Chapter 57

It was the little things. The way he listened with intent to whatever I said. How he laughed at my stupid jokes no one else ever found funny or was actively participating in the conversation instead of humoring me while waiting for his turn to talk. What I liked the most, was how he spoke about important things. He never tried to hide his real feelings or downplay their importance.

Matt was a fun guy and a good friend. Levi was…so much more. On every level. The way he chose to share that side with me, especially since he normally was so quiet, made my heart ache in my chest. In a good way.

And he was hot. Scorching. His T-shirt revealed every sinewy muscle of his torso as if it had been painted on. His ass was round and seemed like it would fit in my hands perfectly. He had legs that went on for miles and I had no trouble imagining them wound around my waist as we made love.

I squirmed in my chair and squeezed my thighs together. Took a drink of water to moisten my mouth that was suddenly drier than the Sahara Desert.

The way he looked at me didn’t help with my growing problem. His gaze lingered on my mouth. On my hands. Even on my stomach as I patted it, thanking him for dinner. I was sure I wasn’t imagining the interest. The way his eyelids fell to half-mast and the small touches to his chest or neck, made me forget my insecurities, took away my self-consciousness and made me feel like I was someone worthy of attention.

“You have no idea how much I appreciate this,” I said in a lull in the conversation.

“I didn’t do anything special.”

“Stop!” I reached out my hand and rested it on top of his where it lay on the table. “Don’t say that. I thought I was going to spend the evening eating frozen food and fall asleep with my nose in The Order of the Phoenix. You turned this entire crappy day around for me, and I’m grateful.”

His entire being lit up with a joyous smile. “Really?”

“Really.”

“I’m happy then.”

Neither of us moved our hands. Mine was broader and engulfed his completely. Giving the illusion that I was the strong one when the truth was the opposite. His long, strong fingers twitched under mine as if he wanted to turn it and lace our fingers together.

Eventually, we had to clean up and reluctantly I withdrew. We quibbled over who was going to do the dishes, and we ended up doing them together. Side by side, we worked as if we’d done it a million times before. We didn’t talk much, just smiled whenever we bumped into each other. On purpose or by accident.

It was past ten o’clock when he had to leave. Just as he was on his way out the door, I grabbed his upper arm and pulled him in for a hug.

“Thank you,” I whispered, and allowed myself to linger for a few heartbeats, inhaled the scent of his hair—was that honey?—before I let go of him. His brown eyes were melty and warm as I stepped away, and his hands twitched as if he wanted to reach out to me.

But instead, he gave me a final smile. “See you around,” he said and walked out.

My apartment was cold and empty after he left. 6: Levi

Virgo (August 23—September 22)

With Mars in your adventure sector, you’re in for a passionate day. First you need to overcome an obstacle, but after that, it’s smooth sailing. Call someone as you jack off and moan in their ear. Send someone a dick pic. Flash someone on the subway. The sky’s the limit, be adventurous.

* * * *

I paced the length of my room as the phone rang, and I waited for Matt to pick up. I rarely called him, so whenever I did he always answered, even if he was busy.

Today was no exception. “Levi. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong.”

“Huh.” I could hear him tap his keyboard through the line. “Good, good. WU?”

“I, uh, need to talk to you about something.”

“Okay, shoot.”

“No,” I said. “Face to face. Meet me for dinner tonight?”

“I have a thing with Liza.”

I tapped my finger on my lip. If I told him it was important he would come. But was it? It was for me, but was it important enough to make my brother cancel a date with his girlfriend? I’d been so determined when I called him, but doubt had crept in as the phone rang and I waited for him to answer.