Game Winner (The Penalty Kill Trilogy #3)
Page 12
On top of all that, I have Levi.
Chapter Eighteen
Levi
It’s a long drive from my place to Presley’s, and it’s giving me entirely too much time to think. I’m driving up to spend some alone time with her and then we’ll all get together at her parents’ house for Thanksgiving tomorrow. Fucking Trevor has popped the question to Marley, she said yes, and Smarty sounded so excited for them. I’m happy for them too. But now everywhere I go, I see not just couples, but married couples.
And it’s making me think. Making me want the joy McCarthy and Marley are obviously experiencing now simply from being in engaged. Making me want to give that to Presley. Between them and Presley, they have brought serious thoughts about the future to the forefront of my mind. I don’t want to ask her because they are engaged. Proposing should be timed for what’s right for us and if we are ready to take that next step. Even if we don’t actually get married anytime soon.
That’s why I’m debating proposing to Presley. It’s not a question of if I love her or if I want this, because I do more than anything. It’s whether or not we’re ready to move to that step. I wouldn’t want to overshadow Marley’s engagement either. Not to mention I would have to ask her father, find a ring, and figure out how I would propose to her. But I don’t know if I should. A proposal probably wouldn’t come for a while anyway, if I do decide to pop the question. There would be a lot to plan.
What the hell am I even thinking? When we talked, Presley didn’t hint that she wanted this any time in the near future. One day. That was the phrase we used. But if I’m thinking about it, then surely she must be too. I hope so anyway. I park my SUV and thankfully, the thoughts can stop for now. Smarty is waiting for me inside. Once I grab my things, I start the walk up to her apartment.
I knock, feeling a bit odd since I used to live here, but it’s more of a heads up. Before I can move my hand to the doorknob to open the door, it swings open. Presley attacks me. Seriously. She wraps her arms tightly around my neck in a hug as I wrap one of my arms around her waist, immediately feeling at peace and at home. Then she pulls away within seconds and kisses me hard. Her tongue slips into my mouth, reminding me of exactly what I’m missing in Pennsylvania.
My exposed skin starts to tingle from the bitter cold and reluctantly, I break our kiss. Presley grins widely at me. She looks ridiculously happy. The way she looks right this second seals the deal for me. I tuck that away for now.
Chuckling, I push her gently backwards. “It’s cold, Presley. Let’s go in before we freeze to death, and you let all the warm air leave your apartment.”
She laughs, unwraps her arms from around my neck, and walks inside. “I sure hope that wasn’t the big kiss I asked for because if it was, then I’m disappointed.”
“That hurts,” I tell her as I leave her in the living room to go put my things in the bedroom. When I reenter, I add, “My kisses should never be disappointing.” I take a seat on the couch and pull her into my lap, so she straddles me.
Presley rests her hands on my shoulders, her red hair is up in a high bun and I wonder if she did that on purpose. I love her neck and shoulders. Right now, both are on view because of the bun and her cami. “They aren’t, but it wasn’t the big kiss I wanted.”
Her shirt distracts me. “Why the hell are you wearing this? Aren’t you chilly? Even inside?” I slip a finger under the strap, moving it to the side, so it’ll hang down her shoulder.
Smarty shakes her head. “No, I’m not. When do I get my kiss, Levi?” She smiles and leans forward just a little bit.
I place my hand on the back of her neck, pulling her closer to eliminate the space between us. My answer is the big kiss she wants. I kiss her softly before tugging her lower lip between my teeth and biting down. Presley moans, her nails digging into my shoulders. My tongue slides into her mouth, greedily savoring her unique taste. She shifts in my lap, just the slightest of movements, but I feel it. God, do I feel it.
She runs her tongue along the back side of my front teeth. That is almost the undoing of me. Presley presses her lips to mine, and I suck her lower lip back into my mouth, biting down for a moment before slowly pulling away so it pops back out.
“That was your big kiss,” my voice rumbles from deep in my throat.
