Page 19 of Flawless Foundations

"Yeah, I could change." She smiles softly. I nod and walk down to my room. I gather a pair of sweats and a shirt for her and take them back to her.

"Here you go. The bathroom is right through there and to the right." I point down the hall I just came from. "Can I get you some water?"

"Sure," she says as she disappears into the bathroom. Having her in my apartment makes me antsy in the best possible way, but things between us feel strained and I don't know what to make of it. I'm a grown man, I've had a woman in my apartment before. But she's staying the night and I know I'm making things awkward. If I had my way, I'd pick her up and carry her to my bed. But I don't want to rush this thing, whatever it is. Which, we didn't get around to discussing tonight.

Moments later, she emerges, and I nearly drop the bottle of water on the floor. She is stunning as she stands there in my clothes. The sweats are clearly too big, but she has them rolled up around the waist. The dark blue thin shirt engulfs her yet slides down one shoulder.

Fuck, what have I gotten myself into?

I recover and hand her the bottle. She smirks at me as I don't bother hiding my once over of her body again.

"So, do you think we could watch some TV for a bit?" she asks as she gets comfy on my couch. I walk around the front of the couch and open the big black leather ottoman and pull out a thick Sherpa blanket. I toss it at her and her eyes light up as she snuggles up within the plush fabric.

I sit down next to her, and she wastes no time scooting toward me. I lift my arm and she snuggles in close. I flip on the television and it powers up. Pulling up Netflix, I ask her what she wants to watch, and we settle on some DC Comics show about The Flash. I don't watch a lot of TV; I don't actually remember the last time I watched anything other than a Knicks or Giants game.

We watch a couple of episodes, and I'll admit this show is entertaining. I startle after nodding off when my head jerks forward. I look at the TV and notice Netflix is asking if we are still there. I peer down at Becca, and I hear a soft snore. She's asleep. I quietly maneuver out from under her, then carefully slide the pillow I was leaning against under her head. I pull the blanket up and cover her, but as I do, I gently run my fingers over her bare shoulder. Her skin is soft and cool to the touch and my fingers itch to trace more of her skin. I reluctantly draw my hand back and force myself to leave the sleeping beauty and go to my room.

While the night ended with her on the couch and me in my bed, I sure wouldn't have changed it for anything. Talking for hours on the roof then cuddling on the couch watching mindless television with Becca, it was the best night I've had in a long fucking time.

Chapter 11

Becca

Istartle awake and blink a few times while I remember where I am.

Levi's couch.

I'm nearly sweating, I shift, and my arm is stuck to the leather of the couch. The flannel sleep pants and Sherpa blanket have created an inferno around me. I toss the blanket down toward my feet and kick it the rest of the way off. Then I shimmy out of the borrowed pants. Ahh. Goosebumps start to form on my sticky, sweat covered legs. Sweet relief.

I was nice and cozy before I fell asleep. I was snuggled up close to him, now I'm lying down, covered up with a pillow under my head. The few lights that were on in the living room and kitchen are now off, blanketing the apartment in darkness. Lights from the city outside stream in through tiny slits in the blinds, but only enough for me to see shadowed furniture throughout the room. I roll onto my back and stare at the ceiling. Out of all the places I thought I'd be tonight, this option never crossed my mind. And damn, when was the last time I forgot my key? Like, never. Since I was just getting drinks on the roof with the girls, I didn't think I'd need my purse. I shoved a couple twenties in my pocket and grabbed my phone. Speaking of, I lean over and snag it from where it sits on the leather ottoman.

It's almost two. With my normal hours, two isn't a big deal, so I don't know why I was so tired tonight. I shoot Emmy a text. I know she won't get it tonight, but I need her to see it first thing in the morning.

Me:I locked myself out. I'm on Levi's couch right now. Text me when you get back in the morning.

I hold on tight as I think about the night. Seeing Levi up on the roof was a pleasant surprise and talking with him into the night was cathartic on so many levels. I needed to unwind and having someone to talk to about everything that went down felt good. We fell into conversation seamlessly and then when we came back here and snuggled on the couch, it felt like home. Being with Levi tonight was so new and exciting, yet it felt like we'd been doing it for a year. It all felt so natural. I'm not going to lie, a girl could get used to these kinds of nightly activities.

The only thing I would have changed is the fact that I should have jumped him the moment he closed the door behind us. There's no doubt about it, ever since our first kiss, and then hot and heavy make-out session the other night, my arousal has been turned on high heat. I want Levi King with every ounce of my being. Though we haven't talked about it, I'm nearly positive I can have him. The night in the hall replays in my brain like an X-rated movie. I can feel heat start to pool deep within me.

Damn, I wish I hadn't fallen asleep.

I slam my eyes shut, trying to force myself into sleep. It's so quiet that I can hear my breathing, and it's unsettling. I don't even hear a distant tick of a clock. Does the man not have a wall clock anywhere? The silence doesn't help me contain my thoughts of Levi's mouth, hands, and hard but warm body. I push myself up and kick my feet over the side of the couch.

I need water. That should help. I make my way into the kitchen, the cool flooring under my bare feet causes a cold chill down my back.

The setup in this apartment is very similar to my own. However, this unit feels twice as big. Which surprises me since the higher you go in the building the bigger and more costly the apartments are. Levi makes a lot of money, more so since he isn't living off his trust like I am, but I would have thought he'd live up past the twentieth floor at least, not that there is anything wrong with the fourteenth. Maybe this apartment seems bigger than ours because there isn't as much stuff crammed into it.

Emmy and I have a lot of crap and adding the Skee-Ball machine months ago didn't help. I dump the extra water from my glass out into the sink. Damn, now I'm wide awake.

I drum my fingers on the granite counter and contemplate my predicament. I could always just crawl into bed with Levi. I bet I'd sleep much better anyway. Maybe he's still awake. I don't think I've been asleep for very long.

Biting my lip, I decide to just take a peek. I pad down the hall as I remember I'm not wearing any pants. The shirt I'm wearing is way too big for me and nearly hits my knees, anyway.

I come to a stop at his open door. I wonder if he usually shuts his door at night. Is this open door an invitation? If it were closed, would I still consider entering? Yeah, probably. I crave to be near him, and he's made it clear that he feels the same. So, yeah, I'd still climb in his bed like I'm doing now.

Lifting the plush comforter, I slide in next to him. He sleeps in the middle of the bed, clearly not in the habit of sharing. Which is the same as me.

He stirs as I settle in. I brush my foot over his naked calf, and he groans.

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