Off the Ice (The Penalty Kill Trilogy) (Volume 2) Page 17

  “I wouldn’t have thought that, Smarty. You have your own dreams and plans for the future. I know and love that about you. I wouldn’t think that. I don’t think that.”

  I’m shocked. “You don’t?” He really doesn’t think that?

  “Not at all. You do what you want for your future. I never thought that just because of me you would change those plans because they are so important to you.”

  I’m going to have to say it. I’m going to have to admit it to Levi. “I’m scared, Levi. I want to do things on my own, I do. But when I thought you might not be at my side, I didn’t think I could cope. I know that sounds dumb and it sounds like I’m a crazy person who is going to stalk you, but it’s how I feel.” There, I finally said it. I finally let my feelings go, and I hope that Levi is there to catch them.

  “That doesn’t sound dumb and a little crazy is always good. Smarty, don’t think that wanting me there means you aren’t independent. You still are, but if it makes you feel that way, then nothing has to change when we go to Pittsburgh.”

  I can almost feel the tears building by his sweet words. But does he see more for us?

  “Um, Levi, what do you see in the future for us? I mean, like relationship-wise.”

  “Relationship-wise as in the things we need to work on or relationship-wise as in what’s the next step for us?”

  “Well, what’s next? I mean, have you thought about it?” I know I have, but I don’t want to scare Levi either.

  “Of course, I’ve thought about it, Smarty. I don’t want to tell you what I want because I don’t want you to feel like you have to give up your independence, even though you wouldn’t. Not really, anyway. I want you to do whatever you think is right for you, but I wouldn’t mind living together. It would test my inner neat freak, though.”

  Shock, again. He has thought about it. He wants to live with me. “I would really like to know what you’re thinking about. It would help me to know what you’re thinking, about us, I mean. As far as living together, I’m not that bad.”

  “Presley, you don’t even make your bed in the morning. But that’s not the point. The point is I told you I want you there. We’ll be fine. Now and down the road. I want you there, but only if you want to be there and are comfortable with that.”

  I want him by my side. I’m very comfortable with that. “Levi, I want to be there. I want to be there with you by my side. Only you. And I don’t make my bed because I’m just going to get back in it later.”

  “You want me there, but are you okay with the fact that you want me there? Because that’s something you’re obviously worried about and I get that, but I don’t know, Smarty. I feel like I’m talking in circles.” He huffs and runs his hands through his hand. I’m upsetting him and I don’t want that. I just want him to understand.

  “I’m more than okay with you being there. I want you there. I’m just worried that if we lived together or if we thought further down the future you wouldn’t want me there. I mean, you’re going to be some big hockey player and I’m going to be Presley, the lawyer. What do I have to offer?” He’s going to have serious Puck Bunnies after him. He is going to be traveling and meeting celebrities and what do I have to offer him?

  “No, Presley. You’re going to be Presley, the lawyer who dates that big hockey player. What don’t you have to offer? Don’t look at it like that. You should be asking what do I have to offer you? Don’t title us as anything other than you and me. Smarty, I love you. There’s no reason why I wouldn’t want you there.”

  I smile. Maybe I do have more to offer him. I will be honest with him from this point on about my feelings. We have a future together. I can see it now.

  “Thank you. Thank you for loving me, Levi. I love you too.”

  Chapter Thirty

  Levi

  This Presley, the insecure girl, is unfamiliar to me. I figured that she worried about stuff, everyone does, but she was really worried. And hearing how she’s scared of not being on her own as if living with me means she would be dependent on me only made me more concerned. I want to say so much more to her, but she seems satisfied with what we discussed. I want to ask her what she saw in her future before she met me. I understand that things are a little different now that we are together, but because she’s concerned about not being independent makes me want to make sure her plans don’t change.

  “Levi?” Presley pushes herself up so she can look at me. We are watching a movie in my room.

  “Yeah, Smarty?”

