Chapter Eighteen
LEVI
Penny:She’s on her way.
Levi:Thanks. Did she like your idea?
Penny:Loved it. She looks really happy, Posey, and I think a lot of that has to do with you.
Levi:Wow, are you actually saying something nice to me?
Penny:Stop it, you know I like you—even when you’re being Posey.
Levi:Well, thanks. I feel happy. She makes me happy.
Penny:I’m glad. When are you going to tell the boys?
Levi:Not yet. Once we figure out how to handle her dad, then I’ll tell the boys. They’re just too loud and obnoxious. I can’t let them in on anything just yet.
Penny:Better tell them soon. There’s only so much we can keep from our men.
Levi:I know. And I owe you queens big time.
Penny:Glad you see it that way. Have fun tonight.
Levi:Thanks, Penny.
I set my phone down and look around the living room one more time. I set up a few blankets in front of the lit fireplace that casts a nice glow through the room. And to add a touch more light, I set up candles throughout the living room—electric candles because I don’t need to burn down my apartment. I chose to wear nothing but a pair of joggers because I know she likes it best when I’m shirtless. And I packed a delicious dinner into a picnic basket that I set on the blankets.
During our short stint away, I kept thinking about what I could do next for her. How I could woo her and show her that I deserve to be with her. I can’t take her out in public right now, not until we tell Coach Wood, so I figured a date in the apartment would have to do. With of course, a surprise at the end. And by surprise, I don’t mean my penis.
Shocking, I know.
But I planned this night to hopefully tell her how I’ve been feeling and see what she thinks about it all.
Am I a little nervous? Yes.
Terrified, actually. I’ve never dated much so this is all new to me. I’m shuffling through this with the education built off romance I’ve gathered from observing my parents and their long-lasting marriage and anything I’ve picked up from movies or TV shows. As well as the positive things my friends have done for their girls. I’ve seen the little gestures, the way they talk to them, hold them, pay close attention to everything in their lives. They’ve been good examples, even if they were slightly out of touch with solidifying the relationship—hence why they needed me. But looking around, I feel like I have a good handle on everything, at least I hope I do.
I pace the living room, waiting for her to come home, which I know won’t take very long, given where she’s coming from. She doesn’t know that I’m home. She thinks I’m still at the arena. I told her I had to stay for a few team meetings, so this will be a total surprise.
After a few long, torturous moments of waiting, I finally hear the front door being unlocked and the door opens, revealing my girl in a pretty long-sleeved blue dress and heels.
When she spots me, she stutters for a second, shock on her face before her expression morphs into surprise and affection.
“Oh my God, you’re home,” she says as she sets her stuff down and comes up to me. Her hands go right to my pecs, just where I like them.
“Hey, baby,” I say before kissing her and sliding my arm around her waist. “Fuck, you smell good.”
She rubs my left pec as she says, “I’m so happy you’re back. Are you here for the night?”
“I am,” I say. “I’m all yours.”
She glances around, taking in the candles and the instrumentals Alexa is playing in the background. When her eyes focus on the fireplace and the picnic basket, she says, “Aw, did you set up a date for us?”
“I did.” I force her to look at me as I say, “I know I can’t take you out in public out of fear that your dad would find out, but I wanted to do something nice for you, so we’re having a picnic inside the apartment. Hopefully, that’s not too lame.”
She shakes her head. “Not at all, but could I possibly change real quick? I’m slightly overdressed.”
“I think you look amazing,” I say as I smooth my hands over her sides. “But if you want help getting changed, I can assist with that.”
She smiles up at me and takes my hand. “You know I always want help.” She guides me back to her old room where her clothes still are.
“We need to change this,” I say as we walk into the small bedroom. “We need to move your clothes to my closet. I have plenty of room.”
“You really want to do that?” she asks as she pulls one of my shirts out from where it’s folded in a drawer. “You don’t want to keep your space?”
My eyebrows knead together. “Space? I don’t want space from you. Do you want space?”
Her eyes meet mine. “No,” she says. “But I don’t want to encroach.”
“You’re not when I’m saying I want you there.”
“Hey,” she says, coming up to me and pressing her hand to my heart. “Don’t get upset. I just wanted to make sure you were ready for that.”
“If I wasn’t ready, I wouldn’t have suggested it. I want you fully in my life, Wylie. I don’t like this separation. I want you in our apartment, permanently there.”
Her smile grows wide as she unzips her dress on the side and slips it off, leaving her in nothing but a high-waisted thong and bra.
“I think I can get on board with that.”
I take her in as I place my hands on her hips. “Is this a new set?” I ask, running my fingers over the lace.
“It is,” she says. “Want me to keep it on?”
“Yeah,” I say, feeling all kinds of dizzy. “I do.”
“Consider it done,” she says as she slips my shirt over her head and lets it cover up her luscious body.
“Or maybe you lose the shirt,” I say.
She chuckles. “I’m not about to eat a meal in just my lingerie. I would do a lot of things for you, but that is not one of them.”
“Where’s the romance?” I tease.