“Oh, my.” Piper’s heart fluttered as Levi’s face filled the screen. “Too bad your helmet covers your face during a game. With that handsome face, you, my love, were born to be on camera.”
Piper smiled as an ex-football player turned sportscaster spent the next five minutes waxing poetic about Levi.
I had my doubts about Reynolds. Anyone who says they didn’t is lying. How many quarterbacks make their starting debut at the age of thirty-two?
“Only takes one,” Piper said to the screen. “If he’s as special as Levi.”
Taking a drink of water, she continued to listen.
I don’t buy into the theory that Levi Reynolds discovered the fountain of youth. Chronologically, he might be in his thirties, but in football years, he has the body of a man just out of college.
Because Reynolds spent so much time on the sidelines instead of in a game, unlike other quarterbacks his age, he wasn’t subjected to a decade’s worth of hits. His legs, especially his knees, are showroom pristine.
I met with Levi recently. I could practically see the new car smell coming from his pores.
“New car smell?” Piper scoffed. She wasn’t a fan of the flowery analogies. “Just state the facts. Levi is the best.”
“Talking to the television again?” Levi asked as he exited the bedroom.
Busted, Piper scrambled for the remote control. When the TV screen went black, she shrugged, decided to pretend he hadn’t caught her red-handed.
“Shouldn’t you be in bed getting some much-needed sleep,” she asked with an innocent, butter wouldn’t melt in my mouth, smile.
Levi sniffed the air, his gaze falling on the large pepperoni and black olive pizza. Shaking his head, he opened the refrigerator, contemplated his choices, and finally settled on the leftover buckwheat pasta with black bean sauce. Moving to the microwave, he set the timer.
“My body knows when it’s time to get up.” With his dinner in hand, he joined Piper on the sofa. “Want a bite?
Making a face, Piper shuddered at the thought.
“No thanks,” she said. “Healthy food gives me hives.”
“You’re weird,” Levi stated.
“You’re weirder.” Piper frowned. “More weird? Which is correct?”
“Weirder.” Levi scoffed over a mouthful of pasta. “And you claim to be a college graduate. Did you skip basic grammar?”
“What’s the square root of a hundred and thirty-six, divided by four, then multiplied by twenty-one?”
“I haven’t the slightest idea,” Levi laughed.
“61.2249,” Piper declared.
“What’s your point, math geek,” he asked.
“Math rules, grammar sucks.” Piper stuck out her tongue. “Plus, equations are sexy.”
“Can’t argue,” Levi said with a nod. “But only when they come out of your mouth. Kiss me.”
“Nope.” Piper batted away his hands. “Wouldn’t want to contaminate your pristine circulatory system with my pizza breath.”
“I’ll take my chances.”
Piper played hard to get for another few seconds before she gave in and melted into Levi’s arms. He wasn’t her weakness. He was her strength. With each passing day, she wanted him more.
The possibility that her need for him might peak, was mathematically impossible. She’d done the math a dozen different ways and the answer was always the same. What she felt—what they felt for each other—equaled infinity. And beyond.
Much later, Piper cleared away their dishes. As she put her leftover pizza into the refrigerator, she glanced at Levi. Amazed at how normal he looked—if a six-foot-plus sandy-haired Adonis could be called normal—considering everything he’d dealt with in the past few months. Not to mention what was about to come.
“Are you nervous?” she asked, surprised she hadn’t considered the possibility until now. “Playing in the Super Bowl must be every football player's dream come true.”
“You’re right,” Levi said with a nod.
“I won’t tell anyone if you want to freak out here in the privacy of your home.” Piper crossed her heart. “What happens in Levi’s house, stays in Levi’s house.”
“Considering all the intimate things we’ve done in these rooms, I hope to heaven that you won’t share what goes on with anyone.” He winked.
“You might be embarrassed,” Piper said. “I’m not.”
“Embarrassment isn’t the same as discretion.” Levi froze. “Who did you tell?”
“No one,” Piper assured him. When his probing gaze didn’t falter, she shrugged. “I may have discussed a few details with Darcy. Seemed only fair. She talks about Mac.”
“I know Darcy is your best friend, but—” Levi’s eyebrows rose. “Mac? Really?”
“Are you curious to know what kind of kinky shenanigans your head coach is into?” Piper asked with a knowing laugh.
For a second, she thought Levi might say yes. Then at the last second, he shook his head.
“I don’t want to know,” he said. “Some images are better left unpainted.”
“Such a good quarterback. Mac would be proud.” Piper closed the dishwasher. “You didn’t answer my question.”
“I’m not nervous.” Levi's expression turned thoughtful. “Antsy would be a better description. I want to enjoy the two weeks leading up to the big game, but there’s a part of me that wants the days to fly by.”
“Super Bowl Sunday will get here soon enough.” Piper walked into Levi’s waiting arms. “Savor every moment. You’ve earned the right.”
“Knowing you’ll be there, cheering me on, is a blessing.”
Just once, Piper promised herself, she would give in and use the L-word.
“Win or lose, I’ll be there for you.” Done with the mush, she poked his bicep. “But your golden arm better lead the Knights to a victory. Understood?”
“I hear you loud and clear.” Levi's lips hovered over hers. “Now, can we fool around?”
“If we must.”
Taking Levi’s hand, Piper led him toward the bedroom. She shut the door, jumped onto the bed, and held out her arms.
“The sacrifices I make for the team are too numerous to count,” she said with an exaggerated sigh.
Over the next hour, Piper made another sacrifice. And another. When she fell asleep, Levi at her side, she couldn’t stop smiling.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲
“NOW, I’M NERVOUS,” Levi confessed as he and Piper rode the elevator toward the twenty-fifth floor.
“Didn’t Gaige say a few nerves were a good thing,” Piper asked.
“Right now, I’d settle for a few.” Levi rubbed his chest. “I think my heart is about to explode.”