by Renea Porter
“Sure.”
“The thought of getting married did freak me out. But after some deep thought, I would marry you if we knew each other longer. Marriage is not something I want to rush into. Even if you are the one. When I get married, I want it to be forever.”
“I absolutely get that. And I want the same. I want my marriage to last forever. But you think I’m the one?”
Of course, he wasn’t going to let that slide. I playfully bumped my shoulder against his. “I’m still trying to figure that out, Conceited.”
“You wouldn’t tell me if you thought that anyway.”
He was right. I wouldn’t tell him, not at this stage of our relationship.
“Please don’t give up on us, okay?” he told me.
“I won’t. I’d like to give us a fair shot.”
He stopped while still holding one hand and pulled me close with his other hand. He pressed his lips to mine in a nice peck. But no matter what kind of kiss we had, it made me dizzy and made my heart skip a beat.
“Are you gonna sleep in my bed tonight?” I questioned.
“You would be so lucky.”
“Yes, I would.”
“We’re almost at the pier.” He pointed, and my eyes following the direction.
“Wow. That goes way out over the water.” I noticed you could even walk underneath it because it was so tall.
We made it onto the pier, and once we got halfway down, Levi stopped. “Let’s take a selfie.”
This would be our first photo together as more than friends. “Say cheese biscuits,” he said, which made me laugh.
“Cheese biscuits.”
He showed me the photo. “There.”
“Perfect. Text me a copy.”
Levi made me feel more at ease. I turned to face the water while he texted me the photo. Once he was done, he reached for my hand and I willingly gave it to him while we continued further down the pier.
Once we got to the edge, Levi insisted on taking one more photo, and I happily obliged. “Should we head back?”
“Sure.”
The rest of the day we hung out on the beach and munched on take-out food. “Want some beer or wine?” Levi offered.
“I’ll actually take an ice water. I feel so thirsty today.”
“Here you go.”
We watched the sun set and night fell around us. We sat on a blanket in the sand, letting the sound of the waves soothe us peacefully.
“I had a good weekend,” I admitted.
“Me, too. We have one more day. So, I still get you to myself one more day.”
I laughed. “You might have to fight the puppies and the kittens for my attention tomorrow, though.” Aubrey had asked me to accompany her at the shelter for the day. I loved animals. And if I had my own place, I might have left with one of my own. But things were still up in the air right now. My job was half finished. I had some rooms to get done.
“Well, I guess I can share. Should we get ready for bed?”
“Yes. I’d like to shower before I get in bed.”
“Let me know if you need any company,” Levi teased. And I was seriously thinking about his offer. “Because, Cupcake, I’m sure I’ll be able to behave if we sleep in the same bed tonight. I’d say I’ve been quite patient and I’m just following your lead, letting you have the ball in your court.”
I weaved my arm through his and smiled wide. “Maybe you should keep me company.”
His eyes lit up. “Seriously? I don’t want to rush you into anything.”
“You’re not. I told you I wanted to give us a shot. I’m ready.”
Chapter Seventeen
LEVI
How was I this lucky? Maybe Rylee was seeing that she could have a future with me after all. And I was going to keep showing her how she deserved to be treated.
I was lost in thought when I realized we stepped into the master bathroom, and Rylee had my full attention as she slowly lifted her tank top, revealing her breasts encased in a blush pink bra. Next, she bent over ever so slightly undoing her shorts, letting them fall to her feet.
“God, you’re beautiful. I mean I always think you are, but my god.” I couldn’t form any more words.
My erection was starting to press against my own shorts. She moved closer, almost pressing herself against me as she reached down to unbutton my shorts.
“You are doing wicked things to me, woman.”
She smirked, stepping back and reaching behind to unhook her bra. Her breasts were more than a handful. She was easily a D-cup if not a double D-cup. I was mesmerized by her.
“I’ll get the water running while you drop those boxer briefs,” she said.
She leaned into the huge shower and started the water while I worked my boxers down. Then I looked at her. “You next.”
She did so and stood in front me naked and bare. And I was pretty much speechless. Finally, I managed to say, “Jesus fucking Christ. You’re gonna kill me.”
She stepped inside the shower and pulled on my arm.
“Pinch me, because I must be dreaming.” She pinched my ass cheek once I stepped inside the shower. “Ow.”
“Are you gonna kiss me or stand here and complain?” she questioned.
“Oh, I’m definitely not complaining.” I grabbed a washcloth and got it wet, lathering it with some soap. “I’m gonna get you nice and clean and then dirty you up.”
“I like the way you think, Conceited.”
She and I took turn cleaning the other off and it was the hottest thing I had ever done or experienced. “Gotta say, I didn’t expect you to take me up on the offer.”
“I decided to be spontaneous.”
“Let’s step out so I can dry you off.”
“I’ll probably get wet again.”
“You are a dirty minded woman.”
She giggled at my comment. After drying her off, I was almost dry myself.
“I kind of feel weird if we do it on Aubrey and Chance’s bed.”
“We can wash their sheets before they get here.”
“True.”
