“You’d be fine without me. Those men were just pussies,” Levi replied, running a hand through his hair.
“I can tell,” Lyra replied.
She watched as his eyes lingered on her own for a moment, and Lyra was smitten. Levi was hot, and he knew it. He kept his eyes on her, his smile never leaving his lips and his eyes doing all of the talking. Lyra felt it too, but wondered who would make the first move. She took her drink and downed most of it in one go.
“Wow, strong drinker,” Levi replied. “Burn through it fast?”
“Doesn’t even faze me,” Lyra replied. She couldn’t read the man, as hard as she tried. He was different from all of the other humans she had met. He seemed strong, passionate, and almost invincible. Levi was fierce and unafraid, and from what she had seen, he could handle himself in the face of danger. A man like that was a strong catch, and would make a perfect shifter. His swagger and charm were astonishing as well, the early telltale signs of a strong leader, someone who could be a potential mate for her. “Shots?”
“If you can hold it.” Levi smiled, waving at the bartender as he put down four glasses. “Keep it coming.”
They took their first shots together, and Lyra pretended to feel the burn. As a shifter, her body broke down the alcohol from the moment it entered her mouth, and she didn’t feel anything. Levi seemed to have the same reaction, setting down the shot glass with ease, almost as though he had just drunk water. “What brings you to Belton?”
“What makes you think I’m new in town?” Lyra shot back, squinting as she listened to his heartbeat, checking to see if he would lie.
“Small town, everyone comes here. I would have seen you before.”
“Oh, so you see a lot of girls come through here,” Lyra smirked.
“Yeah, but none as interesting as you,” Levi replied, reaching for the second shot glass. Lyra did the same.
“All you know is my name. How do you know I’m interesting?”
They drank at the same time, and Lyra faked being stung by the spirit again. Levi was unfazed and Lyra went wild, struggling to hold back her excitement. The bartender refilled the shots as Levi laughed.
“Gut instinct.” He reached across the bar and touched her fingertips. His fingers felt hot—a good sign, as they would be cold if he were nervous. “Am I right?”
“Well, maybe you are.”
“So are you?” Levi pressed, pushing the next shot glass to her and taking one for himself. “Let me know when it’s too much.”
“I’ve been here a few times, to Belton.” Lyra paused and drank, setting the glass down without reacting to the drink. Levi raised an eyebrow and smiled as she continued. “I just haven’t been to this corner of town yet. Glad I came.”
“I’m glad too,” Levi replied. “I wouldn’t have met you if you didn’t.”
“Well, Levi. I’m glad I met you too.”
Levi held up his glass, and she lifted hers. “To meeting new people.”
“And to keeping them in our lives,” Lyra replied, and they both took their shots.
As Lyra put down the glass, Levi stared at her again. Their heads were less than a seat apart, and she had started to lean closer to him. She held her breath and shot a glance down at his lips. His eyes darted to hers, and to her lips, asking the question they both had in their heads. Levi leaned in, putting a hand behind her neck, and pulled her in for the kiss.
Lyra felt a wave of heat run through her body. His lips were soft, slowly caressing her own, the taste of alcohol lingering in the warmth of their kiss. Lyra made a fist, trying to stop herself from pulling him closer. She wanted him—she felt the power in his pull. His hands grabbed her firmly, and his tongue pushed against hers, taking her without ceasing.
Levi pulled away, smiling as he stared at her. Lyra felt her heartbeat quicken as she realized just how much she wanted this man. She pulled out her purse and placed it down on the counter, waving the bartender to come over and hand her the bill.
Levi raised an eyebrow, confused. “What are you doing? Don’t worry, I got it,” he replied, reaching to get his wallet, but the bartender had taken Lyra’s money already. Levi turned to see a look of fierce desire etched into her face. He reached out, taking her hand.
“Let’s go,” said Levi, smirking to himself as Lyra followed behind, laughing.
“Go where?” she asked.
He turned around with a deviously sexy smile on his lips. “My place, your place…any place with a bed.”
Chapter 1 - Lyra
Eight Years Later