Chapter 2
Levi
“You held up production on one of T.V.’s top ranked shows of the year to get a date?” Calen Connelly, my best friend, questions with bewilderment still in his voice.
I lean back in the round booth seat. “It was romantic. I would think you of all people would get that.”
Dude’s a total fucking sap. He once took a chick on a helicopter ride of the city for Valentine’s Day, and they weren’t even dating! Nope. They weren’t even weekend hook-ups. It was just this chick in our apartment building he had been crushing on, basically since we moved in. She’d been dumped by her boyfriend, so he used his rebound opportunity like a champ. Or maybe a chump considering how it all went down. He blew his load without ever getting to blow his load. Dropped a shit ton of cash trying to win her, and she used the date as ammo to make her ex jealous. Which worked. They got back together two days later. I should remind him of that humiliation now to stop his bitching about my tiny act of romance. You saw it. That shit was romantic.
“Do I need to explain to you the difference between romance and stalking again?”
His retort grabs a chuckle out of me. “Do you really think what I did was too much or are you just pissed off I changed our plans last minute?”
“That was a dick move.”
When I demanded Kadence come meet me for a drink the fact my best friend was coming to town for the weekend had escaped my memory. I didn’t think he’d mind skipping live music and beach bunnies for the night. Apparently I was wrong.
“If it makes you feel better, she’s bringing a friend with her.”
“It doesn’t.”
“It should.”
“But it doesn’t.”
I drop my hands into my lap. “Tonight’s on me.”
“All of it?”
“Every last dime.”
Calen cocks a crooked grin and lifts his finger in the air to summon our waitress. When she arrives he requests, “Can I get a glass of top shelf whiskey and lime?”
Asshole.
“Whiskey preference?”
“Wilcox.”
“Single or tall?”
“Tall.”
The adorable blonde offers him a polite smile and turns to me. “Anything for you, sir?”
I decline with a shake of the head.
Once she’s out of sight, I toss him a sharp stare. “Now who’s a dick?”
“Still you,” he insists on a laugh. “So, what is it about this chick anyway? She just really hot or is this mainly about the challenge she presented by initially rejecting you? Could you tell me that part of the story again? It’s my fucking favorite.”
That was a bit on the surprising side. Typically, it’s me who has to do the denying, politely of course. I mean I’m not a complete asshole. Hey. Hey. Flaking out on dude’s night at the beach to potentially end up in the sheets with a sexy little number, doesn’t make me an asshole. It makes me selfish. I can live with that. Besides, I have no doubt an evening with Kadence is going to be more entertaining than beach boy classics with chicks too young to realize just how old those songs truly are.
“From the moment we started talking…,” a smile helplessly crawls onto my face, “it was like I couldn’t get enough of her. She’s sexy. She’s funny. I’d put my money on smart.” With another shrug, I add, “I don’t know, man. There’s just something there I can’t exactly explain.”
Intrigue lifts his eyebrows.
“Something I haven’t felt in a really really long time.”
Seven years to be exact.
The waitress places the beverage in front of Calen before sauntering away to deliver the other drinks on her tray.
I take the opportunity to veer us away from a subject that would put a damper on the entire evening. “What the hell is a whiskey and lime?”
“Whiskey, lime soda and a lime wedge.”
“Why the fuck wouldn’t you just drink it straight?”
“You should worry less about what I’m drinking and more about which credit card you’re gonna use to pay for it.”
The playful reminder of my earlier promise receives a smirk.
Benefit of being a well-paid actor on a high grossing television show. Blowing a few hundred bucks to make a good impression on a first date doesn’t even register. Then again, I know Calen. He’ll go out of his way to make sure it does. Nah. It’s not because he’s a dickhead. It’s because it’s a rarity I go through this much trouble for a woman on a date. This shit will end up in my personal history book, most likely with an idiotic title. ‘Throwing a Fit to Snag the First Date’. Oh, and if this doesn’t go well? The epic fail will warrant a follow up chapter. ‘Dating Disasters from The Overly Confident’. Laugh all you want, but she said yes. And she said yes because despite whatever bizarre bullshit rules she has about hooking up with actors, she was just as interested in me as I was her.
Suddenly, I spot Kadence and Lani strolling through the far entrance of the upscale bar. It only takes a brief moment before her brown eyes find mine. She shoots me a slightly shy smile knocking out all the air from my lungs.
How does she do that to me every time she grins?
Calen instantly notices the change in my focus and follows my line of sight. To my surprise his voice is equally airy. “Is that them?”
