4. Sienna
Chapter 4
Sienna
W ithin seconds, half the party clears out through the back door—keg included—and some have even managed to get out through open windows, scattering like little cockroaches as the police lights flash outside.
I'm assuming everyone running must not be of legal drinking age. The ones left don't seem to be in a hurry just because the cops came to bust up the party.
Once the last of the runners high tails it out, I step inside.
Surely, my cousin is somewhere around here still. The only lights are coming from the strobes blinking orange and yellow inside to combat the red and blue outside.
"Julian!" I call out for him.
He's smiling and shaking hands with the guy that called Levi Steele, Dad.
Julian turns my way as I approach.
"Hey! There she is," he says with his signature crooked smile, throwing an arm over my shoulder as I get to him.
"We should probably head out. Seems like you didn't get the memo, J. All teens must vacate the premises."
My cousin's always been too cool for things like dressing up for Halloween, so he's in his typical jeans and oversized hoodie.
Levi's son is another story entirely.
He's wearing an outfit that looks plucked right off the set of Pirates of the Caribbean. If this guy would’ve been casted as Will Turner, I might have bothered to watch the sequels.
"You'll be fine," the guy says. "Dad knows everyone in town."
My eyes go to the gruff owner just as the cops walk up to greet him at the entrance of the open garage.
I can't hear what they're saying but if their body language is any indication, they do know each other. One of the cops claps Levi on the shoulder playfully. Levi stays stoic.
"See?" The guy says, pulling a box of cigarettes out from inside his coat and offering me one. "So, you're the cousin Julian hasn't stopped yapping about."
I wave off the proffered cigarette.
Julian doesn't reject it. He slips a cigarette behind his ear.
“Since when do you smoke?” I ask Julian.
He ignores the question, opting instead to formally introduce us. "Si, this is Theo Steele. Theo, my cousin, Sienna Riley."
"Hi," we both say to each other.
Theo is very attractive. Like a younger, less hardened version of his father. Except that he has way more tattoos and an eyebrow piercing. It suits him though.
Good looks must run in the family.
"You here visiting?" Theo asks, then puffs out smoke from the side of his mouth to avoid hitting us with it.
"You could say that."
"Sienna is here on business," Julian offers.
I slap him on the chest and he laughs.
"What?" My cousin says with a grin. "What would you call it?"
" Personal business," I say, through clenched teeth.
"Oh, my bad, cuz." Julian then leans over to Theo and whispers, "It's personal business." Like Theo hadn't already heard me say it.
Theo inhales another hit of his cigarette as his eyes work their way down my body then back up to meet my gaze. I swallow at the slow assessment.
"Do you know those guys from outside?" Theo asks me, his chest falling as he exhales the smoke from the side of his mouth.
"I don't. They just came up to me when I was trying to…” I pause. I probably shouldn’t mention that I was trying to avoid his dad. “... get some fresh air."
"Hmm," he says.
"Why?" I give him an icy glare. Julian's head swivels between us like he's watching a tennis match.
"They're trouble," Theo says, without explaining much else.
"Yeah? Well, maybe I am too."
Theo's eyes shift to something behind me and he nods over my shoulder.
"Clearly."
I turn to see the two cops coming up to us. Levi Steele trailing behind them, his dark, piercing eyes trained on me.
Well, crap. Are they here for me?
Less than a week here and I'm already finding trouble. Julian pushes me back behind him in a protective stance.
"Hello, officers," he says in greeting. I imagine he's flashing them his million dollar smile.
The cops don't bother with him.
"Ma'am, we have a few questions for you regarding a call we received." One of them says. He's wearing sunglasses, even though it's nighttime. And his name badge says T. Briggs.
Levi stands off to the side, watching me intently. Arms still crossed like it's his permanent state of being.
"Would you please step this way?" His partner motions to an empty area and I follow them.
How am I the one in trouble here?
“I’m Officer Huxley and this here is Chief Briggs.”
"Hi, I’m guessing this is about the tires on the black Audi outside?" I ask.
"So you admit to breaking a law?" Chief Briggs fires back, his tone anything but kind.
"Does slashing the tires of a petty little prick who touched you without consent count as breaking the law?" I pop my hip. "I wasn't aware."
Briggs has a look in his eyes as he narrows his gaze at me. Like he doesn't believe a word coming out me.
