Page 31 of Blind Date with a #FORMERPLAYER
My stomach twists seeing the heartbreak written on her face, urging me to do something for her. Reaching under the table, I find her knee and give it a tender squeeze. Waiting until she looks at me, I let a crooked grin take over my features. “Does that make us even?”
Another snort escapes her lips and we both burst out laughing. “I think that makes us friends,” she claims, giving me a smile.
“We’re much more than friends, Layla.” I wink, only making her laugh harder. Damn, I love that sound, desperate to hear it again and again.
“You are an unabashed flirt, Levi Brennan. Even if you don’t know what you’re doing all the time.” She’s not able to hide her smile, letting me know she’s teasing.
Arching my brow, my hand slides a little further up her silky skin, brushing the hem of her dress as I playfully challenge, “You want to test that theory?”
Her voice catches. “Um, no, I’m good.”
My dick hardens and I lean back, clearing my throat. “Maybe we should eat dinner before we skip it all together?”
“I think that’s a good idea.”
She takes a sip of her wine before lifting her fork and savoring another bite of dinner. A small smile of satisfaction lights up my face. This woman is embedding herself into my world without even trying. My only reaction is to do everything I can for her, so she’ll want to stay as much as I want her to be here.
Chapter 16
Layla
Leaning back against the counter, I watch the corded muscles on Levi ripple as he washes the dishes. “I really wish you’d let me help.”
“I didn’t invite you over to do my dishes.”
“They’re not just yours.”
He tips his head, giving me an amused grin. “Do you ever let someone do something for you without asking questions or trying to help?”
Pursing my lips, I pretend to think about it. “Nope,” I reply, popping the P.
He chuckles and turns off the water, turning to face me. “Thank you for coming over tonight,” he sates, his voice low and gravelly shooting heat straight to my core. I could listen to him talk all night.
“Thanks for having me.” Licking my lips, my eyes roam his toned form as he dries his hands and tosses the towel on the counter. “Why me?” I blurt out the question before I can think about it.
His mouth falls open, his movements staccato before becoming fluid again as he sidles towards me. “Are you seriously asking me that?” he asks, clearly perplexed.
My face heats, but I nod in affirmation. “Yes. Why me? You don’t do relationships anymore and now I know why. After our shitty blind date, you could’ve forgotten about it, about me.”
“I’d never forget about you,” he interrupts. “And I sure as hell needed to apologize.”
“Okay, so say you’re sorry and go. But why are you all of a sudden willing to take a risk with someone you barely know? Why me, Levi?”
He holds my stare, his eyes intense, closing the distance until he’s standing in front of me without making contact. His warm breath fans my face as he looks down at me until I avert my gaze, dropping it to his chest. My heart hammers against my ribcage, while I stare straight ahead, focusing on breathing.
Suddenly, his hands grip my waist, lifting me and making me squeal. I suck in a quick breath as he places me on the cool granite countertop. Planting his hands beside me and caging me in, he leans in close, so close I can’t look at anything but him. “Why you? It may be only one question, but I have a million answers.”
I gasp, my heart squeezing. “Levi,” I whimper.
“I’ll start with something simple. You’re stunning, Layla.”
Shaking my head, I argue, “You see beautiful women all the time.”
“Not like you,” he claims, his voice full of conviction. “When I walked through the door at the diner and saw you sitting alone, my mouth nearly hit the floor. The way your hair fell across your shoulders, I wanted to run my fingers through it to see if it was as soft as it looked.” He gives a gentle tug of my ponytail, tipping my head back. “I wanted to brush my lips over your silky, tanned skin.” His mouth skims down my neck eliciting goosebumps. “My fingers were itching to caress the sides of your breasts to see your nipples peak towards me.” His knuckles skim my sides, mybreasts heavy, my nipples pert, straining towards him. “You have this breathtaking body you hide behind a librarian image and it’s sexy as fuck.”
My entire body is on fire, my juices pooling in my panties. I’m desperate to pull my legs together for some friction, but it’s impossible with him standing between them. Instead, I keep pushing him.
Breathily, I argue, “Those are not things that are unique to me.”