My lips remain closed. “Mmhm.”
“Tell me, she’s the one wearing no sleeves.”
“Mmhm.”
“Good.”
Wait. Why did he say good?
The two women begin what feels like a slow motion strut to the table. Kadence’s beautiful body is showcasing curves I don’t recall seeing earlier in her jeans and Wicked t-shirt. Her sleeveless black dress leaves no gap for my eyes to burrow themselves between her tits, but has a slit high enough to have me mentally debating all night whether or not she’s wearing panties.
Is she? Do you know? What do you mean you wouldn’t tell me even if you did?
As soon as they’re close enough, I’m up on my feet, and greeting her with a wide grin. “Hey.”
Another bashful expression graces her face. “Hey.”
Our eyes linger in one another’s.
Damn, she’s breathtaking. We’re talking literally breath taking. Feels like I can’t breathe. Like I don’t know how anymore.
Her smile reaches her ears.
And now I do….
Calen sharply clears his throat, and I attempt to shake the feeling. “Calen meet Kadence, the beautiful woman I hit with a door today.” She gives him a small wave. “And Lani, her best friend, who deserves an award for not bitch slapping Miranda with a script.”
Lani rolls her eyes. “If I had to work with that woman every day I would quit this business and fucking train seals. They’re easier to train than she is.”
Calen casually states, “It can actually take quite a bit of time to train those creatures to do the tricks they do.”
She hits him with a sarcastic smile. “Hence. The joke.”
“Oh you knew that,” he meekly replies.
“I know a lot about marine animals.”
His eyes widen in excitement. “Yeah? Me too. Why don’t we go chat about it at the bar?”
“Do waitresses not come to the table at this place?”
Lani’s sarcasm receives a snicker from me, but an elbow from Kadence.
Her resistance remains until Calen smoothly says, “Drinks and food are on Levi all night. Wanna help me take advantage of his stupidity?”
“Absolutely.” She devilishly smirks and turns her sneer to me. “It’s his fault I’m fucking starving in the first place. Skipping dinner to meet the two of you wasn’t how I wanted my Friday night to go.”
“Then how about we run up his tab to see if we can make it a bit better?”
Rather than defend myself or object to the ideas I bet are floating around their minds, I simply wait for them to stroll away before I wave a hand towards the booth to usher Kadence in.
She slides towards the middle, and I have to restrain myself from getting too close.
What is wrong with me? I’ve been on first dates before. Hell, I go on ‘em all the time! Okay, not usually with the intention to have a second date or a third or even really more than a good glass of something strong and a night of something easy, but that’s neither here nor there. I shouldn’t be this nervous. This…fucking unsure of myself. Seriously, am I too close? Not close enough? Why are my palms sweating?
My mouth moves to speak but my mind instantly goes blank when she pulls her thick, wavy brown hair to the side of her face.
God, I just wanna lean over, wrap my hand around her neck, and kiss her. Is it too soon for that? Yeah. Yeah. Stupid fucking question. She’s not that kinda woman. It’s probably another reason why I like her.
I adjust my posture. “So, I gotta know right away.”
Her brown eyes widen in question.
“NYPD Blue?”
Kadence immediately snickers and nods. “Oh yeah. And let’s not forget the original Law and Order.”
“There was no one else in the world like Jack McCoy.”
“Absolutely agree.”
“What about Miami Vice?”
“Like an addict,” she answers on another giggle. “Pretty much any cop show my dad could get his hands on, he was obsessed with. I think he desperately wanted to be a detective when he was a kid, but couldn’t ever get past the possibility of getting shot.”
We exchange a light laugh. Immediately after, I ask, “What’s he do for a living?”
“He teaches Criminology at Clover Rose University.”
“Guess he basically took the old phrase ‘those who can’t do teach’ to heart, huh?”
She nods at the same time the waitress returns to our table.
“Hello, my name is Spring. Can I get you anything to drink?”
Yep. Forgot that was her name. Well, not her real name. It’s the name she took on to try to make it in the world of acting. The one she ‘reinvented’ herself with. Apparently, Sarah wasn’t good enough.
Kadence presses her lips momentarily together to hold back a smirk.
If only she knew the whole story….
Once it’s clear she’s gained her composure, she orders, “Whiskey and Coke with a splash of cherry.”
“Whiskey preference?”
“Wilcox.”
Popular choice.
“And for you sir?”
“Make it two.” I hold up a hand to stop her from exiting and toss a concerned look at Kadence. “Lani mentioned you two didn’t get a chance to grab dinner. Do you wanna order an appetizer or something? They’ve got great fried clam strips here and this really spicy, but really good, hot crab dip.”
