down to the dock where a luxurious yacht awaited them. He helped her aboard, and then gave her a quick tour of the inside, showing her where everything was. Once the enormous boat was secured to leave, Levi started the engines.

Reece was flooded with excitement as they headed out of the bay and the massive boat raced across the crystal-blue waters of the Aegean Sea. They sped across the ocean for quite some time before Levi directed the yacht toward an isolated island. Enormous rock cliffs surrounded the location, and she was awed by all of the extraordinary surroundings. She sat in silence as the boat idled into the private bay. The turquoise-blue water was crystal-clear, and an astonishing sight for anyone to behold.

As Levi set anchor, she disappeared into the enclosed bow of the boat to prepare herself. She took off her cover-up dress, and inhaled deeply to calm her nerves. She let her hair out of its ponytail, and quickly brushed through the tangles the wind had created. She glanced in the mirror to do a final check.
A spray tan certainly wouldn’t have hurt anything,
she thought with a nervous laugh.

As soon as she was prepared, she left the stateroom, and made her way toward the exit. She opened the door and smiled when she saw Levi at the stern of the boat preparing diving gear.

He looked up as soon as he became aware of her. After a brief smile he brought his attention back to the gear before him.
Such a gentleman,
Reece thought mischievously, as she gracefully walked to where he was.

When she approached him, she brought her finger to his chin, bringing his eyes up to hers. “Will you be ignoring me on this entire trip?” she asked.

Levi stood and gazed down at her, seemingly at a loss for words. She moved closer to him, never once taking her eyes from his. She grasped his shirt gently and proceeded to remove it.

“You won’t need this for the plans I have made for you,” she said with a flirtatious grin.

Levi smiled faintly, “I disagree, I will need it,” he stammered.

After his shirt was removed, she slowly slid her fingertips along his muscular sides. His skin was so warm, strong, and perfect. Levi’s eyes closed, and he exhaled.

“Open your eyes, my love,” she murmured.

He did.

“Reece…” he managed.

She smiled provocatively at him. “Are you afraid?” she taunted.

Both of his eyebrows shot up, and his eyes glistened as he stared intently into hers. “Terrified,” he said with a smile.

She giggled. “You should be.” She stepped back and admired Levi for the first time without his shirt on.
They certainly broke the mold when they made you.
She thought as she fought to maintain her composure. She stood on her toes and kissed him on the tiny cleft in his chin before she brushed past him.

Levi looked around in confusion, watching as Reece stood up on the edge of the boat and playfully twirled his shirt in her hands. She lifted her chin. “Well, if you do really need this shirt…” She grinned. “Then, you’d better come and get it.”

With that, she winked, turned, and dove over the side of the boat into the crisp ocean water. As soon as she came up from under the water, she looked back, and her heart raced with anticipation when she saw Levi quickly diving into the water after her. She radiated with excitement as she swam quickly away from him toward the back of the boat. Levi caught her as she tried to climb out of the water; and with one arm holding onto the platform of the boat, and the other securing her tightly in his arms, he covered her mouth in a zealous kiss.

Reece wrapped her arms around his neck as she accepted this overwhelming kiss. They remained lost within each other’s ardent kiss for a few moments before Levi slowly withdrew from her. She watched as his eyes roamed over her face. She smiled brightly at his expression, and relief flooded through her when his smile showed her that he was no longer questioning if she would hurt him again or not.

Reece held onto the back of the boat as she studied his face. “Levi?” she asked, wondering what he could be thinking about.

He remained silent as looked at her. He brought his hand up to caress her face, and his solemn expression broke her heart.
Oh, Levi, I’m so sorry!
she thought as she wondered if she could ever make up for everything that she’d put him through.

His head tilted to the side. “I love you,” he said softly.

Relief washed over her, “I never thought it was possible to love anything as much as I love you.” She said as her voice cracked and she smiled at him lovingly.

Levi’s eyes were drawn to her mouth as his thumb gently brushed over her bottom lip. He sighed. “I have so desperately missed this smile.” He gazed into her eyes, and his vividly blue eyes were so striking that they pierced through her. “I have longed to see you staring at me like this again.” His thumb absently stroked her cheekbone, and he frowned as he tightened his lips. “I have missed you—so greatly—my love. Is this really happening?”

“Yes, it’s really happening. I love you so much.” Tears filled Reece’s eyes, as she understood that the unbearable separation between both of them had finally come to an end. Levi’s expression was so sincere, that she could only wrap her arms around him in response. She pulled him close to her and closed her eyes, fighting to calm her emotions.

“It’s over, Levi, I promise. You have to know that I can’t imagine my life without you.” She withdrew from him and stared purposefully into his eyes. “I am so sorry for everything I’ve done to hurt you.”

