Page 59 of Cocky Prince
“Club Tahoe hosts proms from time to time,” he says. “I just thought you might have been here before.”
“I was only a sophomore when I left. I didn’t go to proms until after I moved. Not that I would have been high on anyone’s list as a prom date in this town.”
He frowns and squeezes my waist. “We’ll pretend this is your Lake Tahoe prom.” He quirks his brow and ushers me toward the bar. “Let’s get you a drink and see if I can corrupt my prom date.”
“Is that how you were in high school?” I’m only half joking, because it actuallywasthe impression I had of him back then.
He flashes me a grin. “Only with the girls who didn’t mind being corrupted.”
I feign affrontedness. “And do I look like that kind of girl?”
He places an order for us with the bartender, then looks down, his face suddenly serious. “You’re not like anyone, Hayden.” Adam tips up my chin and kisses me lightly, one protective arm banded around my waist.
I’m staring into his gorgeous blue eyes, reading all sorts of silent meaning behind his words—when a pair of broad shoulders squeezes in beside us.
Adam turns, his face broadening into a smile. “Levi. What are you doing here?”
The man named Levi has on a sports coat similar to Adam’s, and his shirt is light blue, the same color as his eyes.
Adam’s eyes are ocean blue with gray-green framing the edges. Yup, I’ve paid attention. Particularly since we’ve gotten closer and Adam’s eyes have left their hypnotic mark while luring me in for a kiss. Okay, fine, there wasn’t a lot of luring required.
In addition to the jacket and slacks, Levi is also wearing a cast on one leg from his knee down.
“About time you got here,” Levi says.
“Me?” Adam chuckles. “I’m surprised you dragged your ass out for the occasion.”
Levi releases a deep sigh and shakes his head. “The old man called a half a dozen times. Decided it would be better to show up than bear any more of his calls.”
“Smart move.” Adam turns to me, his arm still wrapped around my back. “Hayden, this is my older brother, Levi.”
“Nice to meet you,” I say, taking in the resemblance. They are of equal height, and very handsome, though Adam’s hair is slightly darker and longer on top. Where Adam fits in naturally at Club Tahoe, Levi shifts his shoulders and looks uncomfortable in his sports coat, as though he’d rather be anywhere else.
“The pleasure is mine, though I am wondering why such a beautiful and sophisticated woman is wasting her time on this sorry specimen I call my brother.”
“He promised to get me liquored up,” I deadpan, because I get the sense that the banter Adam and I engage in is a part of the Cade charm.
Levi shakes his head at Adam, clearly enjoying my comment. “Classy, Adam. You’ve resorted to fraternity tactics.” He looks at me again. “When you need me, I’ll be at the bar. I love rescuing damsels in distress.”
“She’s got her hero right here,” Adam says, and hands me the chardonnay he ordered.
Levi makes a sound of disbelief in the back of his throat, but he’s smiling. He nods to an area across the room. “The others are over there.”
Adam’s eyes widen and he glances in the direction Levi indicated. “Everyone?”
“Everyone,”Levi says, and slowly makes his way back to the barstool he must have been occupying when we arrived.
Adam takes a sip of his drink—a gin and tonic, by the look of it, with the lime wedge—his gaze distracted.
“Everything okay?” I ask.
He kisses my forehead. I could get used to the affection he’s been dishing out now that we’re on kissing terms. “Fine. I just wasn’t expecting my brothers to be here. I’m normally the only one who attends these things.”
“Is it bad that they are?”
“Not at all. It’s only…surprising.”
I glance at Levi, sitting alone at the bar a few seats away, watching the bartender instead of the crowded room. “Why isn’t Levi with them?”