“Let’s do both.”
I smile wildly over the fact she didn’t ask for a salad option. My face returns to the waitress. “And we’ll take one of each of those as well.”
Spring gives us a curt nod, turns on her heels, and saunters off towards the bar.
As soon as Kadence’s attention arrives back to me, my heart thumps harshly. “Your turn, pretty boy. What does your dad do for a living?”
“Hold on. You think I’m pretty?”
Promptly, she retorts, “You are with makeup.”
Her well executed punch back receives a laugh as well as a nod of commendation. “My dad works for Spike’s Shack.”
“The seafood market?”
“Yeah. He’s a customer service manager. He hangs in the main part of the market, makes sure customers are having a good time and those that aren’t get directed to somewhere down the road where they might feel more comfortable.”
Her smile illuminates our dim back booth. “Does he sing the song?”
“At the top of his lungs like any true South Haven native.” Another giggle leaves her, which is when I add, “Working at Spike’s was actually my first job.”
“Shut up….”
“I’m serious. I was one of the guys who had to stand out in the courtyard dressed as the lobster in a leather jacket with an inflatable guitar.”
“Rock Lobster!”
My face becomes slightly red. “That was me.”
“I love Rock Lobster! Oh my gosh! And the dance he does when the song comes on….Hilarious!”
Spring places our drinks down in front of us. “Also, humiliating.”
Kadence snickers and gives my arm a comforting squeeze. The air in my lungs dissipates without a second thought. “We all had shit first jobs. I swept up hair, food crumbs, and condom wrappers from the floor of the backroom at a theater every night one summer. Believe me when I say it was more like a Midsummer’s Nightmare than a dream.”
On another laugh, I lift my glass up for a toast. “To shit first jobs.”
“To shit first jobs.”
We clink, take a drink, and present each other with a small smile.
Kadence places her beverage to the side and flops her face into the palm of her hand. “I’ll be honest.…I think you’re way too attractive to be Rock Lobster.”
“I wasn’t always.”
“Puberty was good to you then.”
“Scientific marvel,” I joke between sips. “You should see my baby pictures.”
Her eyes brighten along with her smile.
Can’t believe how easily I am just selling myself out like this. It’s been years since I’ve been this comfortable talking to someone outside of my two best friends. Even then, I don’t recall things with her feeling this easy. This…natural.
Reining in my runaway tongue, I slyly state, “Your smile is gorgeous.”
All of a sudden she rolls her eyes, drops her hand, and shakes head. “And there’s your answer.”
“My answer to what?”
“Why I don’t date actors.”
“Because you hate compliments?”
“Because you’re all full of shit.”
Sensing I may have created an unwanted wave in our smooth sailing….
Kadence reaches for her glass. “You’re trained liars. Trained con artist. You spend years perfecting the art of deception, which makes it so easy for you to spout lines like the one you just did.”
Defensively, I snap, “But it wasn’t a line!”
Our eyes lock and her actions freeze. The intensity of her stare sends my heart racing again. In a soft tone, she sighs, “And you’re so good at what you do that I almost believe you.”
Here’s a little secret. I can only recall one other time a woman refused to date me because of my profession. What? No. We’re not gonna talk about her. But I will admit she was the only other person I felt a real connection to in the love department.
“Aside from the shit actors say to get women in the sheets, you typically treat them with the same respect you do used condoms. Once you’re done, you flush ‘em and move on. For most of you monogamy is nothing more than a front for the press or in some cases nothing more than just a cruel joke with a shitty punch line.”
My level of irritation rises. “You think if this turned into something I wouldn’t be faithful?”
She grows a smug smirk. “Not at all.”
Okay. So maybe Calen is right. Maybe this is some sort of fucked up self-challenge, ‘cause I swear the more this woman pushes me away and claims I’m just another asshole, the more I wanna prove her wrong. The more determined I am to prove her wrong. The more I will do everything I possibly can to prove her wrong. Hm. Is a momentary vow of celibacy too much? Perhaps a chastity jock strap? What? No, this shit between us is just like surfing. I’m gonna go hard or go home. If I’m bringing out my board I’m not leaving the water until maximum high of the action is achieved. And yeah. I’m prepared to wade in the water all fucking day for the perfect wave to arrive.
Kadence continues to create unpleasant currents, “You’re not the Hugh Jackman type.”
“What the hell does that mean?”
