Page 70 of Wicked Dares
She tugs at the hem of the playsuit with two fingers, that little nervous tell I noticed the first night. Her shoulders are pulled in slightly, like she’s trying to take up less space at the bar. She has no idea how she looks. None.
The bartender and a few other guys have clocked her twice already, and she hasn’t noticed. My jaw tightens.
I don’t want anyone looking at her besides me. I don’t care what our arrangement is. She feels like mine.
Piper Andrews has me hooked the same way she did that first night.
And look at her here, unknowingly choosing me again. The pretty butterfly flying right back into my lair.
I smile to myself, feeling like a predator. And like all predators, I’m going to chase my prey.
Doesn’t matterwhenI catch her.
I will.
I’m patient. I can wait.
Chapter Sixteen
PIPER
Levi walks toward me, his eyes fixed solely on me, even though several pairs of female eyes are on him. And the women here tonight all look like fashion models.
I try to calm my nerves, try to tell myself I’m just stopping by to hang out for alittlewhile before I’ll head to Alexis’ place. But… my God, does the man look good. Deliciously good.
He’s wearing full black again, but it’s how he wears it. He always manages to spark that element of mystery that makes it impossible for you to reason with yourself. He also has a more rugged look tonight. He’s allowed his beard to grow a little fuller and his hair is messy in that sexy just-got-out-of-bed way that should be illegal.
Levi Vale is making resisting him so much harder than it already is.
The closer he gets, the louder my pulse grows. The bass is doing one thing on the floor and my heart is doing something faster on top of it.
He reaches me and looks me up and down before leaning in to plant a kiss on my forehead.
“Butterfly.” His voice is a low rumble against the music.
“Mr. Wicked.” I grin.
He chuckles. “Is that what you call me?”
“I didn’t know your name, and it stuck.”
“Same here.” He looks me over again. “Butterfly. How long do I have you for?”
“Roughly two hours.”
“Perfect. Two hours is plenty of time to do what I have planned for you.”
“And what do you have planned for me?”
“Come. Dance with me.” He’s already reaching for my hand.
“Dance?”
“Yes. Let’s start with that.”
He takes my hand, and my fingers slide into his. The moment they touch, something familiar but no less dangerous sparks.
Levi turns and guides me through the crowd. Bodies part for us without thought, and people are staring.
