Ch. 43 - Man With a Plan (And Only One Arm)

                                    

                                          
I put a hand to my chest, feigning being hurt by his words - the act beginning.
"Too much time," I echoed. "My goodness, I didn't know you felt this way." I heard him chuckle, and I took that as a sign that not only did he know it was a ruse, but that he found it amusing - and so I continued. "But if that's the case, then I guess I'll just spend the next few nights elsewhere - or maybe kick you out so you can go to your own office."
He met my eyes then, his eyes narrow and all but challenging me to press the issue further. "I don't remember suggesting that, you brat."
I let out a dramatic but completely faux, playful sigh. "It was implied," I lamented dramatically. You didn't need to say it, because it was written between the lines. But it's fine, I get the picture. I'll just leave, then," I said, setting my teacup down atop the desk.
Levi watched my actions closely but made no move to stop me. More than likely, he was waiting to call my bluff. If I knew him, which I did, then I knew that he would not move to act unless he knew I really was going to leave, because more often than not, when I messed around like this, I would give the ruse up quickly to drape myself against his chest and pepper kisses on his cheeks to get him to "forgive" me. 
So, it didn't surprise me when he didn't move, not until I turned away from the desk, but it did surprise him that I actually went that far. Oh, and by that far, I mean to say that I took only one step towards the door before he wanted the gig to be up, because that's when he stepped behind me and set his hands on my waist to pull me towards him. 
Only once I was close enough did his hands wind around my body to clasp over my stomach. In a rather instinctual yet entirely wanted response, I leaned into his embrace, pressing my back to his chest as he, now content I wasn't going anywhere, comfortably set his chin on my shoulder.
When he spoke against my ear, his voice was low, nearly sultry. "Where do you think you're going?"
"To look for a man who won't tire of my company," I said, leaning my head away from him as if to get away, though surely he knew that I wasn't going anywhere right now. 
There was no way he didn't feel the way my very skin was alight with his touch, and there was no way he didn't hear the love within my voice, and there was no way he didn't see the way my chest rose up as though my very heart was fighting to make itself known.
"Tch," he uttered. "The only man you need is right here, idiot."
He pressed his lips to my neck and I couldn't help but sigh contentedly at the feeling. I reached up with one hand, running my fingers through his hair as though to anchor him, or at least keep him close. Besides, I knew how much he liked his hair being played with, and if he was in such a playful sort of mood, why not run with it and give him what he wanted?
His hands withdrew from my stomach to hold firm to my waist, though his hold was gentle. The juxtaposition of his soft hold and his hard chest was wonderful, as was that of the gentleness such hands could muster when I knew damn well they could take someone's life, and I closed my eyes to allow myself entirely to drift away into the moment, taking in each and every single detail, from the biggest and most obvious to the most minute. Emboldened by my simple actions, or perhaps thinking it was a continued reward for what he was doing, he kissed and nipped and sucked against my skin until I knew he left a mark, a physical reminder of his words - and only then did he pull away.
I knew he so loved his marking; he'd certainly opened up more and more over these past few days, and though I didn't know the reason, I knew I did enjoy it. He'd always loved marking me, though he was incredibly awkward at first - but before, he never would do it in such a spot so easily visible. If my collar tugged to one side during training today, the mark he left behind just now would be visible. Normally, he loved marking lower on my neck and chest, and his favorite spots seemed to be anywhere on my thighs.