“I tackled Jeremy Ruther, retrieving the ball and won the game. Got us the title.” Fuck, that was one of the highlights of my junior year. “You really are my biggest fan, aren’t you?” I tease, squeezing her closer to me. “Hannah…” I breathe into her hair, engulfing myself in her scent.
“Yes, boss?” her voice is soft, laced with desire. My naughty little girl wants to play. I squeeze her to me, my teeth grazing her earlobe. “No playing tonight. Tonight, I just want Hannah and Levi.” I take her lobe into my mouth. Having her in my arms eases the worry from work. The stress of hiding this from our family. The thorn in my side, Braydon.
“Everything okay?” she asks, her hands gliding up my chest.
“Yep. Just want to enjoy you. It’s been a long day. And this is helping.” She works her fingers in circular motions over my temples. My eyes close, and I rest my forehead against hers. “Feels amazing.”
“I don’t have to stay. If you wanted to get some sleep.” I’m discarding our drinks and she’s up and over my shoulder before she can even finish her nonsense. My hand finds her ass, and I offer her a nice smack, the sound echoing throughout my bare condo.
“Nice try. You’re not going anywhere. If you’re a good girl, I plan on ordering pizza from Savino’s—your favorite. But first, I need some Hannah time.”
With one goal in mind, I carry her into my bedroom. Turns out, it’s not always a bad thing to have dessert before dinner.
Hannah
“Stop!”
“I can’t. Plus, we have three more floors to go.”
Two. One. And he’s off me as fast as he was on me the moment the elevator doors to the office building closed. With barely enough time to adjust myself, the doors open to a busy Matthews and Associates.
“Morning, Mr. Dent. Ms. Matthews,” Vanessa greets us as we walk into the office, cool and collected—like we weren’t totally making out in the elevator. “Mr. Dent, Mr. Matthews is already set up in the conference room and asked me to inform you when you arrive.”
“Thanks, Vanessa.” He turns to me. “Hannah, I have a ton of files to go over today. Clear your lunch schedule. We’re going to work through it.” I nod, biting the inside of my cheek to hide my excitement. He’s fighting off his own mischievous grin and nods, heading in the opposite direction of his office to the conference room.
I practically skip to my desk, my cheeks sore from all the smiling and laughing I’ve done over the past twenty-four hours—shoot, ever since we started this. If my younger self knew she’d be sleeping in Levi Dent’s arms, having the most amazing sex ever, she would have fallen over and died! A giggle erupts up my throat, and I cover my mouth.
“Aren’t we in a chipper mood today.”
My head whips toward my desk to find Braydon sitting in my chair. “Hey…uh, what are you doing up here?” I offer him a half smile, hoping it masks my concern. Levi’s probably already in the conference room, but if he were to forget something and see him… I take a quick glance toward the conference room.
“To see you, of course. I called you again last night. Wanted to see if you wanted to go out for Chinese and a movie.”
“Oh, yeah, sorry. I had a ton of work to do. This case is wearing on us all.” Translation: I had so much sex, my right leg may be out of place.
“No problem. What’s on your agenda today? Wanna go to lunch?” Shoot. I feel like a jerk. He’s been nothing but nice to me and doesn’t deserve the cold shoulder coming his way.
“Um, darn. Not today. I have a huge project Levi has me on and I need to work through lunch. Raincheck?” His smile doesn’t match the scrutiny in his eyes. Oh god, don’t call me out…
“Sure, raincheck.”
Phew!
“Well, have a great day!” I say, signaling it’s time for him to get up. Levi might come back for a pen or a file or a notepad. Thankfully, he takes my cue, swivels once in my chair, and gets up.
“You too. Don’t be a stranger, okay?” he says before heading toward the stairs.
When I put my bag down, I notice my computer’s on again. “Hey, were you on my computer?”
He turns, eyeing my laptop. “Oh, yeah, sorry. I was checking my email while I was waiting for you. Hope that’s okay.”
Strange. I nod. “Yeah, of course.”
“See ya.” And he’s gone.
