One Choice (Hogan Brothers 2)

“Oh, have a good day!” She sounded disappointed, but Hayes wasn’t ready for that right now. Levi was older, she didn’t think he’d be comfortable with the whole parent thing.

His hand found her back as soon as they cleared the doorway. “I’d have been fine, you know.”

“I wouldn’t have.” Which was really the point.

He chuckled as he opened the door to his car for her. Once on their way to her school, he asked, “You feeling okay? Up for some stretches tonight?”

“Sure.” She tried to hide the excitement in her voice.

“Early dinner first?” he asked casually.

It took her heart a moment to slow its pace before she could answer. “Like a date?” She couldn’t meet his gaze when he looked at her.

“Exactly like a date.” Laughter was evident in his voice.

“Cool,” she breathed out barely above a whisper.

“Gotta hear the words, sugar.”

“Yes, Levi, I’d like that.” She smiled at him.

When they pulled up in front of her school, she figured he’d drop her off and leave, go to work or the gym. He didn’t. He got out of his car and walked around to her side; the look in his eyes was molten lava meant to melt the heart of any girl in his sights.

Lucky for Hayes, she was that girl.

And melt she did.

One of his hands wrapped around her waist while the other tangled in her hair as his mouth met hers. The kiss was pure possession. Staking his claim. But hot damn did it feel good. By the time he was done with her, she was like putty in the palm of his hands, ready to do anything he asked of her.

He nipped along her jaw and up to her ear as he whispered, “Don’t let him fucking touch you.” Her eyes popped open to see Dustin watching them.

“Language,” she scolded him making him chuckle as he buried his face in her neck.

She couldn’t help the smile that lit her eyes when he whispered, “Think of me today, Hayes,” as he kissed her neck before pulling away.

Shaking her head, she smirked and muttered, “Maybe.” Then she walked away.

She could hear his cursing as he drove off, and Lys squealed from the top of the stairs where she waited for Hayes. “Oh boy,” she uttered to herself, knowing her friend was going to drag every juicy detail of that kiss out of her.

“Got some pep in your step today,” Elianna called to Levi as he walked through the parts door. Lord love Sophia, but her sister had no damn filter.

“Sure, kid.” She hated when any of them called her that.

“Watch it,” she growled at him as he walked past her just as Asher was about to walk in. Levi shook his head. The two of them couldn’t be in the same room as each other without wanting to bash the other’s head in.

He and Nox knew it was because they were attracted to each other, but both were too strong-willed to admit it, so they fought. Soph tried to play peacekeeper which usually ended up with Mac and Joey egging them on.

Since the girls had started working there, it often felt more like a soap opera than a restoration shop. On his bad days, it annoyed the piss out of him, but on days like today, he enjoyed it.

Eli wasn’t wrong, he did have a pep to his step all because of one spitfire girl with a bad attitude. Thoughts of having Hayes with him at the gym and working her out was what was going to get him through the day.

“Levi.” Loch’s urgent whisper had him searching for his brother.

“Where the hell are you?”

“Over here.” His dark head popped out from near the door leading into the front of the shop. “She’s here,” he muttered.

Confused, Levi walked over to him. “Who’s here?” he asked beyond curious.