Blindsided (The Fighter Series Book 1) Read online

  “I’ll take the same,” Adam says. It takes a moment for my brain to process what he says, but finally I peel my eyes away from Levi and nod.

  “Great! I’ll be back,” I tell them. Although I might sound confident, I’m drowning in fear. Fear that my face is giving away all the awareness my body feels from him. Immediately, I turn on my heel and head for the kitchen, desperate to get myself in check.

  “Hope so,” Levi’s charismatic voice cuts through the busy chatter of the restaurant.

  You know that feeling you get when someone is watching you? Staring at you from across the room? It’s like a sixth sense. It’s a prickly sensation that runs along your skin, standing the hairs on your neck straight up, a tickle that runs along your spine. That feeling causes you to search the room to find the perpetrator and right now, I feel like I’m being eaten alive by it. I know perfectly who by.

  Holly is glued to the corner when I come around to place their orders and make the drinks.

  “He checked you out the whole way back,” she sighs pushing herself off the corner and turning to face me. I’m well aware there’s a tinge of jealousy there.

  I puff out air and roll my eyes. “What douchebags.”

  “I told you he’s hot.”

  “Eh, he’s ok,” I lie straight through my teeth. He’s more than hot. He’s drop dead gorgeous, melt in your mouth, irresistible, and insanely attractive.

  “Yeah? Your cheeks tell a different story,” she calls my bluff. “Stephanie said he specifically asked to be in your section. Lucky bitch,” she says enviously, like I had something to do with it.

  I scrunch my face in disbelief. “No he didn’t.”

  “Believe what you want. Just know you’re so freaking lucky,” she grumbles pulling her next order out of the cook’s window.

  “Whatever. He probably didn’t like your white face and purple eye shadow drooling all over him,” I joke.

  She turns, fighting a smile, and slits her eyes but remains silent.

  “Oh so evil,” I retort flipping my ponytail and heading back out to the men with their drinks.

  As I set the drinks on the table, Levi watches my every move like I’m a piece of meat dangling in front of a lion. I can feel his blue eyes fixed on me and that generates an explosion of nervousness. I’m his intended prey.

  “How long have you worked here?” Levi asks casually. He’s done this too many times before. He’s up to no good. I know this type of guy. He’s trouble. A damn good looking bad boy and he knows it. He knows his looks are lethal and most likely uses them for his benefit.

  “About a year. Are you new in town?” I ask with conviction in my tone.

  Confidence ticks at the corners of his lips. “Passing through.”

  “Well, you guys will enjoy it here.”

  “I already do.”

  Ugh. There it is. The I-bet-I-can-hit-on-you-and-get-you-in-bed crappy thing men call flirting.

  I glance over to Adam and flash a polite smile. His lips are tight and his eyes showing the laughter he’s holding back. They’re both douches.

  I force myself not to roll my eyes in their faces and instead turn on my heel and walk away before my smart mouth gets me into trouble.

  Do girls really fall for the cheesy pick-up lines? Was I supposed to fall into his arms and allow him to whisk me away to a faraway land? Seriously. Has any man gotten a date from a wolf-whistle? Then again, I’ve seen Blain bring home girls with incredibly cheesy lines just as shallow. What type of woman does that? Maybe because of Blain, I’m desensitized from the bullshit of men?

  Every time I pass by tending to my other two tables, Levi stops his conversations with Adam just to flash me a boyish grin. The gesture is sweet, but I’m not stupid. It’s the same technique I’ve watched Blain use. Just another great reason to have a male as a best friend—it teaches me all the bullshit guys do. If you take a moment and look at how they approach you, sometimes it’s right in your face that they’re not treating you with any respect, and Levi is out for one thing right now.

  “Here you go, guys,” I chirp setting their plates in front of them.

  Of course, Levi has a wickedly cool smile. One that has the power to pull you into his lap allowing his large masculine arms to wrap around you and hold you hostage to do anything he damn well pleases.

  I blink realizing my thoughts have me stuck in another universe, and I clear my throat embarrassed I allowed it. Even with his good looks and charm, I’m not interested.

  “Thank you,” Adam says.

