I was quickly coming to realize that if Lev wanted your attention, he’d fight for it. I blinked, face-to-face with Lev, his hands on either side of my thighs. “Hi.”
He winced. “Hello.”
It was then that I noticed he was in pain and my heart panged. “What’s wrong?”
He shook his head but spoke through gritted teeth. “Headache. I’d like to leave now.”
“Okay.” I lifted my hands and touched his neck lightly while running the other over his forehead. He was a little warm. “But first, can I try something?” I ran my hands through his hair, gently using my thumbs to circle along his temples. He groaned out loud. When I thought he could stand more pressure, I pressed harder. His eyes closed and his lips parted as I massaged his temples.
Without warning, he stepped closer, a frown at his brow, fitting himself into the space between my knees, snaking his arms around my waist and resting his forehead in the center of my chest, moaning as I went about my ministrations.
He greedily snatched my attention, and I loved every moment of it. I loved that he took what he needed from me.
I placed soft kisses at the crown of his head and held onto him, my legs wrapping around his waist. After five minutes of massage, I released his temples and wrapped my arms around his shoulders, trying not to think about his crotch being so close to mine.
We stayed in that embrace for a long while after, just relishing in the warm glow we had created in each other.
After a minute, Lev lifted his head, his arms still holding me. His eyes sleepy and his hair messy, I couldn’t wait anymore. There would be no other moment as perfect as now. “Better?”
He grunted while nodding.
I smiled, cupping his cheeks. “Good.” Then I drew his face toward me, meeting him halfway and pressing my lips to his in a soft but deep kiss.
The arms around me tightened and pulled me closer. Our places of desire met full force.
I moaned, sliding my arms around his neck and pressing myself up against him, needing more of him. My head was swimming. This was the kiss I was hoping for and so much more. It was Lev in his purest form.
His hand came up and he gripped my chin between his thumb and forefinger, lifting my face to take more of my lips. His tongue, warm and sweet, dipped into my mouth and met mine in a delicious greeting.
That was when the wolf whistle sounded, followed by a rowdy bunch of hoots and chuckles.
We parted, looking around us, finding almost everyone looking over at us from all around the room, laughing at our private show. Including Anika. And she looked ready to burst into tears.
My cheeks flamed and, burying my face into Lev’s collar, I groaned in discomfiture. Lev’s chest shook in what I did not believe to be silent laughter as he ran his large hands soothingly down my back. After all, Lev didn’t laugh.
Hell, he barely smiled.
“Can we go home yet?” I muffled into his shirt.
Strong hands at my waist lifted me down to the ground, and I wrapped an arm around Lev’s waist, still embarrassed. We made our way to the car, saying goodbye to the people around us, when someone stepped out of the shadows.
Lev pushed me behind him in a harsh way and it frightened me. “Laredo,” he growled.
Sasha rushed forward, reaching into his pocket to retrieve a pistol. My eyes widened. Sasha barked, “You got some nerve, old man.”
Vik came rushing over, ever the peacekeeper, throwing his arm in front of Sasha. “Put that away. You’re going to kill someone.”
Nas came closer to stand beside me. She lifted her nose at the man who stood in front of Lev’s car. “Uncle Laredo.”
The older man smiled at her. “You haven’t called me that in a long time, Nastasia.” He looked saddened. “I’ve missed you.” He looked around to Sasha and Lev. “All of you.”
I peeked around Lev to the man named Laredo, and from the way he looked at me, he was as curious about me as I was about him. When his eyes met mine, I pulled back to hide behind Lev’s broad back before hissing to Nas, “Laredo is your uncle?”
“By marriage,” she explained. “Laredo married my father’s sister, my Aunt Alina. She died young.” She grinned, but it was harsh. “Then he had an affair with my mother.”
I peeked around Lev, gasped, and spoke to the man himself. “You did? That’s not cool!”
He shrugged weakly. “We were both lonely.” He looked to Nas. “And if you’ll remember, I was the one who ended it and brought the matter to your father.” He shook his head. “I never meant to hurt anyone. Talya was there for me in the saddest time of my life. We both took advantage of the attention, and we both regretted it sorely. Your mother especially.”