Chapter 30
Layla
Stepping through Levi’s back gate, I gasp at the beauty.
Walking through their yard, tonight, looks like a pixie garden with fairy lights draped around the fence, sweeping along the roofline and hanging across the bar.
The pool lights are glittering, looking like a tropical haven with the waterfalls flowing.
White, electric candles flicker inside beautiful, black, wrought iron lanterns placed on every table throughout the space.
“Wow, it’s beautiful,” I murmur to myself, momentarily in awe.
Levi’s voice brings my attention back to them. “Hi. Sorry, to interrupt,” I say, cautiously approaching Levi standing with his Uncle Steve.
They turn towards me. “Hi, Layla,” Steve greets me.
Levi grins. “Hi, you came back.”
“I did. Gabe and I got everything done, for now anyway and I just left my mom’s.”
“Did you get a chance to eat? We’ve got a lot of leftovers,” Steve offers. “With the kids home, I think Miranda cooked for an entire baseball team.”
Giving him an appreciative smile, I decline. “Thank you, but I just had dinner with my mom.”
“Then, I think I’ll be heading inside. Thanks for helping out, Levi,” his uncle says, making a quick exit.
“No problem,” he acknowledges.
Facing me, he gathers me into his arms and tips his head down, pressing his lips against mine. “Hi, beautiful.”
My heart soars at his compliment. “Hi. Sounds like you had a fun day today with your family.”
Chuckling, he says, “If you want to call it that.”
“Your cousins are home?”
“Yeah, they have a family wedding this week on Aunt Miranda’s side, so they took a few extra days off. I didn’t know about it until today.”
“I get it. What are you helping out with?”
“Today, a lot of cleaning, and stuff around the yard since they’ll be having other family in and out.”
“That was nice of you, but did you overdo it? You didn’t hurt yourself again did you?”
He chuckles, shaking his head. “No. I promise, I only did things I know I can do without you kicking my ass, but after everything they do for me, there was no way I was going to just sit and watch. But I am exhausted.”
“I can go if you want.”
“Please stay. I was thinking that a bath might be good for both of us,” he suggests, wiggling his brows playfully. A salacious grin tugs at his lips as he watches me. My breath catches, and my skin prickles with awareness.
Without answering, I follow him inside and let him guide me towards the bathroom, suffused in an elegant silver and white.
My gaze veers to him, watching as he turns the faucet of a large white clawfoot tub placed beside a silver and white shower adorned with a frosted glass door.
Dipping his hand underneath the stream, he checks the water.
Stepping away, he looks at me and closes the distance between us.
He slides his hands up my arms and cups the back of my neck, with his thumbs tenderly caressing the back of my jaw near my ears.
Staring into my eyes with an intensity that causes my heart to stutter and my breath to hitch, he rasps, “I’m really happy you came back. ”
“Me too,” I whisper.
His golden orbs glimmer, taking me in with a vulnerability that leaves me feeling open and splayed just for him.
“Layla, I meant it when I said I wanted to take care of you tonight. I know you’re sore and we’re both tired, but I just want to be with you and spend time with you. Let’s take a bath, and then we can cuddle, talk, or just go to sleep. Together.”
“That sounds perfect.”
With my agreement, he grabs lavender and salts, adding the perfect amount. His actions, prompt me to ask, “Do you take a lot of baths, Levi?”
He chuckles. “Never with a beautiful woman.” A snort escapes before I can stop it and I quickly cover my mouth, my cheeks turning red.
Pressing his lips together, he shakes his head.
“I’m serious. With sore muscles, you figure out ways to relax pretty damn fast. But it’s always just me, except for the days I get put in one at our facility and my teammates definitely look nothing like you. ”
Disappointment in myself slices through me. I should know better than to assume the worst and judge him for it without asking him for the truth. Men take baths too. It doesn’t have to be with another woman. “I’m sorry.”
“I get it, but I’m already looking forward to the day you trust me.”
“Levi–” I open my mouth to argue.
Pressing his lips to mine, he stops me from talking. Breaking our kiss, he tips his head back, assessing my reaction. “It will happen,” he declares with immense confidence. “We just need time together.”
Surprising myself, I believe him.
He rips off his shirt and tosses it on the floor.
My lips part, mouth-watering at the sight of his hard abs.
His shorts go next, but he momentarily leaves his boxers, giving me a view I can’t tear my gaze from.
Stepping up to me, he grips the hem of my shirt, arching his brow, waiting for my permission.
I nod and he lifts it over my head, dropping it next to his.
My breathing picks up its pace. “I’ve got it,” I tell him, forcing certainty.
