12. Levi

Soft, plush lips glide against mine as a fruity sweetness overwhelms my senses.

I freeze, too stunned to move.

Hunter scrapes her fingers against the back of my skull and murmurs "kiss me back" against my mouth.

I open for her. Without thought. Without a clue about what the hell she's playing at.

When the tip of her tongue brushes mine, an unexpected jolt of arousal ignites in my veins and warms me from the inside out.

"Levi Daniel Moore!"

The sound of my full name in my mother's disapproving tone blasts over me like a bucket of ice water.

Hunter pulls away and gives me an encouraging smile. "We've got this," she whispers, standing straight and smoothing her hands over her skirt.

She turns to face my mother, effectively blocking me from her view in the process.

"Oh! Hello," Hunter chirps. As if she just noticed my mom's presence. "You must be Mrs. Moore. I'm Hunter St. Clair."

I can't help but check out her backside: her perfect posture, and the glossy blond hair cascading in loose waves down her back. She's wearing a denim miniskirt short enough to show off the tan skin of her upper thighs.

Across the room, a throat clears. Greedy.

He's propped against the far wall, arms crossed and a scowl plastered on his face. When our eyes connect, he raises one brow in question.

With a shrug, I shake my head.

Hell if I know what Hunter's playing at either.

"Hunter, you said?" My mom steps closer and peers past Hunter to focus on me. "As in—"

"Greedy's stepsister," Hunter supplies, taking another step forward and placing herself directly in my mother's path.

Hunter never met my parents. I wouldn't allow it. I kept her as far away from my house as I could. But if Greedy mentioned her to my mom before we all went off to college—

"And Levi's girlfriend," she adds, extending one hand. "It's so nice to finally meet you."

The room is silent for a beat. Another.

And then chaos erupts.

"Tem—" Greedy growls, taking a step toward her, hands balled at his sides.

She cuts him off with a sharp "don't."

"Levi? What is the meaning of this?" my mom shrieks, her tone frantic as she looks from Hunter to me and back again.

What is the meaning of this?

Hunter said to play along.

"Well, uh." I scratch at my jaw and dip my chin. "I've been meaning to talk to you—"

Nurse Heather clears her throat, saving me from lying through my teeth.

"I'm done here," she states. "As soon as I log out of your chart, Levi, you're officially discharged. Just to confirm, you'll be going home with…"

"Us," Hunter declares. She tilts her head slightly as she glances at Greedy, but I can't read her expression since she still has her back to me.

He nods, but I don't miss the wary resignation in his eyes.

"Us," she repeats. "Levi is coming home with us."