Levi’s eyes dance with delight as I squirm in my seat. “A hot chocolate please. Extra whipped cream. And some chocolate sprinkles?”
Did he just order a hot chocolate? With chocolate sprinkles?
I put my hand over my mouth to hide my giggle. “I’ll have a vanilla latte, thanks.”
When the waitress takes off, my chuckles escape. I was never good at holding in my laughter.
“What’s so funny about hot chocolate?”
“Nothing.” I shrug, feigning innocence. “It’s cute. Something my little cousin would order.”
Levi smirks and sticks out his tongue. Then he tosses a napkin at my head.
“We really are five, aren’t we?” I laugh so hard my sides hurt.
Levi grins. “Why not? Being a kid is fun. Back to your musical family. Do you sing?”
I snort. “I wish. Comes out sounding like a cat dying.”
He throws his head back with laughter. “I doubt that.”
“It’s true. My brother will tell you. He has a much better voice than I do.”
“Hmm, that I need to hear.” He rubs his hand through his stubble. “I know! You dance?”
I chuckle. “I can, but it’s nothing special. My parents instilled music in my brother and me since we were young. Growing up, I remember my parents would play music in the house and dance around the kitchen. It just became a part of me.”
Levi nods. “I know exactly what you mean. It was the same with my mother.” His voice drops low with the last word.
I want to ask him more, but our drinks come and I lose the nerve. “My brother is at UCLA studying music production. He loves to create beats and produce tracks.”
“That’s cool. I’ve dabbled with it before. It’s fun.”
“Isn’t it? I love playing around with his soundboard.” We both lift our mugs at the same time, and our eyes lock. A spark runs between us. Can he feel it?
Can he feel it like me?
My gaze drops down to his mouth, and I replay our kiss. I want to kiss him again.
Too bad the tequila wore off.
He’s watching me, and I notice his eyes grow dark. I squirm in my seat under his intense glare.
Is he thinking about the kiss, too?
A stranger, I barely know him, yet I want to rub myself all over him.
“Favorite color?” Levi’s deep voice rumbles over me, and it only adds to my desire. Tingles run up and down my legs, and I focus on my coffee instead of the need to kiss his gorgeous face.
“Black.” I smile and wait for his reaction. No one ever expects that answer. But it’s true.
“Blue.” A smirk plays on his lips, which makes me think he likes my answer. Not that it matters.
But in a weird way, it does.
We go on to play the favorites game, quizzing each other for over an hour. My cheeks hurt from laughing. His favorite movie is Up. I mean, c’mon, how fucking cute is that?
“Sorry, you two lovebirds, but it’s closing time.” Our waitress collects our cups and leaves the bill. “Have a fabulous night.” She takes off, and I won’t lie. It’s a little uncomfortable.
Do we look like a couple in love?
We aren’t in love. Hell, are we even friends?
I don’t know if I’ll even see this guy again, never mind be in love with him.
Is he thinking the same thing?
Levi busies himself with the check, and I push aside her words as I fumble for my wallet.
“I got this. It’s the least I can do for you after spending the night with me.” His smile is genuine, and my heart beats faster.
“Thanks, I had fun.”
He helps me with my coat after dropping a twenty on the table. “I’m walking you back to the dorms before we call it a night.”
“What? No, you live right over there. That’s silly.” I button my coat as we stand in front of the cafe. A chilly wind runs through my hair, but I’m glad the rain didn’t pick up again.
“Raina.” He takes my arm, and I shiver from his touch despite the warmth. “I’m walking you home. It’s not safe for a gorgeous woman like you to be walking home alone.”
Gorgeous?
Did he just call me gorgeous?
My insides twist and flip in ways I’ve never felt before. That desire I felt earlier comes back in full force, and I never want him to take his hands off me.
“Thank you.” With a deep breath, I muster the courage and remove his hand from my arm. I then lace his fingers with mine and squeeze but don’t let go.
Levi squeezes back, and we walk to my dorm hand in hand.
Chapter Six
Levi
It’s as if I’m a dumb, love-struck teenager back in high school again. But times that feeling by a million.
Yeah, crazy as fuck.
Girls aren’t a part of this year’s plan, yet here I am. An alarm bell dings in the back of my head.
Distractions, Levi.
Remember those fuckers?
My mouth goes dry, and I want a beer. I wish my flask wasn’t empty.
I ignore and focus on her. The night was one of the best I’ve had in a long time. I felt like my old self again, performing music and enjoying the company of something besides a beer can.
The large dorm buildings loom ahead, and I wish the night didn’t have to end. Will I see her again? Will she want to see me?
This year is important, and I can’t fuck it up. School and music are number one, and while she may be a good distraction, she’s still a distraction nonetheless.
“Can I see you again?” I blurt, obviously not listening to myself.
She looks up at me, and I’m afraid she’ll say no. Excuses like school and being in a rock band infiltrate my mind. Hell, I barely have any free time, but for her, I’d fucking find some.
“Of course.” Her voice is soft, and her cheeks are pink, the tip of her nose red. We stop in front of her dorm building, and she turns, dropping my hand as she does. “Thanks for showing me around. I want to be an expert on the city so I can convince my brother to move here.”
Raina’s smile is so genuine and cute. She’s a good girl—way too good for me—but I want her anyway.
“I’d be happy to show you more anytime.” My eyes drop to her lips.
Fuck, I want to taste them again. So soft, so sweet tasting…
She parts her lips, her tongue peeking out in the middle. I lean in closer and breathe deep, her scent a mixture of honey and vanilla.
Without thought or more words between us, I grip the sides of her waist and pull her flush against me, the heat between us sizzling. With one hand, I tilt her face up by her chin, her lips mere inches from mine.
When I press my mouth to hers, a spark snaps between us, setting off an explosion. Within seconds, the kiss becomes frantic, needy, like we can’t get enough. I deepen the kiss, and her mouth moves in perfect time with mine. I slide my tongue inside and groan. She tastes good, coffee mixed with vanilla and a hint of strawberry lip gloss.
Her hands snake up my back and stop at my shoulders before sliding around my neck. Nails digging into my skin fuel my fire as my tongue dances with hers. I pull back to suck on her bottom lip, my teeth grazing the inside.
Raina leans her head back for a moment, and her hooded eyes connect with mine. She looks drunk with lust, and fuck, do I want to be the one to satisfy her.