The second the clock hits noon, the doors fly open and the entire team hustles out of the conference room. They’ve been in there for four hours without a break. I spot Levi in a deep discussion with my dad as they walk this way. I straighten my blouse and adjust my hair. Once they’re near, I stand.
“Hey, baby girl. How’s your morning been?”
“Great. Busy. And yours? You in there finalizing the Miller case?”
There’s some strain in my dad’s eyes at the mention, but he clears it instantly. “Never a dull day. Hey, Mom said you haven’t confirmed if you’re going to dinner with us all on Friday? Better say yes. We have reservations at your favorite steakhouse.”
I completely forgot about dinner. Kip and Stacey set it up asking to get everyone together.
“Um…yeah, sure, wouldn’t miss it.”
“Great.” He leans in to give me a kiss and waves off Levi. The moment he’s out of earshot, Levi speaks.
“I hope you’re prepared. This is going to be a really intense lunch. If you can grab what you need and shut the door after you,” he says, fighting a smirk, then walks into his office.
Like a kid being handed the keys to the candy shop, I scoop up my notepad and walk as slow as possible into his office, shutting the door behind me.
At the click of the lock, my legs leave the ground and he has me pressed against the bookcase, knocking off a picture frame. “Fuck, I’ve been thinking about you all morning.” His lips fuse to mine in a rough, heated kiss. He’s already hard, pressing his erection into me.
“Same,” I moan, wrapping my arms around him.
“An hour isn’t going to be enough for what I want to do to you.” He bites at my lower lip, pushing up my skirt and finding my panties. “Goddammit,” he growls at the wetness between my legs. “Always ready for me. Love it.” I moan again, allowing my head to hit the bookshelf when a finger breaks past my folds. He pumps in and out, working me up, the quivering of my body telling him it won’t take long before I’m exploding all over his fingers. “Levi,” I whimper as he thrusts, knocking off a book. We both start to laugh, and he slams his mouth on mine to mask our sounds.
“You were made for me. This cunt. Perf—”
Knock. Knock.
We both freeze. “Levi? Hannah?”
Oh no! “Stacey.”
He pulls out, and my feet drop to the ground. We’re both fussing with one another to make ourselves appear decent when there’s another knock.
“One second,” Levi calls out, looking me square in the eyes. “You good?”
“Yes. I’m fine.”
“You sure? Because you were just about to come all over my hand. I felt it. We can leave her out there. I can finish—”
I smack his chest. “Seriously?”
“Of course.”
Oh my god, that smirk. He is serious. I shake my head, the laughter unstoppable. Pushing past him, I unlock the door and greet a curious Stacey. “Hey!” Darn it that sounded way too boisterous. “What brings you here?”
She takes notice of me, then Levi, who has his back to her, pretending to organize a pile of already organized papers on his desk. “Well…” She’s stalling. Shoot. I run my hands through my hair. Do I have lipstick smudged all over my face? Holy moly. Does Levi? “I wanted to see if you wanted to go to lunch. I have some stuff I want to run past you.”
Lunch? Boo...can’t. I already have plans to get railed by my boss. “Hmmm…”
“You can go. I’ll finish up here.”
My head whips around. He better not finish up without me. My core is still throbbing, in need of that release. “You sure?”
�
�Yep. Enjoy. Oh, and hi, Stacey.”
“Uh...hi, Levi,” she says, her head tilting to the side. Levi, who is still facing his desk, which is probably for the best since he would have to explain to Stacey why he has a hard-on in the middle of the day. “You okay there, Levi?”
Gah!
“Yep. All good. Busy. You two should go. I have this case to get back to.”
A few unsettling seconds pass before she thankfully brings her attention back to me. “Well…okay. Wanna try out that bistro a few blocks down?”
“Yep. Sounds great. Let’s go.” I grab her, dragging her curious eyes out of Levi’s office.
“Wow, this sandwich is delish!” I take another bite of my club to avoid confrontation. She hasn’t stopped looking at me strangely since we left the office. “What’s wrong? Don’t like yours?”
“No, it’s fine. It’s just…what’s up with you? You’re acting really strange.”
