Chapter 24
Layla
“Are you hungry?” Levi asks as we walk inside his place.
“Not really. Chloe and I had a bite to eat before book club.”
He grins, turning towards me and gathering me into his arms. “I like your book club. Looks like I have a book to read this month. It sounds sinful.”
My face heats, and I wrap my arms around his waist, burying my face in his chest. Inhaling deeply, I relish his clean, musky scent. “Don’t say that again. It sounds weird coming out of your mouth.”
He chuckles, pressing his lips to the top of my head. “Don’t say what again? Sinful?”
“Yeah, that.” His chest bounces lightly with his quiet laughter, bringing a smile to my face. “Besides, the best books have a good story and we’ve been reading so many with fantastic stories.”
Thankfully, he remains silent and I melt further into him, savoring his warm embrace.
Unfortunately, his earlier confession continues to slap me in the face.
I thought my father was an asshole, but Levi’s dad takes it to a whole different level and it breaks my heart.
Guilt weighs on me for bringing it up, no matter how much he insists not to worry.
“You okay?” he prods, gently squeezing my side.
Lifting my head, I stare at him. “You shouldn’t be the one asking me if I’m okay, Levi.”
“It can go both ways.”
“Are you okay?” I echo.
“Yes. I’m happy to be here with you.” A lump forms in my throat and I give him a sad smile. Groaning, he pleads, “You have to stop with the looks, Layla. I’m fine. I promise. It was a long time ago.”
“Sorry. I’m trying. Maybe I should take you up on that movie to redirect the mood.”
“Or maybe we can make out like teenagers. That sure as hell will work with me.” He smirks, his suggestion going straight to my core, heat pooling low in my belly.
“I like that idea,” I reply, suddenly breathless.
Loosening his hold, he inches his hands up my sides.
Weaving his fingers into my hair, he cradles my face in his hands.
Staring into my eyes, his own melt into liquid gold.
“You’re so beautiful, Layla,” he murmurs, reverent, causing my heart to leap.
His lips brush mine in a whisper of a kiss.
“Tell me if it’s too much or too fast,” he insists, his voice low and rough.
Not able to speak a response, I nod.
Agonizingly slow, he lowers his head towards mine, tilting it slightly before our lips touch in a tender kiss, igniting a bolt of electricity to travel throughout my body. A breathy sigh escapes and I pull him tighter. Our mouths move in tandem, unhurried, and sensual.
Breaking our kiss, his eyes roam my face, searching, his look intense and heated.
His arms lower, slipping around my back.
Holding my gaze, he stalks towards me, forcing me to walk backwards.
The back of my feet hit something and he lowers me down onto the velvety couch cushions, leaning his body partially on the couch and the rest of him pressed up against me from head to toe, his hard length, firm against my stomach.
Levi’s face falls into my neck and he inhales deeply, his tongue jutting out and licking a path up to my ear. He groans, sucking my lobe into his mouth, his teeth grazing my skin and then releasing it, eliciting an uncontrolled whimper.
“Levi,” I pant, unsure what I’m asking.
Trailing his mouth along my jaw, his lips soon find mine and I tug him impossibly closer, kissing him hard, desperate. My lips part and his tongue slips inside, intertwining with mine. Licking, twisting, his sweet taste fills my senses. I moan into his mouth, wanting more.
Every inch of me prickles with awareness. My hands skim over his hard chest and up the ridges of his back. Sealing my mouth to his, I easily get lost in his kiss. Every move, and gentle touch, every lick, and tantalizing suck, everything about him and all he does sets me ablaze.
Breaking apart, we catch our breath, his forehead falling to mine. “The couch probably wasn’t the best idea,” pausing, he shifts, “just the closest.” He chuckles, but he doesn’t sound genuine.
My brows furrow. “What’s wrong?” I ask, and I gasp the moment the words leave my mouth, my brown orbs widening as realization hits me. “Your arm. Oh, my gosh, Levi. Are you all right?” I stammer, gently nudging him up.
Wincing, he pushes up with his left hand and sits, rotating and stretching his right arm. “I’ll be fine. I just moved wrong.”
“I am so sorry. I’m the worst.” Frantic, I sit up next to him, carefully checking his arm.
“The way you were just kissing me, Layla, you’re the opposite of the worst. And I’m damn sure almost anything would be worth another kiss from you.”
I huff a laugh. “Ever the charmer.”
He smirks but doesn’t comment. Extending his arm, he claims, “See? Already better.”
My eyes narrow at him. “Maybe I should give you a massage and then we can ice it.”
“I’m not going to argue with you anytime you want your hands on me, but I’m all right. I promise.”
“Okay, but we have to be more careful next time.”
“I’m always careful.” A crooked smile covers his face.
I huff a laugh. “Good to know, but I’m serious.”
“So am I,” he says, bringing me back into his arms. “As long as there is a next time, I don’t give a damn.” He kisses me behind the ear.
“Levi,” I rasp, savoring the feel of the smile on his lips as he presses another kiss to my neck. “No more.”
“What?”
“I said no more. It’s impossible to focus when you’re doing that and I need to take care of you right now.”
Sighing, he frowns and covers my mouth with a heated kiss, gliding over my lips in a perfect rhythm. He leans back all too quickly, and scowls. “Fine. As you wish. No more for now.”
Laughing, I stand, and guide him to his room. “Lay on your side for me.” He does as I say and I begin digging into his arm, massaging.
He moans. “You can do the rest of me if you want when you’re done.”
Giggling, I continue working on him, my hands drifting as he suggested when I’m done.
He rolls onto his stomach when my heads wander onto his back, rubbing the hard ridges of his muscles, over his shoulder and along his spine.
Drifting onto his ass, a smile curves my lips.
Everything about his body is hard and smooth. I could do this all day.
Trailing my hands up and over his shoulders, I lean towards his face, admiring the softness of his features while relaxed.
“Levi?” I whisper.
Silence.
A light laugh slips out and I quickly cover my mouth to stifle it. He actually fell asleep. Gently, I press my lips to his temple and lean back, glancing down at him. “Goodnight, Levi.”
Grabbing my things, I slip out the door before I get too comfortable, my thoughts focused on Levi.
I’m done pretending. I can’t fight it anymore.
Our chemistry is obvious. He sparks my body to life with just a look.
His kisses make me lose my mind. I want to be out of control with him.
If he can kiss me like that, the things I believe he could do to my body have only been living in my fantasies, but I want them to be real.
For me, I know it's not just lust. I like Levi. He does unexpected things to my heart and I want to relish the feeling. Throwing away all my doubts and hesitation, I’m almost desperate to dive in headfirst and soak up every moment with him.
My only hope is that he doesn’t shatter my heart––shatter me.
But if I don’t take the chance, the reward won’t exist.
I’m ready to jump.