Two months later
Levi's POV
I still have no idea who's stealing from me. I had everyone within the stock company questioned with the hopes of luring out a suspect, but even the private investigators I hired keep coming to a dead end.
Aggravated with it all, I decided to spend some time with Everett at the bar. "How's Declan?" He asked, trying to get my mind off work as he popped the cap off his beer bottle and took a sip.
"Good. Although, he's become extremely attached to Laurel these last few months."
"Isn't that a good thing?"
I shook my head. "People always leave, Everett."
He sighed, taking another sip of his beer. "She's not Natalie, Levi."
"You don't know that. Natalie was my wife and Declan's mother. Clearly that shit means nothing, because she still left. So who's to say Laurel, who is merely my nanny won't leave Declan too?"
"I'm not a therapist or anything like that, but I don't think Declan's the one who has abandonment issues."
I glared over at him. "What are you trying to say?"
"I'm just saying that Declan's not the only one Natalie left."
I sat in silence, thinking about his words for a moment. He was right. Natalie didn't just leave our son, she left me as well.
I chugged down my beer, wanting to rid myself of these emotions I was currently feeling.
It's always been easier for me to put my issues all on Declan. It's just easier for me to avoid dealing with my problems then to face them head on.
"So what do you suppose I do?"
"Seek help for both you and Declan." Finishing off his beer, he slammed the bottle down on the counter and sighed in content.
Standing up, he glanced at his wrist watch. "Well, I'll see you tomorrow at work. I have to head home to tuck my kids in bed and make love to my gorgeous wife."
I didn't need to know that last part. He looked up at me, noticing the look of discomfort on my face by his lack of a filter.
"Oh don't be such a prude, Levi." He smacked my back, a wide smile etched into his features. "Go bury yourself in some pussy. I'm sure your right hand is sore from all that jacking off you've been doing since Natalie left." He chuckled, finding humor in his words.
"Fuck you," I said, downing the last bit of beer sitting at the bottom of my bottle.
He shook his head. "That would be weird, don't you think?" He burst into a fit of laughter, his entire upper body shaking as he patted my back once more and took his leave.
Rolling my eyes at my friend, I got the bartenders attention and asked for another beer. I was going to need it if I were going to get through another agonizing day of work tomorrow.
****
Laurel's POV
I just got done cleaning the kitchen when my phone rang. Drying my wet hands on my jeans, I glanced at the caller ID.
Upon seeing that it was Levi, I picked the phone up off the Island and answered it. "Levi?"
"Laurel!" He happily shouted into the phone.
Suddenly, there was a loud thud on the other end before another voice was heard. "Laurel, is it?"
"Yes, who's this?"
"I'm Zack, Levi's bartender. He Uh is currently passed out and is far too drunk to drive himself home. We're about to close and I will lose my job if he stays here any longer."
"I'm on my way. Thank you for telling me, Zack."
Hanging up the phone, I dialed Ivy. She answered immediately, to in which I explained to her the situation.
"Do you need me to watch Declan while you go get Levi?"
"Yes please, if you don't mind."
"Not at all. Send me the address and I will be there in a few."
When Ivy arrived ten minutes later, I thanked her on my way out the door. Getting in my car, I hurried over to the bar he told me he and his friend were going to be occupying earlier.
In the few months that I've known Levi, he never gave off the impression that he was a drunk. And I don't think he is one. So whatever is going on at work must be stressing him out greatly.
Walking into the bar five minutes before closing, I located a passed out Levi.
Walking over to him, I greeted the guy I spoke with on the phone moments ago with a polite smile before looking down at Levi.
His lips were slightly parted, drool dripping down the corner of his mouth. I shook my head, chuckling to myself.
"Do you mind helping me carry him to my car?" I asked Zack, looking over at him.
He nodded, bright kind blue eyes staring at me. Walking out from around the bar, we both took an arm and lifted Levi up simultaneously.
"Damn, he's heavy," he commented with a grunt as we carried him out into the parking lot.
Opening the door, we let go of Levi and let him fall into the backseat. He groaned upon impact, too drunk to sit up.
Shutting the door, I turned to thank Zack for his help. He smiled. "Not a problem."
I walked around the car, about to get in when I heard Zack call my name. "Hey Laurel?" He blushed, running a hand through his short blond hair. "I don't mean to pry, but are you single?"
I'm not sure why I looked at Levi, but I did. Maybe because a part of me wanted something more than the professional demeanor I was always getting from him.
But I knew that was never going to happen. He's my boss. And besides, he doesn't see me as anything more than the nanny he hired to care for his son.
Quickly looking away, I brought my gaze back to Zack and nodded. "Yeah, I am."
"Uh, well then would you be interested in going out on a date with me tomorrow? Or on any day you're free really." He nervously scratched the back of his neck, anxiously awaiting my answer.
"Sure," I replied, walking back over to him so we could exchange numbers. When we were done, I returned to my car and we parted ways.
****
Panting heavily from having carried Levi up the steps and into his room, I drop him on to the bed and roll him onto his back.
"Thank you Ivy," I say, looking back at her.
She gives me a nod and smile. "Of course. Call me when you get the chance."
"Okay."
After she leaves, I start by removing Levi's shoes and setting them down neatly near the outside door of his closet.
With trembling fingers, I nervously reach over him to remove his tie. Once I've successfully done that, I turn to leave so he can rest.
"Laurel..."
Stopping at the door, I slowly turn on my heel to face him. He's looking over at me, his eyes red from all the drinking he did tonight.
"Don't... go." He lazily pats the bed with his hand. "Come lay down... with me."
I shake my head, chewing at my lip. "I can't. That would be inappropriate."
"I promise to be... good. Just-- Just let me hold you."
He was intoxicated, so surely he didn't know what he was saying. Which means he will mostly likely forget all about it tomorrow.
But you would know.
Sleeping with your boss is wrong. Even if it is just sleeping.
My inner thoughts clash, unable to make a decision. Walking back over to his side, I fluff his pillow and cover him with the black sherpa blanket that had been at the end of his bed.
I gasp softly, the welcoming touch of Levi's fingers burning a trail down the length of my arm. Coiling his fingers around my wrist, he pleads with his bright green eyes. Eyes that remind me so much of Declan whenever he wants something.
"Please?"
Oh fuck it.
How could I resist when he was looking at me like that?
I nodded. "Okay. But just for tonight."
Releasing his hold, I walked around the bed and joined him under the heavy sherpa blanket. I kept a respectable distance between us, only to have Levi scoot in and close the gap.
He snaked his arms around me, snuggling his head in the crook of my neck. I was getting ready to shove him off when I heard the soft sounds of snoring behind me.
Not wanting to disturb his sleep, I closed my eyes. There was no point in trying to peel him off me now. I crossed the line the moment I said yes to his request. Besides, he won't remember any of it anyway.