Lev: a Shot Callers novel (11 page)

My cheeks hurt from smiling so much, but it was worth it when I learned that I’d earned a little more than $400 in tips.

Lev kept a close eye on me, getting up to check on me every now and again. I wondered what he actually did here at the club. From the looks of things, all he did was watch the show every night.

After one of the boys had grabbed my wrist and pulled me close, I panicked. But when I reminded myself that they’d had a lot to drink and getting grabby came with the territory, I pasted another wide smile on my face, leaned in close, and listened to the array of compliments the man wanted me to hear. After he was heard, he let go of me and relief went through me. I blinked up at him through lowered lashes, walked backward, and blew the man a kiss.

I don’t know why I was so against this. This flirting stuff was easy. I had it
down
.

Walking backward, I walked straight into a wall. I looked up to see that wall glaring at the man who wanted to tell me how beautiful I was. I turned and smiled up at him. “I’m killing it!”

But Lev, looking dangerously handsome in his gunmetal grey three-piece suit, kept his glare level on the man. “He put his hands on you.”

Warning bells went off in my head. My smile faded as I placed a hand on his chest. “Hey, it’s okay. They’re just having a bit of fun.”

His glare faded as he looked down at me. “You looked frightened.”

Oh. Had I?

That meant he had been watching me. I couldn’t even think about that right now. I had to calm a murderous looking Lev.

His eyes fell to the ground as he asked a hesitant, “Were you frightened?”

My shoulder jumped in a small shrug. “I’m not used to people touching me, is all. It freaked me out for about a whole second, but I thought about it and I’m okay with it.” I felt the need to defend the grabby man. “He didn’t hurt me, Lev.”

“I don’t like them touching you.”

That was a bold statement if I ever heard one. His eyes, blazing, went over my head, back toward the man. My hand still on his chest, I turned to see the group of men watching Lev, all looking tense and uneasy.

Lev fisted his hands and went to step forward, toward the men.

I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Sweet Lev getting all riled up over some random guys? I didn’t get it. This wasn’t the man I’d seen over the past week. This was someone else. Someone scary.

“Hey!” I shouted over the music, pushing my hand against his chest to stop him from going over there. He looked down at me, his eyes softening, and he stilled. I smiled reassuringly, patting the breast of his jacket. “I’m okay.” I laughed softly. “It’s okay, Lev. I can handle them.”

He didn’t look convinced. “I’m going to keep an eye on you.”

I didn’t want to test him. Not now. He looked like a bomb set to go off at the slightest touch. “Okay,” I said and headed back to the bar, confused about the reaction these men had spiked in Lev.

The rest of the night went splendidly, and my bra was full to the brim with tip money. My party left around two a.m. with wide smiles, but I wouldn’t let them leave without calling taxis for them first. The husband-to-be kissed my hand and thanked me for a great night. It felt nice to be appreciated.

When the cleaners had come in and everyone was getting ready to leave, Sasha came out from the door behind the bar and advised that he’d be staying behind a while. I hooked my arm through Lev’s and waved goodbye to Anika and Viktor.

Anika, looking down at my arm hooked around Lev’s, smiled and offered, “Hey, Mina, I can drive you home.”

Oh my.

Yep. It was obvious. She had set her cap for Lev. What was funny was that she thought me competition. She was gorgeous. I couldn’t compete with that.

Lev, looking confused, uttered, “That would make no sense, Anika, since Mina is living with me.”

The poor dove paled a few shades. She swallowed hard before turning to Nas and accusing, “Oh. Sorry. No one told me.”

Nas eyed her friend hard. I was proud of her response. “Well, Ani, that would be because it’s none of your goddamn business.”

A shiver of satisfaction went through me as I was led to the car by Lev in complete silence.

Chapter Fourteen
Mina

The next morning when Lev awoke, I found myself waking at the same time. I was sick of spending my days in bed. There had to be better things to do than sleeping the day away. But if there was, I was yet to find an activity so enjoyable that it surpassed sleep.

With the bedroom door wide open, I assumed Lev had already left the room. I yawned, sliding out of bed and walking over to the en suite to wash my face and brush my teeth. Just as I opened the door, the shower was turned on and I went rigid at the sight of Lev’s bare behind.

His
tight
,
muscled
behind and
long
,
thick
legs.

Oh, Jesus.

My small breasts tightened and my stomach dipped violently. Suddenly wide-awake, I gripped the door handle till my knuckles went white, and blinked at the heavenly sight.

He must have felt my eyes on him, because with his back to me, he turned his head, catching my eyes below his belt.

Shit. I was caught, eyes as wide as saucers and mouth agape. I lifted my face to look into his.

I remembered James. I remembered being intimate with James. I could describe to you every aspect of his body in detail. But the sight of Lev’s naked body had me forgetting what’s-his-name in a second flat.

James was a boy.

Lev was
all
man.

His broad back rippled, and I wanted to rub those bare, bulky shoulders. I wanted to run my hands all over him, to have the privilege of touching anywhere he would let me.

The sensitive spot between my legs pulsed lightly.

