CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
LEVI
The ballroom is the epitome of elegance. Crystal chandeliers, champagne towers, and the entire room is gold and white. It is insanely busy, filled with sponsors, media, wives, girlfriends, families, all dressed to the nines.
Scarlett tightens her grip on my arm as we make our way through the room, lights flashing as we exchange pleasantries with everyone that we come across.
“Levi!” A reporter calls out and both of us tense up. This is my first event since my injury and our first event as a couple.
“Are you okay?” I ask, dipping my head toward her ear as we slowly walk toward the reporter.
“I’m fine.” She smiles, body still stiff.
The reporter reaches out to shake my hand, and I take it. “Mr. Carter, I’m Mark from the Seattle Daily. How are you?”
I smile politely. “I’m not doing too bad. And yourself?”
“I’m doing well, thank you. And who is this?” He gestures to Scarlett at my side.
Scarlett’s wide eyes look up at me, and I search for permission to introduce her and she just slightly nods her head. “This is Scarlett,” I smile at the reporter. “She is my beautiful trainer, and also my girlfriend.”
“Oh, that is just amazing. And by trainer, you mean…” he trails off, waiting for me to elaborate.
“By trainer, I mean she rehabbed me back to full strength.”
“Incredible, Carter. Does this mean we’ll see you back on the ice for the opening game?”
“Absolutely. I wouldn’t miss it.
“We look forward to watching you. Thank you for your time.”
I wave as we walk further into the room, finding Gigi and Steele talking to Coach.
Coach’s eyes find me first, his eyes then shifting to Scarlett making him smirk.
“Fancy seeing the two of you here.” Coach nods at us, Gigi and Steele turning around to find us.
“Warren,” Scarlett smiles warmly. “It’s so good to see you.”
“Likewise. Would you two like some champagne?” He waves over a waiter carrying a mostly full tray of champagne flutes.
Levi picks two off, handing one to me. Someone calls for Coach and he nods at someone briefly before turning back to us. “I’ll see you two later. Have a good night.”
He winks at me as he walks past and my brows furrow. Bringing my hand to the small of Scarlett’s back, I guide her towards the dining room. “Let’s find our seats, shall we?”
We finally find our table to find my teammates and Gige already there, Wren on Ashford’s lap which means another babysitter must have fallen through.
Scarlett lights up when she spots Wren, leaving my side to go see Ashford as I take my seat.
“She’s gotten so big since I last saw her!” Scarlett gasps as she holds her arms out to take Wren. “May I?”
Ashford hands over his daughter without question, a small grin on his face at someone being so excited to see his kid. “It’s not even been two months.” Reid laughs as Scarlett walks to our seat with Wren on her hip.
Wren looks just as excited to see Scarlett, which doesn’t surprise me. Scarlett has a way of making people instantly warm to her. Our food arrives not long after, and it smells incredible.
After eating, we listen to a couple of speeches from the owners and coach before everyone splits up, most making their way to the dance floor. It’s an orchestral vibe, couples moving in slow circles with their partners, so I guide Scar out onto the floor to dance.
I place my hands on her hips, hers clasped around my neck as we move slowly in time with the music.
“Are you enjoying yourself?” I murmur, bringing one of my hands up to run my fingers through her hair.
Scarlett smiles, nodding as her gaze makes its way around the room. “Yeah. I really am. And I’m really proud of how you’ve dealt with everything tonight, Levi. All the questions about your injury. You’ve handled it so well.”
I feel my face heating up, so I pull her closer, and bend down to give her a sweet kiss.
After a moment, I bring my lips to her ear. “Should we get out of here shortly?”
“Yeah.” Her voice is breathy as we pull away, going to find Coach so that we can say our goodbyes. I’ll see the rest of the team later.
After saying our goodbyes, we head off to the coat room to get our things before we leave. Though, trying to enter, it seems to be locked.
“What the fuck?” I mutter, trying the handle and trying to press the door open with my body weight.
Scarlett’s brows are furrowed as she contemplates the door, looking confused.
“Hey, man, what’s up?” Moore asks, now standing behind us.
“The coat room is locked. We want to bounce.”
Moore makes a face before waving us off. “Do you have your keys?”
Scarlett and I nod and Moore nods back. “I’ll grab your stuff when I leave. Hopefully it’s unlocked by then.”
“Thanks man. You’re the best.”
I wrap my arm around Scarlett’s shoulder ushering her swiftly toward the exit.
“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” Moore calls out from behind us, and I roll my eyes as we walk the five minutes to our hotel.
Hurrying into the elevator, I press our floor number before sealing my lips to Scarlett’s, pressing her back against the wall.
Our lips stay fused as we step out and move down the hall toward our room. Scanning the card, the door opens, and we tumble inside, Scarlett tearing off my tie immediately.
She tears away from me, hooded eyes staying on mine as she walks back toward the bed.
I stay planted where I am, my chest heaving.
She unzips her dress, dropping it, and letting it pool at her feet. She’s left standing there in a tiny matching set, black lace bra and panties, as well as her heels, and my heart just about stops.
“Get on your hands and knees, Levi,” she says, her voice husky, “and crawl to me.”
Holy shit.