The Harder I Fall by Jessica Gibson Read Free Book Online

all the way home. What about you?”
    “Yeah, I am. I’m going to leave right after this. I just wanted to get some practice in before I left.”
    “You shouldn't be embarrassed about your dancing,” I told her. “You have real talent.”
    She blushed. “Yeah?”
    “For sure. What I saw before we started was amazing.”
    “Thanks. That really means a lot.”
    We said our goodbyes at the door, and I expected to enjoy a quiet evening of studying and bad reality TV. Sadie had gotten me into watching all sorts of terrible shows. So I was more than surprised to find Levi sitting at my door reading a book when I got back.
    “Um, aren’t you supposed to be halfway to New York by now?” I asked.
    “Yeah, I should be, but I’m not. I sent Julian on by himself, called my parents and said there was a change of plans, and here I am, waiting for you.”
    I pulled him to his feet and let us both inside. “Make yourself comfortable. I need to get a shower, but I’ll be out soon.” I walked straight back to my room and he plopped down on the couch to read some more.
    A whole week of just me and Levi; this should be interesting.
    I came out a little while later and he was right where I’d left him. “You look comfy.” I sank down on the couch next to him. He set his book aside and pulled me down on top of him. “There, now I’m comfy.”
    I took charge this time and brought my mouth down to his, kissing him and sucking in his lower lip, nipping with my teeth. His hands stroked over my back, pulling me closer to him. The tips of his fingers brushed along the edge of my shirt, nudging the fabric up a bit. My mind was racing, in between enjoying what was happening. I was worried about what he expected to happen, and if I was ready for that or not.
    “Levi, wait.” I pulled back and sat up. “I’m not exactly experienced here.”
    “Please don't overthink this, Becca. I’m not trying to get into your pants right now. I just want to kiss you.”
    “You say that now, but how long are you going to be okay with just kissing?” I looked down at my hands, hating this conversation and wishing I had never started it.
    “Is that what you’re worried about? That I’m going to expect sex from you just because we’re dating?” he asked.
    “Well, kind of, yeah.”
    He laughed. “Seriously, I’m not looking for that right now. Sex complicates things. I would never pressure you into something you weren’t ready for. I’m not even sure I’m ready for it at this point.”
    “Are all guys like you?” I asked.
    “No, most guys have the opposite point of view. It’s not to say that I don’t want to have sex with you, because I really do. But I can wait.”
    “When I said inexperienced, that was an understatement. You were my first kiss; I had never even held a boy’s hand before this.”
    “That’s hard to believe.”
    “It’s true. I’ve never had a boyfriend, or really even wanted one. You’ve changed so much in me in the short time we’ve known each other.”
    “I don’t care about the past, I only want to know you now.”
    There are things about me that you don’t know.”
    “Right, there are things about me you don’t know either. It’s half the fun of being in a relationship with someone. Finding out all of the little things that make you who you are.”
    I shook my head, “this isn’t about the foods I dislike, or my favorite boyband.”
    “Try me, do I look like I scare easily?”
    I took a deep breath and told him all about my drunk mom, and what happened with my dad, and how I had basically raised my younger brother because our mom was always passed out or on the way to it.
    “Wow, I don’t really know what to say,” he said when I was done. “That is a really shitty way to grow up. I’m so sorry you had to witness something like that.” He hugged me.
    I felt as though a weight had been lifted from my shoulders; now that he knew everything, I was really free. Levi kissed me again, and this