  “What are you thinking about? When I came over here, you were ready to rip my clothes off. You haven’t even tried since we talked and we’re still here alone.” Her lips pout just a little.

  I sigh and look into those light brown eyes that I love so much, trying to figure out if I should say anything or not. Quickly, I decide to go all in and let her know exactly how I feel about us.

  “Smarty, I love you and I want you to understand that. Yeah, it hasn’t been the smoothest flowing relationship, but I’d do anything to have you in my life. It worries me when you worry and when you’re nervous about something. I guess it just bothers me that while you want the same things I want, like moving in together, you’re scared that you’re going to lose a part of yourself in the process. Why do you feel that way?”

  Presley’s lips part and close three times before she says anything. “I don’t know,” she finally mutters. “I mean, this is new to me, Levi. I’ve never moved in with anyone before because I like having my space. With your screw up and then mine, I wonder what will happen if we get to Pittsburgh and have a big fight. Where am I supposed to go then?”

  “Nowhere. You stay your ass right there and we deal with it. And if anyone goes anywhere, it would be me. I would kick myself out.” I take a deep breath. “Presley,” I start, but I falter at a loss for words.

  Smarty wiggles on top of me, grabs my face between her hands, and looks at me with such determination. “Levi James Carr, don’t say another word,” she orders. “I love you and I can’t wait for what’s next. Part of it is because I’ll be so far from my family, my twin, everything I’ve ever known. So yeah, I’m a little worried. I’m so in love with you and I want to experience so many things with you whether I’m scared or not because I know that in the end, it’ll be worth it.”

  I lift my head to meet her lips, giving her a sweet kiss. “Oh, Smarty, it will definitely be worth it.” Clutching her hips, Presley lets out a small laugh.

  “Finally ready to rip my clothes off?”

  Smirking, I tell her to sit up as I appreciate the simpleness of her easily replaceable clothes. Her plain white t-shirt doesn’t seem to be anything special. “Do you like this shirt?” I ask her.

  Her brows scrunch together in confusion. “I guess. It’s not my favorite or anything.”

  “Good.”

  “Wh-” she starts, but her eyes widen when I grab the thin fabric and begin to tug hard. Her shirt has no resistance and easily begins to tear in two.

  “You really like lace, don’t you?” I ask, kissing the cleavage peeking from the top of yet another lacy bra, this one a nude color. Looking up, Presley seems a little shocked that her torso is now showing, her shirt torn open, but she looks so hot too. I push her shirt off her shoulders and then run my hands down her chest to the button of her jeans.

  “Don’t mess these up,” she whispers, her eyes focused on my hands.

  “Wouldn’t dream of it. These are my favorite jeans, Smarty.” I can see her smile slightly, but she doesn’t look at me. Her eyes are trained on my hands, so I tease her by not moving them. Finally, she glances up at me, and I smirk.

  “Why, Captain Carr, are you trying to tease me?”

  “Just making sure you are paying attention,” I tell her.

  “My entire body pays attention when you are around. Especially to those hands.” She leans forward, her lips brushing mine. “And to this mouth.” Her tongue slips into my mouth, running over my teeth. “I definitely have to
pay attention to these teeth.”

  That does it.

  I roll us over, forgetting about teasing her as I unbutton her jeans and proceed to yank them off. That has to be one of the hottest things she’s ever done. “Don’t move an inch,” I order, getting off the bed. I open my nightstand, but there’s not a condom in there. Slamming it shut, I mutter under my breath before going over to where my wallet is laying on the dresser. Thank goodness I always keep one in there.

  “I’m not going to wait much longer, Levi,” Presley says quietly. When I turn to look at her, she’s completely naked, propping herself up on her elbows so she can look at me. She looks so comfortable and at ease.

  I snatch the condom out of my wallet, and by the time I return to her to settle between her legs, the condom is on and I’m ready to hear her scream. Instead of pushing into her, I kiss her collarbone, caressing one of her breasts, tugging on her nipple and then sucking on the other. With my free hand, I guide myself into her. Then I move my hand to rub her clit. Presley moans as I come to graze my teeth along her jaw, down her neck.

