Leveled: A Novella (Saints of Denver #0.5)(31)

He looked up at me, and when he looked at me like I was crazy, I tipped my head back and laughed, just happy to be sharing this moment with him. I stood, gathering some clothes and walking over to the bathroom. “One o’clock?”

He inclined his head. “One o’clock.”

Feeling equal amounts of relief and joy, I closed the door behind me and washed away my long night.

***

Mina



The morning dragged on, mainly because Mirella had taken Lidiya on a day excursion and I didn’t get to see the little sweetheart before they left. Nas came by around eleven, and without uttering a single syllable, she sat at Lev’s kitchen table, her humungous sunglasses covering her eyes, and threw a paper bag onto the table.

I huffed out a laugh and asked on a whisper, “Didn’t sleep well?”

She pulled off her glasses, wincing as sunlight touched her red eyes, but she smiled cunningly, “I didn’t sleep at all.”

It took me a second to get it. And when I did, I leaned over the table and shoved her. “You little skank. Was it anyone I know?”

She shrugged. “Probably.”

I stared at her. “And you’re not telling?” She shook her head, a Mona Lisa smile appearing on her lips. “Fine,” I said. “At least tell me if he was any good.”

“Mmmm,” she hummed, her eyes closing slowly. “It was exactly what I needed. He was incredible. A god.”

My lips pursed into a pout. “I want someone incredible. I want a god.” I blinked at her. “What is wrong with me?”

Nas chuckled. “By the look of it, you’re thirsty, kukla.”

“Huh?”

“You need a tall glass of water.”

I was starting to get a headache. I rubbed at my temples. “English, Nas. Please.”

She huffed out an annoyed sigh and shot me the stank eye. “You’re horny.”

“No, I’m not,” I objected a little too quickly.

“It’s totally natural to want the D, Mina. Nothing to be ashamed of. It’s been a long time. You’ve just got your life back.” She assured, “You’re twenty-four years old. It’s okay to want sex.”

I blinked down at the table, thinking hard. “You know, you’re probably right. But I think it’s not what I want at all. It’s just the idea of it is mighty appealing.” I snickered. “Knowing my luck, I’d hook up with the one guy who doesn’t know how to take a woman there. Then, of course, I’d fake it so he didn’t feel bad, and end up feeling twice as horny, going home and flicking the bean.” I grimaced. “Not ideal.”

Nas gawked at me, her eyes narrowed and her lip curled. Finally, she theorized, “You’re f*cking crazy.”

“I know,” I sighed.

I opened the bag on the table to find Ada had made a batch of her blueberry muffins. Even though I wanted to keep them all for myself, I reluctantly offered one to Nas, who snickered at my obviously forced offer. She took one anyway. We talked over a cup of coffee and I realized time flew as the back door opened.

Both Nas and I turned to watch Lev walk inside. He looked down at his sister and his hard eyes turned warm. “Good morning, Nastasia. Are you joining us for lunch?”

“Lunch?” She perked up. I spun around and scowled at her. Her brows rose in surprise. “I guess not.”

“Next time,” he muttered before turning to me. “I need to shower. We’ll leave in ten minutes.”

“Okay,” I breathed, staring directly at his t-shirt-covered broad chest.

When he left to walk up the stairs, Nas pinched me and whisper-hissed, “You have a thing for Lev!”

“Ow, that hurt!” I howled, rubbing at my arm. “I finally got the guts to ask him to lunch. We’re going to get to know each other.” I vowed, “I’m not letting him avoid me anymore. We’re going to be friends.”

Nas warned, “Lev doesn’t do friendship.”

I looked toward the doorway he walked out of. I declared resolutely, “Well, I’m going to change that.”




Nas left before Lev had finished showering, giving me a moment to apply a tinted moisturizer, mascara, and clear lip-gloss. I brushed my hair and left it down. It was no longer straight, rather cascading down my back in loose waves.

I changed into the navy blue sundress I’d bought two days prior after talking Nas into taking me to another thrift shop, throwing an eighties-style white blazer over the top and slipping on my white, low-heeled mary janes. Nas acted annoyed that I made her come, but she left with a stunning vintage Glomesh clutch circa the seventies.

I grinned at her. She spat oversensitively, “Hey, these are back in fashion!”

As we were leaving, Mirella pulled up into the driveway. She brought Lidiya out, and the moment she spotted her daddy, her arms went out toward him and she started babbling, “Otet! Otet! Otet!”

He looked to me then back to her, and I knew I was losing him. There was no competition when it came to Lidiya. I understood that. And to be honest, I respected that.

Rather than losing my lunch date, I placed my hand on his arm and hinted, “Maybe Mirella could do with an afternoon off.” At his confused look, I suggested, “Let’s take Lidiya with us. We’ll bring a picnic blanket, some of her toys, get some lunch, and eat it in the park.”