Page 2 of Lock 'em Down

Turning to look over my shoulder, I catch the group of attractive, well-dressed men as they saunter onto the patio.

“They look like athletes,” Izzy decides.

“They look like a good fucking time,” Mia laughs.

I purse my lips as I study the one who caught my eye. He’s tall and built in a way that speaks to hours in the gym. A broad chest that stretches the material of his navy shirt. Shoulders that a girl can hang on to. Forearms corded with muscle.

Jesus, how can a guy’s arms be so…hot?

I tilt my head, studying him. I hate that my first reaction is to compare him to Levi. In the three years since the famous musician and rhythm guitarist for the internationally acclaimed band The Burnt Clovers broke my heart, my gut instinct—my knee-jerk reaction—is always to compare a man to him.

To his wild eyes, his sexy smirk, and the way his hair stuck up in all directions. To the way he saw life as one big joke and only focused on the moment at hand.

In hindsight, Levi was a mess. Spiraling and falling apart. As evidenced by his stint in rehab after a night gone sideways. A night I’d rather forget. But in a matter of weeks, I fell in love with Levi Rousell. It was short-lived and lightning fast. A fling that soared high and burned out in an instant.

But he’s still my baseline. My only true experience with intense, overwhelming emotions. The only man who’s twisted me up inside. The only one I’ve never gotten closure from.

Of course, I’ve gone on dates since. I’ve flirted and kissed and even slept with a few. But Levi—and our time together—has followed me around like a shadow. A persistent reminder of what could be and a warning of how it can go wrong.

For the first time ever, I think this man, this stranger, could overtake Levi’s impression on me. He’s got that energy—a vibe—that could outshine a shadow. The thought makes me smile.

It’s ridiculous and yet, my body hums with awareness.

I may be going to Knoxville as a single, independent woman, ready to begin adulthood on my own terms. But what’s one last hurrah? One fun night in Vegas? One final chance to throw caution to the wind?

Mia giggles, interrupting my thoughts, and I turn to look at her.

She flips her chin at me knowingly. “You caught his attention, Cami.”

Huh? I swing my eyes back to the hottie at six o’clock and my gaze slams into his.

I suck in a deep breath. Holy hell. Forget his arms. His eyes are—mesmerizing. Yeah, that’s the word for them. A deep, electric blue that shocks my system by its intensity.

He holds my gaze and after a beat, the slowest, most knowing, cocky-as-hell smile curls his lips.

“Damn,” Izzy mutters.

“I’ll drink to that,” Tamara agrees, downing another shot.

I bite my bottom lip and smirk back. I’ve never been coy or shy. I’m a what-you-see-is-what-you-get kind of girl and this man just looked at me in a way that I could latch onto and run with.

I mean, I’m here, aren’t I? Adulthood in Knoxville is only days away and I’ve been biding my time in Minnesota, waiting for the opportunity to step into my own skin again. To stop being fearful or ashamed. To start living my life.

A thrill shimmies up my spine and I shake my head. Then, I take another shot of vodka to steady my nerves and clear my mind.

When I look back up, the man and his friends have taken over a corner table. They’re joking with the server. Their group has a relaxed energy, as though they’re just out to enjoy the night and whatever it brings.

Some tables of men hold an urgency—a need for each guy to claim a woman and hook up. Other groups are closed off and uptight. But this group, this table, looks like a hell of a good time.

I sigh and meet Mia’s eyes. She smirks, as if she knows exactly what I’m thinking.

Before any of us can plan how to approach their table, our server comes over with a bottle of champagne nestled into an ice bucket.

“From the gentlemen in the corner,” she explains, pointing over her shoulder.

I look up and my eyes meet his again. This time, his look is more pointed. More…knowing.

I grin, he returns the smile, and my confidence grows.

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