CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
SCARLETT
I wake slowly, coated in warmth from the sunlight spilling through the windows after forgetting to close the blinds last night.
My mind flickers to all that happened yesterday. Levi’s mood, the session, the dinner, then to the kiss.
I flip to my back, running my hands through my hair, sighing up to the roof. I’m afraid we just completely ruined everything. Though, part of me can’t help but think that it might’ve been worth it.
My mind replays the kiss in my head. Soft, yet assured. Slightly tentative, but he knew what he wanted. His fingers sliding through my hair and the groan that was drawn out of his chest before I ended it.
What would have happened if I didn’t stop us?
I shake that thought away immediately. This can’t go anywhere. Whatever this is could never amount to anything. I can’t get my hopes up.
I take a deep breath before padding softly across my room to head downstairs.
The house is quiet, but the empty coffee mug sitting in the sink tells me Levi was here not too long ago as well.
Moving through the house, I head outside to see him sitting on the pier, legs dangling off the side, leaning back onto his hands behind him.
With his head tilted back, he looks peaceful. A world away from how he looked yesterday. A smile pulls at my lips as I walk through the garden down to the pier.
Silently, I go to sit beside him, nudging my shoulder against his arm lightly.
“Good morning,” I say softly, meeting his eyes.
“Morning.” He replies, his voice gruff as a small grin gracing his lips as he looks back over the lake.
“How’d you sleep?”
He shrugs before gruffly responding. “Not bad. You?”
“Pretty good, actually.” I say, noticing the corner of his lip pull up even further. My brows knit together.
What is going through his mind?
I shake off the thought before speaking up again. “Do you feel up to a session today, or did you want to have a rest day instead?”
He contemplates for a second before shaking his head. “Nah, I think we just have a day to relax instead. Maybe even finally try out the hot tub?” He pumps his eyebrows a couple times.
Rolling my eyes, I lean back on my hands, pursing my lips before nodding. “Alright, Carter. Let’s do it.”
We lapse back into silence for a short while before I stand, wiping my hands off onto my shorts.
“I’m going to head out and get some food.
Maybe some pastries from down the road, do you want anything?
” I ask as I walk backwards, up the pier, toward the house.
On the drive to the house, I saw the cutest little vintage bakery.
A maroon door and golden fixtures, hanging plants across the space and a display window of cakes that look absolutely mouth-watering, and I knew that I had to try them while we were out here.
“Yeah, sure. I’ll have whatever you’re having."
I nod before turning to continue up the path.
Once I get to the house, I move toward the front door to slip on my shoes before heading out. It’s a nice day, sunny with a soft breeze so I decide to walk. Take advantage of the space and the fresh air.
It’s fifteen minutes later when I get to the bakery. The bell at the top of the door chimes softly as I open it, the sweet smell of sugar encasing me instantly.
I take a deep breath. This is exactly what I needed this morning.
The floors were a honey-coloured wood, the walls a soft blush pink.
Behind the glass counters, there were more pastries than you could ever dream of. Glossy fruit tarts, cinnamon rolls, flaky croissants, little cream puffs, sweet pies and just about every flavour of cake that I could imagine. Heaven.
An older woman behind the counter greeted me with a big smile. “Hello, love. How can I help you today?”
I return the smile. “Hi, I was looking for some breakfast for myself and a friend, maybe even some treats for later. What would you recommend?”
She looks down, inside the counter for a second to contemplate before answering. “I’d recommend the croissants for breakfast. Absolute heaven if you ask me. Then for the sweets our fruit tarts and cinnamon rolls.”
I nod my head slowly. “Can I get two of the croissants, then six fruit tarts and six cinnamon rolls please?”
“Coming right up, dear.” She says as she starts to move around behind the counter, packing up the pastries.
My mind flicks back to Levi waiting at the house, sending butterflies through my stomach. He’s unnerving to me, but in the best way. It’s starting to make it hard to be around him. I don’t know if I can trust myself.
I shake those thoughts away, paying the lady before grabbing the bag and walking out of the store.
The scent of coffee hits me immediately as I enter the house and kick off my shoes, hearing Levi rustling about in the kitchen.
I head in that direction, arms overflowing with the best smelling pastries I’ve ever bought.
I haven’t even taken a bite yet and I am already planning when I can go back and try everything else.