I pressed a finger to her lips. “Now stop talking so I can explore every inch of your gorgeous body.” While we slept together before, last time it was clothes flying off and landing where they may, our bodies pressed together, and there wasn’t much exploring like I was about to do now.
With her hand in mine, she led us to the bedroom. She laid down and I crawled over her body. Starting at her feet, I slowly kissed my way up her body. Her skin was so pure and flawless. I didn’t give a fuck about any imperfections she thought she had. I made sure to take my time kissing her skin. When I reached her stomach, she sucked in a breath and slowly let it out. I circled my touch on her perky nipples and slowly sucked on each one. Lifting up, I kissed her neck before reaching her lips.
Pressing my body into hers, she was able to feel my erection. “Feel the effect you have on me, Cupcake?”
She nodded in response.
“I’m afraid I won’t last much longer.”
“Good. Because I want to feel you inside me.”
I quickly reached for a condom and sat up to slide it on. This time, I flipped her over so she was on top of me. “You’re in control now, Cupcake. Ride me so I can see you.”
And she did just that. It wasn’t long before she threw her head back, relishing in the orgasm taking over her body. And then I was a goner myself. “Don’t stop riding me,” I told her as I climaxed.
She crashed on the bed next to me, spent and breathing heavily.
I turned toward her and put an arm across her stomach. “I could never get tired of you and this.”
She smiled wide and looked at me. “Same.”
“Come on, let’s go get cleaned up.” I pulled on her hand and led us to the shower once again. Maybe I would muster up enough energy for round two.
Chapter Eighteen
RYLEE
The past weekend was fucking amazing. Levi was super understanding when I had my outb
urst, and then we took things to the next level. I wasn’t scared at all. Levi held my hand the whole ride home while driving with the other hand. He kissed my hand a bunch of times; told me I was the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on.
I told him he needed his eyes checked. But in all honestly, I believed every word he spoke because he was being himself.
We pulled into a parking space at Cotton House Hotel.
“Back to reality,” I said while Levi insisted on getting both our bags.
“Yes. But we are in this reality together.”
“Welcome back,” Ashley said, suddenly appearing out of nowhere. “I heard you two love birds went away for the weekend.”
“We did. It was nice to get away for a couple days.”
“I’ll meet you upstairs,” Levi said, walking ahead.
I watched as he pulled out his phone to make a phone call. And it was starting to make me suspicious that he was taking calls or making calls when I wasn’t around.
“So, are you two a couple now?” Ashley asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.
“We are. We are seeing where it takes us.” I smiled, and wondered if she had another agenda.
“Well, you’re practically glowing, Rylee. I’m happy for you.”
“Thank you. If you’ll excuse me.” I started to walk away.
“We should meet for that coffee sometime.”
I stopped walking and glanced over my shoulder. “Sure. I’ll look at my schedule.”
“Bye.”
“See ya.”
I met Levi upstairs in his room to grab my luggage. “Survived Ashley, I see.”
“Did you and she have a thing at all?”
“No. Why do you ask?”
“I was wondering if she had any agenda behind her questioning about us.”
“Okay. If I’m being honest, it was a one-time thing.”
“Levi!”
“She was fully aware it was only sex.”
“Oh my god. What did you do, have sex with her and then me?”
“No. Not exactly. I slept with her a week and a half before I met you.”
“Now I gotta worry about her cause she works here.”
“You have nothing to worry about, Ry. I promise. There is no other woman I want besides you.”
“I’ll make it clear to her if I have to. Come here.” He reached out and brought me into a hug. I hated the fact he was with someone that worked here. And I have to see her daily. “I’ll admit, I slept around a lot before I met you. But since I met you, things sort of shifted for me. I don’t want to be that playboy anymore.”
“Okay.” I had to be okay with that because that was in his past.
“It’s you and me, Ry.” He kissed my lips.
“I have to go get settled in before I get lost in you again.”
He winked. “See you later.”
“Come find me later.”
It was still fairly early, and I could get a few hours of work done. I felt a little guilty for being away for three days, but it was a much needed a break. After changing my clothes, I headed to one of the main rooms to work. I hadn’t had a bite to eat in hours. But I wanted to get a head start.
An hour into working, I heard footsteps coming in my direction. “There you are,” Levi stated, handing me a bag and a coffee. “I know you haven’t eaten yet. You need fuel. So, I brought coffee and a danish.”
I quickly came down off the ladder, and the smell of food was so overwhelming, my stomach growled. “It smells heavenly. Thank you. You’re gonna make me fat,” I half joked.
“Well, I do happen to love your curves. And I don’t care how you look.”
Taking a quick drink of my coffee, I moved closer to Levi and planted a kiss on his lips. “You better get back to work before you get fired for catering to me.”
“Well, I am on break. We could fit in a quickie.”
“Oh my god, get out of here.” I playfully shoved him with my free hand.
