Chapter 12

LEVI

A hot shower and a quick jerk-off didn’t provide the relief I’d hoped for. The moment I descended the stairs and entered the studio, the sight of Diana bent over the soundboard, experimenting with the settings, brought the ache back as swiftly as the wind.

The hem of her black dress barely concealed the perfect curve of her ass. If she leaned forward any farther, I’d catch a glimpse of her underwear—

As if sensing my presence, and my eyes devouring her, Diana glanced over her shoulder. Our eyes locked for a moment, and it felt as if she shared an untold secret with me. Her gaze was filled with desire and promise.

She bent over farther, flipping the switch to illuminate the recording room. The light flickered on through the glass window, but my eyes remained riveted on her. Her dress rode up, revealing inches of her skin and the swell of her tantalizing ass.

My jaw locked, and my next breath froze in my lungs.

She wasn’t wearing any underwear at all.

“Oh, fuck me,” I whispered, my heart pounding as if it wanted to burst out of my chest.

Diana turned back to the soundboard, standing upright but leaving her dress bunched up around her ass. The ceiling lights illuminated her purple hair and the alluring contour of her body.

My knees felt weak with the desire to drop to the floor and sink my teeth into her perfectly plump behind. I yearned to sink my fingers into her soft hips and bury my tongue in the slit I’d caught a glimpse of.

“Your coffee is on the table,” she said dismissively, without giving me another glance.

Diana was acting as if my presence had no effect on her. Or perhaps she was purposefully teasing me, luring me in like a fish, and she was the bait I was more than willing to take.

In fact, I was positively eager to dive in and chase after her.

“Thanks for picking it up,” I said. I grabbed the green-and-white cup off the table and sank onto the couch. Sipping my coffee, I leaned back and unabashedly enjoyed watching her set up the computers and recording equipment.

Eventually, she spun around, leaning on the table. She crossed her arms and lifted a shoulder.

“Yeah, well, you looked like you needed it.”

A brief chuckle escaped me. “I did. You’ve been riding me hard over this song, so I stayed up practicing.”

“Really?” A spark of intrigue drew her closer. She took a step when I gestured at the mess.

“Yeah, that’s what all this is.” I reached forward and rustled a stack of paper.

“I’m glad you’re taking this seriously,” she commented. It was an offhand remark, but it stung more than she realized.

I set my cup on the table and sprang off the couch as if my pants were on fire. “Of course, I’m taking this seriously. What makes you think I’m not?”

Diana shook her head and turned away from me. She shrugged once and exhaled.

“I shouldn’t have said that.”

I rounded the coffee table and closed the distance into her personal space. Her breath hitched, and her brilliant eyes widened. She tipped her head back to keep me in her sight as I towered over her.

Diana was so much smaller than me. Petite and curvy, every inch of her a perfect handful.

Just like her attitude.

“You just can’t help yourself, can you, Diana?” I stepped closer, and the gentle warmth of her body radiated against my skin.

She gripped the edge of the table, mindful of the equipment. Her legs inched wider, and I moved in until my thigh settled between them. Fully chest to chest, her breasts pushed against me when she subtly arched into my body.

Goddamn, she wasn’t wearing a bra either.

Staring down at her, I fell into the depths of those jade-green eyes.

They were deeper than the sea, and if I didn’t come up for air soon, I’d drown. But fuck me, maybe I wanted to.

We were so close, hardly anything separated us. I wanted her, needed her, and I could have her right there and then.

And the look in her eyes made me think maybe she wanted me too. There was longing swirling in that ocean of mesmerizing green.

Unable to help myself, I reached up and grabbed her chin. Her mouth parted so invitingly for me, and I swiped the pad of my thumb across her bottom lip.

“Watch out, I bite.” She nipped at my thumb.

I drew my hand back, and my cock twitched inside my pants. I then caressed my knuckles over her cheek, reveling in the softness of her skin. Her lashes fluttered shut when I curved my hand over the back of her neck.

Diana’s body responded intensely to every stare, every touch, and my body near hers.

Leaning in, I inhaled the perfume clinging to her skin. Pressing closer, I skimmed my lips against the shell of her ear and whispered, “And you’ll beg too.”

I needed to hear her desperately calling my name, wanting me to be inside of her. I wanted her to beg for me and permit me to be the first to have her.

“Levi,” she gasped. Her fingers twisted in the front of my shirt, and sparks raced over my skin.

As willing as she seemed now, I didn’t want to risk her running off again. It wasn’t the right time to fuck her. I wouldn’t take her unless she was completely comfortable and ready to receive me.

“We should probably get to work.” Withdrawing from Diana and her panting breath took every ounce of my willpower.

“Y—yeah, you’re right.” Her head snapped to the side, and she swiped a hand across her forehead. Her throat bobbed when she swallowed, and I had to leash back the urge to lean in and press my lips to her delicate skin.

I smiled for her to ease the tension in her shoulders. “Music won’t write itself.” Giving her the space we both needed, I backed up across the room.

“No, it won’t.” She laughed, half out of breath. I didn’t miss the sparkle in her eye when she faced me again.

“But I have an idea for a new song. You go practice instrumentals while I write out the new one.”

I clicked my tongue against the back of my teeth and swung my head at her. “You sure enjoy giving me commands, don’t you?”

Diana’s vicious eyes targeted me and staked me through the heart. Her lips curved up into a wicked smirk that coiled around me and weakened my resolve.

She hummed and winked at me. “I might. And you better obey.”

God, I’d get on my knees and worship her if she asked me to.

“Anything you want, Diana,” I promised. “I’m your man.”