The next time I saw Levi, it was at the gym. Of all places.
It wasn't exactly my usual scene, but after a particularly frustrating day at work, I decided to blow off some steam. The boxing class had been grueling, but satisfying. And just as I was feeling a bit lighter, walking out of the studio drenched in sweat, there he was. Leaning against the counter by the smoothie bar, looking far too casual in his workout gear.
His gaze locked on mine the second I stepped into the hall, and that slow, maddening smirk of his appeared.
Of course.
I debated turning on my heel and walking straight back into the gym. Maybe I could punch another bag. But no, that would be giving him the satisfaction of knowing he rattled me. And I refused to give Levi *anything*.
Taking a deep breath, I walked straight toward him, maintaining eye contact, determined to look unaffected. "Fancy seeing you here," I said, grabbing a towel from the counter to wipe my face.
"Is it?" he asked, that damn smirk still in place. "Or are you just following me?"
I rolled my eyes. "Please. I didn't even know you were capable of working out."
His eyes glinted with mischief. "I do plenty of things you don't know about, Cora."
I raised an eyebrow, fighting the heat rising in my chest. "I think I know enough. Like the fact that you're a sore loser, for instance."
Levi pushed off the counter, moving just a little closer, though his posture was still relaxed. He looked me up and down with the same kind of intensity that made me feel both irritated and... something else.
"I'm not a sore loser," he said, his tone deceptively light. "But you're getting way too much mileage out of one little auction victory."
I let out a dry laugh. "Little victory? That bid shattered your fragile ego, and we both know it."
He grinned, but his eyes narrowed just a touch. "My ego is just fine, trust me. In fact, it's thriving. Probably because I've won in *other* ways."
I frowned, the banter taking on a sharper edge. "Like what? Enlighten me."
Levi didn't answer right away. He stepped even closer, his voice lowering just enough to make the space between us feel dangerously intimate. "You're still thinking about me, aren't you? That's a win in my book."
I scoffed, crossing my arms to keep from showing any sign of fluster. "I'm thinking about how annoying you are, sure."
"Uh-huh." He nodded, his smirk morphing into something more like a challenge. "You can keep telling yourself that, but we both know it's not the full story."
I opened my mouth to fire back a witty retort, but nothing came out. He had a way of getting under my skin like no one else, twisting the simplest interaction into something more charged, more complicated. I hated it.
I loved it.
Shit.
"Look, are you here for a reason, or are you just trying to ruin my post-workout buzz?" I finally asked, trying to regain the upper hand.
He leaned against the counter again, his expression softening, though his eyes still danced with amusement. "Actually, I'm here to relax. You know, *enjoy* myself. You should try it sometime instead of constantly trying to prove you're better than me."
I snorted. "I don't *try*, Levi. It just comes naturally."
"That explains a lot," he shot back, his smile growing. "Like why you always look so tense."
"I am not tense."
"Right. So when was the last time you did something fun? Or are you too busy plotting ways to one-up me?"
"I don'tâ" I paused, glaring at him. "You know, not everything revolves around you."
Levi cocked his head slightly. "Doesn't it, though?"
"Wow, the ego *is* thriving," I muttered.
He chuckled, the sound far too warm for the chilly banter we were supposed to be engaging in. "I think you need a break, Cora. Something to get that edge off. How about we settle this once and for all?"
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite myself. "Settle what?"
His grin turned wicked. "This whole competition thing. You, me, a challenge. No distractions, no excuses. Let's see who's really better."
I crossed my arms again, both defensive and intrigued. "What kind of challenge are we talking about?"
He straightened up, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Anything. You pick."
My mind raced, flipping through possibilities. There were a million things I could challenge Levi at, most of which I felt pretty confident I could beat him in. But the look in his eyes told me this was about more than just winning. He wanted to drag this out, to keep pushing and testing me, probably as much for the thrill as for the victory.
"What is in it for me when I win?" I asked, leaning in just enough to show I wasn't backing down.
Levi's gaze flickered briefly to my lips before meeting my eyes again. "When you win, huh?"
"Yes," I said firmly.
He shrugged, though there was a mischievous glint in his eye. "If you win, I'll let you pick the next charity event we attend together. You can even dictate what I wear."
I couldn't help the laugh that escaped me. "What, like I'll make you show up in a clown suit?"
"Wouldn't be the first time," he teased, his smile growing. "But sure, if that's what you want."
"And when you lose?"
"When *I* win," he said, his voice dropping, "you owe me one favor. No questions asked."
I should have said no. I should have walked away, let him gloat for a while, and saved myself the inevitable headache. But something about the way he stood there, so infuriatingly confident, made me want to prove him wrongâagain.
"Deal," I said, holding out my hand.
He took it, his grip firm and warm, his thumb brushing against my palm for just a moment longer than necessary. A spark of somethingâadrenaline, heat, whateverâshot up my arm, and I had to stop myself from jerking my hand away.
"Good luck," he said, his voice soft but teasing. "You're going to need it."
I smiled sweetly, though my mind was already racing with ideas. "Don't worry about me. Worry about yourself, Levi."
He held my gaze for a moment longer before finally letting go of my hand. With one last, infuriating smirk, he turned and walked out of the gym, leaving me standing there, adrenaline buzzing in my veins.
This was far from over. And if Levi thought he could win this round, he had another thing coming.