Levi gently brushed her tears away. “Let us put it all behind us. I have you in my arms again, and that’s all I’ve longed for.” After a reassuring kiss, he smiled quizzically at her. “Now, would you care to go snorkeling, or did you have other plans?”

Reece splashed him with water. “Snorkeling was exactly what I had planned this entire time. Why else would you need to take your shirt off?”

Levi smiled the smile that always took her breath away. Then he reached out, grasped her with one arm, and brought her closer into him. “I have missed you.”

Reece gave him a quick kiss. “Let’s go so see some fish.” she said as she turned and climbed the ladder to the boat to where their snorkeling gear awaited them.

When their gear was ready, they dove back into the water and swam away from the boat. They held hands while they explored the breathtaking sea life in the water beneath them. Vibrantly colored fish and other sea creatures swam through various rock formations deep in the water below. Reece was captivated by everything she saw, and she could sense Levi’s amusement as she pointed out different types of fish to him. Then, without warning, Levi broke free and dove down, swimming deep into the water beneath her.

She stared into the crystal-clear water in awe of how deep he was in the water.
Is he trying to set a new record for holding your breath under water?
She thought nervously. As Levi explored the rocky ocean floor, he reached for something, and swam gracefully back up to her.

She raised her face up out of the water, took the snorkel out of her mouth and pulled her mask up onto her forehead. By that time, Levi had done the same thing, and swam over to her.

She stared at him in amazement. “How were you able to hold your breath for that long?”

Levi laughed and handed her an exquisite, multi-colored seashell. “I’ve got something for you; a little souvenir.” He brought his hand up to her face and stole a quick kiss.

She smiled. “It’s beautiful.”

He took his mask off his forehead, and brought the strap through her arm. “Wait here—”

She grabbed him before he could get away. “Seriously, how are you able to hold your breath for so long?”

Levi’s expression was filled with more excitement than she’d ever seen.

He smiled brightly at her. “Remember how I told you before that the Pemdai have control over their minds, unlike humans.”

“Oh the super-human stuff again?” She teased.

“No, more like Super-Pemdai.” He said with a smile. “My mind simply tells my body it doesn’t require oxygen; therefore, I have no desire to breathe.”

“Well, aren’t you impressive?” She said as she rolled her eyes.

Levi’s eyes crinkled in humor. “Oh! You’re not impressed?” he laughed, “Would you care to try it for yourself? We could have a little contest.”

Reece splashed him with water, “Just go get me another sea shell.”

Levi winked, and then dove down toward the ocean floor. Reece floated above as he swam deep in the water beneath her. It wasn’t long before he reached into a rock, pulled something out, and swam up to her. Once at the surface, Levi smoothed his wet hair back, and swam over to her with another seashell in his hand. Reece nearly screamed when she saw the legs of a crab retreat back into the beautiful shell Levi held.

Reece held a hand over her heart. “Get that thing away from me!” she shouted as she turned and swam to the back of the boat and climbed up the ladder. She sat on the swim platform, letting her legs dangle in the water.

Levi laughed as he came around the side of the boat and saw Reece’s reproachful expression. “It won’t harm you, sweetheart.” He said as he reached for her hand.

Reece jerked away. “Not a chance! I’m not holding that thing!”

Levi chuckled. “Here, hold your palm flat.” He cupped her hand under his, and turned her palm up. “Trust me.” He kissed the center of her tense palm. “You know very well that I will not allow anything to harm you. Now, relax.”

“You’re crazy; I saw the claws on that thing!”

Levi’s lips quirked up as he placed the tiny crab shell in the palm of her hand.

Reece closed her eyes tightly. “I swear, if this thing pinches me…” she trailed off.

“Relax.”

She felt nothing but the smooth shell in the palm of her hand. She slowly opened one eye and stared apprehensively at the beautiful seashell. She looked over at Levi; his face was radiant with excitement as he stared intently at the shell in her hand. She glanced back at the shell, and then all of a sudden, something tickled her hand.

She startled and laughed. “See, it’s not so bad, is it?” he said proudly as he looked up at her.

Reece smiled at his smug grin. “No, it’s not that bad,” she answered.

“I told you.” Levi said as took the crab from her hand and placed in the water. He brought his sturdy arm around Reece, lifted her off of the platform, and brought her back into the water with him. He embraced her and kissed her lips softly. “Would you care for some lunch?”

Reece ran her hands through his wet hair, and locked her legs around his waist. “Yes, but right now,” she kissed his chin, “I’d like to enjoy the fact that I’m finally in your arms again.”

One of Levi’s hands gripped the swim platform of the boat, while he used his other hand to bring her body tightly against his. “I couldn’t agree with you more.” he said, as his lips captured hers.