“Okay. I’m going. We can have that quickie later.” He smirked, and it caused me to smile wide myself. Every time he smiled it was so infectious it caused me to be happy and smile in response. Sometimes my cheeks hurt from smiling so much. I’d never been this happy in a relationship, and being that Levi and I were so new, it scared the bejesus out of me. Mainly because I didn’t want this feeling to ever go away. I know all couples go through that honeymoon phase before they start to relax and get comfortable with each other.
It was close to five o’clock when I finished my work day. Working all day, I felt so dirty and disgusting. I rushed to my room to get cleaned up. I knew Levi had at least another hour of work before the evening guy came in.
Once showered, I pulled on a pair of skinny jeans and a sleeveless dress top, then slipped my feet into my tan sandals. I even put on the turquoise jewelry that I bought in town. Being that it was super-hot outside, I decided to do minimal makeup. Applying a little blush, I added two swipes of mascara and a little lip gloss.
Right when I was exiting my room, I practically bumped into Levi. “Hey Cupcake!”
“Hey.”
“Looks like you beat me in finishing work today. I have a surprise for you, but I need to shower first.”
“A surprise? Me and surprises don’t go well together.”
Levi took my hand. “I promise you will love it. Come to my room and keep me company while I get showered.”
“Okay.”
With my hand still in his, we headed to his room. I was quite surprised how clean his room was. When I saw myself in his mirror, I asked, “Am I dressed appropriately for this surprise?”
“Yes. You are. You look perfect.”
Levi moved about his room and got his things together before his shower. Of course, I’d already seen him naked so it wasn’t an issue if he left the bathroom door open. But seeing his nakedness made me want to join him in the shower.
Swallowing, my mouth felt dry. Taking my mind off his nakedness, I moved around his room and saw he had pictures we took of us scattered around his room in nice frames.
After his shower, he came out with a towel wrapped around his waist. It made me lose my train of thought. I couldn’t stop staring at the water droplets running down his buff chest. “See something you like?” He cocked a grin and lifted an eyebrow.
“I do, actually.” I moved closer to him.
“No time for that quickie, Cupcake.”
“Damn it.”
Levi smirked and pulled me into him and hugged me, adding a kiss to my cheek.
“Anyway, I’m a horrible person,” I said picking up one of the photos.
“Why do you say that?”
“You have all the photos we took together on display and I don’t have anything out.”
“It’s okay. You’ve been through a lot in the last few months.”
I watched Levi get dressed in a pair of dark wash jeans and a graphic tee. “Alright. We need to make a stop downstairs then we’re off to your surprise.” It was like he was running off the details of this surprise in his head. “I know your birthday is tomorrow, so this is like an early birthday gift.”
“How did you know?”
He winked. “A little birdy told me.”
“Damn you, Aubrey,” I muttered.
Chapter Nineteen
RYLEE
“Wait here,” Levi ordered, making me wait at a certain spot while he went off. He came back carrying a basket. Then we circled back to the back end of the hotel.
“What are we doing?” I looked at him curiously.
Instead of answering me, he reached for my hand and smiled. Once I saw it, my mouth fell open. There was a makeshift stage, and my favorite band was on stage. “Sutured Souls.” Tucker James was setting up his microphone, and I was so starstruck.
“I figured maybe it was safe that you wouldn’t run off with Tucker James.”
“I mean, I can’t promise anything,” I teased.
He kissed my lips and then I n
oticed a blanket on the grass. He sat the basket down and opened it and I saw an array of fruits, small sandwiches, cupcakes, and my favorite candies. “Oh Levi.” Tears welled up in my eyes. “You did all this for my birthday?”
“You deserve it, Cupcake.” He kissed my cheek. “Here, I’ll help you down.”
I sat on the blanket with Levi’s arm around me. I was wearing the biggest smile I could ever have. “Tucker James,” I said again as I sat in disbelief.
“I know. His manager, Elliott, owed me a favor.” Levi winked.
“Must have been a big favor.”
Tucker took hold of the microphone and started to speak. “Welcome. I believe we have a birthday girl in the house.”
“Yep, right here.” Levi pointed at me.
I covered my face in embarrassment.
Tucker smiled wide. “Happy Birthday, Rylee. I heard you are a huge fan of mine. So, I’m going to sing a few songs if you don’t mind.”
“Oh my god. I can’t believe this. How did you pull this off without me knowing?”
“I have my ways.” Levi smiled wide at my reaction. But I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. This was so generous of Levi, and Sutured Souls giving up their time to come here. I was overwhelmed.
“Come one. Eat up.” Levi said, reaching for an egg salad sandwich.
“If this is what you do for my birthday, what do you do for other holidays?”
“Stick with me and you’ll find out. You’re gonna be spoiled.”
I rocked my body from side to side as we sat watching Tucker James sing to us. The sun was starting to set, and it was so picturesque. I didn’t deserve this.
I ate two small sandwiches and then some candy. Levi was looking at me, and I was smiling like a little girl.
“Thank you for this.”
“You’re welcome.” He leaned in and gave me a peck on the lips. “I love you, Rylee.”
I’ll admit, I was falling for Levi Bateman. It took me long enough to come to that conclusion, but I’m here.