CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
SCARLETT
Getting to the boat, I see Gigi and the boys apart from Levi. Gigi and Steele are standing a couple of meters apart, cheeks beet red as Ash stares them down, shaking his head slightly. I look back to the guilty looking couple whose gazes are downcast at the floor.
I cock my head, narrowing my eyes on them. What the fuck is going on? They didn’t come back to the dining room last night, so I’m not sure what they were up to, but I have a feeling that Ash knows exactly what’s up. I’m going to get to the bottom of whatever this is.
Hearing footsteps behind me I turn and catch Levi sauntering down the stairs looking more relaxed than I’ve seen him yet.
His chestnut curls all messy from sleep, dressed in a tank top and boardshorts showing off his broad muscular frame, his golden skin glistening in the sun.
The talk last night must’ve really taken a load off him.
“What’s up, fellas?” He asks as he throws an arm around my shoulder, a smile lighting up his face. This happiness looks so good on him, he seems lighter.
The atmosphere surrounding Gigi and Bennett remains awkward, so in an attempt to break the tension I jut my chin towards the boat at the edge of the dock, “Shall we?”
The group moves toward the boat, the guys helping guide me and Gigi on safely.
We make our way toward the middle of the lake before Calloway cuts the engine and turns towards the group, rubbing his hands together, face plastered with a wicked grin that kind of makes me nervous. “Alright, gang. Who’s first?”
Moore is on his feet in a heartbeat, stripping himself of his shirt, my eyes immediately drawing to his six pack. Man, this is a group of attractive men.
I feel Levi’s fingers brush against my thigh making my gaze shift to him. His eyes have darkened to a deeper blue. Must be something to do with me looking at another man. Jealous Levi is interesting – a new development. A smirk pulls on my lips as I lean back on the bench.
“Let me show you assholes how wake surfing is done.” Moore digs as he secures the ropes to the boat, throwing the handle into the water and selecting the largest board of the three we brought out with us to match his giant frame, before throwing the board into the water and jumping in after it in a cannon ball.
Once he’s all set up, he gives a thumbs up to Calloway before calling out, “Easy, Cal.”
Calloway nods before he starts the engine, easing the throttle nice and slow. I watch intently as the rope pulls taut, Moore floating up onto the top of the water.
“This is so American.” I mutter to Levi. “I’ve never done this before.”
His head whips around to me, his jaw hanging open in shock. “What?! Scar, you’ve never been wakesurfing.”
I shake my head at him, shrugging my shoulders. “We don’t have a boat.”
“That’s changing today, Quinn.” He turns back just as Moore is finishing up his go.
Levi stands grasping my hips as he pulls me to the back of the boat, “Scar’s up.”
My jaw drops open and I shake my head at him frantically. “Levi, I don’t think this is a good idea. I’ve never done this before. It’s too risky.”
He rolls his eyes at me sarcastically before pulling his shirt over his head.
I need to feel around my mouth to make sure I’m not drooling.
“Come on, Princess. I’ll go with you. I’ll keep you safe, I promise.
” He teases me and fuck him. This Levi is far more appealing than the grumpy asshole I knew before, and that fact is concerning for me.
“Your shoulder…” I protest weakly.
Levi just shakes his head at me before moving toward me with purpose and pulling my singlet up over my head, revealing my white bikini top underneath which immediately draws his gaze before I hook my fingers into my shorts, sliding them down my legs and revealing the matching bikini bottoms. Levi is staring at me, eyes full of heat like it’s his first time seeing a woman.
I flick his nose gently to snap him out of his trance before I jump into the lake, the cold water immediately cooling my system from the heat that was Levi’s eyes burning into my skin in the most delicious way.
I feel the water ripple behind me, which I assume was Levi following me in. We swim to the board, and he starts to set us up, getting his feet into position before pulling me into him, spinning me so that my back meets his front. Goosebumps break out across my skin at the contact.
He grabs my hands adjusting the ropes so that we are both holding on securely before he gives Calloway a thumbs up.
