Chapter 16
Layla
Leaning back against the counter, I watch the corded muscles on Levi ripple as he washes the dishes. “I really wish you’d let me help.”
“I didn’t invite you over to do my dishes.”
“They’re not just yours.”
He tips his head, giving me an amused grin. “Do you ever let someone do something for you without asking questions or trying to help?”
Pursing my lips, I pretend to think about it. “Nope,” I reply, popping the P.
He chuckles and turns off the water, turning to face me. “Thank you for coming over tonight,” he sates, his voice low and gravelly shooting heat straight to my core. I could listen to him talk all night.
“Thanks for having me.” Licking my lips, my eyes roam his toned form as he dries his hands and tosses the towel on the counter. “Why me?” I blurt out the question before I can think about it.
His mouth falls open, his movements staccato before becoming fluid again as he sidles towards me. “Are you seriously asking me that?” he asks, clearly perplexed.
My face heats, but I nod in affirmation. “Yes. Why me? You don’t do relationships anymore and now I know why. After our shitty blind date, you could’ve forgotten about it, about me.”
“I’d never forget about you,” he interrupts. “And I sure as hell needed to apologize.”
“Okay, so say you’re sorry and go. But why are you all of a sudden willing to take a risk with someone you barely know? Why me, Levi?”
He holds my stare, his eyes intense, closing the distance until he’s standing in front of me without making contact.
His warm breath fans my face as he looks down at me until I avert my gaze, dropping it to his chest. My heart hammers against my ribcage, while I stare straight ahead, focusing on breathing.
Suddenly, his hands grip my waist, lifting me and making me squeal.
I suck in a quick breath as he places me on the cool granite countertop.
Planting his hands beside me and caging me in, he leans in close, so close I can’t look at anything but him.
“Why you? It may be only one question, but I have a million answers.”
I gasp, my heart squeezing. “Levi,” I whimper.
“I’ll start with something simple. You’re stunning, Layla.”
Shaking my head, I argue, “You see beautiful women all the time.”
“Not like you,” he claims, his voice full of conviction.
“When I walked through the door at the diner and saw you sitting alone, my mouth nearly hit the floor. The way your hair fell across your shoulders, I wanted to run my fingers through it to see if it was as soft as it looked.” He gives a gentle tug of my ponytail, tipping my head back.
“I wanted to brush my lips over your silky, tanned skin.” His mouth skims down my neck eliciting goosebumps.
“My fingers were itching to caress the sides of your breasts to see your nipples peak towards me.” His knuckles skim my sides, my breasts heavy, my nipples pert, straining towards him.
“You have this breathtaking body you hide behind a librarian image and it’s sexy as fuck. ”
My entire body is on fire, my juices pooling in my panties. I’m desperate to pull my legs together for some friction, but it’s impossible with him standing between them. Instead, I keep pushing him.
Breathily, I argue, “Those are not things that are unique to me.”
“Yes, they are. Those things, everything about you is special Layla because you don’t compare to anyone else I’ve ever laid eyes on.” He presses a soft kiss to my jaw. “But I’m happy to give you more.”
Gently, his tongue flicks out, licking a spot behind my ear, eliciting a soft moan. “Yes, please.”
“I’ve never seen eyes so bright, and full of emotion, so expressive. I tried to block it out, but I couldn’t. Even when I thought you were using me, I didn’t want to walk away.”
“You didn’t. I did.”
Leaning back, he looks into my eyes. “Which gives me another list of reasons I want you to stay. You don’t put up with bullshit, you have a kind heart, and you mean what you say.”
“A lot of people do,” I interrupt.
“Not with me. But you know my world intimately and it doesn’t matter to you.
You’re smart and stand your ground. You fight for what you want and what you believe in and that’s part of what makes you absolutely stunning.
Sure, you can be quiet, but you’re fierce and letting you go could be deadly for me.
You’re not just the woman I want, you’re exactly what I need.
I want you, Layla. Every piece of you. Claws, fur, and all,” he claims.
Before I can respond, his mouth drops, sealing his lips over mine.
A soft moan escapes as I melt into him. His hands slide up my sides and cups my face, holding me to him.
Moving together soft and slow, but also firm and unrelenting, I kiss him back.
My hands snake into his hair and I gently haul him towards me when his tongue slips inside, tangling with mine.
One hand glides down my neck and side, landing on my thigh once again.
His thumb rubs slow circles on my skin, inching up my leg.
My breathing picks up its pace and I kiss him harder, almost frantic before my head falls back desperate for breath.
His lips drop to my collarbone, licking, nibbling, sucking.
“I love the red against your skin,” he mumbles, kissing me again.
Careful of his shoulder, my hands glide down, digging into his back. “My panties match,” I reveal breathlessly.
