Levi’s dark smirk sends a shiver down my spine. Fisting Austin’s expensive-looking suit, he yanks him until he speaks directly into his ear. “I will buy the record label you’re signed with and drop your ass, then buy every single record label you apply to and do the same. I will ruin you. Don’t fucking test me and my millions.”
My ovaries …
I immediately feel a flutterdown there… as I decide that there’s nothing hotter than a muscular, protective, tatted millionaire. I stare at his back as his muscles strain against the fabric of his suit.
Pushing Austin away from his body, he glares over at him like he’s a piece of gum underneath his shoe. “Get out of my sight.”
I see both my brothers become aware of this stare-off. But before they can get involved, Austin not only leaves us alone, but he also leaves the gala, rushing out of the front doors like his life depends on it.
My fake boyfriend turns and faces me, crowding my space. “Did he touch you at all?” he says tensely, like he’s scared of my answer.
“No,” I whisper, meeting his dark eyes.
All I want to do is run into his arms and stay there. He’s my safety net.
How did this man go from being someone I couldn’t stand to becoming my comfort?
“Did he say anything inappropriate to you? Don’t worry; you can tell me, honey.”
I shake my head, feeling like everyone’s eyes are on me. “He just told me I was beautiful and that he wanted to dance—that’s all.”
I just want to go home.
Coming closer to me, he pulls me into his chest, and I melt into his embrace. Smelling his warm cologne that I love, I wrap my arms around him, and he tightens his grip.
“Thank you for rescuing me. You’ve been doing a lot of that recently.”
“Don’t thank me,” he whispers into my hair. “It’s my job to protect you.”
“It really isn’t,” I whisper against his chest.
The next thing I know, he’s pulling my chin up, and I’m hypnotized by green orbs.
“This isn’t so fake between us anymore, and don’t deny that because I know you feel the same way. So, yes, it’s my job to make sure you’re okay because I care. If something happens to you, it will automatically affect me.”
Levi has the mouth of a poet in my mind. His words carve into my brain until I’m left gawking at the deeper meaning behind everything he says.
“It’s a good thing we didn’t sign a contract about our fake relationship because if it was legally forbidden to fall for you, I’d be guilty in court. I hate to admit this,” I say, biting my lip nervously. “You’ve never been hotter to me. You’re willing to become broke just for me?”
His eyes darken as his jaw hardens. “I’d be a broke man just for you.”
I smile, running my fingers through the hair on the nape of his neck. “And I’d become your sugar mommy?”
Gripping my neck, he pulls me to him hard and says against my ear, “You are such a bad girl who likes to act all innocent.” His other hand holds my hip in a bruising grip. “You’re turned on, seeing me defend you?” He hums, “I bet your underwear is all wet.”
I’m ignoring everyone’s curious looks as we stand on the edge of the dance floor. But when Levi’s around, everything seems to dim around me so easily. I’m scared.
I shrug my shoulders, feeling out of breath. “My underwear isn’t wet … because I’m not wearing any.”
I don’t know why I had to share that information with him. It just came out. I definitely didn’t think he would find out tonight, but he now looks like a hungry beast, struggling to not feast.
His breath hitches. “You’re going commando?”
His deep and harshly spoken question makes my eyes dart around to spot my family. Seeing them nowhere near, I angle my face to his.
“Yes, I didn’t want my panty lines to show.”
I couldn’t handle the embarrassment. I would’ve never lived that down. They would have for sure zoomed into my panty lines.
