Page 49 of Tempting Levi
He strode after the woman trying to leave him. “Emily,” he said. “The whole reason I said anything is because I don’t want to hurt you.”
She stopped but wouldn’t look at him. “Don’t worry about it. I’m a big girl.” She continued walking and pushed open the employee exit, disappearing into the night.
His chest burned. He pitched his fingers low on his hips, chin sinking toward his chest. What had he done? This felt all wrong. The last thing he wanted was to upset her. But that was the only way this could have ended. He’d known that. He’d simply ignored it because he’d wanted her.
Emily deserved better. More. He just couldn’t give it.
Only, he didn’t want anyone else giving it to her either.
And suddenly, after all these years, the quiet, studious girl he’d once forgotten was the one woman he might never forget.
Chapter 22
No way couldLevi go home after what happened in Emily’s office—and nearly on her desk. Jumping in the lake wasn’t enough. He texted his brothers. He even included Hunt in the message, he was that desperate.
They’d agreed to meet up at Blue Casino, ironically, given the problems Blue was causing Club Tahoe. Blue was hosting a big event, and Adam and Hayden were still working despite the late hour, so Adam had asked everyone to meet in the nightclub.
Levi didn’t bother changing. He walked into the casino’s nightclub and spotted Adam and the rest of his brothers in the lounge area. The volume inside was deafening, the place crowded and packed for the event—which look liked some kind of disco theme—but Adam had secured them a reserved table in the corner.
Adam stared as Levi approached. “What’s up? Why the emergency drinks?”
Levi took the seat that faced the room. Watching drunken people in seventies wear seemed as good a way to get his mind off Emily as anything. “I didn’t say there was an emergency.”
Bran absently pushed his fingers through his blond hair, receiving an admiring look from the woman who sat at the table next to them. “No, you said in the text message, ‘Meet up ASAP,’ which we took to mean emergency, but not of the life-threatening variety.”
Levi drummed his fingers on the table. So he’d been desperate for his brothers’ support. Which he was second-guessing by the minute. They’d give him a hard time, and he couldn’t talk about what was actually bothering him.
Adam sipped what looked like a girly blue cocktail. “Spill it, already.”
“Nothing to spill.” Levi eyed the drink in Adam’s hand. “Aren’t you a little old for Smurf drinks?”
Adam frowned. “Do you want our help or not? Because Hayden’s upstairs and I wouldn’t mind pulling her in the office supply room for a quick break. And for the record, this is Blue’s signature martini. You should try one.”
Levi stared out at the bodies. “There’s a…situation, but I can’t talk about it.”
“Fuck, Levi,” Wes said. “Quit being coy. We don’t have all night.” He lifted his chin toward Bran. “Flash your pretty eyes at the waitress. I need another beer, and my smolder isn’t working. God knows why. Must be too busy in here.”
Bran shook his head. “And you think I’ll have better luck?”
They all responded at once, “Yes.”
“Just smile at her,” Wes said. “And hurry up. I’m getting parched. If Levi dragged us here just to sit there silently brooding, I’ll need a few more drinks before I go in for the kill on that foursome of women in the corner.”
Hunt had remained silent since Levi sat down, but he chimed in at Wes’s comment. “I’ll join you, brother.”
Wes slid him a look. “I’m not Levi. I don’t plan on sharing the women.”
Levi glared. “I don’tshare.” His tone was dark. He was a hairsbreadth from injuring one of them. This had been a bad idea.
Bran shook his head and frowned. “You know, Wes, Levi was right the other day. You and Hunt are out of control.”
Ignoring him, Wes glanced to the side and tipped his head. “There she is. Get her attention.”
Bran huffed out a breath, but he looked at the waitress and shot her a smile.
She spun in their direction, an extra sway in her hips.
Wes chuckled. “Told ya.”
