Fifty Shades of Ackerman (Levi x Reader) [Part 8]

"But what was he doing at Clayton's?" Her curiosity oozes through the phone.</b> I'm in the depths of the stock room, trying to keep my voice casual.


"He was in the area."


"I think that is one huge coincidence, (N/n) don't think he was there to see you?" she speculates. my heart beats faster.


"He was visiting the farming division. He's funding some research," I mutter.


"Oh yes. He's given the department a $2.5 million grant."


"How do you know this?"


I know everything!" Hanji squealed.


“Pff stalker, so do you want these photos?"


"Of course I do. The question is, who's going to do them and where."


"We could ask him where. He says he's staying in the area."


"You can contact him?"


It takes a moment for me to answer back.


Hanji gasps.


"The richest, most elusive, most shortest, most enigmatic bachelor in the world, just gave you his cell phone number."


"Um….yes?"


"He likes you! I’m so happy for you!" Her tone grows louder.



"Hanji, he's just trying to be nice." But even as I say the words, I know they're not true. Levi Ackerman doesn't do nice. He does polite, maybe. And a small quiet voice whispers, perhaps Hanji is right. Maybe, just maybe, he might like me. After all, he did say he was glad Hanji didn't do the interview.



"I don't know who we'll get to do the shoot. Mike, our regular photographer, can't. He's home in another state for the weekend. He'll be pissed that he blew an opportunity to photo one of America's leading entrepreneurs."


"Hmm... What about Eren?"



"Great idea! You ask him - he'll do anything for you. Then call Ackerman and find out where he wants us." Hanji is irritatingly cavalier about Levi.



"I think you should call him."


"Who, Eren?" Hanji scoffs.


"No, Ackerman."


"(F/n), you're the one with the relationship."


"Relationship?" I squeak at her, my voice rising several octaves. "I barely know the guy."


"At least you've met him," she says bitterly. "And it looks like he wants to know you better. (F/n), just call him," she snaps and hangs up. She is so bossy sometimes.


I'm just leaving a message for Eren when Paul enters the stock room looking for sand-paper.


"We're kind of busy out there, (F/n)," he says without acrimony.


"Yeah, um, sorry," I mutter, turning to leave.


"So, how come you know Levi Ackerman?" Paul's voice is unconvincingly nonchalant.


"I had to interview him for our student newspaper. Hanji wasn't well." I shrug, trying to sound casual and doing no better than him.


"Levi Ackerman in Clayton's. Go figure," Paul snorts, amazed. He shakes his head as if to clear it. "Anyway, want to grab a drink or something this evening?"


Whenever he's home he asks me on a date, and I always say no. It's a ritual. I've never considered it a good idea to date the boss's brother, and besides, Paul is cute in a whole-some all-American boy-next-door kind of way, but he's no literary hero, not by any stretch of the imagination.


"Don't you have a family dinner or something for your brother?" I ask trying to change the subject


"That's tomorrow."


"Maybe some other time, Paul. I need to study tonight. I have my finals next week."


"(F/n), one of these days, you'll say yes," he smiles.



~*~


"But I do places, (F/n), not people," Eren groans.


"Eren, please?" I beg. Clutching my cell, I pace the living area of our apartment, staring out of the window at the fading evening light.


"Give me that phone." Hanji grabs the handset from me, pushing her glasses close to her face.


"Listen here, Jaeger Bomb (Can anyone guess where I got that from?), if you want our newspaper to cover the opening of your show, you'll do this shoot for us tomorrow, alright!?" Hanji can be awesomely tough.


”fine...” Eren gives up.


"Good. (F/n) will call back with the location and the call time. We'll see you tomorrow." She snaps my cell phone shut.


"Sorted. All we need to do now is decide where and when. Call him." She holds the phone out to me. My stomach twists.


"Call Levi, now!"


I scowl at her and reach into my back pocket for his business card. I take a deep, steadying breath, and with shaking fingers, I dial the number.


He answers on the second ring. His tone is deep, calm and cold.


"Levi."


"Err... Mr. Ackerman, It's (F/n) (L/n)." I don't recognize my own voice, I'm so nervous. There's a brief pause. Inside I'm quaking.


"Miss (L/n). How nice to hear from you." His voice has changed. He's surprised, I think, and he sounds so... warm - seductive even. My breath hitches, and I blush.


I'm suddenly conscious that Hanji is staring at me, her mouth open, and I dart into the kitchen to avoid her. Damn her.



~*~


My eyes gaze around the room, I’m mostly excited and nervous that Levi will be here. “Don’t worry (F/n) it’s just a photo shoot.” Hanji says playfully nudging me. She’s right, I can’t let it get in the way of business. As soon as I was about to sit down, Levi walks in. He’s wearing a white shirt, open at the collar, and grey flannel pants that hang from his hips. His unruly hair is still damp from a shower. My mouth goes dry looking at him he’s so freaking hot. Wait, no stop (F/n)! I mentally hit myself in the back of the head to get these dirty thoughts out.



“Ah, we meet again miss (L/n).” Levi extends his hand towards me and I shake his hands rapidly. Besides me, his hands were soft and it gripped tightly around mines. I gulp until Hanji pulls me away. “O-OH this is Hanji Zoe.” I say, she smiles at him.


“Nice to meet you Hanji, (f/N) told me you weren’t feeling too well last week.” He says taking a quick glance at me. I rub the back of my neck, what was that suppose to mean?!


“I’m fine now that you’re here! Thank you for accepting to do this!” she squeals, shaking his hand with great pleasure. At least she did better than me. “No problem, it’s the least I can do.” He smirks at me and I flush. Damnit.


“Anyways this is Eren, he will be our photographer for today.” Hanji explains while she leads him to the area that is set up. I watch as they talk. “Mr. Ackerman if you could sit here, please? Be careful of the lighting cables. And then well do a few standing, too.”


She directs him to a chair set up against the wall. Then Hanji and I stand back and watch as Eren proceeds to snap away. He takes several photographs hand-held, asking Levi to turn this way, then that, to move his arm, then put it down again. Moving to the tripod, Eren takes several more, while Levi sits and poses, patiently and naturally, for about twenty minutes. My wish has come true: I can stand and admire Levi from not-so-afar. Twice our eyes lock, and I have to tear myself away from his.



“I think we have enough” Eren announces five minutes later.



“Thank you again, Mr. Ackerman”. Hanji shakes his hand, as does Eren.


“I look forward to reading the article.” Levi murmurs, he turns and looks at me “Would you walk with me (f/n) I have something to ask. I nod and follow him out the door. My mind wonders as to what he wants to ask, then that dark thought hits me again.



“I wondered if you wanted to join me for coffee this morning.” He finally says. My heart drops and I blush furiously. Is this a date!? Or is this just a ‘thank you’ kind of thing. I gulp once more at the thought once again. “S-sure.” I stuttered.