Page 106 of Aching for His Discretion

“I’m not going to have sex with him, Abigail.”

“Yet,” she replied, giving me the side-eye for using her government name, and I shook my head at her antics. She rolled her eyes at both Emma and I as she continued, “Come on, Teegs. You wore that necklace around your neck like a chastity belt for the last two years. You don’t think that the second you decided to take it off and him showing up wasn’t a coincidence?”

I crossed my arms. “Is this your way of subtly calling me a prude?”

“Your words, definitely not mine. Besides, you need to build the suspense, the tension...ifyou do choose to take another chance. Make him pay for what he put you through,” she said almost menacingly, and I looked over at Emma for help, to which she simply shrugged.

“She’s not wrong,” she replied, and I shook my head at the both of them as Abbie spoke almost pitifully.

“And you haven’t seen him for so long. You have to build up that immunity to his sweet-talking. One look from those Italian eyes and a glance at those muscles and veins… oh, I pray for you, my sweet Teegan.”

I tried to hide my smile but failed miserably.

“…His arms did get a bit more muscular,” I whispered and laughed as they practically squealed and fell out of their chairs. I did my best to contain my laughter, but they were absolutely killing me with their reactions.

The door opened out of nowhere, and Jacob looked at us in question as he entered.

“Is there a reason why you guys are all shits and giggles?” he asked.

Emma shook her head as she stood, pulling Abbie up.

“Girl stuff, Jacob. You wouldn’t understand.”

“Just like I didn’t understand why you three get excited over candles and new body wash?” he asked, and Abbie nodded.

“Exactly… you just wouldn’t understand, I’m afraid.” She sent me a wink, and I shook my head at the both of them as I turned back to my computer.

Like I said, not only did I have new brothers, but I also had new sisters... ones which I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world.

Arriving at my complex, I stepped out only to see it was snowing again. This time, it looked like it was going to stick and pile up at that. Hopefully we wouldn’t be snowed in…

Entering the building, I checked for my mail only to catch a glance of Mr. Rivera sitting at the desk. He glanced up at me for a moment and shook his head slightly.

“I shouldn’t have let him in,” he muttered, and I paused for a moment as I looked over to him. “He’s upstairs. You look so sleep-deprived and exhausted… I shouldn’t have. Even if he killed me.”

I smiled sadly. I didn’t know Mr. Rivera had known who Levi was; however, I did recall him talking to the guys when they’d helped me move. And the fact that he was still concerned for my well-being said more than enough.

“Thank you for looking out for me, Mr. Rivera.”

“If not you, sweet pea, then who? Someone’s gotta make sure you’re safe. Just be careful… dealing with that man can take a toll on you.”

“Unfortunately, you don’t have to tell me twice,” I replied, and he looked out the window momentarily.

“It’s gonna snow real bad. Frank and I will be on the heating system all night if it goes out, but make sure to use the space heaters, okay?” he asked, and I nodded.

“I will. Thank you, Mr. Rivera.”

“You’re welcome, sweetheart.”

Making my way upstairs, I entered my apartment only to see it looked slightly different. Not too different, but my dishes were washed, Grayson’s litter box was cleaned, and the trash was taken out.How nice,I thought to myself and looked to see Levi sitting on my couch with Grayson, waiting.

Placing my things down, I spoke. “What happened to knocking?”

He bit his lip as he gulped softly, discreetly watching me take off my cardigan and shoes.

“Force of habit…” he replied, and I nodded as Abbie’s voice filled my head.

Build the suspense, the tension... if you do choose to take another chance. Make him pay for what he put you through.

---