“He’s been with the same woman for like forever.” She wraps her lips around her straw and my mind instantly wishes it was my cock.
It would work equally well at shutting her up about her asinine theory concerning men in the movie industry. Not to mention it would probably feel fantastic.
“Alright.” I push my drink to the side. “I’ll play along with this little outrageous analogy. I assume you are the Hugh Jackman type-”
“Absolutely.”
“Making me more of the…?”
“Justin Timberlake pre Beil.”
“He’s not even an actor!”
Kadence tosses her head back in laughter banishing the indignation yet again. Completely captivated by her smile, her lips, the way her hair dangles in the position, I do my best to casually adjust my cock and gain my composure.
Seriously. What the hell is wrong with me? Do I need a good slap to the dick? There have to be at least ten women in this tacky decorated bar alone who would trip over themselves to have a drink with me, but I refuse to leave the one who can’t stop rejecting me? Fuck, this feels strangely similar to the days my boys used to bitch at me for staying in the water when I knew damn well it was too calm for anything good. Yeah. I guess you could call me stubborn. No. Not stupid. Stubborn.
When her chuckling has finally run out of fumes, she argues, “Technically JT Lake is a singer and an actor.”
“Why did you shorten his name like you’re on a best friend’s basis?”
“How do you know we’re not?”
Unsure of how to counter the question, I fumble my way around until I bite, “I’m not like him.”
“Because you can’t sing?” The joke receives a harsh glower, which prompts her to roll her eyes again, humor right on the edge of her expression. “Why are you taking this so hard?”
“Because I know you’re wrong.”
“About your lack of faithfulness or about how you run through women like gym shorts?”
“Being faithful.”
“But you do just sleep with woman after woman?” Before I’ve a chance to answer, she angles her body to the side and braces her leg on the booth seat. “Humor me. When’s the last time you had a second date?”
Spring delivers our dip, napkins, and plates before explaining the wait for clam strips is due to a backed up kitchen. Directly after, she dismisses herself, which is when Kadence scoops up dip and has an immediate bite.
I allow her a moment to enjoy the delicious treat; enthralled with her euphoric reaction as much as being relieved she’s finally getting the opportunity to eat something.
Didn’t think a drink would somehow force her to skip dinner.
“Do you even remember what a second date is?” She reaches for a napkin to wipe her hands. “It’s the one that comes after the initial booze and schmooze to help get her out of that teeny tiny designer dress.” Her chiding continues without hesitation. “The one that requires you to use your overly manicured fingers to call her again.”
I shift in my seat extremely uncomfortable by the interrogation. “I don’t have an exact answer.
“Ballpark me.”
“Probably four or five months ago?”
Her brown eyes sadden despite her best efforts to stop them. “And the last time you just hooked up?”
“Four or five days ago.”
“Wow, you’re slutty.”
Appalled and impressed at her bluntness, I slightly chuckle. “Did you just call me slutty?”
Are you saying it too?
Kadence shakes her head in disgust. “That’s….Wow.”
“What’s the big deal? I like to have a good time!”
“And I like not being just another nameless ass up in the air.”
Thoughts of her ass backing into me have me rushing to proclaim she wouldn’t be.
I plan to write my name on much more than her sweet ass. Huh. Good point. Probably not the most romantic phrasing.
Kadence drags her glass over and gives it her attention as if too disgusted to even look at me. “Look Levi, I appreciate the drink, the food, and the laughs, but I’m really really not interested in having a fling or being flung or flipped. None of that is my future. None of that fits the five year plan. None of that has ever fit into my life plans. Sorry.” The moment her face lifts I know the words that are coming next. “I should go….”
My hand desperately lands on hers in protest. “Kadence wait.”
Her bottom lip tucks itself between her teeth preventing a whimper.
Glad she hates my guts, but enjoys my touch.
“You sat here and grilled me like an expensive ribeye. The least you can do is stick around to finish your drink, enjoy the great food, and pick the pieces of my soul out of your teeth.”
Kadence lets the corner of her lip kick upward. “You really think you’re expensive?”
I chuckle at the retort to the joke and shrug. “I think I’m a good cut of meat. Definitely, good enough to finish your whiskey and coke with.”
To my surprise, she grabs another chip and scoops up more dip. “Fine.”
Not quite the agreement I was hoping for, but I’m with ya. Beggars can’t be choosers.
Silence only momentarily slips between us.
“What’s the five year plan?”
“Are you really that slow?”
Think she’ll always be this difficult?
“Correction. What’s your five year plan?”