Strange? Why would I be acting strange? I mean, you came ridiculously close to catching me and my brother’s best friend about to fornicate in his office under my dad’s watch. “Hmmm...not sure why you think that.” Another bite.
“Hannah, you know I love you like a sister, right?” I nod. Oh god. “Is there something going on between you and Levi?” I choke on another bite. It also doesn’t help I still have the other three in my mouth.
“What? Why would you think that?” I muffle through my unchewed food.
“I don’t know. I’m sorry if I’m overstepping, but it’s just…at the lake you two were different with each other. Like you were fighting. I’ve never known you two to chat much, let alone have an argument. Then poker night, I caught him scowling at you. Then just now. Why was the door locked?”
’Cause we were forni—“Levi just doesn’t like being interrupted when he gets on a roll with work. It’s no big deal.”
“Okay, but you still didn’t answer my question. Is something going on between you two?”
Yes. “No, don’t be silly.”
She eyes me as though her bullshit meter is dinging in the red zone. “Okay. I’m sorry I mentioned it. My hormones are out of control and my mind is running away with itself.”
I reach over to cup her hand. “Oh no, are you not feeling well?” I stare at her with kind, worried eyes, until hers shine with happiness. “Wait…are you?”
“Pregnant.”
I scream.
Then choke on my food. I spit it out, getting a few nasty eye-rolls from the table next to us. “Oh my god! I’m going to be an aunt! Does Kipley know?”
She laughs. “Of course. But you’re the first person we’ve told. I wanted you to hear it first.” Tears well up in my eyes. My brother is going to have a baby. I scoot my chair out and stand while she does the same. Hugging, we both fail at keeping it together and shed tears of joy.
“I’m so happy for you both. You’re going to be amazing parents. And I’m going to spoil him or her rotten.” I love my brother so much. And Stacey. They couldn’t be better for one another. And they deserve the world.
We spend the remainder of lunch chatting about baby stuff. I ask to be part of the baby shower planning, even though she has a million girlfriends to do the job. She tells me the dinner tomorrow night is to tell the whole family, and I can’t wait to see Mom and Dad’s face when they find out.
“Thanks for lunch. This was nice.” She goes in for a hug.
“Agreed. Minus all the choking.”
We share a good laugh, and she pulls away. She studies me with unwavering concern. “I bet I’m misreading the situation, but if I’m not, be careful. Levi is one of your brother’s oldest and dearest friends. It would hurt him immensely. Be smart about what you’re doing. You know he would choose you over him. Just don’t put him in that position.”
I don’t say anything. I can’t. I convince myself I don’t need to. Because I won’t be putting anyone in any positions. Levi and I are adults. And this won’t get out. It’s fine. We’re fine.
Nothing to worry about.
Nope.
Levi
“What the hell kind of play was that!” Kip yells at the screen, a few other patrons along the bar agreeing. “Jesus, who the hell hired this guy?” He throws his hands up. “Catch the damn ball!”
I take a sip of my beer, barely paying attention to the game.
“What’s up, cocksuckers!” Chase slaps me on the back and slides onto an open stool next to me. “Been too long. Where the fuck’s Ben?” he asks, flagging down the bartender.
“Couldn’t make it. He’s sick or some shit.” Wish I’d thought of that excuse.
“Well, fuck him. Sick or not, you don’t miss boys’ night. What’s on the agenda? Strippers? Molly?” He laughs, winking at the girl on the other side of me giving him the stink eye.
“Sorry, no more strippers for me,” Kip says, flashing his wedding ring.
“See, I told you not to go through with it. Women turn crazy and won’t let you have any fun anymore. Levi, how about you? Once his curfew hits, you wanna get down on some pussy?”
The girl next to me snatches her drink and leaves. I shake my head. “No, man, I’m good. Weren’t you just in Mexico? Your dick didn’t fall off while you were there?” Kip laughs, and I take a swig of my beer.
“Fuck no. Plus, the pharmacia is basically a free for all. All good, man. Also, when did you turn into a pussy again? What, you datin’ someone?”
