57

Levi's apartment was just as I remembered — sleek, masculine, and annoyingly perfect. Dark furniture, that stupidly comfortable leather couch, and the warm glow of dim lighting that made the space feel both intimate and effortlessly put together. I had spent enough time here to know exactly where everything was, yet tonight, it felt different. Charged.

I leaned against the marble counter in the open kitchen, arms crossed, watching him as he shrugged out of his jacket and tossed it over a chair. "You know," I mused, dragging my gaze across the room, "for someone who pretends to be unpredictable, you really are an open book."

He returned moments later, holding two glasses and a bottle of wine. His easy confidence was maddening. "You're making a lot of bold claims tonight, Abel."

"Bold, but true," I shot back, straightening as he poured the wine with the care of a sommelier. "You're the most predictable guy I know, Carson. You think you're mysterious, but you're basically an open book."

He chuckled, the sound low and rich, as he handed me a glass. His fingers brushed against mine, a fleeting touch that sent a spark up my arm. "An open book, huh? That's rich, coming from someone who's been psychoanalyzing me for the last five minutes."

I took a sip of wine, savoring the smooth, slightly fruity flavor before responding. "And yet, you haven't denied it."

Levi leaned back against the couch, his eyes scanning me with a lazy intensity that made my pulse race. "Maybe I like being predictable."

The room felt smaller, the air thicker, as his words hung between us. I placed my glass on the counter and walked toward him, my steps slow, deliberate. "You know," I began, tilting my head slightly, "for someone who loves being in control, you're surprisingly easy to figure out."

His eyebrow quirked, but he didn't move. "Oh?"

I stopped just short of brushing against him, my heart thundering in my chest as I met his gaze. "You act like you're untouchable, but I see right through you."

His lips curved into a half-smile, the kind that always made me want to slap him—or kiss him. "And what exactly do you see?"

"Someone who's about to get thrown off his game," I said, letting my voice drop as I placed a hand on his chest.

For a second, I thought I had the upper hand. His heartbeat was steady under my palm, but his gaze flickered—just for a moment. Then, in one smooth motion, he straightened and closed the space between us. His hands found my waist, pulling me against him, and my breath hitched.

"That's bold," he murmured, his voice like a challenge.

"Dangerous is kind of my thing," I quipped, though my voice betrayed a hint of nervousness.

His hands tightened slightly on my hips, grounding me in place. "If you think you can throw me off balance, you're going to have to do better than that."

I opened my mouth to fire back, but the words died on my tongue when he leaned closer, his breath warm against my cheek.

"You're impossible," I managed, trying to regain my composure.

"And you're adorable when you're flustered," he countered, his tone smug but soft.

"I'm not flustered," I shot back, though the heat rising in my cheeks said otherwise.

"Prove it," he whispered, his lips brushing against mine in a way that made my knees feel like jelly.

Before I could think of a response, he closed the gap, capturing my lips in a kiss that was as confident as it was electrifying. His hands slid up my back, pulling me closer, and I clung to his shoulders as though they were the only thing keeping me upright.

He tasted like red wine and trouble, and I hated how much I wanted more.

When he finally pulled away, his forehead rested against mine, and I was left breathless, my thoughts a jumbled mess.

"Still think you've got me figured out?" he asked, his voice rough with amusement.

"You're—" I paused, trying to collect myself. "You're insufferable."

Levi chuckled, his hands moving to rest on my hips. "And you're terrible at losing."

"I'm not losing," I muttered, though even I could hear the lack of conviction in my voice.

He tilted his head, his lips brushing mine as he whispered, "Then why do I feel like I'm winning?"

This time, when he kissed me, it was slower, softer, as though he was savoring every second. His hands traced lazy circles on my back, and I let myself melt into him, forgetting every reason I'd ever had to keep him at arm's length.

When he finally pulled back, I buried my face in his chest, my fingers clutching his shirt. "Okay," I admitted, my voice muffled. "Maybe you're a little harder to throw off balance than I thought."

Levi pressed a kiss to the top of my head, his laughter vibrating through me. "A little?"

"Don't push it," I said, though I couldn't hide the smile spreading across my face.

He shifted, wrapping his arms around me like he had no intention of letting go. "You make it too easy, Abel."

I laughed, shaking my head as I rested against his chest. "I don't even know how we got here."

Levi tilted my chin up, his expression uncharacteristically serious. "We got here because you drive me insane, sweetheart. And because I couldn't stop thinking about you, no matter how hard I tried."

For once, I was speechless. The teasing was gone, replaced by something real, something terrifying and wonderful.

"You're not supposed to say things like that," I managed, though my voice wavered.

"And you're not supposed to make me want to say them," he countered, a small smile tugging at his lips.

I let out a shaky laugh as he pulled me into his arms, holding me close. "You're annoyingly good at this, you know?"

Levi smirked, kissing the top of my head. "What can I say? I'm annoyingly good at loving you, too."

"Do you love me?", I asked with hesitation.

"I'd be insane not to.", he answered.

A nervous laugh slipped from me as I pulled back just enough to look into his eyes.

"That's a very dramatic answer, Levi. I'm not sure if I should believe you or roll my eyes."

His lips quirked into that signature smirk, but his gaze was serious, unwavering.

"You can do both. But know this—I love you, Cora. I don't think I ever really stopped, even when we were too busy driving each other crazy to admit it."

I blinked, the weight of his words sinking in. My breath hitched again as I tried to process what he'd just said. "You're serious?"

"As serious as I've ever been," Levi said, his voice is softer now. He reached out, his fingers brushing a stray tear from my cheek. "I love you. Completely, maddeningly, undeniably. And if you're willing to give us a chance, I'll spend every day proving it to you."

The lump in my throat threatened to choke me as I tried to speak. "I love you too — but I don't know what else to say. You always manage to leave me speechless."

"You don't have to say anything," he said gently, his thumb tracing my cheek. "Just stay. Let me be here for you, with you. No more games, no more doubts. Just us."

I let out a shaky laugh, tears now freely falling. "You're really bad at letting me win arguments, you know that?"

Levi chuckled, pulling me closer, his arms wrapping around me tightly. "What can I say? I'll fight you on everything else, but not this. Not us."

I rested my head against his chest, letting his warmth and words wash over me. "You're annoyingly good at being sincere when it matters," I murmured.

"And I'm annoyingly good at loving you, too," he teased, pressing a kiss to my lips.

This wasn't about winning or losing anymore. This was about us, about letting go of the walls we'd built around ourselves.

"Levi," I started, but he cut me off with another kiss—this one slower, deeper, a promise in the way his hands cradled my face.

When he pulled back, his gaze was steady, searching for mine. "Stay," he said, the single word laced with vulnerability

I swallowed hard, the weight of the moment pressing against my chest.

"Always.", And then I nodded, because for once, I wasn't going to overthink it.

I leaned into him, letting his arms wrap around me as the world outside faded away. Whatever came next, we'd figure it out together.

For the first time, I didn't mind losing. Because as I stood there, wrapped in Levi's arms in his annoyingly perfect apartment, I realized something that scared and thrilled me in equal measure.

I wasn't fighting against him anymore. I was falling — with him.

And for once, that didn't feel like losing at all.

And just like that, More Than Words comes to an end.

This is the first WIP I've completed, and the journey hasn't been easy—writer's block, lack of motivation, and everything in between. But I'm so glad I pushed through.

Every comment, shared moment, and your belief in Cora and Levi made this journey unforgettable.

I hope this story brought you joy, laughter, and maybe even a few happy tears. Thank you for being part of this world—I'm forever grateful!

— love sky