Page 8 of Flawless Foundations

It's annoying, really, but I'm over him. Have been for years. But hell, if I'm not annoyed that this chick next to me has seen him naked. I bite on my bottom lip to keep myself from pouting. When I look up from my meal, Levi is staring at my lips. When he drags his gaze away, we lock eyes.

I let out a tiny breath when he addresses me. "So, Becca, how's Blush treating you?"

I shake off the moment we had and start to answer when Marshal does it for me. "Becca is actually planning a career change." Levi looks to Marshal then back to me.

"Is that right?" he asks me.

"Yes. Ready for more regular hours." I take a sip of wine.

"She's ready for a big girl job," Marshal jokes. I shake it off. "Actually, King, she'd be a great addition to your staff." Marshal leans back in his seat, done with his meal.

Levi doesn't look at him when he asks, "Is that so?"

"Yeah, she'd make one hell of an assistant for sure. I mean, she'd be able to handle the phones, your calendar, and any of your other personal needs." Levi stretches his neck to the side as his eyes go hard. He looks at Marshal and I follow. Marshal looks pleased with himself.

"Am I right, there are worse things to look at when you just need a break from the daily grind." What the hell? Did he really just say that? I open my mouth to rip him a new one, but then remember where we are. This is a high scale, five-star restaurant. It's a business meeting, and I'm pretty sure he and Levi are trying to set up a business deal.

Ugh, but at the same time, he's being an asshole, and I want to give him a piece of my mind.

A giggle erupts next to me, and Steph says, "Levi's got plenty to look at in the office. He has a new assistant every few months."

Levi lets out a low growl. And while I want to dive into that little nugget, I need a breather.

"You know Becca has a degree in both Mathematics and Chemistry, right?" Levi growls from across the table.

"Oh, yeah, of course. But that's what Daddy's money can buy these days, yeah?" Marshal laughs like he just told an award-winning joke. Too bad the joke is shit and I'm the butt of it.

"I'm sorry, but I need to run to the ladies’ room," I say as I push away from the table.

"To powder your nose?" Marshal chuckles and looks to Levi, giving him one of those "am I right?" looks.

I force a smile as I turn away from the table. As I walk away, I hear Levi's expressionless voice announce, "I think it's time for the check."

Thank fucking God I'm done with this dinner. Never will I attend a business dinner with jackass Marshal, I'm not even sure our arrangement will continue after tonight.

Chapter 6

Levi

Istand impatiently at the front of the restaurant. Steph just hopped in a taxi; thank God she didn't ask me to take her home. Steph is our business manager Melissa's assistant. She had a calendar faux pas and overbooked with her daughter's piano recital, so I got stuck with Steph tonight. Usually, I would be fine with that, I know she knows the deal I'm trying to work, but she's been one of the several young, female employees at King to think they will score some points with non-work related assets. You'd think with the lack of success they have, word would get around and they would stop trying. But they don't.

I'm still standing here, my car idling in the street for me, because I feel a little uneasy about leaving Becca. I know she's here with Marshal, but he was a dick, and I saw it on her face, the things he said hurt her feelings. She's been in the restroom for a while now, I know she's just hiding. But we've paid the bill and I'm about to go look for her. But she and Marshal round the corner together and much like a few minutes ago, she wears the same frustrated expression.

"Ah, Levi, I'm glad you're still here. Would you be able to take Becca home? She's not feeling well and… well, you share a building, so better you than me." He chuckles. I swear her eyes bulge out of her head.

I clear my throat. "Yes. That's not a problem."

Marshal reaches his hand out to me. I shake it. "Levi, we will be in touch. I've got some ideas I think you will find helpful. Let me do a bit more research." I nod and focus on Becca. She's tense. Not happy, though I'm not sure she's feeling sick. It may have just been an excuse.

We make eye contact, and I send her a knowing smirk and she pinches her plump lips.

Whoa.Since when do I notice her lips?

Well, it would have been around the time when I arrived, when I caught her biting her lip as she studied the menu.

I usher her into my car. It's early fall, but the night air has a crisp feel. It's the perfect night to enjoy the season change, but not here in the middle of a crowded sidewalk. The 425 Madison rooftop lounge is more like it. Which, I admit, has become one of my favorite parts of my new home.

I open the door for her and once she's in, I go around to the other side and slide in the backseat next to her. James, my driver, merges into traffic as Becca's sweet vanilla perfume fills the car and invades all my senses.

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