CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
SCARLETT
I sit out on the railing of the wooden deck, a beer in hand watching a shirtless Levi Carter manning the grill.
How did I get here? Though, I’m certainly not complaining.
The tongs look awkward in his hand, his dominant arm strapped to limit his movement and strain. With Levi being… Well, Levi. All precautions are necessary.
The coals hiss as he flips a piece of chicken, a stubborn piece of chicken at that, and I feel my face scrunch up.
“It looks like it's sticking,” I point out from my perch on the rail.
“It’s fine.” His words coming out clipped, jaw clenched tight, eyes narrowed on the piece of chicken.
I wait a beat before sliding off the rail to move closer, though slowly – I don’t want to startle him.
I hold my hands out in front, almost like a piece offering. “You’re going to tear it apart if you k–“
“I said I’ve got it.” He snaps.
Honestly, I’m concerned about him. I think since his shoulder gave out yesterday he’s checked out mentally. He’s struggling but he won’t tell me how to help him, nor would he let me.
He tries to turn another piece – again, unsuccessfully.
“Fuck.” He mutters under his breath, a flicker of frustration crossing his face.
I know his situation is frustrating, the lack of independence, but he needs to find a way to let me help him.
I hesitate slightly before reaching out to wrap my hand around his bicep, feeling him tense slightly underneath my grip.
“You don’t have to prove anything, Levi.” I whisper, noticing his jaw finally soften slightly.
He sighs, “That’s easy for you to say. You haven’t been through this.” He gestures to himself. “You don’t understand.”
“I’m not saying that I do,” I say softly, waiting until I catch his eye before I continue, “But let me help you. Please.” I practically beg.
He doesn’t answer, light smoke from the grill swirling around us creating an almost ashy scent in the air.
I reach for the tongs, not bothering to ask because we already know how that would go down. My fingertips brush his, as I grasp the handle, and I notice his breath hitch.
I hold my breath as I move our hands together toward the chicken, and there, we flip it together – successful at last.
I bring my hand back to my side. “There. We did it.” I say as I walk back to sit on the railing again.
He exhales, in almost some kind of surrender. “You sure you don’t want to take over?
“Nah. I’d just rather eat something that’s edible tonight.” I tease, my lips pulling up in a small smirk.
He let out a reluctant laugh. I’ll take that as a win.
We stood there in a comfortable silence – Levi watching the grill, and me watching the sunset. God, it’s beautiful out here.
When the last piece of chicken is cooked, I hold the plate out for him.
Once he’s removed the food from the grill, I try to make light of the tense environment. “See,” I poke him in his ribs causing him to flinch slightly, “Teamwork makes the dreamwork.”
He rolls his eyes at me, and I swear I see the corner of his lip twitch before his mouth flattens again.
I’ll get there eventually.
Taking my plate, I move to sit on the back steps, looking out over the now golden lake.
Stunning. I really would stay here forever if I could.
Levi sits down on the step beside me, taking a bite out of his chicken and chewing a couple of times before breaking the silence. “I guess it could’ve been worse.”
I smirk at that, looking down at my plate.
“I’d say you did pretty well for having just one arm, Carter.” I say before taking a bite of my own food.
I see his face turn slightly red, but he doesn’t respond. We fall back into silence, something I am beginning to notice happens often between us. It’s not awkward or tense, it’s comfortable and I don’t feel the need to fill it with meaningless conversation.
Finishing up the last of my food, I tip my head toward his shoulder. “How is it tonight? Does it feel better than earlier?”
He shrugged his good side. “It’s fine.” He murmurs.
I give him a pointed look. ‘You’re impossible, you know that?”
“So I’ve heard.” He replies, gazing out toward the lake.
A beat passes before he speaks again, quieter this time. “I just don’t like people seeing me like this.”
I take a moment to contemplate before responding. “Like what?”
He sighs. “Vulnerable, I guess. I hate this feeling; I really hate it.”
“You’re human, Levi,” I murmur, turning toward him, “All of your emotions and feelings are valid, but I’m here to get you back on the ice come October, and to do that I need you to be honest with me. I need you to help me help you.”
The wind picks up, carrying a faint chill. Wrapping my arms around my knees, I turn my head to watch the early reflection of the moon flicker across the water.
“Everyone’s allowed to fall apart sometimes,” I breathe out softly, “Even you.” I look back at him to find him watching me already, his blue eyes piercing.
“Yeah,” He whispered, “Maybe.”
I sigh gently and look away, presuming that our short conversation is over, but Levi speaks again, “You really think I’m impossible.”
A shocked laugh bursts out of me, making him grin. “Oh, I know you are.”
“Good. You know, I wouldn’t want to risk ruining my reputation and all that.” He replies, still with a grin on his face.
“Don’t worry, your reputation definitely precedes you.”
Settling into the quiet again, apart from the faint rustle of leaves and light lapping of the waves, I decide it’s time to call it a night.
I stand brushing a hand down my shorts before moving toward the door to head inside. “Same time tomorrow?” I ask, turning so I’m facing him, walking backwards toward the door still.