He watched me watching him, and his brow rose slowly in question.

I swallowed hard and my tongue felt like it was made of sand. My body was hot all over. I whispered, “I just wanted to brush my teeth.”

His eyes on me, he stayed silent a moment. “Okay,” he drawled as he stepped into the shower, steam billowing around us. The frosted glass surrounding the shower did nothing to keep my imagination tame.

Lev was a blur, but in my mind, I could see every strong, powerful edge of his body as though the glass wasn’t even there. And what a sight it was. Impressive, fantasy as it was.

Part of me wanted to throw open the shower door and peer inside to look my fill.

I wondered what Lev’s reaction would be to that. Would he be offended, or would he be flattered? Would his body respond to blatant looks of appreciation? Putting my hand where I needed it most, I squeezed my legs together, desperate to find relief from the dull throbbing. All I really managed to do was make my nipples bead. I closed my eyes, biting the inside of my lip, savoring the warm flow taking over my body. Perhaps he’d pull me under the spray, take my mouth in a deep, feral kiss, and take me against the cool wall of the shower.

Yeah, right.

I removed my hand from between my legs, making my way over to the bathroom mirror. Rolling my eyes at the crazy thought, I wiped the foggy glass and stared at my flushed reflection. It was obvious I would never find out what Lev’s reaction would have been. I wasn’t
that
adventurous. He’d probably ask me to leave in that bored polite way that only Lev could pull off, leaving me humiliated.

I’d already had enough humiliation to last a lifetime. This was my time to shine, and if I wanted male companionship, I would have to look elsewhere.

My heart panged sorely. It was becoming clear I felt something for Lev. I spent the last few days trying to deny that fact, but I could no longer lie to myself. Why else would jealousy have my belly twisting in knots when Anika was around, touching Lev and pressing herself up against him?

I ran through it in my mind. I told myself that perhaps I had a deep regard for Lev, because he happened to be the person who saved me. Maybe if Sasha were the person to have helped me, I’d feel the same way for him that I do Lev.

My nose bunched. I understood that our circumstances were way out there, but somehow, I seriously doubted I’d ever feel for Sasha the way I felt about Lev.

It was more than an alliance, not quite a friendship. Not yet, anyway.

After speaking with Nas the previous week, I quickly came to realize that unless I was the person to make the effort, Lev and I would remain in this casual acquaintance. And I wanted more than that. I wanted to talk to Lev without feeling like I was intruding or prying. I wanted Lev to feel comfortable with me. I wanted a friendship.

And more than anything, I wanted to make him smile. Currently, Lidiya was the only person who could force a happy response from him. I wanted to change that.

Damn it. I
was
overstepping. I knew this. But it was now my mission. I would give anything to hear him laugh. I had a feeling it would be groundbreaking.

With a soft sigh, I flossed, picked up my toothbrush, brushed my teeth, rinsed with mouthwash, and then left the bathroom to sit on the bed and await Lev’s return.

I had a proposition for him.

Lying back on the bed, I didn’t have to wait long for the door to open and see Lev come out of the bathroom, dressed in black sweat pants and a tight white tee. The condensation on his body caused the shirt to stick, and I could easily make out his flat, dark nipples through the thin material.

“Working out?” I all but croaked out as I moved to sit up.

He let out an affirmative grunt, sitting on the edge of the sofa to put on his socks and sneakers. Then he looked up at me, his honeyed eyes narrowed in suspicion. “You’re up early.”

My lip twitched. “You say that like I have a motive.” I smiled and uttered an amused, “Okay, well, I sort of do.”

That statement caught his attention. His elbows on his knees, his arms hanging down between his open legs, he asked cautiously, “What do you need?”

I needed a lot more than he had up for offer, preferably those full lips on mine.

“I
need
,” I paused, pinning his eyes with my stare, “time to get to know you.”

Puzzlement crossed his face. “I don’t understand.”

That, I was coming to learn, was one of his favorite phrases. The other one being ‘I see’.

“I’ve lived here almost two weeks now. We’ve been under each other’s noses working together, eating together, living together, and still, I don’t know a thing about you, Lev. And I’d like to.”

His brows pulled low. “I see.”

And with that, I almost burst into a fit of laughter. But instead, I wove it into a bright smile. “Will you have lunch with me today? We’ll talk. Get to know each other a little better. Dig deeper than the surface.”

His face lost all expression and, for some reason, anxiety radiated from him.

I couldn’t handle it. I made my way over to him, taking his hand and sitting by his side. I spoke gently, “Why do you shut down when I ask you about yourself?”

His throat worked, and his response will stay with me forever. His voice equally as soft, he muttered, “I don’t know how to talk to people, Mina.” He squeezed my hand lightly. “I’m worried I’ll screw up, disappoint you.”

My reply was quiet but fierce. “You can talk to me about anything. I don’t think you could disappoint me, even if you tried. I just want honest conversation.”

Looking down at our hands, he ran his thumb over mine, straightened, and conceded, “Okay. Yes.” He paused then added, “I would like to have lunch with you, Mina.”

