Page 114 of Aching for His Discretion

“Fuck... My pretty girl,” he whispered, and I breathed him in, too, as I felt my knees almost go weak.

His pretty girl.I didn’t want to believe that he could win me back in a heartbeat, and I had to remain strong… set up some limitations so I wouldn’t be under any manipulative tactics again. So reluctantly, I pulled away. His jaw clenched for a moment, but he simply held his hand out for me to take.

“Ready?” he asked, and I nodded as I grabbed his hand, allowing him to escort me out of my apartment.

We went over to his car, and I unintentionally swung our hands as we walked. I caught a glimpse of him looking over at them swinging, but he didn’t say anything. He simply tightened his grip slightly, almost as if he was afraid I’d run away.

Like a gentleman, he opened the car door for me, and I took a seat as I thanked him. As we drove to the restaurant, he kept his hands to himself as we made small talk. It felt nostalgic, reminding me of a few years ago when we would normally ride together and talk.

When we arrived, we were seated in the middle of the restaurant. After Levi pulled my chair out for me, he took a seat across from me, and our waiter walked over and poured two glasses of water.

“Good evening. Can I get you both started with something to drink?” he asked.

Levi spoke before taking a sip of his water. “A glass of 1975 Sherry Cask whiskey, neat. And a bottle of your finest Bolgheri Superiore wine.”

The waiter nodded, then looked over to me.

“I’ll just have the water for now,” I said as I tried to avoid his rather intense and attentive gaze on me.

He nodded his head. “I’ll be right back with that for you.”

As he walked away, I noticed Levi looking a bit… agitated. He cracked his neck to the side and unclenched his fist on the table as he looked over to me.

“Levi...” I whispered, knowing full well he was a bit angry because of the waiter’s gaze.

He shook his head. “It’s fine, Tesoro… I’m with you, and he’s not. I can’t control what he does, and I will not attempt to,” he remarked, and I fell silent.

His response felt like an automated one, one he probably learned in therapy to help control his anger and outbursts. It didn’t exactly feel like the Levi I knew, and although it was refreshing to hear that he was actually working on himself, it just felt…different.

Nonetheless, I nodded.

The waiter returned with the bottle of wine, two glasses, my water, and Levi’s whiskey. Levi ordered for the both of us, and I took a sip of my water as I still felt the waiter’s gaze on me a couple of times.

Miraculously, Levi remained… eerily calm. He definitely noticed the waiter’s insistent stares, but he ignored them as he finished placing the order.

After the man left, Levi spoke.

“I know it’s selfish of me to think this,” he began, and I tilted my head.“But I want you to come back to New York,”he said, practically spitting out the words.

I felt taken aback. I felt almost speechless, to say the least.

“Levi... I’m in residency. I can’t exactly up and leave the hospital,” I whispered.

He nodded. “I know. So I’ll wait for you. If you’ll allow me to.”

I bit my lip nervously. “Levi... we’re supposed to be starting slow.”

“I know that too, Tesoro… but I won’t hide how much I love you. I want you to move back to New York and I want a family with you. I want our two children,Silas and Eden,to be waiting with me for Mommy to come home from her long shift in the hospital. I want to be with them, surprising you at work when you go to lunch or have a break. I want a diamond ring on your finger, reminding you and everyone else that you are mine. I want to spoil you. Put you in the ranch home you’ve dreamed of and allow you to work in your own private practice. I want to see you smile, laugh, blush… for the rest of my life. And if youneed time right now, that’s fine, but know that I will wait for you whether you want me to or not.”

My heart clenched as he looked at me with much sincerity.

Silas and Eden. He remembered the names I’d picked out years ago… He laid his heart out for me while I felt at a loss. He’d changed for me.He was willing to keep changing who he was for me.He was willing to wait. He was willing to do anything to have me in his future.

“Levi, I—” I began, but I couldn’t find the words to speak.

“You can take the time you need, Tesoro. You already know I won’t be going anywhere, not when you have my heart.”

Feeling my heart beat faster as he waited patiently, I shook my head.

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