Breaking the Habit: The Breaking Series #4

by Leigh, Ember

  “But—" Levi began.

  “And the women. Oh my lord. The women.” Riley laughed bitterly. “I’ve been asked no less than ten times if you’re single. And mind you, these are random women who don’t know me. They see me anywhere near you, and I become the info desk.”

  “What do you tell them?” Levi asked, his stomach slowly forming an iron fist.

  “I tell them I don’t know,” she said. “Because I don’t know. And the fact that they’re asking me kind of proves the answer I should give them, because they look at me and automatically assume ‘she’s not with him,’ which is kind of…upsetting.”

  “Riley—” Levi started.

  “I got lost in an internet hole today, Levi,” Riley said, covering her face with her hands. “And I’m questioning everything, and I hate that you’re famous and for God’s sake, why do you go out and get into so much trouble?”

  Her words pulsed in the air between them as he rested his elbows on his knees.

  Here it was.

  The heart of it all.

  Levi worked his jaw back and forth, contemplating his response. Laying it all out there seemed like too much. But then again…anything less would continue the confusion.

  “Maybe I’m overstepping by asking,” Riley said, once the silence had grown deafening between them. He wasn’t good at talking about this shit. “I don’t know. I just…I don’t understand you. But I really, really like you, Levi. I never wanted to say that to you. I swear to God. I’m crazy about you, and that’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to admit.”

  Her vulnerability made him twist back to look at her. Emotion creased her face, and all he could hear was “crazy about you.”

  “Well, this got heavy pretty fast,” he cracked.

  She sighed, flopping back on the bed, but didn’t say anything more. He rubbed a thumb over his knuckles as he considered how much to divulge. But it only took a few more seconds to decide.

  He needed to lay it all out there. As much as possible, at least.

  Otherwise, he’d lose her. That much was clear.

  The silence practically hummed between them. Levi interlaced his fingers, clutching his knuckles.

  “I drink,” he said, “so that I can feel like a normal twenty-something.”

  “I don’t understand. You are a normal twenty-something.”

  He shook his head, staring at the carpet. “I’m not. I’ve been raising Gage by myself since I was twenty.” He paused, swallowing a knot in his throat. She sat up suddenly. He could feel her questions sizzling unspoken inside of her, so he went on. “Like, single-dad style. Except I’m not his dad. I’m his older brother.” He paused, drawing a labored breath. “Our parents died in a car crash when I was twenty and Gage was ten.” Levi frowned down at his fists, rubbing his knuckles together. “It’s not been easy for us. For me.”

  Riley crumpled at his side, pressing her forehead to his bicep. “Levi.”

  “I used to get into a lot of trouble,” he said, more words bubbling up inside of him. “I mean…constant. But I was just so sad. Like, I had lost the two best parents anyone could have dreamt of. Plus, suddenly I was forced to be this responsible adult. I mean, I went from shotgunning shitty beer on the daily to being the sole caretaker for my brother in twenty-four hours.” He hefted, fisting the front of his hair.

  Riley shook her head, wrapping her arms around him. “I’m sorry, Levi. I shouldn’t have—”

  “No. You should know.” He shrugged. “I mean, why not? I’m a fuckup, but at least there’s a reason.”

  “You’re not a fuckup.”

  “I don’t know what I’m doing,” Levi said, the words damn near sticking to his throat. “I’ll be honest, I’m making this shit up as I go along. But somebody has got to be there for Gage. And it’s me. It’s only ever gonna be me.”

  Riley nodded, and when she looked up at him she had tears in her eyes. “Of course. You’re so good to him.”

  He rubbed at his face for a second while Riley rubbed his back. Opening up to her wasn’t as scary as he’d imagined. Pressure hissed out of him. Left room for other things.

  “I’m trying my hardest to take care of him,” Levi said in a low voice. “Because if I don’t make it, then we both fall. It’s not just me. Like, if I missed rent or an electric bill, and it was just me? Who cares? But now, I got—” His voice broke away, and he drew a deep breath. “I got this whole other life to think about constantly. Like, every second. And failing isn’t an option.”

