The hours following the Walking Dead viewing with Levi went slowly. Inez went through the motions of her yoga, her dinner and worked on her update of the antivirus without her usual contemplative enthusiasm.

She didn't know what inspired her to practically pin the short man against a wall and force her mouth onto his. She just knew that when she went back to the image of Levi smiling, her stomach fluttered and her palms got sweaty. He had looked ten years younger, his eyes squeezing close and the most adorable dimples showing on the hollows of his cheeks.

He probably thought she was some love-struck teenager with no control over her body. Which in many ways, she was.

He past relationships hadn't lasted long for one fact: she wanted it all the time. All the time. It didn't have to be full-blown sex; just enough to push her over the edge. At first, the guys and one girl she had dated found it liberating, fun, and sexy—all that jazz. But as the months went on they grew less eager, not being able to keep up with her drive and frankly becoming annoyed at her constant passes and flirting.

Kissing Levi—while potentially the best kiss she had ever had—was a huge mistake. Levi struck her as the kind that valued his down time, away from others and immersed in his own thoughts. She probably scared him off, she probably blew the chance of ever dating him.

She frowned. Dating Levi? When had that thought entered her mind? Levi had been sending her signals, right? Inviting her over, striking up conversation when there was none, giving her a bed when she was drunk and locked out.

Or maybe it was because he worked with her brother, or he was just being a good neighbor and she totally misread everything because oh god he's attractive—

She jumped when her phone rang. She glanced at the screen and gulped when she saw the name displayed on the screen.

"Hello, Mr. Smith?"

"Evening, Inez."

Speaking of attractive, there was this Captain America-motherfucker with thick arms and a broad chest and an ass that looked great in slacks. Although, if she was being honest with herself, she kept imagining what Levi would look like in his suits and ties.

"Good evening, sir."

"I'm sure you're wondering why I'm calling you."

"Well, yeah. Not that I hate talking to you, sir."

He laughed. She found that she entertained him when she reverted back to her bratty language from the old days of teenage rioting.

"I was wondering if you would accompany my wife and I to a dinner party a partner is hosting."

"Me, sir? I'm not exactly good at talking business."

"I know, and that's why I'm asking. He's a pretty informal partner, really. Inez, I see real potential in your abilities with this company. You could be much more than just an I.T. and program designer."

"Oh, well, th-thank you, Mr. Smith."

"Don't thank me yet. Just come to this dinner and learn the basics of small talk and the business tango."

"I'm honored, sir. I will attend. Do I need a date?"

"It is considered to be in good standing to have one, but if you really can't get one it's not the end of the world. I'm sure that Gunther or Erd would be more than happy to attend with you."

"Yes sir."

"I will send you an email with the location and time attached. See you then, Miss Lovel."

"Goodbye, sir. Thank you."

Her head spun when she hung up, treading to the kitchen for a midnight snack. She'd have to buy a dress, probably shoes, too; she didn't have any formal wear save for the few articles labeled 'business-casual' she wore to meetings and interviews.

Not that she didn't have the money. Her job paid okay—it was the bonuses that Erwin issued the payroll department that gave her more than enough to live by—she even had a savings account that kept growing every month.

It was the date part that made her squirm.

She could ask Erd, or Gunther, or even Luke (though, she knew he had a thing for her, so that was probably a bad idea) to go with her.

But who she really wanted to bring was…

"Agh," she gurgled in her throat, rubbing at her face before pulling out a tub of yogurt and some blueberries, mixing them into a bowl. While she ate, Inez went to her work email and scrolled down to the one labeled Smith, Erwin.

Tomorrow night. Dinner at Sina Ballroom, hosted by Mike Zacharius. Arrive at 8, we eat at 9. Black tie event, dress accordingly.

Almost instantly her fingers flew to the keys, searching her engine for 'Mike Zacharius'. Several results popped up and she opened the four most promising ones.

He was in the top ten of his graduating class, majoring in business. He started at a small legal firm and made it grow exponentially after he was promoted to head attorney. It was now third in the nation. He had spread his finances in several stocks, including Recon Industries.

She dug deeper and found that he and Erwin were long-time acquaintances, possibly even friends judging from their unscheduled meetings.

She cracked her knuckles and decided to be a little naughty, starting up Krawl—the system she used for tracking IP addresses—and gained access to Smith's system. She knew that Erwin wasn't the sharpest when it came to monitoring his account, and even if he did somehow figure out she was rooting through his computer all he'd do is maybe give her a stern talking-to and demand to know what she was doing on it.

She gained access to his email and searched for everything from Zacharius or his firm, waiting for one with an attached file. It was much easier to gain entrance when they did that.

After about twenty minutes she was in Zacharius' system, surfing though his accounts and portfolio. She raised her eyebrow at the amount of stock he had put in a company called 'Phoenix' and looked it up, finding it to be a newly emerged medical practice that partnered with Recon, providing health industries with resources and access to drugs.

On his portfolio he had bookmarked several companies dealing with cyber ware and protection, almost as if he were waiting for them to—

Knock, knock.

She looked up from her place on the counter and jumped off, not bothering to look through the peephole and found herself face to face with a bored looking Levi, hands in the pocket of his jeans and grey sweatshirt hanging low, exposing his collarbone.

