Hands Off The Ice King novel Chapter 126

16:00 Mon, Jul 20

Chapter 126

Chapter 126

Levi’s POV

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“What a nice scene you had there.”

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Hope’s brother, Harley, as I had learned from Zayla, stood in the middle of the living room with his arms crossed over his chest, wearing an amused smirk that said he’d been enjoying the show for a while.

“I thought I was watching The Notebook for a moment.”

I turned to Hope and saw how red her cheeks and ears had become. Even the tip of her nose was pink, making her look really adorable. Our hands were still intertwined, and I couldn’t stop myself from giving hers a gentle squeeze, lacing our fingers together a little tighter.

She was here by my side again-where she belonged. And I sure as hell wasn’t going to let her go this time.

“Shut up,” she shot back, trying to sound annoyed despite the embarrassment written all over her face. “How could you even see us?”

“I could see everything from my room,” Harley answered with a small, smug grin. “Well… almost everything. I looked away when you kissed. So gross.”

Hope’s cheeks somehow managed to redden even more.

“Whatever,” she muttered under her breath. “Lower your voice and go to sleep, Harley. You might wake Mom and Dad.”

She tugged lightly on my arm.

“Come on, Levi.”

“Wait.”

Harley stepped forward, holding out an arm to stop us.

“What now?” Hope asked with an exhausted sigh.

“You’re planning on sleeping in the same room?” He clicked his tongue. “No can do, sis. Levi’s sleeping with me.”

My brows lifted in surprise.

Hope, on the other hand, looked like she was seconds away from throwing something at him.

“I can’t have you getting pregnant.” Harley shrugged. “You know what they say about couples after they fight. I heard they do it even more intensely-”

Hope immediately let go of my hand and slapped her palm over his mouth.

“Stop being annoying, Lee,” she hissed. “Nothing of that sort is going to happen here.”

Well…

The sight of Hope standing there in those rain-soaked, thin pajamas was definitely doing something to me.

But I respected her too much to let desire outweigh everything else. I wanted her-all of her-but only when she wanted the same thing. There wasn’t a single part of me that wanted to rush her or take advantage of a moment like this.

“I’ll continue being annoying if you let him sleep in your room.” Harley pulled her hand away from his face. “I’m pretty sure

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16:00 Mon, Jul 20).

Chapter 126

Dad would appreciate what I’m doing.”

“Lee.” Hope pinched the bridge of her nose. “I’m twenty-five.”

“And I’m your brother.”

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He smiled proudly, as though that settled the argument. Then he looked at me and tilted his head toward the hallway.

“You’re staying in my room.”

Hope let out another long sigh before turning back to me.

Crap.

Looking at her now wasn’t making this any easier.

The damp fabric still clung to every curve of her body, and strands of wet hair framed her flushed face. My throat tightened. and I had to force myself to keep my gaze on her eyes instead of letting it wander.

I swallowed hard.

“Is it okay with you?” she asked softly.

I nodded without saying a word, not trusting my mouth to behave if I opened it.

Of course, I wanted to stay with her.

I wanted to hold her through the night, wrap her in my arms, and never let the distance between us exist again.

But…

Maybe this was also exactly what I needed.

A little help with my self-control.

“You can shower in his room,” Hope said. “And make sure you dry your hair.”

She turned toward Harley, narrowing her eyes as she pointed a finger at him.

“Let him rest, Lee. He drove all the way here.”

Her expression softened just a little.

“And let him borrow your clothes.”

Harley gave a small nod.

Hope looked back at me one last time before offering a small wave,

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I returned the smile, wishing I could kiss her goodnight one more time. With that, she disappeared down the hallway and into her room.

“This way,” Harley said.

I followed after him in silence.

“The bathroom’s on the left,” he explained as he opened his bedroom door. “I’ve got freshly washed clothes in there. Towels

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Chapter 126

are hanging by the rack, and extra toiletries are in the cupboard.”

“Thanks,” I muttered.

He simply nodded before leaving me alone.

I stepped into the bathroom, pressing my lips together.

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It looked exactly how I’d imagined the bathroom of a young adult guy would look-a little untidy and definitely below my usual standards.

However, I pushed aside my complaints for now. I was under the same roof as Hope with her family. I should appreciate that they’re even letting me stay here.

I changed into Harley’s clothes. I hadn’t bothered bringing a bag because I’d driven here immediately after learning where Hope lived.

At that point, I still hadn’t even confirmed whether Harley was actually her brother. However, something inside me had insisted I go. I drove for hours, asked strangers around town where the Henderson family lived, followed one direction after another, and somehow every road had led me here.

It hadn’t been easy, but every mile and every second of uncertainty had been worth it.

Anything for Hope.

I walked out of the bathroom wearing Harley’s black shirt and gray sweatpants.

Surprisingly, they fit almost perfectly. We had the same height and almost the same build.

The moment I stepped out, Harley was already lying on his bed with his arms crossed over his chest, watching me with narrowed eyes.

A neatly laid-out futon rested on the floor beside the bed.

I looked at it for a moment.

“You’re not one of those spoiled rich guys who can only sleep on a bed, right?” Harley asked. “When Connor first stayed here, I gave him my bed because he said he wasn’t used to sleeping on the floor.”

I immediately walked over and sat down on the futon.

“No,” I answered. “I don’t mind.”

Honestly, after today, I probably could’ve slept on hardwood and still fallen asleep.

I picked up the towel and began drying my hair because Hope had told me to.

I could still feel Harley staring at me.

His gaze never left.

Eventually, I chuckled.

“If you want to say something,” I said, continuing to towel my hair dry, “go right ahead.”

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