Presley smiles. “Much, much better.” She rests her forehead against mine, closing her eyes. “I’ve missed you, Levi.”
“I’ve missed you too, but you have me for an entire thirty-six hours before I leave again. Should we start it off with a bang?”
Laughter bubbles out of her, and I grin. “Aren’t you hungry? Or have you eaten already? I want to make sure you have plenty of energy,” she says.
“I always have energy for you.” After I think about it for a moment, I add, “Food does sound good, though.”
She shakes her head. “I’m almost jealous of the food, but I expected it, and there’s two plates of hot, just made dinner in the kitchen.”
I give her a quick kiss. “You’re the best.”
Presley slides off my lap, and we make our way to the kitchen, taking a seat at the table. As we eat, she catches me up on some of the smaller details of what I’ve missed. She hasn’t seen my father lately, so she’s excited to see him tomorrow. Our conversation turns to hockey, and I notice Presley tilt her head, watching me as if she’s examining me.
“What?” I finally ask, standing to take our empty dishes to the sink.
“Something seems different about you.”
My brows come together as I turn to face her. “What do you mean?”
Smarty walks over to me, pinching my arm. “Have you been working out more? You look bigger, thicker, more built.”
I laugh. “I’m not lounging on a couch or going out all the time, Smarty. I’m either at the house, the gym, or the rink. But yes, I have a little more muscle on me.” Grabbing her hips, I quickly tug her flush against me. “Would you like to see?” I dip my head to graze my teeth along her shoulder while mumbling, “I do believe you had one more request.”
“Mmm,” is all she says.
After a chuckle, I sharply nip the crook of her neck. She sucks in an inhale and then places her hands on either side of my jaw to bring my lips to hers. Presley kisses me hard, with a lot of desire, and my cock demands to be inside her right now. Without removing our mouths from each other, I begin to walk causing Presley to walk backwards too. We run into a chair at the table, so I break the kiss to get to the bed faster.
But once we’re in her room, I close her door, quickly face Presley to find that she’s beginning to undress while watching me. I grab the collar of my shirt and lift it up over my body. Presley, fully naked, steps forward, reaching for the button of my jeans. The action alone captures me, rendering me helpless to do anything but watch. She lowers to her knees as she pushes down my jeans and boxers.
I step out of them and as soon as I do, Smarty wraps her fingers around me at the base of my shaft. She licks upwards, causing my pulse to quicken rapidly. God, she feels so good. When she takes me into her mouth, my knees nearly buckle. I loosely guide her movements, but she doesn’t need any of my help. Presley works me with her mouth and hand, sucking, licking, and gripping me with just the right amount of pressure. She swirls her tongue around my tip, lowers her mouth over my cock again, and sucks hard.
“Smarty,” I warn. She does it again, and I know I won’t last much longer. Gently, I push her away. As soon as she’s removed her mouth and hand, I take her arm to pull her up, kissing her immediately. My hands grab her waist, and the feel of her naked body against mine is almost too much. They lower to the back of her thighs and lift to wrap her legs around me. Instead of going for the bed, I turn and push her against the door.
My mouth moves down her neck with kisses. Presley eagerly reaches down, finds my cock, and guides me to where she’s wet and ready. A satisfied groan pushes its way out of my mouth as I enter her.
“Hard,” Presley reminds me.
“Oh God, Levi,” she breathes when I start moving as well as bringing her down on me to make us connect a little harder. “Let me go,” she adds. I do as she asks. Presley holds onto me and starts sliding up and down on her own.
“You’re perfect,” I mutter as I watch her.
“I am,” she smirks, slowing to a stop. “Go to the bed.”
Without untangling ourselves, I carry her over to the bed where she wants me on my back. I slip out of her and once I’m the way she wants me, she guides me back into her as she begins to ride me. Presley brings me to the edge fast, so I roll us over, finding her shoulder quickly. I slam into her as deep and hard as I can. My teeth trail lightly over her skin, randomly finding a spot to nibble on. As my speed picks up, Presley drags her nails down my back.
