Page 75 of Well Played

“For most of my life, I didn’t think relationships were worth the trouble. They’re harder when you lead the life I do. I’m not gonna sugarcoat that. We’d have to fight for it. But you make me want to do more than fight for us. You make me want to go to war, Presley.”

I felt his words in my soul. There was so much I thought I should say right now, but words couldn’t express what was in my heart. So I did what felt right and pressed my lips to his. Emotions fed our kiss. Levi wrapped his arm around my back, holding me tight, and I arched to get closer. His other hand lifted to my neck, and his fingers curled into my hair. Our tongues tangled, and I wasn’t sure either of us remembered to breathe. When we finally separated, we were both panting.

Levi brushed his nose with mine. “You kissed me. Outside of the bedroom.”

I smiled. “I did.”

He pulled back to look into my eyes. “Don’t run away anymore. Let me show you how things between us could be. Just take it one day at a time.”

I nodded. I couldn’t believe what a difference a few pictures had made. For the last few months, it was like I’d had a gate locked inside of me, and seeing what was important to him in photos was the key to unlocking it. Not only did I not want to run away anymore, I also couldn’t wait to show him how I felt right back.

“Do you think your friends would mind if we bailed last minute?” I asked. “The house is empty. Even Fern is out.”

A wicked smile spread across Levi’s handsome face. Without warning, he scooped me up into his arms and cradled me against his chest. “Don’t give a shit if they do. Because tonight, we’re not fucking, sweetheart. We’re making love, and that’s going to take all night.”

My brows shot up. “All night?”

“All. Night.”

CHAPTER 19

Presley

The next couple of days almost felt like a dream.

Levi and I were inseparable. We worked on the inn together, ate meals together, and took turns sneaking into each other’s rooms after Alex was asleep. Last night we’d stayed awake until two or three in the morning, just lying in bed talking. Levi told me about what he wanted to do after he wasn’t able to play football anymore, and I told him about my dream of someday having my own gallery, like the one I’d worked at in New York.

Since we hadn’t slept much, I was surprised when Levi walked into the kitchen as I was getting ready to take Alex to camp. He smiled, and a swarm of butterflies took flight in my belly.

“Morning,” he rasped. I absolutely loved his early-morning voice. It was deep, but sleepy, with a gruff rumble to it.

I smiled. “You’re up early.”

“A dream woke me.”

“Oh? What was the dream about?”

Levi’s eyes flashed to Alex, who was reading the back of the Cheerios box while eating his cereal. He lowered his voice. “I was taking a bath.”

The thought of Levi dreaming about taking a bath was amusing for some reason. “Was it a bubble bath?”

He shook his head slowly. “Not quite. Do we have any of that rope left from yesterday when I hung the tire swing in the tree out back?”

“I think so. Why?”

Levi checked over his shoulder once again. Alex was oblivious as he slurped the milk from his bowl.

He moved his mouth to my ear and whispered. “How much weight do you think the showerhead can hold? Meet me back here after you drop Alex off. I’ll grab the rope from the garage.”

Oh.Oh my. I swallowed and cleared my throat. “Alex, you ready to leave for camp? I have to get back home to do some things.”

Levi grinned—a wicked, dirty smile that made my heart flutter—as he raised his coffee to his lips. “Yes, it’s a very busy day. Your mom will beall tied up.”

I’m pretty sure I broke the speed limit driving back home from camp. I also stepped on the gas at a yellow light a few blocks from the house and didn’t quite make it through before it turned red. I couldn’t get back to Levi fast enough.

At the house, I swung open the front door and could see the back of Levi’s head where he sat in the kitchen. For a half second, I considered stripping at the door and walking in naked, but I wasn’t sure if Fern was home or not. So I opted to remain clothed—for a few more minutes anyway.

“I think I just got one of those red-light tickets on the way home,” I said as I breezed into the kitchen. “And I think you should have to pay for it since—”