“Keep your hands steady. Don’t push the shot and take your time.” He presses a hand on my back. “Bend slowly and let go.”
All the pins fall down in one go.
“Yes!” I jump up, hugging Zach. “I did it!”
“You did it.” His arms wrap around my waist.
A strong hand pulls me back by the arm, and I yelp as I trip and almost fall.
I come head to head with Levi’s destabilising pale eyes.
Only now, they’re completely black.
28
Astrid
You don’t own me, your majesty. No one does.
* * *
That part about being scared of the ‘black’ Levi?
I take it all back.
I’m not scared of him, I’m terrified. There’s this complete disregard for everyone around him when he’s in this mood and it seems impossible to carve a path into him.
He’s wearing simple jeans and a royal blue pullover, but his entire aura is as black as the look in his eyes.
With a deep breath, I attempt to dissipate the tension in the air. “Levi. This is Zachariah, he’s —”
Words die into my throat when Levi slams his lips against mine.
We’ve had wild kisses before — they’re all we’ve had, actually — but this is different. His teeth clash against mine and it’s like he’s sucking the life out of me.
Claiming me.
Punishing me.
The roughness of his mouth turns my head dizzy. I’m like a marionette in his steel-like arms, unable to breathe or forge a path out.
I push at his chest, but it’s like he doesn’t feel my grip.
He doesn’t feel anything.
When he finally lets me go, I’m breathing so heavily, I’m afraid my heart will pop out of its cavity.
Levi pulls me to his side with a steel-hold on my waist despite my protests.
I’m tempted to slap him for kissing me in public like that.
Lots of kids from our school come here. If anyone finds out, my already sour reputation will only get worse.
He promised to keep it under wraps. He freaking promised.
The clearing of a throat brings my attention back to Zach who had front row seats to the entire show. Aiden stands not far, watching us with an indifferent expression.
My cheeks flame at the thought of Zach watching me being kissed savagely by Levi. That’s definitely not the image I want to give to him.
I bow my head, unable to look at him. “I… umm… Zach, this is…”
“Levi King and she’s mine.” He says the words with a coolness that negates his death grip around my waist. “Keep your fucking hands off her.”
Before Zach or I can say anything, Levi drags me out of the bowling centre as if I’m a rag doll. I’m too stunned to react or say anything. I can barely keep up with his wide strides, let alone form any words.
Once we’re in the car park, I come back to my senses and fight him off, but his hold tightens around my waist until it’s painful.
I wince. “You had no right to do that.”
He yanks me around until my back hits the side of his jaguar. It’s the first time I get a closer look into his eyes since the show he put on inside.
They’re still black with not an ounce of the peaceful blue.
He’s like a storm waiting to erupt.
“No right?” He repeats, pushing into me with his entire body until I’m covered with his scent and the hardness of his chest. “So he had a right to put his hands on you?”
“He?” I’m confused.
“That bastard inside.”
“Are you freaking kidding me? Zach is like my eldest brother.”
“One who wants to fuck you.” His words are deadly calm.
My lips part. “Are you insane?”
As if possible, his eyes darken more, rippling with tension. There’s barely an ounce of the Levi I’ve gotten used to. He’s evaporating into smoke that’s impossible to catch.
The frightening calm on his face puts me on the edge of myself.
I can deal with anger and rage, but how can I pick up a fight with deadly calm?
“Are you blind?” He’s still in that cool phase of his. “Can’t you see the way he looks at you?”
“Like a sister, you mean.”
He bursts out laughing, but it’s completely humourless. “If he looks at you like a sister, then I look at you like you’re a fucking nun.”
“God damn it, Levi! Just because you want to fuck me doesn’t mean everyone else does. Stop being a caveman.”
“A caveman, huh?”
“I don’t know what the hell is wrong with you today, but you’re hallucinating and overreacting.”
He slams his hand on the hood of the car near my head,