“God Levi,” she calls out. “Hard,” she demands.
Presley begins to unravel beneath me, and I’m almost there. My mouth finds the crook of her neck as she struggles to hold on until I give in to her desires. I part my lips and bite down extra hard as I come down with my release. Presley’s orgasm hits her hard, and I follow that bite with a bunch of smaller, sharp nips, taking turns between biting and kissing her shoulder, still moving inside her at a slower pace.
Her chest heaves, lifting to press into mine before falling again. Presley’s grip loosens on my back as she begins to relax beneath me.
“We should have started with a bang,” she mumbles happily, and I burst out laughing.
~
We’re all at the McCarthy’s for Thanksgiving. And by all, I mean Mr. and Mrs. McCarthy, Trevor, Marley, Pops, Presley, and me. Their house is very nice with a lot of Trevor’s hockey souvenirs proudly making their presence known. There is also quite a few pictures of the twins when they were younger. The girls are in the kitchen, and we can hear them talking. I excuse myself to the restroom.
On my way back, I notice a room with the door wide open. It appears to be an office, but there is a wall completely devoted to hockey stuff. I can’t help but be drawn to it. My legs lead me across the hall and into the room until I’m standing before the wall. There are trophies, pucks, an autographed stick, and a bunch of pictures of an old hockey team. I don’t know how long I’m in here before Presley’s father’s voice sounds behind me, causing me to swivel quickly.
“I was wondering what happened to you,” he laughs.
“I saw all of this.” I wave a hand at the wall. “Sorry for coming into your office.”
He comes to stand next to me, his eyes scanning all the items much like I just did. “It’s fine. Everything but the stick is from my hockey playing days. That was a really good time.”
“Do you miss it?” I don’t even want to think about the time of my life when I wouldn’t be playing anymore.
“You know, I don’t,” he says thoughtfully. “It helps that Trevor plays, though. Took me a long time to accept that my days were over and sometimes, Trevor doesn’t think I have done that because of how hard I push him. I’m very proud of him and Presley. We couldn’t have asked for better children.”
I nod, but I can’t help but think that I have him alone, and it will be the perfect time to ask him a very important question.
“I guess we should head back,” he says and begins to turn.
“Mr. McCarthy,” I start to stop him.
He faces me, saying, “You know you can call me Ben.”
“Right. Well, Ben, I don’t know when I’ll be back in town, and I would like to talk to you about something.”
His posture immediately straightens, his shoulders square, and I wonder for a moment if that’s where Presley gets it from. “Okay,” is his reply, which intimidates me just a little.
Where do I even start? My mouth parts, and the words find themselves. “I love Presley, and your daughter has made the world of a difference in my life. She’s helped me through some tough times, and she makes me be the best man possible for her.” I take a deep breath. “I felt like I should talk with you because I want to propose to your daughter.” Clearing my throat, I watch his reaction as I stuff my hands into my pants pockets.
“You want to marry Presley?” His tone is carefully crafted with a hint of skepticism.
“Yes, sir, I would,” I confirm.
“What’s your plan, Levi?” He looks at me with a stern expression. “I know you want to play in the NHL, and I have no doubts that you’ll make it, but my daughter can be a handful. Plus, she wants a career of her own. What do you think about that?” It’s like he’s testing me, asking if I’m going to take that away from her.
“I don’t want to hold Presley back, and I don’t think I will. She’s going after her dreams, and she has my full support. We’ve discussed some things already. We know what our individual dreams will require of our relationship, and we’re willing to do what we have to do,” I finish with conviction.
“I think that’s a mature answer, Levi, but you need to remember that’s my little girl. Contrary to belief, she means the world to me, and letting her go to Pennsylvania is hard enough, let alone someone marrying her.”
