Loose Ends - Book One

Ana - Okay, Daddy

Tonight's events, so far, has felt like a fever dream. One minute, I'm working on my second glass of vodka cranberry, and the next, I'm being pulled out of the bar and into Vicky's car. I'll admit that I dressed all sexy and snuck into Hot Shots in a desperate attempt to forget about Levi. I couldn't tell if I was upset that he hadn't shown up at our spot, or upset that I was even upset. It wasn't a date. I had just wanted to check on him, so I didn't understand why it bugged me so much. I thought I'd just drink the confusing emotions away.

I wasn't expecting him to actually come and find me. I don't even know how he did it, but there's no denying the leap my heart did when we locked eyes. I saw many thoughts swirling behind those forest, green irises, and couldn't make out one. Then when he looked at the bartender, and back at me, I knew he was feeling betrayed. He even said it:

"You're supposed to be high, with me."

The words play over and over in my head like a broken record, even as I stand in Levi's bedroom. I was going to take an Uber back home, but he insisted I come back to his place. While I wait for him in the bathroom, I roll out an office chair from under his desk. Right before I take a seat, I notice there's a book with a black hardcover and no title.

I plop down in the chair and open the book to the first page. This is technically snooping but every new thing I learn about this boy blows me away, one way or another.

No Prince by Stevie J. Cole. My jaw drops open as my eyes scan down the familiar table of contents. Yes, I've read this novel. It's a great novel, and it's also an erotica. Levi reads erotica. I know I have yet to really get to know him, but I didn't see this coming. I won't lie – he has good taste.

I thumb through the pages until one with a paperclip lands. Chapter 31. He is deep in and for some reason it's making me smile. Am I attracted to this? Is he attracted to this? Because this book does not miss a single beat.

"Judging me?"

Levi's gravelly voice puts a freezing spell on me. I'm busted, holding this very erotic book in front of him. "Nope. Not Judging at all." I throw it to the side in a way I hope looked nonchalant.

"It's a good one," he tilts his head to the side and his lips curve into a smirk. "I recommend."

"I already know." I bite my lip immediately after I confess, mad at my inability to shut up.

"Oh, do you?" His tone goes playful and dangerously attractive. "What made you pick this one up? Just curious? Fantasizing?"

I fight back a smile, watching him stroll over to me. I'll never tell, but I'm definitely attracted to this. "I could ask you the same thing."

"It was thrown onto me," he shrugs. "It belongs to Vicky. She literally threw it at me after I'd complained for the fifth time that I was going mad with boredom."

I snort a laugh. "Well, did it cure you?"

"It didn't disappoint," he stops a few inches from me, his voice like silk. His eyes are lazy and relaxed, but still full of mischief. What makes me even more nervous is that they stay locked on mine.

I see you've gotten better with maintaining eye contact, I think to myself. Ever since I called him out for staring at me back at the gas station, he's been making intense eye contact with me. Or maybe it just feels intense? Either way, I think he knows what he's doing, and it forces me to wonder what's going on in his head.

I'm saved by a soft ding and vibration coming from my cellphone. I jerk my head at the screen and my thumbs start moving at gamer-speed.

"Okay, what's going on?"