  “You’re never gonna fail, Levi,” Riley said. “It’s not in you.”

  “I’m glad you think that. But failure is around every corner. If I don’t win the match. If I don’t get my sponsors. If I can’t bring in the money to pay for all his medical expenses.” He ground his jaw. These worries were always clawing at the back of his mind. “We don’t have anybody to fall back on, Ri. It’s all on me. My parents had some money, but it’s all gone already. Between the funeral expenses, paying off debts, and taking care of Gage, there’s nothing left. It’s only what I bring in.”

  She slid her hands down his forearms, until her fingers interlaced with his. She searched out his gaze, and the understanding he found in her face sent a tidal wave of relief through him. But more than that. Encouragement, too. She would go to bat for him. He had an ally in her.

  “I think you’re the only person I’ve ever said this to,” he whispered, so quietly he almost didn’t hear himself speak.

  She dragged her fingertips through his hair, her face soft with understanding. “I can’t be the only one who knows your story.”

  “One of few. And the only one in LA.”

  “Even Travis doesn’t know?”

  Levi shook his head. “He knows I have a brother. But they’ve never met.”

  Riley frowned. “But he would love Gage.”

  “I know. It’s…we’ve had problems in the past. I don’t let people get close to Gage. Not until they can prove they’ll stick around.”

  Riley’s eyes softened, and she slid her small hand around to the back of his neck. “And you think I’ll stick around.”

  He hefted with a laugh. “I’m hoping you will. You’re the only girl Gage has met, so we might as well be married now.” Levi looked her up and down, some of the heaviness clearing from his chest. And that was what Riley gave to him, whether she meant to or not. She lifted some of the weight from his shoulders. And god, it felt good to get a break even for a little bit. “Speaking of which, did you bring the Stamos keychain?”

  She nodded, rummaging in her black handbag. “I have him right here.”

  She brought out a rectangular-encased Uncle Jesse a moment later, handing it over. Levi grinned, closing it inside a fist.

  “Good. It’s mine now.”

  Her eyes widened. “You’re not giving it back?”

  “I have plans for this.”

  “Levi.”

  “Trust me.” He went over to his closet, tucking the keychain into a small box on the shelf. He didn’t want to spill the secret yet, but he knew she’d love it.

  This was his way of showing her how much she meant to him. He’d known before their conversation, but opening up to her only sealed the deal.

  When she got it back, there’d be a house key attached to it.

  Chapter 25

  Riley awoke slowly the next morning, letting the sensations trickle through her in stages.

  First, it was the gray hues of dawn, peeking in past the shades.

  Next it was the solid wall of Levi around her. The copper heat of him, pressed against her back, warm leg thrown over hers, as they spooned and shared one pillow all through the night.

  And then the contentment hit her next. The shuddering satisfaction that crested her body, not in shock waves, but in the languid knowing of a slow, steady stream.

  This man was it.

  Levi might be the one she’d been too scared to hope for.

  She reluctantly wriggled out of his embrace. H
er bladder protested her sluggishness, and she scooted into his attached bathroom, yawning as she adjusted to the cool air. Back in the bedroom, Levi looked at her with one eye pinched shut, the other just a slit.

  “Good morning,” she whispered, sleepiness disappearing at the sight of him naked and tangled in the bedsheets. His big biceps looked like the perfect spot to call home. A lazy smile overtook his face as she clambered back onto the bed and pushed him onto his back. He watched her through sleepy slits.

  “It’s so early,” he mumbled, but his big hands framed the curve of her bare ass as she straddled him. Like he couldn’t help himself.

  “I know.” She palmed the sculpted landscape of his chest, up over the curve of his pecs. “But for some reason, I’m awake.”

  And horny. Even though they’d been fucking enough to last a lifetime, Riley still needed more. She was getting used to getting some. Now she’d always need it. Need Levi. And strangely, the thought didn’t scare her like it used to.

