Page 102 of Needed You

They both greet us, and I feel Lev’s warmth press against me from behind. He leans in and kisses my neck as he offers me a bottle.

My cheeks heat up with embarrassment. “Thank you,” I mumble, taking the beer. He hums against my neck, then leads me to the couch, and we join everyone hanging out in the room.

Lev makes himself comfortable, his hand on my knee as we settle into the cushions. The touch is exactly what I need right now, and something content and warm fills my chest as I realize he knows that. And he cares. God, he does love me. I still can’t believe he told me that not more than five minutes ago. I sigh happily, though I’m trying not to be too outwardly giddy.

His dad starts talking to us, asking questions and inquiring about my parents and what they’re doing, how they are, typical small talk. I don’t have much to tell them, but I fill them in on what I know, trying to keep the disdain out of my voice. Lev gives my knee a little squeeze in an effort to comfort me.

Lindsey and Mr. Richardson keep asking Mrs. Richardson if she needs help. She says she’s fine, and her sister-in-law (Aunt Tracy, whom I also met) is helping her in the kitchen. Occasionally, Lev will get up to go help her for a bit as well. Even I offered to help at one point.

“Oh, aren’t you sweet?” she said in response. “I’m doing well. Please go enjoy. There’s not a lot more to do anyway!”

So, I went and sat back down with Lev, and I’ve been here ever since. It’s perfect here anyway, I think, as I look around. It’s just what I thought it would be, just what it should be.

Drinks are replenished, conversation is boisterous, and it just feels so right, especially when Lev slips his arm up and around my shoulders.

Around four o’clock, Lindsey pokes her head in from the kitchen and yells “Dinner is served!” Everyone laughs because she used a French accent.

We file into the dining room and find seats. The table is set for eight, and we all sit next to our partners, with Mr. Richardson at the head of the table. It’s all so family-oriented and special that I feel a little bit overwhelmed.

We eat our weight in food and dessert, and there’s rarely a lull in the conversation. Lev’s family does extremely well at including Julian and me in the conversation, filling us in on jokes and backstories and asking us questions to keep us engaged.

After the dishes are cleared and our drinks are refilled, Lindsey pulls out a deck of cards. “It’s time for some spades!” she announces, dealing everyone in. We play a game of spades, followed by some rummy. It’s so natural.

I find myself overcome with emotion again as I realize my parents haven’t even sent me a text message to check in or wish me a happy Thanksgiving. Lev must see the change, because his hand finds my thigh.

“You okay, little lycan?” he whispers.

I look at him, and my eyes fill with tears.

“I’m good,” I say, swallowing as I reach my hand under the table and lace our fingers together.

He cocks his head, concern flooding his piercing blue eyes.

“Really, Lev. I’m good,” I assure him.

He pushes his chair back and pulls me up. “Come on. Let’s go outside for a minute.”

Lev leads me outside for some cool air. Pressing me up against the corner of the deck, which I’m hoping is out of view of the dining room, Lev cages me in with his arms on either side of my body.

“Hey,” he says quietly, pressing his groin against me.

I shiver, not sure if it’s from the cold air or him. “Hey yourself,” I respond, rising slightly to meet his lips in a soft kiss that quickly turns fevered.

When we pull away, Lev’s forehead rests on mine. “You sure you’re okay?” he asks.

“Mm-hmm,” I say, wrapping my arms around his waist and pulling him in. I fit perfectly in the V-shape of the deck’s corner with Lev’s large frame enveloping me, making it a tight fit that I don’t mind at all. “I’m good. Thank you for letting me share your family tonight,” I say to him.

He hugs me back. “They like you,” he says. “I can tell.”

“What’s not to like?” I tease, giving my hips a little shimmy against him.

He growls deep in his chest. “Exactly,” he says, nipping my ear lobe. I gasp. “I want to get you home,” he says.

I nod against him. There’s still a bit of conversation we need to have. A warmth fills my body at the words that tumbled out of Lev before we got to his front door, and I smile to myself.

“Come on.” He takes my hand, kissing me quickly. “Let’s say good night.”

We head back into the house and find everyone in the kitchen. Lev walks up to his mom first and gives her a hug.