Page 22 of Blind Date with a #FORMERPLAYER
“Me too, Layla, but let’s get you inside so you can rest.”
I open my mouth to argue, but quickly change my mind. What’s the point when the only reason I don’t feel well is because apparently I’m starting to like this man and I can’t let that happen? Spinning on my heel, I push my door open and step inside, Levi following close behind. “You don’t have to stay. I’ll be fine,” I insist as I sit down on the couch and look up at him.
“I’ll be right back,” he says, confusing me. He walks out the front door and returns moments later with my pumpkin in his arms, setting it on the kitchen counter. Then he does the same thing with his pumpkin and the leftover food before he finally comes back to the couch and lowers himself down to my side.
“You really shouldn’t be lifting so much.”
“Think of it like my physical therapy.”
I narrow my eyes making him chuckle. “That wouldn’t be an exercise.”
He smirks. “Oops. You can always punish me for it later.”
My cheeks heat, and my lips twitch up in amusement while I shake my head at him attempting to ignore the dirty thoughts running through my head. “What would your therapist say?”
He chuckles and lets it go. “I’m not sure, but I don’t plan on telling her.”
An irrational surge of jealousy steamrolls through my insides at the thought of another woman touching him, but I swiftly push it aside. “Then, I’m telling you, you did too much bringing both of our pumpkins inside.”
“I don’t plan on carving mine without you,” he states, watching me close while my body heats.
“Um, I’m not sure when I’m going to be up for any carving. I’m a little too shaky to play with knives.”
He smirks, his look making my panties wet. Damn this man. I swear he knows exactly what he’s doing. “That’s okay. It doesn’t have to be tonight. I can wait as long as you need me to,” he insists.
My heart skitters, feeling like he’s talking about more than carving pumpkins, but that’s ridiculous. Desperate for a reprieve, I prompt, “Okay, well, thank you for today. I guess I’ll let you know when I’m feeling better.”
“Is there anything I can get you?”
“No, thank you. I’m okay. Maybe I’ll feel better after I get some rest. I ate a lot more pie than I’m used to.”
He sits down next to me on the couch and gives me a look, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Are you trying to get rid of me, Layla?”
My face boils and my mouth falls open. “What? No, I just, I don’t, I…ugh!” I groan in frustration.
Chuckling, he lifts my feet into his lap and takes my shoes off, one at a time, dropping them to the floor. “Since we already had plans today, let me take care of you,” he requests while he tenderly digs his thumbs into the bottom of my foot. My head falls back against the cushion a moan falling from my lips. “When was the last time someonetook care of you?”
It takes me a moment to process his question, but my only response is a frown. I’m not sure, but at the same time, he shouldn’t be the one doing it. Nevertheless, his hands move over my feet like magic and I sink further into the couch. “I can take care of myself,” I murmur, my eyes closing.
“That doesn’t mean you should have to.” His voice comes out gentle, gripping my heart like a vice.
Lifting my head, I hold his gaze through narrowed eyes. “Why do you care? It’s not like you’re going to stick around.”
He grinds his teeth, acknowledging my statement. “Depends on what you define as sticking around. Yeah, I hope like hell my career isn’t over and I’m able to play again. I’m way too young to retire, and still have some time left on my contract, but that doesn’t mean I can’t be there for the people I care about.”
I gasp in surprise. Is he really saying he cares about me when we barely know each other? My stomach flip-flops. We’ve only been on a few dates. What does that even mean? Yes, I’m obviously attracted to him, but he has women falling all over him. I refuse to ever be just another woman in any man’s bedpost, especially an athlete.
Apparently, he’s really upped his game. But is that all this is to him? All I am to him–a game? Or could he really be the former player I’d been hoping for when this all began?
To stop my head from spinning, and burying myself further into the ground, I suggest, “Why don’t you stay for a little while and we can watch a movie?”
Nodding, he gives me a small smile while he continues pressing his thumbs into the soles of my feet. “I’d like that.”
Chapter 11
Levi
Isit in the parking lot at the high school, wondering if I made a mistake. Will she be pissed? Probably and I couldn’t really blame her. Maybe she’ll decide not to help. At the same time the thought enters my brain, it leaves.