She runs her finger around the rim of her glass slowly as if in contemplation.
Anxious to prolong her presence, I push, “Tell me everything.”
“Okay.” Kadence scoots a bit closer, revisiting her previous sitting position. “In the next five years, I plan to hit these bullet points. I’m gonna move up in my career-”
“Which is?”
“I design book covers for romance and erotic novels.”
Did not see that coming.
Unfortunately, she soars past the opportunity for questions, “I’m gonna make more money. I’m worth it. I know I’m worth it. I know my boss knows I’m worth it. I just have to continue to play my cards in the right order to get the correct recognition I deserve, which will inevitably deliver a boost to my income.”
I join her in enjoying the dip. “Totally understand that.”
“I’m gonna own my own house or at the very least own it with my significant other-”
“You currently rent one?”
“Not exactly. One of my best friends owns it and the rest of us happen to live in it.” Once again the door for questions is shut. “I plan to have a significant other who has his shit together. A stable job. Stable finances. His own place. No previous baby mama baggage, though I’m not opposed to helping raise kids from a previous relationship. He just needs to be prepared to grow that family between us.”
“And by family you don’t mean like adopting eight cats, do you?”
The offense receives a snide smirk. “I’m more a dog kind of person. Dogs like to cuddle.”
“I do too.”
Her cheeks rosy.
I take a risk by shifting into the same sitting position she is. Our knees lightly knock, daring my dick to join the already unsteady conversation.
“Your turn to humor me, Kadence.”
“Kady.”
My smile reappears at the invitation to call her by her nickname.
Maybe my chance hasn’t completely drowned yet.
“Kady.” After letting our eyes linger for a moment, I ask, “Why was it that fun wasn’t fun listed?”
“Excuse me?”
“Fun.”
Her eyebrows furrow.
“All the stuff you listed was like…boring life textbook style milestones. Expected every day type of bullshit. Why didn’t you mention anything resembling fun as opposed to everything easily labeled as societal obligations?”
It’s her turn to grow an uncomfortable look.
“You remember what fun is, right? It’s having drinks at an overpriced bar, but biting the bullet because you like the company.”
She presses her lips firmly together.
“It’s trying new shit that excites you while terrifying the hell out of you like rock climbing or cliff jumping. It’s the shit that gets your heart racing like making out during a cab ride in Amsterdam or stealing a kiss in front of the Eiffel Tower.” She glances away, but I use the tip of my finger to turn her attention back to me. The fact she isn’t pulling away from me builds more courage to lean in closer. “When’s the last time you were kissed, Kady?”
Her mouth cracks open yet an answer never braves its way out.
Instead of rushing to reassure her with words how attractive she is, how worthy she is of always being kissed, I let my lips do the demonstrating. As soon mine brush against hers the softest whimper is freed.
I wanna make that shit my ringtone.
Our tongues lightly collide at the same time my hand glides to the nape of her neck. I keep the pressure soft. The speed slow. The intensity strong, yet sensual. Each time our tongues touch I find myself more and more desperate to have every drop of her.
I abruptly pull back before things lead down the trail she accused me earlier of being the only one I ever travel. The sight of her slightly swollen lips and rapidly rising chest tempt me to abandon the need to prove her wrong.
Can’t I prove her wrong by just calling her for a second date? Do I really have to- But- You’re not gonna let me finish, are you? I know. I know. I just need to fucking suit up and take it to the water. Just be grateful to ride that wave whenever it comes. Oh…make no mistake. It will come. Again and again and again until she can’t walk the next day.
With a wide smile, I give the side of her neck a slow stroke. “What do you say, we order another round, enjoy the clam strips that look like they’re headed over, and you tell me more about the things you secretly wish were on your plan, but were banished for being too much fun?”
A little more redness creeps into her cheeks.
“And then on our next date, or as you call it the second date, I’ll grill you like expensive ass salmon about why you haven’t been out on a date in….What? A month?”
“Nine.”
“Tell me you’re denying my request in German.”
Embarrassment floods her expression as she shakes her head.
I plant another kiss on her lips, this one short and sweet. “Definitely on the docket for date two. For now, let’s stick to the stuff that makes you smile.”
Kady places her hand on my thigh and mine instantly falls to keep it company. “You mean like hanging out with you?”
With mirth in my tone, I question, “Now who’s running lines on who?”
We both laugh and she snatches her hand away to give me a playful swat.
I want a second date with her. And a third. And a seventh. And to kiss her in front of that damn monument. Think I can make my way into her plans, so she’ll let me?