Kip aims his attention on me. Fuck.
“Just because I don’t want to conjure up some strippers doesn’t mean I’m dating someone.” It means I’m boning Kip’s sister and have no interest in strippers.
“Whatever, pussy.”
“What is up? You’ve been off the radar the past couple weeks. Work getting to you?”
Another swig. Yep. Work. “Yeah. We’re working on a huge case. It’s a big deal for the firm. We win this, it’s huge. We lose…it’s bad.”
“My pops is the best. And with you helping him, what’s the problem? Is it a non-winnable case?”
“No we have it in the bag. Or had it. Somewhere along the way, some files went missing. Information was inaccurately entered. So now, our witness statements claim no foul play. Someone entered in the wrong information or got to the files, but I can’t prove it because I can’t find the original docs.”
“Well, who filed it? Go to them.”
That’s the thing. Another swig. “Hannah filed it.”
“Oh shit.”
Yeah, oh shit is right. When I went back to check the logs, Hannah’s initials were there. I couldn’t believe she would have made such a mistake. The entire stack of testimonies wrong? I asked her about it nonchalantly, and she confirmed, pulling out her safety notebook and stating times of when she documented it. It didn’t add up. It wasn’t like Hannah to make a mistake. I just couldn’t figure out another reason for it.
“So, what happens? Does my pop know?”
“No. I’ve been trying to resolve it without him getting wind it was Hannah. He trusts me to figure it all out. I’m just running out of time. If I can’t, I’m going to have to tell Jim who documented it.”
And that will cost her her job. Not to mention, her pride, her confidence, and her career at the firm. Because if we lose this case, I can’t fathom where the firm will stand.
“Just ask Hannah straight up. She’s resourceful. She may be able to help. If she says she did something, she’s normally spot on. You know her. Kind of nerdy when it comes to her smarts. Speaking of Hannah, how’s she doing? Pop told me she’s still dating that kid from the office.”
No, the fuck she isn’t.
My fingers clamp around my beer, trying to keep my eyes focused on the game. If he saw my expression right now, he’d see rage. “Who knows. I don’t think she’s into him. He’s a fucking dweeb.”
Kip laughs. “Yeah, well, maybe she’s into that type. Not that I know. This is the first guy I’ve seen her date.” I want to snap at him that she’s not dati
ng him. She’s dating—shit, we’re not dating. Are we? I’m so confused at what we’re doing. We’re together all day. She’s in my bed at night. We’re having the best sex of my life. And we’re getting to know each other. And I love every fucking second of it. “Maybe we should fuck with him and drill him for answers on Friday.”
“What’s Friday?”
“Family dinner? Hello. I literally just told you about it, are you not listening to me?” Oh yeah. Man, I’m a bad friend. He just told me he’s having a baby and I’m fantasizing about how I made a sundae off his sister last night.
“Oh…yeah. Sorry. But what does he have to do with dweeb boy?”
“Pop said she’s bringing him.”
Over my dead body.
I slept like shit.
Probably because I didn’t have a warm little body next to me. Or because I drank too much driving myself mad about Hannah and her non-boyfriend. I walk into the office and spot Hannah already sitting at her desk. She’s wearing a pale gray skirt with a top that brings out her eyes. “In my office. Now,” I snap, walking past her. I’m sure my attitude is a surprise, because it sure is unexpected. But I need to get a few things straight before I lose it.
“What’s—?”
“Shut the door.”
She does as she’s told and waits. I rein in my anger and step around to face her. “What’s the deal with you and Braydon? Are you dating him behind my back?”
Her eyes go wide. “Braydon? No! Why would you think that?”
“Because your entire family does.” I might as well be her boyfriend. I sound like a jealous one.
“Well, I’m not. And I thought that was a good thing. So they don’t pay attention to us. That’s what you wanted, remember?” Fuck, it is what I wanted, but is it what I still want?
“What’s wrong? Why is this suddenly bothering you? Do you…you want to end this, don’t you?” Her eyes blaze with panic. My chest constricts at the thought of us not being an us. I swallow the space between us and wrap her in my arms.
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