Levi moves back, giving me some space. I step out of my skirt first, standing in front of him in just my bra and panties my heart an erratic mess beneath my ribcage.
Reaching back, I unhook my bra and let it fall to the floor.
His eyes widen, turning to liquid gold. Gripping my panties, I slide them down my legs and step out of them, straightening.
Standing in front of him bare, exposed, his eyes flare, raking over my body and boosting my confidence.
“You’re even more beautiful than I imagined. ”
I blush, prickles racing through my insides. “Levi,” his name falls from my lips on a soft sigh.
Turning off the water, he drops his boxers and steps into the tub, holding out his hand for me to follow.
Carefully lowering himself in the tub, he leans back, opening his legs for me.
I step in and sit down, submersing myself in the bubbles and facing away.
The scent of lavender floods my senses, further relaxing me.
His gentle touch on my back with the cottony soft washcloth starts to calm my racing heartbeat.
“Is this, okay?” he prompts.
“Yes,” I answer breathlessly.
“Lean back,” he directs. I do as he says, his hands gliding over my shoulders.
Taking the washcloth, he runs it down my neck and arms. Painstakingly making his way along my sides and over my belly before reaching my breasts, pausing to take extra care, my nipples perking in delight. “You’re perfect, Layla.”
“Your flattery is doing wonders to my confidence.”
“It’s the truth. I’m wondering how I got so lucky to be here with you,” he says, kissing my shoulder.
“Levi,” I whisper, my heart squeezing. This is the time to tell him, talk to him.
He drags the cloth down to my legs, tenderly cleaning between them causing a shock of heat to burn through me. His breath becomes ragged, his cock pressing into my back. He chuckles darkly. “This is definitely a lesson in restraint.”
Grabbing his hand, I ask, “Do you want me to wash you?”
He shakes his head. “That is definitely a very bad idea. Why don’t you just lean back against me?”
Relaxing against his shoulder, I look up at him and smile. His arms wrap around my waist and I rest my hands on his solid forearm. “If you couldn’t play baseball anymore, what do you think you would do?” I ask, instead of confessing.
“Is there something you’re not telling me?”
“No, no, no! Nothing like that,” I insist. “I’m sorry. You’re healing well. I can tell you’re listening to my advice even when I’m not around.”
I feel his sigh of relief. “Well, I enjoy working at the camps with the high school kids and I would love to coach, but I think I’d like to be a pitching coach more than anything at the older levels.
Pro, college, even high school. But if not in baseball,” he pauses in thought, “maybe an announcer or sports broadcasting?” He chuckles. “I guess that’s baseball too.”
“It’s okay. You obviously have a passion and you should follow it.”
“What about you? Would you consider doing physical therapy for a pro team?” he asks, making my stomach turn as he gives me even more of a perfect opening.
“Um, well, I…” I stammer, trying to figure out how to tell him.
“I’m not saying you want any special treatment. That’s not what I’m asking,” he quickly amends, guilt hitting me for not speaking up.
“I don’t know. Maybe, I…” I trail off, my heart hammering and my hands trembling with nerves.
“You’re shaking. Let’s get out. The water is getting cold.”
Scrambling out of the tub, he grabs a towel and holds it up for me.
I climb out and he quickly wraps me in the luxurious warmth, pressing a kiss to my temple.
He reaches over and drains the water before grabbing his own towel and swiftly drying off, then, hanging it up.
My gaze drops to his sculpted ass when we step into the bedroom, flicking back to his face as he grabs out a gray t-shirt, handing it to me.
I drag it over my head before dropping the towel, seeing him stepping into a pair of boxers.
“You know we never carved our pumpkins.”
He chuckles. “No, we didn’t. We could always do it after you finish work tomorrow.”
“Okay.”
“Come on,” he urges, linking our fingers and gently tugging me towards the bed. He tosses the covers back and gets in bed, beckoning me to him. I lay down facing him with one hand under my head. Smirking, he reaches for me and grips my hips, pulling me closer, a soft squeal escaping. “Closer.”
Giggling, I say his name, “Levi.”
“I just want to hold you and look at you,” he murmurs. His hand grazes over my hair, stopping at the rubber band and jerking it loose. “You’re so beautiful.”
“And you’re so sweet to me, Levi.” I’m starting to wonder if I deserve it, if he deserves more than me.
“I want to do more for you if you’ll let me.” Closing the distance between us, he seals his mouth over mine, his kiss tender. Falling back to the pillow, his eyes flutter closed and I curl into his embrace, savoring our time together.