  “Mmmm.” Clarity washed over Levi’s face as he tilted his head to get a good look at her ass filling his hands. The sheet was the only barrier between her pussy and his cock, but she could see the hard ridge forming beneath the fabric.

  “We should probably start the day on the right foot,” Riley murmured, her gaze tripping over the veins straining along his arms as he rocked her booty back and forth on top of him. His thick forearms were one of many favorite parts about him, and her breath hitched as he lifted her and tugged the sheet out from between them.

  “Yeah. Not the left one.”

  She smirked. If the dad jokes were out to play already, that meant he was fully on board. His cock had stiffened beneath her, trapped between her pussy and his lower abs. Already, she was wet, so wet with the promise of him filling her again.

  Except the feel of his heat against her naked flesh sent a different type of lust streaking through her. She wanted to feel him and only him. No barrier. Nothing separating them.

  Levi rocked beneath her, rubbing the hard shaft of his cock back and forth across the damp folds of her pussy. The swollen cockhead nudged her clit, and she was suddenly so desperate for it, she could cry.

  “I need it,” she said, scraping her nails against the hard plane of his chest. No trace of sleepiness remained in his gaze. Without a word, Levi twisted to reach for the nightstand, but she stopped him.

  “Can we…?” Words failed her. He met her gaze again, and understanding seared between them.

  “You want to?” he asked.

  She nodded. “I have an IUD.”

  Something primal washed over Levi then, and he settled back on the bed, fingertips digging into the fleshy mounds of her ass.

  “Give me a kiss,” he growled, and she fell forward to find his lips, morning breath and all. They kissed sloppily and fervently, until the need between her legs was raucous and overwhelming. As their tongues danced and played, she arched herself against him and allowed the steel heat between his legs to find her core. Levi grunted through a kiss, flexing against her so that the bulging cockhead could pop inside.

  Pleasure shuddered through her as his naked flesh met hers. She moaned, sinking down on top of him. Normally, she liked to ease onto him, draw out the pleasure, but this morning was different. She needed to claim all of him. For herself.

  Because Levi was all hers.

  He tossed his head back, groaning as his cock disappeared inside of her. The heat that flooded her, filling every last inch of her body, was the most addictive sensation she’d ever felt in her life. Not because it was sex.

  Because it was Levi.

  She needed this now. Constantly. She needed him. Filling her. Completing her.

  “Jesus Christ, Riley,” he breathed as she moved against him. She couldn’t open her eyes. She was lost in space.

  “I can’t talk,” she croaked. “It’s too good.”

  He chuckled and arched beneath her, sending him even deeper than she’d imagined possible. A cry escaped her, and everything went bright behind her eyelids. She steadied herself against his body, palms to washboard, and drew a ragged breath to corral the sensations pushing her closer to the edge. Riding him, no barrier between them, had her nipples straining and every nerve in her body vibrating and desperate.

  Levi thrust upward, sending her breasts jiggling. She cried out, and her palms slid up over his pecs. Her arms shook with the effort of maintaining her composure, when all her body wanted to do was unravel.

  “I’m so close, Ri,” he grunted, breathing like he’d just gone three rounds inside the cage. “I can’t fucking take it. You feel too damn good.”

  “God, I know.” Her voice came out a girly whimper, something so entirely unlike her, but then again, with this man filling her, driving her toward yet another explosive climax, it was impossible to stay sane. To stay together.

  She bucked her hips against him, his cock buried to the hilt inside her. Another word threatened to escape her, but it was one she knew she shouldn’t say. That big scary L word, which, for some reason, was the only thing that made sense right now.

  But it was too soon. It couldn’t be true. She wouldn’t go there—not yet, at least—but as she fought the instinct, the word hung bloated and vibrant in the back of her mind. Levi jerked her hips forward, sweet friction against her clit combined with the delicious sensation of being utterly filled, and she went tumbling over the edge.