"That little prick is my son, so if you want to press charges, Miss. I'll need to know the full story."
There's a presence behind me, tall and casting a shadow over the officers standing in front of me. I look over my shoulder to see Levi there.
"It's true.” Levi’s voice rumbles. “Your boy and that Duncan kid were propositioning this young lady. Touched her even when she very clearly said no. "
Levi's voice is even-keeled and unemotional until he says that last part.
Like the thought of someone touching me without my consent is the last thing they'll do if he has any say in the matter. My stomach flutters with butterflies.
And I really wish it wouldn’t. I’m still mad at him, I remind my body.
"And I don't need to be a lawyer to know that constitutes as sexual assualt," Levi continues. "So instead of questioning this young lady on whether or not she slashed some fucking tires—why don't you ask her if she'd like to press charges against your son and his friend?"
Levi stands behind me, a solid wall of man. And I don't need to feel his skin to know he's heated from the way the words come out clipped and raw.
The second officer looks at Briggs and clears his throat before looking at me again.
"Would you… like to press charges, Miss?"
I consider it. It's not like those assholes didn't deserve it, but I have more creative ways of getting my revenge.
"No," I say just as sternly as I told those boys out in the yard earlier.
"Are you sure about that?" Levi's voice says with a hard edge.
I look at him over my shoulder and nod, turning back to the officers.
"I won't press charges as long as they stay as far away from me as possible. I won't be so forgiving if it happens again."
Chief Briggs closes the notebook he held open and slides it back into his pocket. "I'll be sure to relay the message, Miss…?"
"Riley. Sienna Riley." I stand straighter under their watchful gazes.
"Thank you for your time, Ms. Riley," Chief Briggs says stepping around me and nodding toward the man standing behind me. "Levi."
Levi tips his chin but says nothing and watches them leave before turning to me.
"You should've pressed charges, Ms. Riley."
Well, now he knows my name.
"It was my call and I made it, now if you'll excuse me, Mr. Steele ."
Julian comes up to us, jaw nearly on the floor.
"What the hell, Si? What was that all about?"
"I think we've had enough excitement for one night," Levi says, making a lasso signal with his finger to someone across the garage bay.
It’s the unwelcome committee from the day I interviewed. I’m sure she’s thrilled to see me again.
The woman shoots him a thumbs up and flips on the lights, announcing, "Alright, kids. Time to take this party elsewhere. Remember to tag Steele King's Customs when sharing your pics tonight. Yada yada. And don't touch the bikes on the way out. That means you, Joey."
A young guy who must be Joey, tosses a hand in the direction of the woman, dismissing her and mumbling unintelligible things as he leaves.
There are groans from the remaining party guests but the bay clears out within a matter of seconds. What's left are discarded bags of chips, scattered pizza boxes, and soda cans everywhere.
The place is trashed.
Theo comes up to us now and asks Julian, "You still wanna swing by Jolly Rogers and plan out your piece?"
Julian looks from Theo and back to me. "Can Sienna come?"
Theo shrugs. "If she wants to."
His eyes stay glued on me. And something tells me he wants me to say yes, despite his apparent attempt to be cool about it.
Levi approaches his son tossing him a plastic trash bag.
"Before you head out, I need you to clean up this mess."
Theo looks at the trash bag hanging from his dad's hand, his own hands stuffed deep into his pockets. “Why me?”
“Because these were mostly your friends here tonight.”
Theo rubs his hand down his face before reaching for the bag, unenthusiastically. He and Levi fight each other with just their eyes.
And instead of letting the awkward silence draw out, I reach for the bag myself.
"You guys go ahead. I'll stay back and help clean up."
"You don't have to do that," Levi tells me for the second time tonight.
"It's fine. I don't mind."
His jaw flexes but he doesn’t protest, instead, he walks past the group of us and over to a guy sitting on the ground holding his head, helping him up to his feet.
"You sure? You don't have a ride, Si." Julian feels the need to inform me.
And it's true since he's technically my ride.
"Oh, you didn't know… we're in the 21st century and there are apps for that now."
Julian rolls his eyes at my sarcasm and reaches for my shoulder.
"You'll call if you need me?"
I nod and he squeezes my shoulder before motioning to Theo to head out.
Theo hesitates, his pirate look making him look the part of the rebellious son.
"Nice meeting you, Theo," I say.
"You too." That's all Theo says before he turns and follows Julian out, throwing me one final glance before disappearing out of the garage.