  I bring my legs up so I can have better support, increasing the speed of which I push in and pull out of her. Refraining from biting her, I part my mouth and simply run my teeth over her shoulder, across her chest. The sound of our skin slapping together battles against Presley moaning my name in that breathy voice of hers. Her body feels so good.

  “Fuck, Levi. Bite me already.” Presley sounds exasperated.

  From the corner of my eye, I can see her gripping my sheets. I smirk against her chest, pounding into her harder as I place my hands on either side of her. Smarty grabs my arms, her eyes hooded and her nails cutting into me. Leaning down, I take her bottom lip between my teeth and suck hard then bite down on it. Smarty arches her back, wrapping her legs around me tightly in a sign that she’s getting close.

  Kissing my way down her neck, I whisper, “Tell me again.”

  “Levi, you better fucking bite me right now.” I push myself deeper into her and she yells out, “God, Levi.”

  Her hands are digging so hard into my arms as I open my mouth against her shoulder. She’s waiting and ready as I thrust into her. When her legs tense, I bite her shoulder to trigger both of our orgasms.

  Gently, I kiss the red bite mark as Presley relaxes her hold on my arms, and I stop moving inside her.

  “I never knew biting could be so hot,” she mumbles.

  I laugh, pulling out of her, and get up to go clean myself off. It’s not until I return to find a covered up Presley that I respond. “I didn’t know it either,” I say, pulling on the gym shorts on the floor and crawling in beside her.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I’ve had the urge to do that before, but it wasn’t until I slept with you that I actually did it. Now, I can’t stop. You just make the hottest sounds when I do and I can’t get enough of hearing you.”

  Smarty cuddles up to me. “You’ve never bitten anyone else?”

  “Nope.” I wrap my arms around her, loving the feel of her naked body.

  “Good.”

  I bark out a laugh, but it’s cut short when we hear Harper and Nichols talking and slamming the door shut.

  “Levi,” Presley grits at me. “Why is your door still open?”

  “Guys,” I yell, watching her. “Don’t come near my room.”

  “Hey, Presley,” they both say from somewhere down the hall, laughing.

  Smarty groans, and I laugh as I get up to shut the door.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Presley

  May

  I think I need to get a t shirt that says “I Hate Finals.” I bet I could make a fortune on them right now on the JWU campus. I’m so glad that it’s Friday and it’s over. Trevor, Marley, Levi, and I are going to meet up tonight in celebration of the ending of the semester, and I can’t wait.

  I finally get all my paperwork done for my internship, and I’m going to start in a couple of weeks. I can’t believe all of this is happening. I have talked to my parents and they are so proud of me. They even said it outloud. I’m still in shock that our relationship has changed so much, but I’m happy about it too. I am worried about traveling back and forth to the city and I talked to my mom about moving in with Levi. She isn’t that happy, but she’s dealing. She made the suggestion to have Levi move into my place because I am closer to the city and not that far from RU. Plus, none of us are sure what is going to happen with the NHL draft. I know that Levi is going to be drafted, but none of us are sure when he will be called up to the NHL.

  “There she is.”

  I walk into Lou’s and the three people I love the most are sitting there, waiting for me. Levi has a bright smile on his face as he announces me. He gets up and hugs me tightly. These last few weeks with Levi have been the greatest since we started dating. Even through finals, we managed at least to talk to each other every day. I’m still worried a little, but the more we talk, the better I feel. Levi loves me and I love him.

  “Hey, sorry I’m late. I wanted to wait around for my grades.” I hug Trevor and Marley before sitting down at the table. In front of me is a large strawberry milkshake. I can’t help but smile as I take a sip.

  “So, how were they?” Levi rubs my back as he asks.

  I shrug like it isn’t a big deal. “Well, all A’s!” I shout and throw my hands up. I can’t believe that I did it.

  “Even in Constitutional Law?” Trevor asks.