  Her vision turned into fireworks as every cell in her body rejoiced simultaneously. This was one orgasm among many with Levi, but at the same time it was a turning point. The morning when her mind caught up to what her body had been telling her all along.

  From the second she’d laid eyes on him at her studio, when her skin had pebbled at the sight of him.

  From the first night sharing curry with him, when her heart had softened at his intent.

  From the first fight where she’d seen him throw every ounce of passion into the cage, enough motivation in his eyes to make her realize that this man was not simply her equal, but an inspiration.

  These thoughts collided with the tidal wave of pleasure, and she was left a breathless, jerky mess. Levi’s arms tightened around her waist, and they lay like that for an eternity. No words, just bliss, and the sticky points where their bodies met.

  They lingered in bed for a long time, maybe an hour, chatting and drifting off, and then chatting some more while the early morning turned from cobalt to bright daylight. Levi finally found the motivation to leave their cocoon when Gage’s voice drifted through the door.

  “Hello, my name is breakfast. I’m looking for Levi?”

  Levi snorted and pushed out of bed, tugging on clothes. “We’re coming!” To Riley, he said, “You ready for some grub, babe? I gotta get Gage off to school.”

  “Yeah, though I really thought I was going to be eating your cock this morning in lieu of eggs,” Riley cracked.

  “Mmmm. Maybe tomorrow morning.”

  “Yeah. You couldn’t keep it out of me long enough for me to eat.”

  “Not even gonna dispute that.” Levi’s grin sliced her in two. “That is one hundred percent true.”

  They both got dressed, and before stepping out into the living room, Levi paused in the doorway, pressing a sweet kiss to her lips.

  The morning passed in a daze, some sort of ethereal movie sequence punctuated by laughter, bad jokes, and cheesy eggs. Riley took pictures in the sunny kitchen, catching some truly golden moments between the brothers. She already had a pet project in mind, a series of three frames that would look great hanging on their walls.

  And now that she knew about their parents, she wanted to take it a step further. Make some sort of memorial, using a photo from the past. Her mind raced with ideas as she snapped more pictures.

  Another idea came to her as conversation turned toward the most recent fight. She remembered what Levi had told her about Gage not wanting to attend a match with the home health nurse.

  But what about with t
hree sexy ladies?

  Specifically, the first ladies of Holt Body Fitness: Amara, Lila, and Gen. She figured she could get them to agree to a night out with Gage. And he’d probably be thrilled to have such hot companions, too. Riley would take him herself if she weren’t on the hook for pictures.

  The boy deserved a fun night out. More than that, he deserved to have a surrogate family in Holt Body Fitness. Maybe she could convince Levi to open up his world.

  Once breakfast was cleaned up and Gage had wandered back into his bedroom to finish getting ready, Riley wrapped her arms around Levi.

  “I have an idea.”

  “Is it more of this cock breakfast thing, because I’m already into it.”

  She laughed into the soft fabric of his T-shirt. “No. But it involves something you specifically said you didn’t want to do.”

  He narrowed his eyes. “Go on.”

  “I want to see if I can arrange for some very special guests to take Gage to your league final. He shouldn’t miss it, and if the only thing keeping him back is the companionship, well…I think he would have a pretty great time on the arms of Amara, Lila, and Gen.”

  Levi was quiet for an abnormally long time. She could see the gears turning behind his gaze. He was considering it.

  “It would mean opening up his world a little, letting the gym know about him,” she added a few moments later. “But maybe it’s time. You’re family there already. And you know those guys have your back through thick and thin.”

  He drew a breath, and she could already hear the yeah but on his lips, so she hurried to say, “Just think about it. Don’t answer me now.”

  Levi pressed a kiss to her forehead. “You’re real nice, you know that?”

  She grinned up at him, rocking from side to side as they hugged. “I’m rubber, and you’re glue. Whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you.”

  Levi blinked. “Wow. Haven’t heard that in a long time.”