Lev: a Shot Callers novel - Belle Aurora Page 0,37
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