I sidle up to him and wrap my arms around his waist.
“Sorry, the water here always takes a little longer to warm up. It's because we're outside the main house.”
“It's okay. At least you're not kicking me out yet. That makes you nicer than ninety percent of the guys I've been with.”
He chuckles and tests the water.
“I don't know how anyone would kick you out because I'm standing here trying to find the right words to make you stay.”
We get into the shower, and he grabs the handheld sprayer to run the warm water over my head. It feels heavenly and somehow like I'm washing away centuries of wariness.
“You couldn't get rid of me now if you tried,” I say and feel every single word. I knew Arlo was dangerous from the moment we met, but I didn't know how dangerous he could be until now.
All he has to do is ask for my heart, and it's his.
Hell, it may already be.
18
ARLO
Wakingup with Levi wrapped around me is bliss, but in the light of day, some of my other worries come back.
Not about him though. Neither my body nor my heart has any doubts about him. I only hope he can take care of my heart as well as I want to take care of his.
“Hmm. You’re so warm.” He snuggles closer, and I don’t resist holding him tighter.
“Levi.”
He looks up at me with a sleepy smile. “Yes?”
“How about pancakes for breakfast?”
He stares at me, his smile fading a little.
“Is that really what you wanted to say?”
I shake my head. “No…I don’t…it’s too soon to get all hot and heavy. I mean, you were totally right about toe-curling orgasms—”
“What if I want hot and heavy?” he says all too quickly.
I cradle his face and pull him closer for a kiss. “Do you really?”
“It’s crazy, right? We barely know each other,” he says. “But you already know more about me than anyone else in my life. The only thing is…”
“Ava,” I say. He looks down, and I put my finger under his chin so his eyes can meet mine.
“The reason none of my relationships ever last is because I have a kid. Most men don't want the responsibility. Hell, even the one who wanted the kid still left.”
“Your ex?”
Levi nods. “Clive left just before Ava was born. No explanation other than he wasn't ready to be a dad. Ava is biologically mine, and the surrogate is a friend from Chicago. I was so lost when Clive left. How was I going to raise a kid on my own?”
I run my hands over his naked back in a soothing movement. Levi drops his head on my chest, seemingly lost in his thoughts, but if he needs to let it out, I'll be here to listen.
“My friend was a rock. We moved in together so I could save some money, and even after Ava was born, she was there to help me. She babysat when I worked late, and Ava adored her. I know it sounds weird, but the arrangement worked for us, and there was never a time when I had any doubts that Ava was only mine but with an extra aunt who loved her. We moved out when Ava was two, and it's just been me and her ever since.”
“You're a great father, Levi. Even before I met you, I knew just from Ava's carefree, kind, and creative spirit that she had to come from good parents. I wasn't wrong.”