The shop is now officially empty and I'm not sure where Levi went.
But for the first time tonight I'm able to take in the fact that I'm standing right in the middle of what used to be the set of my favorite reality show growing up.
I don’t need a tour to know that just outside there’s a bay where they do their paint jobs.
Or that there’s a room full of all kinds of leather and metal that they use to fabricate their own parts.
The crew isn’t the same as the one on the show. And Levi Steele is nothing like I imagined he would be in person.
For starters, he's got salt and pepper hair now.
Not that I mind it, it just adds to the man's obvious sex appeal in a way that shouldn't be legal. The ink that swirls around those forearms of his tell the story of man whose lived quite a life.
I’ve always had a thing for tatted up bad boys.
I fluff the garbage bag full of air before bending down to pick up some cans littered around some custom bikes on display near the entrance.
The workmanship is incredible. Every detail executed with such care and precision. It's no wonder this place received the kind of accolades it has over the years.
Levi's work is nothing short of spectacular.
"Hey, curious cat. Can't you read?" The voice that can only belong to the owner of this establishment makes my hand freeze midway to caressing a custom gas tank in the shape of a flame.
It’s a work of art.
I instantly drop my hand and turn to him. Once again, Levi Steele has his arms crossed as he watches me, leaning against one of the work tables nearby.
My heart drops at the sight of him. Any woman in her right mind would feel the same way I do watching as the man's coiled muscles flex effortlessly.
He pushes off the table and stalks over to me, reaching for the bag in my hand saying lowly, "No touching."
I involuntarily gulp.
Does he mean him? Or the…
Levi motions to the sign just above the bike.
You touch. You pay.
Followed by an elaborate sketch of a hand being chopped off.
Jesus.
"Not much for subtlety, are you?" I mutter.
"I think getting straight to the point saves everyone a lot of trouble."
He's not wrong. His snarky comments and no BS attitude definitely made his show skyrocket to the success that it had back in the day. It wouldn't have been as entertaining to watch if he was a pushover.
"Which brings me to you," he continues. "I think you should leave."
He seems almost mad that I'm still here. As if he'd hoped for a solo party clean up evening and I'm getting in the way of those plans.
"It's no problem, really."
"Not to you," he says, almost strained. "Please. Just… go."
What is his problem?
"You think I'm going to break one of your precious bikes?" I put a hand to my hip. "Because I can assure you, sir. I may look young, but I know my way around steel."
I can admit I'm totally aware of my double entendre. Because even if he might be twice my age, Levi Steele, very well might be the most attractive man I've ever laid eyes on.
I watched him on TV for years. Secretly crushing over the grumpy, ex-Army star that would always be too old for me.
But being here, in front of him—it's doing something to me that I was not expecting. And it emboldens me to do something I've never felt so compelled to do… push.
His eyes widen and he looks around, as if making sure there's nobody else in sight before he steps up to me.
"You should've left with Theo and Julian. Those are the kind of guys a girl like you should be around at this hour. Not alone, in a garage past midnight with a man twice your age."
Ah. And there it is.
He sees me as a kid. I'm stupid to think I'd be anything other than another teenager to this man.
"You think I'm too young to be alone with you, Mr. Steele?"
"You are too young." He says it, plain and simple. The coldness in the way he says it makes me want to push him even more.
I take a step closer; his cologne overtaking my senses again.
"Too young for what exactly?" I ask, arching a brow.
He stands what feels like two feet taller than me and I crane to look up at him.
"Too young for whatever it is you have floating through that pretty head of yours, Ms. Riley."
His hands have formed into fists at his side and his breathing is growing heavier.
Rising on my toes, I whisper to him, "You can tell yourself I'm too young." I watch as his body tenses—going completely still. "But that doesn't change the fact that you want me just as much as I want you. Does it, Mr. Steele?"
His breath hitches.
Dark, unreadable eyes flick to my lips for a fraction of a second. And that's all the proof I need, that I'm right.
Levi Steele finds me attractive. I feel my cheeks heat at the realization.
Our bodies are close enough to touch. The air hums around us as the seconds tick by at an agonizing speed without either of us making a move.
And if it drags on any longer, I'll think I imagined this entire interaction.
Suddenly, and without warning, both his hands grab onto my hips. My eyes shut, waiting for the feeling of his lips on mine.