“Fuck me,” he mutters, his fingers crawling further up the inside of my thigh, my statement, his permission.
“Kiss me,” I beg. His mouth finds mine once again, devouring me. His fingers sweep over my panties, enflaming my already burning core making me moan into his mouth.
The sound of a door opening and closing, followed by his aunt calling, “Levi? Are you here?”
Levi freezes and I launch myself off the kitchen counter, slipping between him and the granite with a yelp. He chuckles and answers, “We will be right out, Aunt Miranda.”
Running my hands through my hair and over my dress, I spin around frantically as if I left something on the ground, but apparently it’s only my dignity. “I’m so sorry.”
“There’s nothing to apologize for. Relax,” he insists, pressing a kiss to my forehead. Linking our fingers, he guides me out to the living room.
His aunt’s eyes widen when she sees me. “Oh, I’m so sorry to interrupt.”
“Layla and I were just cleaning up dinner,” he explains, grinning.
“Um, yeah.” Flushed, I rush to escape, yanking my hand away. “I’m sorry, but I have to get going. Thank you for dinner, Levi.”
“Let me walk you home.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I want to,” he insists.
“Okay.” I agree. “It was good to see you Mrs. Brennan.”
“Please, call me Miranda.” I nod in affirmation. “And I’ll see you at book club.”
“Oh, yes. I’ll be there.”
I rush out the door with Levi close behind. He easily catches me just as the back gate closes, his arm falling over my shoulders and tugging me close. “You’re in a rush to get out of there.”
“I’m mortified,” I emphasize, the heat rushing to my face once again.
Chuckling, he reminds me, “She was one of the women who set us up and we are more than old enough to be kissing.”
“I know, but…” I scrunch my nose up and he laughs, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.
“You’re adorable.”
“Gee thanks,” I mutter only making him laugh harder.
Moments later we walk up to my front door and I stop, his hand falling to his side as I turn to look at him. “Thank you for tonight. I had a lot of fun.”
Reaching behind my head, he grips my ponytail and gently tugs until I meet his gaze. “Me too. Thank you for giving me a chance.”
I lick my suddenly dry lips and push up on my tiptoes, while he lowers his head to meet me halfway.
We’re quickly lost in another kiss as he spins me, pressing me against my front door.
His lips glide over mine, his taste, his touch igniting every piece of me.
If I’m not careful, I may climb him like a tree right in front of my house.
Dragging myself out of my Levi induced haze, I place my hand on his chest, and give him a gentle nudge, halting his movements.
Both of us gasp for breath as he looks into my eyes, searching. “I think I need to take this slow.”
“I’m just kissing you goodnight,” he claims, his eyes sparkling with mischief and his smile devilish.
“Your lips feel like a helluva lot more than just a kiss goodnight.”
He smirks. “Then, maybe I should try it again.” He hesitates only a moment before seeing my assent in my eyes, pressing his lips to mine once again, eliciting a desperate sound from my mouth.
Lost in Levi, it takes me a moment to notice as the door behind me swings open and I fall back, a startled scream fleeing.
Levi’s arm tightens around my waist and he swiftly brings me flush to his body to keep me from tumbling.
My eyes open, meeting my brother’s narrowed gaze just over Levi’s shoulders. “Hey, Sis. Have fun tonight?”
Levi stands me back on my feet keeping his hand on my back. I sway momentarily, giving a slight shake of my head. “What the hell, Gabe?” I demand the moment I get my bearings.
He chuckles, shrugging, his gaze veering to the man still holding me and watching me close. Levi holds out his free hand to my brother. “Levi Brennan.”
Gabe crosses his arms over his chest and glares at Levi. I smack him in the arm. “Don’t be an ass.”
Sighing, he shakes Levi’s hand. “Gabe, but you already know that.”
Levi nods. “You have a great arm for a first baseman.”
“And you have a shitty slider, but I don’t mind.”
Levi chuckles as their hands fall to their sides. “You’re not wrong. It’s not my best, especially this year.”
“Thanks for bringing Layla home safe.”
I scoff, but Levi laughs and acquiesces. “It’s late. I’ll see you tomorrow, Layla.”
My eyebrows furrow, not recalling any plans. Leaning down, he brushes his lips over mine, with my brother unmoving, as if standing guard. Butterflies scatter around my belly and I blush a deep shade of red, but don’t comment.
“Bye, Levi,” I say, my voice quiet, unsure. “Thank you for tonight.”
He waves and stuffs his hands in his pockets as he turns and strides away. Could this night be any more embarrassing?
“Nothing more than friends, huh?” Gabe asks, chuckling.
Groaning, I trudge into the house after my brother.