Eight Levi
I’ve been watching Sunny all night, and it’s getting damn near impossible to stay away. Every so often she throws me these looks that make my chest tighten. Those jeans she’s wearing…fuck, it’s driving me insane. Her auburn hair catches the neon lights, glowing like she’s the center of the universe—and hell, maybe she is. But I really shouldn’t be looking at her like this. She’s one of my workers, and I’m her boss.
This whole thing feels messy. It would be easy for her to think I flirt with every woman who steps foot on the property. That’s not who I am, but how would she know? We don’t really know each other.
Still, every time she tosses her head back laughing or she shows that smile that lights up the room, I feel the animal inside of me hungry for her, the lustful haze that’s drawing me in no matter how hard I try to fight it. But seeing her ride that mechanical bull. Fuck, that pushed me right over the edge. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. The way she held on, her body moving in sync with the bull’s wild motions, it did something to me. Made my pulse race and my throat dry.
I’m sitting here, at the table, silently sipping my beer, trying to ignore how badly I wanted to be the one she’s smiling at. Instead, she’s laughing and joking with Bodhi. The bastard.
He’s sitting way too close. Her hand is on his knee when she laughs, and something ugly churns in my gut. I don’t like it. Not one damn bit. Bodhi is a good friend, sure, but watching him make her laugh like that, seeing how her face lights up when she’s with him—something primal in me wants to tear him apart. I grit my teeth, my fingers tightening around the beer bottle. He’s not even that funny!
Sorry…I’m being mean. I didn’t mean it.
I’ve been trying to keep my distance, give her space. It’s the smart thing to do. But I can’t seem to stay away. I can’t seem to get her out of my head. And now, I don’t want any other guy near her.
Suddenly, she gets up and walks over to the bar. My eyes follow her, unable to look away…again.
That’s when I notice this bozo—who stupidly thinks he’s got a shot with Sunny—slide up next to her. He’s leaning in, clearly hitting on her. Sunny tries to brush him off politely, she’s so sweet, but the guy isn’t taking the hint. He leans in closer, his hand resting way too comfortably on the bar next to her. My blood starts to boil. I can’t sit here and watch this happen.
I’m across the room before I even realize what I’m doing, my steps are quick and deliberate. When I reach them, I don’t waste any time. I slide in behind Sunny, my body towering over her. Keeping my voice calm and steady as I say, “Can I help you?”
The guy looks me up and down, sizing me up like he’s got a chance. He scoffs, like I’m just some random dude getting in his way.
“No, we’re having a conversation here,”
he says, his tone dripping with arrogance.
I shrug casually, fighting the urge to throat punch him right there and then for even thinking he can speak to Sunny. Instead, I just say, “Okay,”
and pull up a bar stool, sitting down right next to Sunny. I smile at him, like I’m waiting for him to try his moves on me as well.
Leaning back, I cross my arms, still grinning at the guy. He looks at me, then at Sunny, clearly confused.
“Uhh…”
He stumbles, blinking like he’s not sure what the heck is happening.
“You can leave now buddy,”
I say, the guy stares at me for a moment but finally gets the message. He shifts uncomfortably, muttering something under his breath before slinking off, tail between his legs.
When I turn back, Sunny’s glare is so sharp it could probably cut glass, her arms locked tight across her chest. Yep, she’s mad. Uh-oh.
“Levi, I had it handled.”
I try to keep my voice light, though the tension is simmering just under the surface.
“Looked to me like he wasn’t getting the message.”
She raises an eyebrow, her lips twitching with the hint of a smile that she doesn’t want to let loose.
“So, you thought you’d swoop in and save me? Be my knight in shining denim.”
I try not to laugh, I really do. But Knight in shining denim? Ha!
Oh no, she’s glaring at me again. I clear my throat,
“I’m not swooping in, Sunshine. Just making sure you don’t have to deal with vultures.”
She huffs, jumping off the stool, storming off. I quickly follow behind, trying to catch up. She’s fast for someone with such little legs.
She stops abruptly, turning to face me, her irritation bubbling over, “What’s the deal, Levi? You don’t want to be anywhere near me, but other men aren’t allowed to get close either? What game are you playing?”
She’s cute when she’s mad. But I can tell now is definitely not the time to tell her that.
Her cheeks are flushed, and even though I know I should back off, the hypothetical devil on my shoulder is telling me not to. I step closer, my voice dipped, quiet but firm,
“Trust me, Sunny. You don’t want any of the men in here.”