He chuckles, twisting so he’s facing me. “Yeah, Scar. Same time tomorrow.” And maybe I am imagining it, but his tone sounds ever so slightly lighter, maybe even relaxed.
I feel like we’ve just turned a new leaf. Maybe I’m finally starting to crack Levi Carter.
…
LEVI
The house had grown still ages ago, yet I’m still thinking about the moment out by the grill with Scarlett.
“Everyone’s allowed to fall apart sometimes.”
Somehow, she just… knows. I don’t know how, and I don’t know if I like it either.
I lie in bed staring at the ceiling, the dull ache in my shoulder not once dissipating, causing me to let out a frustrated groan and rub my tired eyes. Seriously, how long is this going to take?
Sleep just isn’t coming to me tonight, so I give up, deciding to get a drink instead.
I pad down the stairs to the kitchen, being careful not to wake the princess. I fill a glass from the tap, feeling the glass turn cold against my palm.
“Couldn’t sleep either?” I jolt slightly, snapping my head around to find Scarlett in the doorway. My eyes snap up, meeting Scarlett’s in the doorway. Dressed in a pink silk slip, brown waves cascading down her back, she looks absolutely edible. God fucking help me.
I shrug slightly, “Not really. You?”
I turn leaning against the counter, watching as she struts toward the fridge, her hips swaying, teasing me. Fuck. She pulls out an orange juice before closing the door facing back toward me again.
“So, what’s keeping you up?” She starts, “Your shoulder, or your head?”
I sigh, not really wanting to admit that it was both. But I already know she won’t let me off that easily.
“Sort of both, I suppose.”
She nods as she moves closer, placing a hand on my forearm as she leans in, “Come on, you know you can do better than that.”
My breath hitches, having her in such close proximity, looking up at me through those long eyelashes. Why do I want her this bad?
“You don’t have to keep checking on me, you know.” I whisper looking away.
She grasps my jaw, turning me so that I face her again. “It’s quite literally my job, Levi. I’m here for you, in any form.”
Immediately, I imagine her bent over that reformer to relieve the stress.
Snap the fuck out of it, Levi.
Holding her eyes, I lower my head, moving slightly closer to her lips as her hand cups my jaw.
I meet her eyes again to sense if she wants this as bad as I do.
Her eyes flare with heat before I hear a soft whisper. “Kiss me, Levi.”
That’s all it takes for me to slam my lips against hers, a surprised gasp escaping.
Her mouth is soft, and pliant, and so fucking sweet. So fucking perfect.
I bring my hand up to sink into her hair, tilting her head back to open her more, my tongue slipping in.
She nips my lip and a groan slips out of me, surprising both of us and causing her to break the kiss and step away abruptly. I miss the contact immediately.
Even through the dark, I see her chest heaving, a light flush making its way up her chest to her cheeks.
“Yeah – uh, so, I’m just going to bed.” She stammers moving out of the kitchen before heading back to her room.
I sigh to myself. What the fuck do we do now?
…
I step out onto the deck, shutting the door behind me with a soft click. The cool breeze is a nice contrast to the heat that’s still pulsing through my veins.
I cross the deck and grip the railing, bowing my head as I take a few breaths to try and calm my racing heartbeat.
I bring one hand up to touch my lips. They’re still tingling from the kiss.
Did she actually ask me to kiss her, or did I imagine that? Have I just ruined my only chance at recovery over a kiss?
I scoff, shaking my head. “What the hell was that?” I mutter to myself, tilting my head back to look up at the starry night sky.
I drag my hand through my hair, starting to pace the length of the deck.
I need to wind myself down so I can sleep. Maybe if I sleep, I’ll wake up and everything will be good again. Or the best case scenario is that she won’t even remember.
I’m not sure how long I stand here breathing in the night air to calm myself, before deciding it’s time to head back inside.
I move through the house, slowly making my way up the stairs to Scarlett’s room.
I need to apologise. I’ve been an ass all day and she’s been nothing but gracious. The least I can do is make sure we’re okay after that kiss. I’d hate to have ruined everything. We’ve made so much progress.
Standing in front of her door I lift my hand to knock before I hear a soft sound. I press my ear closer to the door before I hear that sound again.
Is that… Surely not, right?
I hold my breath as I wait for confirmation, feeling my heart beat erratically in my chest.
Another soft moan sounds through the door. Holy shit. She is.
Blood rushes to my groin and I feel my shorts grow tighter. I squeeze my eyes shut, tipping my head back as I hear another breathy moan. Fuck.
I know I should leave. I have no business listening in. But my feet won’t move.
A soft whimper sounds through the door and immediately I imagine Scarlett as she is now.
Her lean body sprawled across the white sheets; her soft, tan skin coated in a light sweat that glistens under the light as she works herself with her fingers. Her chest heaving as she brings herself closer to her orgasm.
I feel pressure beginning to build at the base of my spine, and I haven’t even touched myself yet.
The next sound through the door causes me to stumble back a couple of steps.
“Levi.” She says on a gasp, followed by more soft moans.
Holy shit. Fuck. She’s thinking about me. She came while thinking of me.
I grab my cock to try and relieve a bit of the pressure, and I make off to my room to deal with this.