Big Georgie’s body trembles with fury. “You bitch!” He takes a step toward me, but Levi’s there in an instant, stepping between the menacing biker and me.
“Pay her what you owe her, then get lost,” he snarls.
“She played me,” Big Georgie protests.
Levi clenches a fist and raises it threateningly. “Give her the cash, or I’ll break your face.”
“Fuck you.” The man hurls the money onto the floor before storming away.
I bend to pick up the cash and so does Levi. As we kneel on the floor, our eyes meet. Electricity crackles between us, and there’s something in Levi’s gaze that I’ve never seen before.Desire?His face is so close to mine that I can feel his breath on my skin. And suddenly, there’s no breath. As if he’sholdingit.
Could Levi Beshearwantme? It’s an impossible thought, but what else could that look mean? I lean closer, my desperation to kiss him overwhelming any capability of rational thought.
An unmistakable look of panic crosses his face, and he scrambles to his feet, thrusting the money at me. “Here you go.”
Is his voice huskier than usual?
He turns to walk away, but I can’t let this go. For the first time ever, it seems possible that Levi may be seeing me as a man sees a woman that he’d like to seenaked. I chase him through the restaurant, catching him by the elbow before he reaches the door.
“Levi—”
“Look,” a woman shouts with glee, “they’re standing under the mistletoe.” I glance up, noticing that we are indeed beneath a sprig of mistletoe.
“Kiss her!” someone else demands.
Levi shakes his head, turning to leave, but I’m still holding his arm. This may be the one and only chance I have to kiss him, and I’m not letting it pass by.
“It’s just a kiss, Levi,” I say, pulling him toward me.
“But—” He rakes a hand through his beard.
“People are watching,” I whisper. “Stop acting like I’m a leper.”
He looks around the restaurant, as if just now noticing the crowd that’s staring at us. With a look of resignation, he bends to plant a quick, perfunctory kiss on my lips. It’s more like a bee sting than a kiss.
And I ampissed.
I deserve better than that.
Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pull his head back down to mine. Our lips meet again, but his mouth is as rigid as before.Is he seriously trying to get away with another peck on the lips like he’s a fucking family member?
I brazenly swipe the seam of his lips with my tongue, and he gasps in surprise against my mouth. It’s all the invitation I need. I deepen the kiss, sliding my tongue over his. His mouth melts into mine, no longer resistant.
I probe deeper with my tongue, andoh my God, he gives as good as he gets, twining his fingers into my hair as he sucks on my tongue. I moan into his mouth, pressing my body against his. Nothing in the world exists but Levi and me.
Levi and me.
Jesus Christ, there’s aLevi and me!
Two hands roughly grasp my shoulders from behind, pulling me away from Levi. The spell of our kiss is broken, and suddenly I’mveryaware that we just put on a show for the crowded restaurant. Our audience hoots and whistles. Glancing over my shoulder, I see Mikki glaring at me.
“What has gotten into you? This is afamily place,” she hisses. “That means no hustling and nohumping.”
“Sorry, Mikki,” I say sheepishly, turning to look at Levi.
But all I catch is a glimpse of his back as he walks out the door.
Two