My shoulders bunched in time with my nose and, lifting my arms high in the air, I cheered, “Yay!”

He looked up at me, and when he looked at me like I was crazy, I tipped my head back and laughed, just happy to be sharing this moment with him. I stood, gathering some clothes and walking over to the bathroom. “One o’clock?”

He inclined his head. “One o’clock.”

Feeling equal amounts of relief and joy, I closed the door behind me and washed away my long night.

***

Mina

The morning dragged on, mainly because Mirella had taken Lidiya on a day excursion and I didn’t get to see the little sweetheart before they left. Nas came by around eleven, and without uttering a single syllable, she sat at Lev’s kitchen table, her humungous sunglasses covering her eyes, and threw a paper bag onto the table.

I huffed out a laugh and asked on a whisper, “Didn’t sleep well?”

She pulled off her glasses, wincing as sunlight touched her red eyes, but she smiled cunningly, “I didn’t sleep at
all
.”

It took me a second to get it. And when I did, I leaned over the table and shoved her. “You little skank. Was it anyone I know?”

She shrugged. “Probably.”

I stared at her. “And you’re not telling?” She shook her head, a Mona Lisa smile appearing on her lips. “Fine,” I said. “At least tell me if he was any good.”

“
Mmmm
,” she hummed, her eyes closing slowly. “It was exactly what I needed. He was incredible. A god.”

My lips pursed into a pout. “I want someone incredible. I want a god.” I blinked at her. “What is wrong with me?”

Nas chuckled. “By the look of it, you’re thirsty,
kukla
.”

“Huh?”

“You need a tall glass of water.”

I was starting to get a headache. I rubbed at my temples. “English, Nas. Please.”

She huffed out an annoyed sigh and shot me the stank eye. “You’re horny.”

“No, I’m not,” I objected a little too quickly.

“It’s totally natural to want the
D
, Mina. Nothing to be ashamed of. It’s been a long time. You’ve just got your life back.” She assured, “You’re twenty-four years old. It’s okay to want sex.”

I blinked down at the table, thinking hard. “You know, you’re probably right. But I think it’s not what I want at all. It’s just the
idea
of it is mighty appealing.” I snickered. “Knowing my luck, I’d hook up with the one guy who doesn’t know how to take a woman there. Then, of course, I’d fake it so he didn’t feel bad, and end up feeling twice as horny, going home and flicking the bean.” I grimaced. “Not ideal.”

Nas gawked at me, her eyes narrowed and her lip curled. Finally, she theorized, “You’re fucking crazy.”

“I know,” I sighed.

I opened the bag on the table to find Ada had made a batch of her blueberry muffins. Even though I wanted to keep them all for myself, I reluctantly offered one to Nas, who snickered at my obviously forced offer. She took one anyway. We talked over a cup of coffee and I realized time flew as the back door opened.

Both Nas and I turned to watch Lev walk inside. He looked down at his sister and his hard eyes turned warm. “Good morning, Nastasia. Are you joining us for lunch?”

“Lunch?” She perked up. I spun around and scowled at her. Her brows rose in surprise. “I guess not.”

“Next time,” he muttered before turning to me. “I need to shower. We’ll leave in ten minutes.”

“Okay,” I breathed, staring directly at his t-shirt-covered broad chest.

When he left to walk up the stairs, Nas pinched me and whisper-hissed, “You have a thing for Lev!”

“
Ow
, that hurt!” I howled, rubbing at my arm. “I finally got the guts to ask him to lunch. We’re going to get to know each other.” I vowed, “I’m not letting him avoid me anymore. We’re going to be friends.”

Nas warned, “Lev doesn’t do friendship.”

I looked toward the doorway he walked out of. I declared resolutely, “Well, I’m going to change that.”

Nas left before Lev had finished showering, giving me a moment to apply a tinted moisturizer, mascara, and clear lip-gloss. I brushed my hair and left it down. It was no longer straight, rather cascading down my back in loose waves.

I changed into the navy blue sundress I’d bought two days prior after talking Nas into taking me to another thrift shop, throwing an eighties-style white blazer over the top and slipping on my white, low-heeled mary janes. Nas acted annoyed that I made her come, but she left with a stunning vintage
Glomesh
clutch circa the seventies.

I grinned at her. She spat oversensitively, “Hey, these are back in fashion!”

As we were leaving, Mirella pulled up into the driveway. She brought Lidiya out, and the moment she spotted her daddy, her arms went out toward him and she started babbling, “Otet! Otet!
Otet
!”

He looked to me then back to her, and I knew I was losing him. There was no competition when it came to Lidiya. I understood that. And to be honest, I respected that.

Rather than losing my lunch date, I placed my hand on his arm and hinted, “Maybe Mirella could do with an afternoon off.” At his confused look, I suggested, “Let’s take Lidiya with us. We’ll bring a picnic blanket, some of her toys, get some lunch, and eat it in the park.”

He looked from me to Lidiya then back to me. “Are you sure? She’s demanding when it comes to my attention.”