  I nod. “You’re very welcome,” I say in my best southern charm. The remark strokes his ego, but anxiety spreads across his irises like wildfire.

  Ah, bro-code. I know that look. I’ve been “claimed” by Levi. Thank you again, Blain.

  Coyly, I glance back to Levi, and by the searing glare, I can tell he isn’t happy I gave his friend a little extra attention. I shrug a shoulder and amble away making sure I put more sway in my step just because I know he’s watching. Screw it. I’ll stroke my own ego.

  I place the check between the two men when Levi slides his hand on top of mine. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re beautiful?”

  I pull my hand out from under his and rock back on my hip, tapping my finger against my bottom lip. “You know…” I pause for a moment looking to the ceiling pretending to think hard about it. “I don’t think anyone has. I’ve gone all my years being told I’m ugly.” Sarcasm spews from my mouth practically dripping from my chin.

  His left eyebrow quirks up pulling the corner of his lip with it. “Sassy. I like that. You’re gorgeous, just so you know.”

  “I must be the lucky one you ran into first before you started your day, huh?” I reply to the compliment annoyed. Adam nearly spits out his drink jerking his hand over his mouth in a vain attempt to hide his amusement.

  “What the hell, Paige?” Levi hisses.

  “You know you’re good looking and you probably thought I’d be just another girl to trip over my bottom lip. But honestly, Levi, it’s just game. Game that would work on most girls, but I would like to pass on being your next piece of ass for the night,” I say straight forward.

  Adam drops his head in his hands in an effort to hide his laughter, but his shoulders tell another story. On the other side of the table, I see my comment didn’t faze Levi at all. Instead, he looks triumphant.

  “You remembered my name, so I know you’re a tiny bit interested,” he says using his fingers as a display. “Let me take you out and prove you wrong.”

  Ugh! I tilt my head honed in on the conceded ass. “You mean to try proving to your boy that you can get into my pants?”

  “Oh, so I can?” he says smugly.

  “Get over yourself. That wasn’t what I meant.”

  “Dude, that’s enough,” Adam pipes in.

  Levi shoots him a dark glare and I’m quite sure everyone in the restaurant heard the silent “shut the hell up.” After a few long seconds of choking Adam with his gaze, he turns back to me. “What if I give you my word I won’t try a single thing. Not even a kiss at the end of the evening.”

  Being a bartender at night, I’m used to promises and the sweet shit talk. His is no different. Just because he’s one of the greatest looking things God planted on this earth doesn’t mean I will fall for it. “Oh how nice is that, but unfortunately I’m busy for the next ten years.”

  “I’ll wait,” he says quickly.

  What?

  “Ok, well, I’ll see you then.” I start to take off but my steps are interrupted by his voice.

  “Can I at least have your number so I can call you then?”

  I twist around bouncing a finger at him. “That was a good one. I like that,” I snort. “Just meet me back here though. I’ll be waiting.”

  This time I don’t give him a chance and shuffle off before I can hear anything else. He’s freaking intense as hell. Charming is an understatement as well, but I’m not going to fall for the smooth-talking, deli
cious bad boy. The last time I did, it turned out horribly. I ended up with a broken heart, face first into Blain’s chest bawling after walking in on my boyfriend of two years with a blonde bimbo on all fours in front of him. That has forever etched itself into my brain.

  I turn the corner into the drink area and take a deep breath. Wow.

  “I told you he was beyond hot,” Holly giggles. “I heard him ask for your number. Did you give it to him?”

  “No, Miss Nosey, I didn’t. I know his type. He knows he looks good, so he uses it to his advantage. He gets what he wants when he wants it and it’s probably instant leg sprawl from the women. You think a man like that could be faithful? I’m not going to be the one to try to find this out.”

  I honestly think that was more to convince myself. Thanks to my ex and Blain’s playeristic ways, I hold my head up strong.

  “Shit, he can sprawl my legs out, up, and over anytime he wants.”

  I laugh, “You’re a goof. I’m just not interested.”

  “You mean to tell me you seriously don’t wonder how he is in bed?”

  I roll my eyes. “Is that all you ever think about? Maybe Sex Addicts Anonymous is where you should be…freak!”