I notice the table is set when Levi walks around the corner holding a pot of coffee and a couple of mugs.
I arch a brow at him. He looks almost sheepish, giving me a small shrug before setting the coffee on the table.
I place the bag of treats on the table, rifling through to find our croissants. I pull one out, taking a bite, moaning at the taste. Levi chokes on his coffee, flushing red at the sound. My eyebrows draw together. He’s acting a little strange.
Breakfast passes by in silence as we catch up on life back home, me with my family back in Australia and Levi with his teammates, I’m sure. After finishing up, we clean the table and the kitchen, putting everything back where it belongs.
I turn to Levi, leaning against the counter and crossing my arms. “How about the hot tub to get that shoulder of yours nice and relaxed? I think it deserves a little bit of a break.”
I wink at him making Levi flush crimson as he looks away, nodding shyly.
Brushing past him, I move towards the stairs. “I’ll meet you there.”
…
I make my way down to the tub.
Pulling off my robe, I step down, the warm water enveloping me causing goosebumps to break out on my skin.
I settle down, letting my muscles relax through the heat of the warm water before I feel an intense gaze on me, causing me to look behind.
I catch Levi watching me through the window - and I mean really watching me. I arch a brow, my lips pulling up into a smirk as I crook my finger at him to come out. And he does.
He strides through the doorway, his sculpted body a sight for sore eyes. From his wide shoulders that taper into a lean, athletic torso – every muscle so incredibly defined. Quads so thick, those typical hockey player thighs showing off just how powerful this man is on the ice.
I bring my fingers to my lips just to make sure I’m not drooling – I'm in the clear.
Levi climbs in beside me, the water rippling against his broad frame before he settles down next to me.
His bare leg brushes against my own, my breath catching.
He stretches his long arm across the back of the tub, his fingers grazing against the top of my shoulder sending a shiver through my spine.
“So… about last night.” I start, shifting so I’m facing toward him.
I see a coy smile starting to pull at his lips before he turns to meet my eyes.
“What about it?” He mumbles, his gaze moving down to my lips before back to my eyes.
Rolling my eyes, I nudge his knee under the water. “You know what.”
He moves an inch closer. My heart stutters. His fingertips start to brush against my shoulder with more purpose as he answers. “You mean the part where you told me to kiss you?”
My jaw drops and I scoff, crossing my arms over my chest. “I did not.” The lie spills out of my mouth. I can’t let him have this. I refuse to let him have this.
He raises a brow. “Oh, but I think you did.”
I splash him causing him to chuckle.
“You started to lean in, and you caught me at a weak moment.”
His smile disappears, an intense heat taking over his face. “Yeah? You saying you didn’t want me to kiss you?”
My heartbeat becomes louder, blood rushing through my ears from the intensity of this conversation. The conversation reminding me just how bad I want him.
“I didn’t say that.” I murmur.
The hand that was resting on my shoulder gently moves to grasp the nape of my neck, his fingers pulsing once as he leans closer, warm breath against the shell of my ear as he whispers, “And how do you feel now?”
“That this could ruin everything we’ve been working toward for your recovery.” I whisper, making his eyes shut almost in a plea – but if I know Levi, he won’t exactly push on this. So I continue, “But I’m not so sure that I care anymore.”
His eyes snap back to mine, his hand trailing through the water grasping my knee to softly guide me closer to him. “I don’t think I do either.”
The both of us are almost stuck in a trance, so I break the silence first. “Are you going to make the first move this time?”
“I’m trying to.” He mutters, gaze drifting down to my lips, “Tell me to stop, Scar. Tell me this is a bad idea.”
I can’t. I need this. I need him. I shake my head as I stand to move in front of him. Looking down at him, I run my fingers through his hair as he stares up at me with those crystal blue eyes.
“I don’t want you to stop.” I breathe out, as I await his next move.
“Then come here.” He says as he moves his hands to my hips to guide me to straddle him.
He threads his fingers into my hair, looking deep into my eyes one last time for confirmation that this is okay.
I nod softly and that’s all it takes for him to snap, crashing our lips together. It’s hotter, deeper, more intense than last night. Nothing like the hesitation of our first kiss.
The water sloshes around us as his hand tightens its grip on my hip to grind me down on his lap. A shocked moan pours out of me as I feel his hardness against my clit.
The hand in my hair pulls back, opening up access to my neck.