My curiosity and desire pushed away all hesitation.
“Whatever you want to show me,” I whispered, “I consent…to anything.”
His eyes remained locked on mine. Idesperatelywanted to look away, but I couldn’t.
He nodded, a faint smile on his lips. “Understood. Come on. Let’s head back. You’ll want to dry off and change into some warm clothes. Come to my cabin tonight, and we can get started on learningnewthings.”
I stood, moving almost robotically as I came to terms with what I’d agreed to. I’dneverbeen with a man the way Levi was alluding to. Hell, this guy was my first—and so far only—kiss. I’d gone on dates, of course, but it had never turned physical. Not even so much as a peck on the lips. It was part of why I wanted—no,needed—Levi’s tutelage, but that didn’t make it any more terrifying. Terrifying, but if I was honest with myself, exciting as well.
He dropped me off at my cabin, and I barely remembered his departing goodbyes. My head was spinning, my stomach somersaulting. After getting out of the steaming hot shower, I dressed, then found Linnea in a small common space, sitting beside the fire and reading a book.
She frowned when she saw me. “You look like you saw a ghost, girl. What’s wrong?”
Shaking my head, I said, “Nothing. Things, er, didn’t go well today. The training, I mean.”
Most of the pack had learned of my lessons with Levi, and why I was doing them. She nodded and smiled knowingly.
“You’ll get it,” she said. “Levi is a strong alpha. He’s a little distant at times, but always kind. He helps anyone who needs it.That’s part of what makes him such a good leader. Levi will be a great teacher. Very intense, but I bet he’ll show you what you need to know.”
Yeah,I bet he will.
I blushed. “I need to go grab something for lunch.”
The rest of the day went by at an agonizingly slow creep. Each minute turned into an hour; each hour felt like an entire day. As much as I tried not to think about what might or might not happen at Levi’s cabin, my mind continued to swing back to it during my daily chores. When the sun finally set, and I made my way toward Levi’s place, my hands shook with nerves, and my stomach roiled.
He opened the door. Simply seeing him nearly made my knees go weak.
“Hey, there,” he said, gesturing for me to step inside.
“Hi.”
I stepped in, my instincts screaming at me to jump out the nearest window, tuck and roll, and sprint away. Instead, I took off my coat and draped it over the back of the couch.
Levi closed the door and went to the kitchen. He was dressed in a white T-shirt and blue jeans that fit him really well. God, he looked good in them.
“I thought this might help your nerves,” he said, handing me a glass of wine. “Maybe, a glass will?—”
I yanked it from his hand and gulped it all down, then shoved the empty glass back at him. “One more, please.”
He blinked in surprise. “Uh, maybe it would be better if we approached this without getting totally drunk.”
“Another glass,” I repeated. “Please.”
“Got it,” he said, filling the glass.
I didn’t chug it. The first was for my panic; this would be for my nerves.
“Would you like to have a seat?” Levi said, gesturing at the couch.
“Sure,” I said.
He sat beside me, close enough that his leg brushed mine.
“How about you start,” Levi said, then took a sip of his wine. “I need to see what I’m working with here.”
I choked on the sip I’d taken, and I only barely managed to swallow it without coughing up a lung.
“What?” I gaped at him.
