One Choice (Hogan Brothers 2)

“Don’t lose focus, Levi.” Casper pointed at him before walking out.

Shaking his head, Levi followed him and walked to the back where Cam had placed her. Ice on her knee, phone in her hand, body tense. He knew she was ready to bolt. That wasn’t happening until he convinced her to give them a chance.

“Everything okay?” she asked when he was closer to her.

“Dandy.” He grinned, knowing full-well she was a sucker for his dimple.

“I should probably go,” she said again.

“She keeps saying that!” Cam called from the bag he was beating up.

“You’re staying, sugar.” Levi’s command was firm.

Rolling her eyes at them, she tossed the melted ice in the trash behind her and stood, asking, “What are we doing?”

He smiled wide. “Massage, first.” Getting his hands on her would be a pleasure. She rolled her eyes, but he saw the small smile. It was a victory he would gladly take. “Thi

s way.” He swept an arm out in front of him, pointing towards the masseuse lounge.

“Oh boy,” she muttered under her breath as he helped her along.

Once inside the small room, he knew his next request would be met with resistance. “You’ll have to take your pants off.”

The glare she levelled him with should have had him buried six feet under and not given him a growing erection he couldn’t do anything about. Turning, he grabbed a sheet from the small cupboard behind the door.

“Wrap this around your waist,” he instructed, not wanting her to think him massaging her leg was anything but to help her. Once she did as he’d asked, he knelt in front of her, taking one sneaker off at a time. “I’m gonna pull your sweats down now, then I’ll help you up on the table.” Her glare didn’t disappear.

The feel of her silky skin against his knuckles as he pulled her pants down had a groan attempting to break free from his chest. He had to keep swallowing to prevent it from emerging. He took longer than necessary so he could compose himself before standing.

“You done?” Her impatient huff had him looking up.

Her eyes glowed with a matching desire. She liked the feel of his hands brushing her skin. “Yeah,” he said softly, standing in front of her.

Internally, he was cursing. Things weren’t supposed to turn sexual, but he couldn’t help it. The woman had a hold on him. Gripping her hips, she froze as he stepped towards her, his head lowering. It was as though a spell had them trapped in a bubble, and he couldn’t help kissing her soft lips. So soft and lush. The feel of her mouth under his was a sensation unlike anything he’d ever experienced. He didn’t deepen it, just held them close together until she sighed.

That fucking sigh.

The beast was unleashed, and his hands tightened while his teeth nipped her lower lip, sucking it into his mouth. When her hands tentatively touched his chest, the groan he’d tried stifling burst forth.

Her whispered, “Levi,” came out sounding scared and had him pulling back.

“Fuck,” he groaned, “I’m sorry, sugar.” His hands had flexed on her hips before he lifted her onto the table gently.

She was quiet, her gaze scrutinizing, as he positioned her legs the way he needed them, still covered while he grabbed a heating oil JJ used on him when he was in pain. As he turned back around, her stare was fixed on the ceiling, and her body was tense. He figured it was because of their shared kiss. As soon as he pulled the sheet back from her leg and saw the scarring, he couldn’t hide the shock from his face.

She shouldn’t have let him kiss her. Why do you keep setting yourself up, Hayes? The question ran through her mind at warp speed as Levi turned back around.

Much as she loved the feel of him against her body, she knew things would change once he saw her mangled leg. The deep scarring and distorted skin surrounding her knee, thigh, and hip were a shock for sure. It wasn’t something she could hide. It was the reason she always wore pants and never shorts. Not just to cover up the ugliness from other people, but so when she looked down, she wasn’t constantly reminded of the day her life ended.

Hayes tried not to watch him as he unveiled her skin, but she caught the look. The one everyone had when they saw her damage.

Disgust quickly followed by pity.

“Jesus, sugar,” he murmured, unable to look away. His hands slowly made their way onto her skin, and she wanted to cry. Not because the touch hurt, but because she wished it wasn’t with pity. She wanted him touching her with lust in his gaze, need firing his soul.

“What the hell happened, Hayes?” His question was filled with pain for her.

“There was an accident,” was all she could muster.