It hits me then that, in a way, I’m taking Presley away from her family. I didn’t ask her to come down there; Presley had applied way before we even knew I was coming. That has always been where Presley wanted to go. But I am one more reason for her to want to go. Ben might tell me no. It’s too soon or maybe even that he isn’t ready for Presley to be one step farther away from her home and her family. And I would have to respect that.
Ben stares me down before a smile starts to appear. “I’m impressed that you wanted to speak with me, Levi. That seems to be a tradition that has faded for most. You’re a good man, Levi. As long as she’s happy, I’m happy. And you’ve made her very happy. You will make a great son-in-law, I’m sure.”
I grin, extremely thankful for his words and relieved that I have his support. “Thank you, sir.”
He shakes his head in disbelief and says more to himself, “I can’t believe my kids are getting engaged.” Ben smiles again before adding, “Let’s go before they start looking for us.”
We return to the living room just as Marley appears to inform us that it’s time to eat. I have Pops on one side and Presley on the other as we sit down at the table. It’s probably one of the best gatherings I’ve ever experienced with all of us. Conversation flows easily and there’s plenty of laughter. I’m on a bit of a high and part of that is due to the fact that I just verbalized my want to propose. Glancing at Presley, the happiness radiates from her. I’ve missed seeing her laugh and smile. She catches me watching and squeezes my thigh underneath the table.
After dinner, Mrs. McCarthy insists that we leave the dishes alone. So we help put all the food away before retiring to their living room. We start to watch a game, but about halfway through, I notice Pops looks a bit worn out, and a surge of worry passes through me. It’s soon followed by guilt because I’m not around to make sure he’s doing as good as he says he is.
I lean over and quietly ask, “Are you ready to go?”
Pops surprises me by nodding. “Actually, yes. But we can stay as long as you and Presley want.” He rode with us, and I know he only says this out of politeness.
Presley hears us and adds, “I would like to stay longer, but I can get a ride with Trev and Marley. This way you can spend some time with Victor.”
“Okay, I guess we’re going to go then.” We stand and thank the McCarthy’s for their hospitality and having us over for Thanksgiving. Ben gives me a smile and a knowing, approving look. It’s a little bit of a drive to Pops, and I can’t help but pepper him. “Are you feeling okay, Pops?”
He chu
ckles. “How did I know that was coming?”
“I’m serious. You know I worry and especially now that I don’t live a short drive away anymore. I don’t want you to downplay something if you aren’t feeling well.”
“Son, I wouldn’t put you through that. We didn’t ‘downplay’ your mother’s illness, and if something felt off with me, you would be the first to know.” There’s a harshness in his tone as if he resents what I said.
“I didn’t mean it like that, Pops,” I say solemnly. “It makes me nervous that I’m not nearby, and I would-”
“I know,” he cuts me off. “I’ve been fine, Levi. I promise. But I don’t feel great today. Probably getting a cold or something. You know that I usually get sick like that around this time of year anyway.”
That is true, and it eases my worries a bit now that he’s mentioned it. A few minutes pass in silence before I say, “I told Ben that I wanted to propose to Presley.” I glance at him for his reaction and see his mouth part before I focus back on the road.
Pops doesn’t say anything for what seems like forever. And when he does, his quiet words sear through me. “Your mother would be tickled to have Presley become family. This is definitely one of those moments where I wish she was here.”
My throat constricts, and my eyes blur. I blink rapidly until the road becomes clear again. “Do you really think she would love her as much as we do? I was her little boy, you know.”
Pops laughs. “There wasn’t anything little about you, Levi. But yes, Amanda would have loved her. She probably would have been the first to know that this was coming too.” We pull into the driveway, but make no move to get out of the car just yet. Pops unbuckles his seatbelt and turns towards me a little. “When are you planning to ask her? Have you thought about what kind of ring she would like?”
“I don’t know when. I want to get the how sorted first. And I’m not sure about the ring. Presley doesn’t really wear jewelry. She’ll probably want something simple. But I’m not sure. Not really knowledgeable about these things.”