Page 28 of Aching for His Discretion

“Levi,” I whispered, and his eyes snapped over to mine as his eyebrows furrowed slightly. That was when I realized this was the first time I’d actually said his first name to him.

I don’t know why it took me so long to do so, but there was something about addressing him by his last name that made me feel more polite towards him and also set a bit of a boundary.

We weren’t all that close yet. However, the events in my apartment that occurred a few days ago had me thinkingotherwise… He never seemed to mind the way I addressed him, but from the look in his eyes currently, I could tell he liked me saying his name.

Pulling away, he opened the passenger door for me, and I thanked him as I stepped inside. Looking over my shoulder, I saw Alec standing furiously as he watched us, and I turned away, letting out a small breath as Levi drove off.

“You said my name,” he muttered after a few moments of silence, and I blushed.

“I did,” I replied softly, and he sighed.

“I liked it.”

I smiled internally as he continued to drive. Soon, we ended up at my apartment, and we greeted Mr. John at the door before going upstairs to my flat.

“You’ve been ignoring me, Tesoro,” he muttered from behind, and I stopped in the hall in front of him as I closed my eyes. Yes, four days ago, the incredibly gorgeous man behind me made me experience something all too new that was extremely exhilarating and scary.

He’d been slightly busy for the past few days and didn’t really object to my attempts to ignore his messages. But this morning, he made it very clear that I had enough time to myself and that we were going to spend the afternoon together. To which I didn’t object, but I felt too embarrassed to bring up the subject of us getting rather… close the other night.

Turning to him, I sighed.

“I’m sorry… I-I was just confused,” I whispered, and he approached me slowly.

“About?” he muttered, and I looked down as I played with my fingers.

“Everything.”

He hummed as he tilted my head up. “Does it have anything to do with that night?” he asked, and I bit my lip.

“A little bit.”

He hummed once again before he abruptly picked me up in one motion, wrapping my legs around his waist. Holding back a squeal of surprise, I blushed as his hands rested on my bum.

“Levi… I…” I whispered, and he placed a kiss on my neck.

“Tesoro... I am willing to be this friend you so-called want me to be, but just know that you’re starting to affect me. The way I think, act, and speak… you’re making me change, and as much as I was starting to hate it in the beginning, I fucking love it… unfortunately, I am beginning to perceive you as being more than just a friend.”

“Best friends,” I whispered stupidly, and he chuckled.

“No, not best friends, Tesoro…Even more than that.”

“Oh. That’s nice, I guess,” I whispered, unsure of how to respond, and he tilted his head as he groped my bum in his hands, causing me to whine.

“You think it’s nice… that I am essentially telling you that I want and plan on fucking you until you can’t take anymore and afterward buying you shit like flowers and candy. Giving you hugs and kisses in the same places that I plan on making you cum? Getting to know your likes and dislikes while also learning what makes youtwitchandbeg… hmmm, baby? Youguessthat it would be nice?” he asked sinisterly.

I bit my lip as his words made me blush, and I almost let out a tiny whimper in response.

Pull yourself together, Teegan. The man just laid his heart out to you.

Is that what you’d call it?

Nonetheless, I responded breathlessly as I did my best to hold eye contact with this unpredictable, impulsive man. “You’re very unpredictable, Mr. Amante,” I muttered and moaned softly as he kneaded my bum in his hands.

“As you know, Tesoro, I aim to please. Now go inside and greet the fur monster that’s trying to escape to say hello,” he ordered, setting me on the ground, and I turned to see, lo and behold, the doorknob twitching as Grayson was most likely jumping and twisting the knob from inside.

Upon opening the door, Grayson immediately walked out and weaved through my and Levi’s legs. Noticing him leaning back on his paws, I went to speak when Levi had already managed to catch him in his arms. I shook my head as he purred in Levi’s arms, to which Levi simply gave him a few head scratches.

Placing my things down and my coat away, I brewed some tea on the stove for Levi and me after getting settled. Afterward, I lit a floral candle in the kitchen to lift the minor odor of last night’s dinner still lingering in the air. Hearing footsteps beside me, I looked over to see Levi walking over without Grayson, and he placed his hand in mine slowly.

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