I feel Levi lean down to speak into my ear. “You switch on those abs, Scar?” He teases, “Remember, belly button to spine.” I feel him smiling behind me, and I just know that he’s proud of that one.
The line pulls taught as Levi grips my hands tightly against the handles as we float up, so the board comes on top of the water.
Almost immediately, I start to wobble, struggling to find my balance as we glide across the water.
Levi’s hand slides to my hip, softly gripping me against his chest and I relax into the touch.
“Good, Scar.” He praises, sending butterflies through my stomach. “You’re doing so well.”
Moore calls out to us, though, I can’t understand what he’s saying but I feel Levi sigh from behind me.
“Do you want to try a trick, Princess? Let’s give Moore a run for his money.”
I don’t even hesitate. “Absolutely.”
He nods once at Calloway, signalling him to speed up before he starts to gear up to do… whatever it is to show off.
“Alright, Scar. We’re going to try out an ollie, yeah?”
My eyebrows pull together. I have no idea what that is.
Levi leans down again. “Don’t worry, I’ve got you. Just follow my lead.” He says as he squeezes my hip softly. I nod, taking his word for it and wait for instruction.
“Keep those knees bent, Scar. I want you to take your right hand off the handle.” My head jerks in an attempt to look at him, which didn’t work as I make us wobble slightly before Levi manages to stabilise us.
“You want me to what?”
A small smile pulls at his lips. “Do you trust me?”
I let out a shaky breath with a small nod and remove my right hand from the handle as we start swaying before Levi stabilises us easily.
“Proud chest, Quinn.” He murmurs before I open my chest, rolling my shoulders back and down. “Good. I’m about to press down on the front of the board before releasing the back. Just go with it, I’ve got you.”
Levi presses us forward before releasing the back foot as he pulls my weight off the board slightly, making us pop up about a foot in the air before back down onto the water where we start to glide through the water again.
I can feel my cheeks aching from how hard I’m smiling. I can’t believe we just did that.
After another couple of minutes, Levi pulls my hands off the handle, and we sink down into the water. He doesn’t let go of me, continuing to hold me nice and tight.
He threads his fingers through my wet hair pulling my forehead to his. “You did it, Quinn. I’m so fucking proud of you.”
I try to hold in my smile before it breaks out on my face, unable to stop it. The boat circles back around and Levi boosts me onto the boat before following me on board.
Moore is sulking in the corner with his arms crossed over his chest. I look back at Levi smirking. A job done well.
Ash goes next, followed by Gigi, Taylor, and then lastly Calloway with Levi driving. This has been so much fun, and it makes me so happy to get to know Levi’s support system that he has in his life as well.
We start to cruise back to shore, pulling into the dock before hopping off and making our way back up to the house.
The group starts to split off to separate bathrooms for showers leaving me alone with Levi.
He stalks toward me, guiding me to where my back meets a wall before he settles his hands on my hips.
“How’d you enjoy the American experience of wakeboarding, Quinn?” He asks as he strokes his thumb softly against my skin, distracting me.
I let out a nonchalant shrug, smirking up at him. “Not bad, actually, Carter. I’d say I did pretty well. It seems like I’m good at just about everything.”
A disbelieving laugh bursts out of him as he presses himself harder against me. “If I’m not wrong, I believe I’m the one who kept you upright, baby.”
I bring my hand up to pinch his chin, drawing his head down to my level.
“Baby, huh? That’s cute.” He rolls his eyes, shrugging me off trying to create distance. I have a feeling this is uncharted territory for Levi. But he should already know I won’t let him off that easily.
“You misheard me.” He mutters, avoiding my eyes.
“I don’t think I did, baby.” I smirk, pressing him lightly away from me. “Now be a good boy and go shower. I expect you to be in the Pilates room for a session in twenty minutes.”
Levi’s mouth opens, but I’m already walking off before he can respond, feeling his gaze track me as I go upstairs.