Page 110 of Stroke of Fate

“I should warn you now, Bear. I’m good at many things, but anything involving a ball, racket, or bat is not one of them,” Elsie says, her eyes begging me to tell her I’m any better.

“Shit,” I mumble, staring at her. “That’s not good. I suck at anything that involves hand-eye coordination.” My long legs make me feel like Bambi half the time, so sports never came naturally. “Pia’s super competitive.”

“We’re screwed. Macy doesn’t like to lose either.” Elsie groans. “And I hate beer.”

Accepting our inevitable doom, we wait for the game to start. The next hour is even worse than we expected. Elsie misses every shot, and my balls bounce all over the yard. We’ve downed half our beers before Macy or Pia have even touched theirs.

It’s gotten so bad that when Macy makes her next shot, she stops me from picking up the red solo cap.

“Please, let me take this one,” she practically begs, and I gladly hand her the lukewarm beer. She downs it in one go, not stopping for air until every drop is gone.

Elise sinks her next shot, and the small crowd around us cheers like she’s broken a world record. After a few more fumbles from our side, we manage to empty the cups. As we leave the beer pong table to head inside, a pair of strong arms snake around my waist, and a familiar scent engulfs me.

Levi’s head dips down, and I shiver when his breath fans over the shell of my ear. “Has anyone told you you’re the sexiest ballerina here tonight?”

Turning in his arms, he pulls me closer, and I melt into him, relishing the feel of his body against mine. It feels like Ihaven’t seen him in days, even though it’s barely been twenty-four hours.

My hands roam up his sculpted chest, a warm tingle spreading through my palms at the contact. I brush away a strand of damp hair that’s fallen onto his forehead. His black lashes frame his eyes, and I feel the familiar tug of lust deep in my belly whenever I look at him.

Unable to resist teasing him, I say, “Actually, a few people have.” I giggle when his mouth twists into a scowl. “But you’re the only one I want to hear it from.”

I lean up and kiss him, savoring the feel of his mouth on mine, the taste of minty toothpaste exploding on my tongue. I force myself to pull back far too quickly, aware that we're surrounded by people.

“Hi,” I whisper, my teeth sinking into my bottom lip.

“Hi, birthday girl,” he whispers back. “Are you having a good time?”

I nod. “The best, and it just got better.”

A group of guys dressed as skeletons barrel out of one of the doors, and Levi moves us out of their way.

Under the soft glow of an outside lamp, I finally notice the full extent of his costume, or rather thelack of one.

A half groan, half laugh escapes me. “That’s what you dressed up as?”

He’s wearing a black tee, a pair of goggles, and a gold medal around his neck.

A swimmer. He came as a swimmer.

“There was a bit of a time crunch.” He flashes me a cheeky grin, the kind I’m sure has gotten him out of trouble more than once.

“Is this from today?” I ask, fingering the ribbon of the medal.

He covers my hand with his own, bringing the manicured fingers to his lips before gently kissing them. “Yeah, missed you in the stands.”

“I was cheering you on in spirit. Proud of you.”

He captures my mouth again, sweet and slow. And my insides burn for him. A soft moan slips out, and this time, I can’t bring myself to care that we’re in public.

“Oi, lovebirds! Everyone’s waiting for you on the dance floor.” Mack calls from behind me.

Pulling away from me, Levi narrows his eyes at his friend. “Has anyone ever told you that you haveshitty timing?”

Mack barks out a laugh, handing Levi a beer. “Yes, you. Many times. Now, come on, I was told to find the birthday girl and bring her to her friends.”

He throws his arms around my shoulder and elbows Levi out of the way, earning him a low growl. But Mack only smirks at his friend.

“Happy birthday, Bear,” he says, leading us back inside.

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