She throws her hands up, her frustration clear,
“And what if I do? Maybe…Maybe I want that guy,”
she says, pointing to Joe, a regular at the bar who’s easily in his sixties. Joe, bless his heart, is already standing, looking like he’s just hit the jackpot.
I give Joe a friendly pat on the back, grinning. “Sit down, bud. Today’s not your lucky day.”
Joe grumbles, sitting back down with a sheepish shrug, and I turn just in time to see Sunny marching toward the bathroom.
Shit.
Without hesitating, I follow her, my strides long as I try to catch up before she disappears in the crowd. Right as she’s about to enter the bathroom, I grab her hand, pulling her into the dark corner of the hallway. Before she can say a word, I pin her gently against the wall, my leg sliding between hers to keep her in place.
I should stop. I know I should. What if she doesn’t actually want this. I’m not the type of guy to lose focus over a woman—at least, not anymore. But Sunny... she’s different. There’s something about the way she moves, the way she smiles, that hits me in a place I thought I’d buried years ago. I don’t want to get hurt again. Plus, I’ve been quite happy with just my cookies and iced coffee’s. But the way she’s looking at me now, the way her chest rises and falls like she’s trying to steady her breathing, it’s undoing every shred of restraint I’ve been holding onto.
My hand wraps around her throat, gentle but firm. I can feel her pulse hammering under my fingers. Her breath catches, her eyes flickering with a mix of surprise and defiance. I can see her processing a thousand thoughts at once—frustration, curiosity, and something darker, deeper.
“Kiss me”
she whispers, it’s breathless, but full of need.
I’m right there on the edge, teetering between doing what’s right and giving in to what I’ve wanted since the moment I laid eyes on her. My heart’s pounding, and I can feel the heat between us.
"I can’t," I rasp, my voice faltering. But the words feel empty now. My hands tremble against her skin as I hold myself back, every inch of me is screaming to just give in.
"I’m your boss." But that doesn’t feel like enough of an excuse anymore.
“Sunny, tell me to stop,”
I plead, my voice raw. But she doesn’t. Instead, she pulls me closer, her breath warm on my skin, “Let’s just have some fun. No strings attached,”
she whispers back, her voice laced with temptation.
That’s it. My restraint snaps like a frayed rope, and I crash my lips against hers, hard and desperate, pouring all my pent-up frustration—every ounce of wanting her—into that kiss. She kisses me back with just as much intensity, her hands gripping the front of my shirt, pulling me closer like she can’t get enough. I groan into her mouth, feeling the soft press of her lips, the way she opens up for me. I’m gone.
She tastes like tequila and something sweeter, something uniquely hers, and I want more. My tongue slides against hers, claiming her with every stroke. My hand tightens ever so slightly on her throat as she arches into me, a soft moan escaping her lips. That sound alone nearly undoes me.
The kiss deepens, turning messier, hotter, more primal. My leg presses harder between her thighs, and she moves against me, her hips rolling in a way that makes my cock twitch. I pull her closer, one hand gripping her ass, the other still wrapped around her throat. I’m fully lost now—no thought of being her boss, no thought of what’s right or wrong. It’s just me and her, the heat, the fire between us that I can’t control.
Her fingers slip under my shirt, nails grazing my skin, and it’s like a switch flips. I hold her tighter, making sure she knows exactly who’s in control. I hear her gasp, her body responding, and I know she’s as far gone as I am. I reluctantly break the kiss for air, but I don’t let her go. Our breaths are ragged, our chests rising and falling as we stare at each other. Her lips are swollen from the kiss, her eyes a shade darker with lust. I feel like a man who’s been starved, like I could devour her whole and it still wouldn’t be enough.
“Levi…”
she whispers, her voice trembling, but this time it’s different. There’s no anger, no frustration—just need.
I lean in, my forehead resting against hers, trying to catch my breath.
“You have no idea how much I’ve wanted this… wanted you,”
I rasp, my voice rough, almost animalistic.
Her hands slide up my chest, her touch soft, almost tender, but the way she’s looking at me? It’s wild.
“I can’t stand the thought of another man touching you, making you laugh. And Bodhi isn’t that funny!”
She throws her head back laughing, and I watch her eyes flicker with something I can’t figure out.
She leans in again, “Then don’t avoid me,”
she whispers, her lips brushing mine as she speaks, teasing, daring. She drives me crazy!
I kiss her, slower this time but just as intense, letting her feel everything I’ve been holding back.
R.I.P. Levi Monroe.