  “Yes and I’m so glad.” Levi hugs my shoulder and kisses my temple. “So, what about you guys?”

  “Passed all my classes, thanks to Marley.” Trevor smirks at her and I’m sure, for the first time, Marley blushes.

  “Mine were all good.” Marley smiles. “And I’m so glad it’s over.”

  “What about you, Captain Carr?” I bump his shoulder.

  “A’s, but I got a B in Organic Chemistry. However, I’m still pleased with that because I thought for sure I failed my project.”

  “That’s so good!” I hug him and kiss his cheek. “So, it looks like we have only one year left, huh?”

  “And a crazy summer.” Marley raises her glass.

  “Hell, yeah!” We say together and clink our glasses.

  We talk about finals, and the guys talk about their intense workout before the draft. They will have to do one more physical before the draft, and they want to be in the best shape.

  “Hey, I have an idea.” I smirk at everyone. “Can I have your keys?” I look at Levi.

  “Um, sure.” He hands me his keys, and I give him mine.

  “Wait for my texts. Come on Mar.” We jump up and head to Levi’s SUV.

  “When was the last time we were on the ice?” I ask when we head down the road.

  “Well, high school? Are you thinking what I think you’re thinking?”

  I smile at her. “Still have your hockey gear?”

  ~

  I send a text to Levi and Trevor to come to the RU rink. I thought it would be a good surprise for Levi, and we all need some fun. Marley and I are in our skates with our gloves and sticks, waiting for the guys. I ran to Trevor’s and Levi’s to get their gear before coming here. Thank goodness I have keys to both their places.

  “What’s going on, Smarty?” Levi looks confused as I stand on the ice with Marley.

  “YES!” Trevor shouts. “You’re going down, Pres. I remember what happened last time!” He jogs over to his bag and pulls out his skates.

  “Okay, someone please explain to me what’s going on?” Levi crosses his arms and looks confused.

  “Alright, I thought we need a stress reliever and I thought we could play some two-on-two.” I shrug.

  “Hold up.” Trevor stands after lacing his skates. “Carr, you’ve never seen Pres play?”

  “Well, we skated once on my pond, but never played.”

  “Mr. Carr, you’re in for a treat. Pres always practiced with me. Don’t let the manicures fool ya, she has a slapshot.” Trevor slaps Levi�
��s shoulder and jumps on the ice as Marley hands him his stick.

  “I’m not that good. We just fooled around, Trevor. I thought it would be fun since we’ve never played together.” I smile at Levi. “Are you upset?”

  “Hell no and Smarty.” He leans down and smirks. “We play all the time.” He wags his eyebrows.

  “Get your skates on, Carr. Let’s see what you got.” I peck his lips and skate backwards to the center. Levi puts on his skates, gloves, and skates out to me.

  “I will say one thing, you look hot in skates and holding that stick.”

  I can see his eyes are full of desire, and I smile at him.

  “Guys against girls,” Marley states. “And no slamming into boards.” Her voice is stern and she stares at Trevor. He holds his hands up to show that he won’t.

  “Marley, you play too?”

  “I’m not as good as these two, but I can hold my own.” Marley shrugs.

  “Alright, let’s play.” Trevor goes over and gets in position for the face off.

  I laugh and head to the center for the face. For an hour, we play, laugh, and talk smack to each other. I love every minute of it. I love how relaxed we are, and I can’t help but laugh at Levi’s face when I score against him. He really tried to block me, but I changed my backhand to a forehand and the puck went through his five-hole. I cheered like I won the Stanley Cup.

  “Told ya,” Trevor teases Levi.

  ~

  A few weeks later I am sitting in my living room, and my hands are shaking. I can’t believe that I see all of Levi’s boxes in my living room. There isn’t a lot, because Levi never had a ton of stuff. I can’t believe this happening. Levi and I are living together. He wanted to move in when his lease was up at his apartment. He took his furniture to his dad’s, but kept the main things.