First (A Crescent Chronicles Novella) by Alyssa Rose Ivy Read Free Book Online Page B

right over to the desk. Luck was with me, and the manager was standing behind one of the computers.  
     
    “Good afternoon, Natalie.”
     
    The blonde woman glanced up and her posture changed immediately. She stood up straight and plastered on a smile. “Good afternoon, Levi. What a pleasant surprise.”
     
    I smiled back. “I’m actually here to see Allie. We have lunch plans.”
     
    “Oh.” A look of surprise crossed her face. “I didn’t know you two were friendly.”
     
    I put a hand down on the counter between us. “We’re more than friendly.” I don’t know why I added that part. I didn’t have to. Natalie was going to tell me where Allie was no matter how well I knew her.
     
    Natalie looked torn for a second. “She’s in the back.”
     
    “Thanks for the assistance.” I nodded before heading back around behind the desk.
     
    Natalie nodded. “Of course.”
     
      I walked down the narrow corridor, peeking into each cubicle and office until I saw her. She was standing by the copy machine, sorting through a pile of papers.
     
    I quietly made my way over to her. “Ready for lunch?”
     
    Allie’s mouth fell open. “What are you doing back here, Levi?”
     
    “Oh, Natalie told me I could come back.”
     
    “Oh, did she?” Her face scrunched up the way it seemed to always do when she was getting heated.
     
    “Yeah. You ready?”
     
    “I’m not having lunch with you.” She lowered her voice.
     
    I wasn’t going to do the same. I raised mine. “Well, you left without letting me make you breakfast this morning, so I thought I could at least take you to lunch.”
     
    The stares of everyone around us did the trick. She took hold of my arm, and we walked down the hall.
     
    She stopped when we were out of view and earshot of everyone else. “I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, but I’m not having it.”
     
    “What game? It’s just lunch.” I stood right next to her, fighting the urge to pull her into my arms.
     
    “So, you just like humiliating me in front of the people I work with?”
     
    “That humiliated you?” I’d been going for humor not embarrassment. And, well, I also wanted to make sure any male in the vicinity knew she was completely off limits.
     
    “Of course it did!” she hissed. “Now they think I slept with you.”
     
    “And that’s a problem because…” I let a small smile slip.
     
    “Because this is my dad’s hotel. Okay, Levi? My dad’s.   I don’t need my dad hearing about this and thinking his daughter is some sort of slut.”
     
    “Being slutty would imply spending the night with lots of guys, not just one. Heck, you can even tell him I’m your boyfriend if it makes you feel better.”
     
    “My what?”
     
    “Your boyfriend.” Isn’t that what girls wanted? They wanted people to think they were in a committed relationship. I didn’t care what term she used as long as I got to see her again.
     
    “Do you even know what that word means? Have you ever had a relationship that lasted more than a few days?”
     
    “There is a first time for everything. Most girls would want to tame me.” I was pushing it, but the expression of horror on her face was worth it. Allie’s reactions were too much.
     
    “Tame you? Oh my god, leave. Just leave, okay?”
     
    “Not until you agree to go out with me.”
     
    She wrung her hands at her sides. “You have to be kidding me.”
     
    “Not at all. I have no place to be. I’m staying here until you agree.”
     
    “Why? What angle are you playing?”
     
    “First you accuse me of playing games and now angles. You aren’t very trusting, Allison.” She was going to break. She wanted to give in, and she would.
     
    “It’s Allie! And you haven’t given me a reason to trust you!”
     
    “Let me.” I ignored a few employees who were watching us while trying to act like they were doing something else.
     
    “Okay.”
     
    Okay? Nice. “Dinner tonight? I’d say lunch