But he doesn't pull me closer. He holds me in place—his thumbs digging into my sides.
And if I wasn't so incredibly turned on, I might actually be scared.
My eyes shoot open when I realize he's not making a move.
He takes a deep, ragged breath before he takes a step back. His voice low and hoarse, almost wrecked, he says one word. "Don't."
My heart is pounding against my chest. Any other man would've taken me. Any other man wouldn't care to know how old I am.
Levi doesn't seem to be like any other man.
"Why not?" I press. "There's nobody here. I'm single. So are you. Unless…" I pause. I never considered that he might be with someone that's not his ex-wife.
As if he can read my thoughts he quickly says, "There's no one."
The way that comment alone lifts a heaviness from my chest that I didn't even know had settled there, surprises me.
I've never been this way. I've never known with such certainty that I wanted someone without first getting to know them.
But with Levi, I feel like I already do know him. And my resolve is fueled by Julian’s challenge to me earlier.
I won't leave this garage tonight without knowing what it feels like to have this man kiss me.
Levi exhales through gritted teeth. He drops his hands from their hold on my hips and looks at me.
"We can't.”
“Why not? I don’t work for you.”
“Because if I kiss you, Ms. Riley, I won't stop."
The admission hits me like a freight train, crashing through my body and turning my knees week.
"And that won't be a good thing," he adds.
Before I can say another word, he takes another step away from, putting distance between us.
When he's safe and away from me he grabs the trash bag and pulls it over his shoulder.
"Go home, Sienna."
I should be disappointed. Embarrassed even that this man who I find to be wildly attractive just rejected my advances.
But he hasn't really. He admitted that he wants me too.
So much for Julian's ridiculous suggestion, year of yes , my ass. He forgot to consider that kissing a stranger would require them to also want to do so.
I watch as Levi's muscles coil under his dark shirt as he bends and continues to pick up cans.
He can try to stop this all he wants but if he won't kiss me. Then I'll at least try to go in for the kill.
"Tell you what," I say to his back.
He halts at the sound of my voice as I approach him again. "You can ask me anything you want to know and in exchange for my answers you can do one of two things."
His eyes are on me, the light glinting off them as he waits patiently for what I'm about to say.
"You can either kiss me… or hire me. Either way, you get your answers and I get something I want."
He drops the bag on the floor.
"Is that why you stayed behind, Ms. Riley?"
"Let's just say I'm leaving this garage tonight, Mr. Steele. Either with a job… or with you."
He slips his hands into his pockets cooly.
"You're awfully confident."
"Do we have a deal?" I ask, extending an open hand for him to shake.
He stills, eyeing my outstretched hand before he takes it into his warm one and shakes.
I probably won't be getting a job, but, at least we'll both leave with something we want.
"Why did you call me Ace ?" He asks without hesitation.
Ah, I knew that would get his attention.
"I notice things," I say, dropping my hand from his. And already missing the feeling of it.
He eyes me, crossing his arms over his chest. I wonder if that’s a defense mechanism of his.
"Not like in a stalker way,” I feel the need to explain.
"Mmhmm," he hums out, like he doesn't believe me.
"Just… you had an old friend on the show. He came to the shop on one of the special build episodes.
He stiffens and I don't miss the way his eyes widen, they quickly flash to the bike I was admiring earlier—the one with the sign over it.
"He called you that," I continue.
Levi stays silent for what feels like forever.
“That was… a long time ago."
"It was," I say.
"And what are you doing here?"
"In Breaker's Isle?"
"Breaker's… here at my shop…?" He cocks his head and studies me.
I step up to him, my voice involuntarily dropping to a whisper as I say, "I'm here for something I want."
He doesn’t move at first. He stands there, eyes blazing as he takes me in.
“Anymore questions?” I ask.
He shakes his head, and before I realize what’s happening he drops his arms and reaches for my chin, pulling my lips to his and stealing my breath away in a kiss that can only be described as the most intense kiss I’ve ever had.
I part my lips for him as his tongue explores my mouth, taking everything I'm willing to give. His body presses into me and I feel just how aroused he is by us kissing.
He was right. There's no way this kiss is it.
My body hums with the excitement of having him this close. But just as soon as it starts, he pulls away, holding the back of my head as he looks down at me.
I’m breathless.
His voice is thick with need when he says in warning, "Go home, Sienna. And whatever you do… don't come back."