Page 18 of Ace of Spades

He's not wrong. His snarky comments and no BS attitude definitely made his show skyrocket to the success that it had back in the day. It wouldn't have been as entertaining to watch if he was a pushover.

"Which brings me to you," he continues. "I think you should leave."

He seems almost mad that I'm still here. As if he'd hoped for a solo party clean up evening and I'm getting in the way of those plans.

"It's no problem, really."

"Not to you," he says, almost strained. "Please. Just… go."

What is his problem?

"You think I'm going to break one of your precious bikes?" I put a hand to my hip. "Because I can assure you,sir.I may look young, but I know my way around steel."

I can admit I'm totally aware of my double entendre. Because even if he might be twice my age, Levi Steele, very well might be the most attractive man I've ever laid eyes on.

I watched him on TV for years. Secretly crushing over the grumpy, ex-Army star that would always be too old for me.

But being here, in front of him—it's doing something to me that I was not expecting. And it emboldens me to do something I've never felt so compelled to do…push.

His eyes widen and he looks around, as if making sure there's nobody else in sight before he steps up to me.

"You should've left with Theo and Julian. Those are the kind of guys a girl like you should be around at this hour. Not alone, in a garage past midnight with a man twice your age."

Ah. And there it is.

He sees me as a kid. I'm stupid to think I'd be anything other than another teenager to this man.

"You think I'm too young to be alone with you, Mr. Steele?"

"You are too young." He says it, plain and simple. The coldness in the way he says it makes me want to push him even more.

I take a step closer; his cologne overtaking my senses again.

"Too young for what exactly?" I ask, arching a brow.

He stands what feels like two feet taller than me and I crane to look up at him.

"Too young for whatever it is you have floating through that pretty head of yours, Ms. Riley."

His hands have formed into fists at his side and his breathing is growing heavier.

Rising on my toes, I whisper to him, "You can tell yourself I'm too young." I watch as his body tenses—going completely still. "But that doesn't change the fact that you want me just as much as I want you. Does it, Mr. Steele?"

His breath hitches.

Dark, unreadable eyes flick to my lips for a fraction of a second. And that's all the proof I need, that I'm right.

Levi Steele finds me attractive. I feel my cheeks heat at the realization.

Our bodies are close enough to touch. The air hums around us as the seconds tick by at an agonizing speed without either of us making a move.

And if it drags on any longer, I'll think I imagined this entire interaction.

Suddenly, and without warning, both his hands grab onto my hips. My eyes shut, waiting for the feeling of his lips on mine.

But he doesn't pull me closer. He holds me in place—his thumbs digging into my sides.

And if I wasn't so incredibly turned on, I might actually be scared.

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