Page 59 of Blind Date with a #FORMERPLAYER
“Did you get a chance to eat? We’ve got a lot of leftovers,” Steve offers. “With the kids home, I think Miranda cooked for an entire baseball team.”
Giving him an appreciative smile, I decline. “Thank you, but I just had dinner with my mom.”
“Then, I think I’ll be heading inside. Thanks for helping out, Levi,” his uncle says, making a quick exit.
“No problem,” he acknowledges.
Facing me, he gathers me into his arms and tips his head down, pressing his lips against mine. “Hi, beautiful.”
My heart soars at his compliment. “Hi. Sounds like you had a fun day today with your family.”
Chuckling, he says, “If you want to call it that.”
“Your cousins are home?”
“Yeah, they have a family wedding this week on Aunt Miranda’s side, so they took a few extra days off. I didn’t know about it until today.”
“I get it. What are you helping out with?”
“Today, a lot of cleaning, and stuff around the yard since they’ll be having other family in and out.”
“That was nice of you, but did you overdo it? You didn’t hurt yourself again did you?”
He chuckles, shaking his head. “No. I promise, I only did things I know I can do without you kicking my ass, but after everything they do for me, there was no way I was going to just sit and watch. But I am exhausted.”
“I can go if you want.”
“Please stay. I was thinking that a bath might be good for both of us,” he suggests, wiggling his brows playfully. A salacious grin tugs at his lips as he watches me. My breath catches, and my skin prickles with awareness.
Without answering, I follow him inside and let him guide me towards the bathroom, suffused in an elegant silver and white. My gaze veers to him, watching as he turns the faucet of a large white clawfoot tub placed beside a silver and white shower adorned with a frosted glass door. Dipping his hand underneath the stream, he checks the water.
Stepping away, he looks at me and closes the distance between us. He slides his hands up my arms and cups the back of my neck, with his thumbs tenderly caressing the back of my jaw near my ears. Staring into my eyes with an intensity that causes my heart to stutter and my breath to hitch, he rasps, “I’m really happy you came back.”
“Me too,” I whisper.
His golden orbs glimmer, taking me in with a vulnerability that leaves me feeling open and splayed just for him.
“Layla, I meant it when I said I wanted to take care of you tonight. I know you’re sore and we’re both tired, but I just want to be with you and spend time with you. Let’s take a bath, and then we can cuddle, talk, or just go to sleep. Together.”
“That sounds perfect.”
With my agreement, he grabs lavender and salts, adding the perfect amount. His actions, prompt me to ask, “Do you take a lot of baths, Levi?”
He chuckles. “Never with a beautiful woman.” A snort escapes before I can stop it and I quickly cover my mouth, my cheeks turning red. Pressing his lips together, he shakes his head. “I’m serious. With sore muscles, you figure out ways to relax pretty damn fast. But it’s always just me, except for the days I get put in one at our facility and my teammates definitely look nothing like you.”
Disappointment in myself slices through me. I should know better than to assume the worst and judge him for it without asking him for the truth. Men take baths too. It doesn’t have to be with another woman. “I’m sorry.”
“I get it, but I’m already looking forward to the day you trust me.”
“Levi–” I open my mouth to argue.
Pressing his lips to mine, he stops me from talking. Breaking our kiss, he tips his head back, assessing my reaction. “It willhappen,” he declares with immense confidence. “We just need time together.”
Surprising myself, I believe him.
He rips off his shirt and tosses it on the floor. My lips part, mouth-watering at the sight of his hard abs. His shorts go next, but he momentarily leaves his boxers, giving me a view I can’t tear my gaze from. Stepping up to me, he grips the hem of my shirt, arching his brow, waiting for my permission. I nod and he lifts it over my head, dropping it next to his.
My breathing picks up its pace. “I’ve got it,” I tell him, forcing certainty.