  “Aw come on. Nothing about him made you want to sit on his lap and ride him like a stallion?”

  “Ha! No.” I’m even lying to myself.

  “Did you undress him?”

  “There’s the addiction again,” I quip deciding to give her a little bit of my thoughts. “Ok, maybe I’d like to see the tattoos that make a journey underneath his shirt, possibly li—” I stop as Holly’s eyes pop out of her head.

  A smell hits me. It’s a mix between ocean waters and woods—the perfect blend between mystery and adventure. I take a deep breath pulling in the erotic aroma and turn. He’s over six feet tall leaving me eye level with his chest—the one part of his body I want to run my hands down. The blue fabric of his shirt is stretched slightly, pressing against his chest and showing me this man is ripped. My eyes glide up slowly being met by a knowing cocky ass grin.

  I try hard to hide any of my thoughts that have found their way to my eyes, cheeks and knees, but by his expression, I’ve been busted. “Did I forget something?” Ugh! My voice wobbled, dammit.

  “Since you won’t give me your number while I wait patiently for you, then I’ll have to give you mine just in case you decide within your ten years you need a real man’s touch.”

  Stay strong. He’s just good looking. Nothing else, I remind myself over and over.

  I smile politely. “Thanks, but no thanks.”

  “I’ll take it!” Holly says pushing me out of the way.

  He’s highly amused and offers her a fake smile, one you can tell is forced as he tries his best to be courteous. “Sorry, sweetheart. I’m not interested.” He moves her to the side by her shoulders and fixates back on me. “I’m interested in you.”

  Oh my God, his guttural tone ricochets in me causing an earthquake to nearly take my feet out from under me. My palms are sweating, my body aching, and of course my strong mind drilling me to stay firm.

  It’s flattering. It’s sweet. It’s awesome something so perfect as him is interested in me. But it’s game and it’s getting annoying. “Persistent aren’t you?”

  “That I am. I see something I want,” he says, sounding like a caveman who should have been pounding his chest.

  “I’m sure you see things you want all the time. I truly appreciate the flattery, but I’m not interested.” I start past him when he grabs my elbow stopping me in place. His hand on my bare skin causes sparks to fly, traveling straight to my toes. Intensity spans across my body, my heart speeds up and my throat imprisons my breath.

  He bends, and places his lips beside my ear, the heat from his breath washing over my neck. “All I’m asking is for you to take my number,” he whispers shoving a paper into my hand. “Call me when you want to hang out. I promised you, I won’t even kiss you, but by the end, you’ll be begging me to.”

  His lips graze the top of my ear and I squeeze my eyes shut preventing them from rolling. The mixture of his low, gravelly voice in my ear, his touch on my arm, his smell, his lips…it’s all too much and overwhelms my entire system. I hear his lips part, pulling into a smile. It’s like he can feel my body coiling up and readying itself to explode in his hands.

  “Ok,” I breathe out heavily, expelling the only breath I had in me.

  He drags his hand down my arm slowly, the rough skin of his palms making their way to the end of my fingertips. I’m solidified. Frozen stiff, engulfed in bizarre chemistry. Then…he turns and doesn’t look back.

  “Holy shit, Paige. That was hot.” Holly sighs.

  “Yeah. Yeah that was.” I’m completely breathless.

  Chapter 3

  Tonic is slammed tonight. Unlike my waitressing job, I absolutely love this job. The atmosphere here is fast paced and fun, and I get to jam out to some great music while watching everyone dance and make a fool of themselves. I’ve worked here for about two years and have learned some really cool moves with the liquor bottles. I’m able to sling them, catch them behind my back and juggle them without spilling a drop. I practiced with water bottles at home, sometimes for hours, until I got it down pat. It’s all about a performance from a pretty face that normally gets me an extra dollar or two in tips. Plus, I have a ball doing it.

  “Blue motorcycle and a Bud in a bottle,” a man yells over the music. I nod, acknowledging that I heard him and start fixing his drink as I reach into the cooler to grab his beer. I pop the top and finish his mixed drink then slide them both to him.

