I waited until Levi left for work the next day, not wanting to face him after last night. Things are starting to heat up between us and I don't know if I'll have enough willpower to put the fire out before we are burned.

I stayed in the shower for an additional ten minutes, before waking up Declan and getting him ready for preschool.

He's finally starting to get a little more comfortable being with people he doesn't know. He's even started playing with some of his classmates.

He's come a long way and I'm so very proud of him. Even if he never says a word I'll be okay with that. Because as long as he's happy I'm happy.

"Have a good day, Declan!" I said, waving and smiling at him as his teacher led him over to the group of children reciting the alphabet.

Leaving the preschool, I got back in my car and met up with Ivy. With our busy lives we haven't had time to spend any time together. Though our late night video calls have been great, we would much rather see each other in person.

"So you're finally getting married," I said, smiling excitedly at my bestfriend.

"Finally!" She says with equal enthusiasm. "I know my maid of honor is busy, but I just have one final request of you."

I raised a brow at her, curious to know what her scheming little mind was conjuring up now.

"Okay..." I said, narrowing my eyes at her in suspicion, hesitant to hear her request. "What is it?"

"You have to bring Levi as your plus one."

"No," I replied almost instantaneously, shaking my head in refusal. "There is no way I'm asking him to be my plus one. And besides, I already asked Zack."

"What!?" Ivy gave me an icy glare, looking as though she wanted to slap me. "Why would you ask Zack?" She said his name like it left an acidic taste in her mouth.

"Because I like him. And since he wants to go out a second date, I figured this way I would be able to kill two birds with one stone."

"I could literally kill you, Laurel. You know how much I like Levi," she said with a disappointed whine.

"Then you bring him as your plus one," I countered, rolling my eyes in a playful manner.

"I just might," she says, stealing a crinkle fry off my plate and popping it into her mouth.

****

I nearly jumped out of my skin when Levi ambushed me in the laundry room. I dropped the basket of clothes, pulling my earbuds out of my ears.

"Are you avoiding me, Laurel?"

Why must he say my name like that?

It just rolls off his tongue, my name sounding so sensual yet aggressive in a way that reminds me of sex. Filthy beautiful sex.

"I'm not avoiding you, Levi. I've just been busy," I answered, bending down to pick up the basket loaded with Declan's clothes.

"Too busy to even say hi this morning?"

"I-"

"And don't think I didn't notice you hiding away in your room," he interjected, staring at me attentively.

I was busted. And there was no way I would be able to successfully lie my way out of this one.

I parted my lips to speak, wanting to tell him that last night can't happen again. And that we should keep things professional between us. Not for his sake, but for mine.

But then he spoke up again, his voice soft. "I know I stepped out of line, but you drive me to insanity." He sounded sad and maybe even a little disgruntled. At who, I'm not sure. He brushed an inked hand through his hair, looking away. "I understand if you want to quit after last night. Though I'd prefer it if you stayed. For Declan, of course."

He bit his lip and I could see the anxiety in his eyes. I also noticed the way he kept wrinking his shirt from nervously gripping at the hem.

I smiled. "I'm not going anywhere, Levi." His eyes flickered back to me, a look of shock etched into his rugged features. "I will never abandon the people I care about."

"How do you expect me to keep my hands to myself when you say shit like that?"

"I-I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize. Just stop saying and doing things that make me want to rip your clothes off."

I shouldn't be surprised by his forwardness, but he never ceases to catch me completely off guard.

"Levi-"

He shook his head and I clamped my mouth shut. He looked like he was in so much pain. Like he was restraining himself from doing something he may or may not regret.

"At this point, just stop breathing. I'm a fucking wiff away from cumbusting." I didn't move. I was afraid that he would end up losing all sense of self-control and take me in this laundry room.

Not that I would necessarily mind. If he wasn't my boss, of course.

"Fucking hell..." He brushed the palm of his hand over his face, sighing heavily. "I don't know what the hell you've done to me, but I suggest you stop wearing that perfume."

"But I like this perfume."

"Do you also like having the use of your legs?" He asked, cocking his head to one side, a single strand of dark hair dangling in the front of his serious, handsome face.

"Y-yes."

"Apparently not, since you insist on making my life a living hell." His eyes trailed down my body, then back up to my eyes.

"That wasn't my intention."

"Oh I know, baby. Believe me, I know," he rasped.

Having been blocking the exit, he sidestepped to the right, allowing me to escape the dense fog of arousal leaking from our pores and polluting the air with its babymaking stench.

I was yet again struggling for air once I reached my room, not sure if I had the strength or courage to maintain this "professional" shit.

Maybe I should just let him fuck me one time. Maybe then I wouldn't have to keep fighting him. Maybe then our bellies would be full and we would no longer crave the forbidden touch of the other.

Who am I kidding?

One time would never be enough.