"What are you doing here?"

Levi removed his hat, his cover blown. I didn't know why he was spying on me, but I think it had something to do with Zack. There was some definite tension brewing between the two of them, moreso from Levi. Which I still have yet to figure out why.

"Declan was hungry," he says with a shrug of his shoulders.

"So you brought him here? Out of all the restaurants?"

"Why would I take him to a different restaurant when I can take him here?"

I wasn't sure what he was trying to pull, but it was clear that he and Declan were here to spy on me and Zack.

I was about to ask him another question when Zack cut in. "Wait a minute." He smiled as if some kind of light bulb just went off in his head. "Are you Levi, as in Levi Isaacs?"

Levi nodded. I looked at Zack in confusion, not sure why that mattered. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"He owns this restaurant."

What?

Remembering that he owns of chain of businesses, including a couple of restaurants, I started to feel stupid for accusing him. His attendance here was merely a coincidence.

"Right," I finally said, realizing I hadn't said a word and had been openly staring at Levi. Blushing when he stared back, I looked over at Zack. "Ready to go?'

Zack nodded, Levi staring at the two of us in confusion. "Wait, where are you going?"

"We are going to go catch a movie," Zack said with a beaming smile.

Levi frowned, his green eyes back on me. "No."

"No?" I repeated, glowering at him. "What do you mean no?"

"It means exactly what I said. You're not going."

A couple pairs of eyes drifted over in our direction, eavesdropping in on our conversation. I gave them a polite smile, kindly telling them to mind their own business with my eyes.

I didn't understand why Levi was acting this way. It only took me and Zack a half an hour to finish our food. So because we had some time to spare, we decided to go to a late night movie.

Levi didn't have any issues before. Not until he learned what I would be doing and with who.

Is he jealous? Is that what this is?

I should be flattered by his jealousy, and even more excited that he was finally paying attention to me.

But not only is his behavior not appropriate, but I actually like Zack. And it would be rude of me to simply ditch him for another. Especially for my boss, who just so happened to be far older in age than I was.

"You may be my boss, but you are not my daddy," I told him, angry at him for thinking he can control me just because I work for him.

I didn't mean to come off as harsh as I did, but he had no right to tell me what to do. Unless it has to do with Declan, what I do outside of my job is none of his damn business.

He stared up at me, taken aback by my words. I couldn't figure out what was going through his head, but it was clear from the continuous scowl on his face and the way his eyes darkened in color that he wasn't happy with me.

The silence between us was loud, a staring contest ensuing. Zack's ocean blues darted back and forth between us, sensing the tension.

"Maybe I should go wait in the car," he suggested, feeling as though he was intruding in on something.

"That's a damn good idea Zackary," Levi said, his eyes still dead locked on me.

Zack started to walk away, but I grabbed his hand, stopping him in his tracks. "You don't have to leave," I told him, all while maintaining eye contact with Levi.

He glanced at Levi, his face red with discomfort. "A-Are you sure? I don't mind waiting."

"You heard the kid, Laurel. He said he doesn't mind. So let him go."

Why was he being such an ass?

This behavior of his was so unlike him. And it's frustrating the hell out of me. No longer wanting to continue this useless conversation, I interlaced my fingers with Zack's and walked out.

****

"Thank you for tonight. I had fun." Kissing Zack on the cheek, he blushed, his hands resting on my hips.

"I had fun too."

Pulling apart, I waited until he drove off before using the spare key Levi gave me to get into the house.

Stepping out of my heels, I went upstairs to check on Declan. Upon seeing that he was fast asleep, I smiled at him before heading to my room.

Entering the dark room, I flicked on the light. I screamed, jumping out of my skin when I saw Levi leaned against the wall near the window.

"What the hell, Levi! You scared the shit out of me!" I whisper-yelled, knowing how light of a sleeper Declan was. I had my hand over my pounding heart, struggling to catch the breath that had seemingly vanished. "What are you doing in my room?"

"I couldn't sleep," he mumbled. "All I kept thinking about was the fact that you were out with him."

"Why do you hate Zack so much?"

"I don't hate him," he replied lowly.

"Then why were you spying on us? And why were you being such a total ass tonight?"

"Because he's not right for you!"

"What are you talking about? Zack is a sweetheart. He's been nothing but nice to me."

Zack didn't deserve to be treated so horribly. As a result of Levi's behavior, I spent the rest of my night apologizing to him. I felt bad for what happened and could hardly focus on the movie because of it.

"Maybe so, but that will never be enough."

"Why? Because he isn't you?" I retorted.

"Yes!" Levi unexpectedly shouted. "He will never be able to make you happy like I can! Never!"

Levi shifted quickly across the room, pinning me to the back of the door. His warm breath spilled onto my nose, his breathing heavy as his green eyes stared intensely into my own.

"L-Levi..." I stammered, suddenly feeling hot all over.

He leaned in, aggressively sniffing my hair and sighing. "Fuuck..." Blushing, I turned the other cheek, my neck exposed to his lips. "Do you know that ever since you slept in my bed I haven't been able to get your sweet, sweet scent out of my sheets?"

Placing the palms of my hands on his chest, I attempted and failed to push him away. "Levi..." I said again, hoping that he'd get the hint to step back.

He didn't.

"You left me for him." He sounded sad as he said it, mimicking the pained expression Declan always has when I drop him off at preschool.

"I didn't leave you, Levi. I was coming back."

"You... left me."

"I'm sorry," I murmured, the pain in his voice tugging at my heart. If this is his reaction to me leaving for a couple hours, then I can only imagine how he reacted when his ex-wife left him.

He stepped back, finally allowing me a chance to breathe. Grabbing his hands, I led him over to the bed.

"It's late, Levi. And you need your rest."

It's strange. He's sober, but it feels like I'm dealing with a drunk Levi all over again. And his tattoos, piercings, and rough exterior give you the impression that he's tough as nails. When really, he's the complete opposite. In fact, he's just as soft as his son.

He nodded, scooting over and laying down on his side. "You're not going to leave me again, are you?"

I shook my head. "No."

Laying down beside him, I took his arms and wrapped them securely around my waist. "I'm going to let you hold me, but only for tonight."

Gosh, I said that last time.

And now here I am yet again lying in his arms. Those green eyes of his are a whole world of trouble. If he keeps this up, then we might be sleeping like this every night.

Hearing him snore behind me, I chuckled quietly to myself. It seems Declan isn't the only one in need of a nanny.