Page 21 of Hell Storm

Like now … did he know how wildly attractive I found him? Did he know I was strongly reconsidering his offer?

“One drink,” he called out, as if he sensed the inner struggle.

My fingers trembled at my sides, and I gave my circumstances some thought. I’d been caught tonight, saved only by a flimsy excuse and Levi’s decision not to pry. And if indulging him a bit could better my chances of not getting found out, I owed it to myself to cooperate.

Yeah …that’swhy I was doing this.

“Fine.”

I didn’t turn to witness it, but I was certain of the smile that stretched from one side of Levi’s face to the other when I gave in to his wishes. Behind me, I heard the cupboard open again, and then the sound of the wine bottle being swiped from the counter just before the kitchen went dark.

“After you,” he offered.

The deep, sultry tone of his accent sent a chill scampering up my spine. It became clear I’d lost my mind the moment I submitted to the enemy.

The crazy-sexy, impossibly arrogant enemy.

This was happening, and I was only certain of one thing as I led the way back toward the stairs, toward the bedroom he occupied here in Julian’s home.

I, Corina Prescott, was completely out of my mind.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Corina

Two armchairs perfectly angled toward a roaring fire drew my focus the moment we entered. Next, the bed. I studied how its comforter had been removed and neatly set aside, how all the pillows had been removed except one turned sideways near the headboard. I guessed this was how Levi preferred to sleep.

I drew a startled breath when he lockedthe door behind us. Next, broad shoulders eclipsed the fire briefly when he moved toward it, placing both glasses and the wine bottle on a small table.

“Shall we sit?”

I didn’t rush to answer, taking another labored breath before nodding. “Sure.”

Like the well-bred gentleman he’d been groomed to be—aside from the filth that occasionally left his mouth—he didn’t take his seat until I’d dropped down into mine. My posture was stiff and I refused to look at anything other than the fire before us. Not even when I heard wine being poured.

“For you,” he offered.

I had no choice but to meet his gaze then, glancing down at the glass I’d been given.

“Thank you.”

That smallness returned, that quality my voice sometimes took on when I was around them. I hated it as much now as I always did.

Levi poured a glass for himself as I brought mine to my lips to taste. It was smooth, spilling down my throat. I didn’t know much about fine wine, but was certain that, for Levi to be drinking it, it must have been the best.

“Valle d’Amanti.”

I glanced up when the beautiful words rolled off his tongue. “I’m afraid I don’t—”

“The name of the village that produces the wine,” he clarified. “Do you approve?”

Swallowing the small swig I’d just taken, I nodded. “It’s fine.”

“Fine? That’s what you think of a bottle that costs more than the average vehicle?”

More frivolity—the Ianite way of life.

“It’s fine.”

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