Page 5 of Just Between Us

“Already quitting?” a familiar voice comes up behind me.

I pause, the bottle still at my lips and turn. Levi Bellamy is standing right before me, that amused smile dancing on his lips.

I don’t know why, but my heart seizes for a second. I pull the bottle away from my lips and try to smile but it probably looks wrong.

He’s dressed in a black t-shirt tucked into snug black pants. The only accents are what are no doubt a very expensive gold watch and a belt. My eyes land on his right arm. It’s covered in tattoos. Black ink traces up in intricate patterns I can’t make out from here. The only thing I recognise is what looks like a falling angel without wings. Give him a few piercings, a guitar, and some black nail polish and he would look like the kind of rockstar people join cults for.

“I’m sorry?” I ask.

He nods at my water bottle. “Everyone else is still going but you’re stopping?”

I look at it then back at him, at those eyes are the colour of cognac. His hair is dark and it’s slightly too long, like he might need a haircut, starting to curl behind his ears and brushing against his brow.

“Oh,” I say. “This is just a pit stop. Don’t worry, I plan to spend as much company money as I can.”

A grin spreads across his face this time, showing perfectly straight teeth. “I was going to find you soon actually,” he says, slipping his hands into his pockets. “I had a chat with Jones, and she seemed interested in the project. I think there might be a few things you and your team need to brush up on, but I can help with that before you take it up with her.”

My heart hammers against my chest. Amitra Jones is the Head of Strategy and her final sign-off is what gets you the budget. Levi speaking to her is more than I could have asked. Him offering to help us before taking it up with her? I may as well be dreaming.

I need to tell Marie.

“Oh, uh, wow,” I start, a little lost for words. “You really didn’t have to do that. You’ve already done so much.”

Levi shrugs an easy shoulder. “Don’t worry about it, I’m more than happy to help.” He waves at the bartender. “We should have a celebratory drink. What’s your poison?”

My brain is struggling to catch up, too caught in this guy who is barely older than me but makes me feel a little small. He’s only about a few inches taller but there is something quietly dominating about his presence. It’s not overt but it’s lurking under there somewhere. Maybe it’s the intricate tattoos on his toned arms, or the way his eyes sparkle with a constant hint of humour but Levi Bellamy gravitating.

“I—um, tequila?” It comes out like a question and when he smiles my stomach flips.

Relax, he’s your boss.

He’s also in a very happy relationship.

“Two tequila shots, please,” Levi says.

The bartender pours them and Levi hands me one with a steady hand. His eyes shine and I swear I’m not trying to be an idiot, but it feels like I’m falling into them.

“To a new year,” he says, eyes never leaving mine.

I down the shot quickly because I need to think about anything else but him. The burn feels nice, distracting even and I enjoy the feel of it as it slides down my throat and to my stomach. Levi winces slightly as he places the glass back on the counter.

“Um, where is Cole?” I ask, trying to make conversation.

Maybe if I ask about his boyfriend, I’ll stop thinking about how nice his eyes are.

With Levi and Nicholas here and their father owning A-EYE, I’d have assumed Cole would be around, but I haven’t spotted him. If he was here, I get the feeling he wouldn’t let Levi out of his sight for too long.

According to the extensive Google search Jenna and I undertook after I meet with Levi, Cole works for an upscale real estate firm. There’s nothing else on him really and he seems to keep a low profile, no Instagram or any other social media at all. A few pictures of him with Levi at galas or charity events pop up on the internet and next to Levi, he looks like a brooding boyfriend, with all black hair, green eyes, and no smiles. He constantly looks bored.

Wealthy and aloof. I can admit it looks good on him.

“Oh, this isn’t his scene,” Levi says.

I can’t help but wonder what his scene is exactly.

“Do you have a partner?” he continues.

“Nope, completely single.

---