Sun-Kissed (Love In All Seasons 1)

The other guys all crack up and I exhale, appreciating Levi's firm word, but not at all liking his brother's insinuation that I belong to anyone.

But also - as offended as I should be over the idea - I find that I'm not.

It felt like Levi was protecting me from something, and right now I need someone to protect me from myself. I'm thinking things and wanting things and none of them match my personality.

Knowing I need to get away from this table, and fast, I say, "I'll just go take care of this." I wave the bill in my hand and walk away, knowing guys are talking about me, watching me.

I do my very best to keep my hips from swaying, to keep my shoulders back. To keep my eyes on the floor. I don't have this job to draw attention to myself. I have it because it pays well.

A few minutes later I drop the check back on the table for them to sign as the guys are all getting up to leave.

They say they're headed to the casino's nightclub, and I wonder if Scarlett is gonna find them there. I smile, thinking that they will have an amazing night if they are lucky enough to end up with her.

I think they've all gone, and as I turned to clear their glasses, happy that all my tables are now empty, I feel someone behind me.

I turn. My breath catches. Levi is so close; close enough to kiss.

"I thought you were going clubbing?" I ask my words barely a whisper. What is he doing to me?

He smiles, and his beard so tempting that I have to restrain myself from reaching out and touching it. Touching him.

"You think I'd go clubbing?" he asks, his voice gravelly, as if he's a car rolling straight into my driveway. I want him to double-park right in front of me.

"I hadn't really thought about what you would do," I say, though I know it's a lie.

He knows it is, too.

He curls a finger, lifting my chin so that our eyes meet.

"Lucky for you," he says. "I spent some time thinking about what I would like to do."

I inhale sharply, my heart practically pounding out of my chest.

"Yeah?" I ask. "And what would you like to do?"

He leans in, and I think this is it. He is going to kiss me. His lips will be on mine and then what will I do? Where will my resolve go?

But instead, he steps away.

Which is probably good because I have forgotten to breathe.

Surprising me yet again, he says, "I was hoping you'd make me another old-fashioned."Chapter ThreeLeviShe tells me she's a waitress, not a bartender and that if I'd like another drink, I would be best served to order at the bar.

"I didn't expect you to be so ornery," I tell her, a smile playing on my lips.

"This isn't ornery. This is tired. I've had two long days back to back," I explain, rubbing the base of my neck with my palm. "And I have all my tables cleared and am just dying to get off my feet."

I nod, hating the idea of Lucy working so damn hard. "I see. In that case, let's go somewhere quiet where you can kick off those heels and relax."

She frowns, crossing her arms. "Where would that be?"

My lips twitch. She may look like liquid sunshine, but she isn't trying to butter me up. Still, I have a feeling I could make her melt if given the chance.

I'll take that chance here and now. "My hotel room?"

She rolls her eyes. "I figured as much." She turns to walk away.

"Hey," I say, stepping closer. I admit it: I like that she isn't easy. Leaning down to her ear, my words roll off my tongue. "Do you have a better idea, little Lucy? We just met, and I have no idea where you like to unwind after work. You pick, I'll follow."

"The Sex in the City slot machine," she says without hesitation, spinning around to face me.

I lift a brow. "Say what?"

She shrugs, her pink lips twisting like she knows what she's playing at. "It's my favorite slot machine. You said I could pick." She smiles, surely knowing a man like me wouldn't want to play some frou-frou game that eats your quarters.

"You don't want to go to another bar?" I ask, hoping she'll bite.

She shakes her head. "Nope. I don't like bars and I don't go home with men. Ever. So, either we play my game, or we don't play at all."

I bite my bottom lip, turned on by her spunk. "In that case, lead the way."Fifteen minutes later she's changed out of her LBD uniform and she's leading me to a corner of the casino floor. She's back in her skirt and sweater, and she's let down her long hair so it once again swishes as she walks. It looks like a fucking waterfall of seduction and I'm about to jump off the cliff. Dive in head first. Take the mother fucking plunge as soon as she lets me.