When I turn toward the street, Levy’s standing there—hands in his pocket, jaw set, his stare cutting straight through the dark. The possessiveness in his eyes is quiet but undeniable, the kind that makes my breath hitch.
Great. Now I’ve got two men and one mess—and the worst part is a little part of me wants to see how long this can go my way.
He doesn’t say a word when I reach him. He unlocks the car, jaw grinding, those blue eyes storm-dark and unreadable.
I slide into the passenger seat, I cross my legs, and try to act unbothered even though I can feel the heat of his frustration radiating off him. He starts the engine but doesn’t move—the low rumble filling the space between us.
Shutting the car door, my phone lights up in my hand, my instincts kicking in, unlocking it to quickly message Arina.
“See you in the morning girl and be fucking safe. Text me when you get home—if you even go home.”
“So…” I finally say, turning toward him with a little smirk as he pulls off. “You always glare at guys like that, or is tonight just special?”
He exhales hard, shaking his head once. “You didn’t tell me you had someone out here claiming you.”
I arch a brow. “Claiming me?” I repeat, leaning back in my seat. “He’s not claiming anything. He’s just upset.”
“Didn’t look like he wasjust upsetto me,” he mutters, his tone low but edged with annoyance. “You could’ve told me your ex was there.”
I laugh, short and sharp. “Correction—ex fuck buddy.Not ex as inex-boyfriend. Let’s not start giving him titles he never had.”
That makes him glance at me, finally breaking his stare from the windshield. “You got a whole category or what?”
I grin. “I mean… well yeah, doesn’t everyone?”
He shakes his head, lips twitching like he’s trying not to smile. “You’re something else you know that?”
“Yeah,” I say, turning to the window with a half-smirk, “so I’ve been told lately.”
He’s quiet for a minute, fingers flexing on the steering wheel. “You really didn’t see the look on that guy’s face when he called you? He clearly has real feelings for you.”
“Yeah,” I say with a shrug. “He’s just sad. Probably finally realizing I don’t orbit around him like he wants.”
Levy hums under his breath, the sound low and thoughtful. “You’re cold—is that what you want?”
I glance at him, meeting his stare dead-on. “He knows I don’t want him like that. What we have—had—was strictly transactional.”Something about that makes him nod, like he understands even if he probably doesn’t agree.
He turns back to the road. “Exactly,” he says quietly, almost to himself. “He’s gonna regret letting you walk away.”
I glance out the window, trying to play it cool even though the inside of me feels anything but. “Can we please stop talking talking about this,” I say softly, turning to face him once more. “Before I change my mind.”
He smirks, that possessive glint sliding right back into his eyes. “You don’t strike me as the type to walk back on a decision like this… but whatever you say, baby.”
? ? ?
Levy’s hand rests on my thigh, thumb tracing slow, soothing circles that send shivers crawling up my spine. He’s calmer now, focused on the road, and it hits me—I’m glad he’s not still brooding over Daniel. I half-expected the jealous comments or side-eyes to last the entire ride, but I’m glad he listened and the tension ended almost as fast as it started.
I shift in my seat, trying to act like it’s the music that’s getting to me and not him. “You’re killing me,” I mutter, glancing at his profile.
His grin slides into place—lazy, dangerous. “Not trying too, sweetheart,” he says smoothly. “Just keeping you curious.”
“Curious?” I echo, my tone teasing. “You make it sound like you’ve got a plan.”
He shoots me a quick look, blue eyes glowing against the intersection lights. “Everything’s a plan when you want something bad enough.”
“Confident, aren’t you?” I say, crossing my legs with a smirk. “You talk like you’ve won a prize or something.”
He laughs under his breath, the low sound wrapping around me. “Maybe it’s because you make me feel like I have.”