  “We need more of us,” Mason, my co-worker, yells from the other corner of the bar. He’s worked here almost as long as I have, starting just a few months after me. Usually we’re scheduled together because we are the perfect team, working in harmony. We coordinate and get things done—all while having fun.

  “You aren’t shitting! What’s with tonight?” I yell back filling orders.

  “There’s an MMAT tomorrow night in Durham I’ve heard. You know the mixed martial arts tournament?”

  “I know what it is, but surely this crowd isn’t from that?”

  “I don’t recognize a lot of these people,” Mason says scanning the people.

  He’s got a point. We have regulars, sometimers, and once-a-monthers that I’ve grown to know. Most of these people I’ve never seen.

  “Fuzzy navel please,” a brunette lady yells out and I quickly jump on it.

  I’m focused on the drink when a deep, velvety voice catches my attention. “So is ten years up yet?”

  I freeze. Oh hell, please tell me it’s not. I glance up from beneath my lashes and my breath catches in my throat. Standing there with a grin from ear to ear is Levi, leaned against the bar, having changed into a deep red t-shirt. I spent half my day thinking about him and when I finally get busy enough to forget about him, he reappears. This isn’t fair.

  I slide the lady her drink as she blatantly stops and drools over him. He offers her a quick smile then turns back focusing on me.

  I cross my arms and cock my head to the side. “So you’re stalking me now?”

  “I told you I’d wait. I saw you here and figured I’d check in and see if you’re ready yet.”

  I smirk. I know if I give in, I’d be forgotten the next day. I press my hand to my chest. “I’m flattered, really I am. Now what can I get you to drink?”

  “Water.”

  My brows pull together. “You realize you’re at a club, right?”

  He lets out a loud, rumbling laugh shaking his head. “I like your sassy ass. I don’t like to drink before work.”

  For the first time I can remember, I only pour water and just for kicks, I grab a pink paper umbrella shoving it into the glass. I flash a shit-eating grin sliding it to him. He reciprocates with a wink that melts me straight into my panties and a disappearing act into the crowd.

  Shit.

  Mason rushes to
my side, excitement highlighting his expression. “Holy shit, Paige. Do you not know who that was?”

  “Am I supposed to?” I ask confused.

  “Are you kidding me? It’s Levi Stiles!”

  “And exactly who is that?”

  “Levi Stiles? The Leveler? Only the best fucking fighter in the MMAT. He’s like fifteen and two, or something like that. He’s damn good.”

  “Oh,” I jerk my head back in surprise. “Well, that explains his conceited ass ways then.”

  Mason shakes his head, dumbfounded at my reply and heads back to the other side of the bar to answer the calls of thirsty patrons.

  Levi Stiles wants to take me out on a date? Well, more like he wants to get in my pants, but still, a man like that interested in me? Does he think I’m an easy target? Hate it for him but that’s not my style.

  “Tonic Hill!” Mason and several of the people at the bar shout, breaking up my thoughts.

  We’ve done this trick so many times that I could do it in my sleep. Instantly, I grab the tequila bottle and toss it at Mason right as he throws me the rum, shoving a vodka bottle into the juggle. We toss the three for only seconds before I toss in a bottle of gin. Hoots and screams surround the bar rooting us on as we juggle between the two of us. Simultaneously, Mason and I each grab a glass, setting them on the bar just in time to catch the next flying bottle. We tilt the liquor perfectly allowing the liquid to spill into the glass, doing this through all the bottles. One at a time we finish and set the bottles back in the rack, grabbing the soda hose and topping it off. Next up, we slam a cherry into the drink. Cheers roar out as I slide my glass down the bar to a cheesing Mason.

  My heart is racing from the adrenaline. I love doing that drink. It’s the hardest trick and proudly, Mason and I invented it. We practiced it using open water bottles over and over for hours every week until we got it perfect. We showed it to Craig, the owner, and Jim, our manager, and they both were so impressed that it’s now on a large chalkboard sign above the bar properly named the Tonic Hill.

  “Hell yes!” Mason yells out. “We haven’t done that in months!” He wraps his arms around my waist, picks me up and twirls me. Setting me back down, he grabs my head and presses a kiss on my forehead, then bounces back to his side of the bar. I can’t help but to laugh at his eccentric act.