Cue the blush.

"Levi?" Her hand floated above the handle, itching to slam the door shut to escape that steel glare. "What's up?"

He gave her a look that said 'are you kidding me' and scratched his head. "You said whenever I was hungry I could come over. I'm hungry. I'm here."

Inez bit her lip and moved to the side, closing the door behind him and refusing to look at him as she opened the refrigerator and scanned over the contents inside. Levi sat on a stool at the counter.

"We've got some roast beef left over…there's also paella, spaghetti…"

"What the hell is pie-yo?"

She glanced at him. "Paella? It's awesome. It's a mix of chicken, white beans and green peppers with some weird lemon sauce shit that Julius came up with."

"Sounds exotic. I'll take it."

"Exotic my ass," she muttered under her breath as she spooned a helping onto a plate and put it in the microwave.

"What was that?" Levi quipped.

"Nothing."

"Mmhm." Levi's eyes got big. "What are you doing on here?"

She forgot her laptop was open and rushed to turn it away from his glare. "Nothing."

"Really." The microwave beeped and she hurriedly got the plate in front of him, handing him a spoon and being much too aware of their fingers brushing. She returned his stare and turned her screen away from him.

"Really."

He shrugged and started eating the food as she got back to her research, reading more about Phoenix and emerging cyberware companies.

"This is pretty good," Levi commented after a few minutes of silence. Inez hummed and tried to hide her face behind her screen, fingers typing away.

He's acting like nothing happened. Maybe he's trying to forget about my tongue on his mouth? Is he forgiving me? Should I bring it up? No, that would just be too awkward.

Levi finished eating and wiped his mouth. "So about earlier."

She nearly jumped out of her skin. Sweat beaded on her neck. "Earlier?"

Levi started tapping his fingers impatiently and a new wrinkle formed above the bridge of his nose. "Earlier. When you kissed me."

"Yeah, about that. I'm sorry. I really didn't plan on doing that I swear it just kind of happened." When he said nothing she kept going. "Believe it or not I don't usually make out with guys I've only known for a month. I think I just misread you being a good neighbor and all and it's been a while since I've been out with anyone so I'm a little rusty with picking up signs and…" she ran out of breath and stopped, raising her eyes tentatively.

Levi wore a soft expression and played with his spoon. "You're saying you're sorry you did it?"

"Y-yeah."

Something flashed in his eyes. "What if I'm not?"

A bump rose in her throat and she suddenly felt hot and cold at the same time. "What does that mean?"

Levi acquired an almost playful attitude as he leaned forward, chin on his hands and head titled to the side, grey eyes shining. "It means a couple things. One: I didn't mind your kiss." Throb. Her heart beat against her rib cage with a renewed fervor.

"Two: I don't want you to start avoiding me again because of it. And three," he stood up, pressing his abdomen against the counter as he leaned forward and threaded cool fingers through the hair on the back of her head and bringing their faces close together, "I would love to kiss you again."

He seemed to wait for confirmation as Inez attempted to get here pulse under control. She was unaware of the jolt it sent through Levi when she licked her lips nervously.

"So…you wouldn't be opposed if I pinned you against a wall again?"

He let out a loud breath. "What is it with you and walls?"

"Not really walls. Just you in general. Especially underneath me."

Now his heart rate picked up a bit.

"Under, huh?" He slipped an arm around her hips and earned a squeak when he lifted her up and onto the counter as she kneeled on her knees. She could've moaned at the view of Levi standing in front of her, one hand on her hip and one on her neck, pulling her down. "Like this?"

She bit her lip and nodded, clasping her hands on his shoulders and pressing against the muscles she found there. He tilted his head back and gave her a smoldering smirk. "You're acting shy, Inez."

"I can't help it." He stifled a groan as she ran her hands from his shoulders to his chest, tracing the curvature of his abs over the shirt he wore. "I get nervous around you."

He dragged his lips on her jawline. "Why is that?"

"Hell if I know." She suddenly sat back on her heels and looked him in the eye. "I really like you, Levi," she said softly so he had to strain her ears.

Never one for words, Levi tugged on her neck one more time and brought their lips together, parting his lips a bit and angling his mouth to fit hers. Her hands mussed his hair and she slithered off the counter, pressing her form against his as he locked his arm around her waist before moving them to her sides, fingers teasing her ribs and making her break away and giggle.

"Don't, I'm ticklish."

He rolled his eyes and kissed her again as she herded him to the couch. He was only half expecting the shove that sent him onto his back on the cushions.

"Rude," he was going to say more but was caught off guard by the sight of Inez pulling off her shirt, left in just a thin tank top barely concealing her nipples and showing flashes of taut skin underneath. He felt his mouth go dry as she hovered over him, a knee between his and arms on either side of his head.

"You look so good like this," Levi said, eyes raking down her form and appreciating the shiver he earned. He skimmed his fingers over her abs and she hummed as she kissed him again.

The kiss got increasingly heavy as Levi decided to up the intensity, nipping at her lower lip and licking at the bruised flesh. She groaned and opened her mouth, licking at his tongue and twisting around in his mouth, drinking him in.

He moved his hands to her lower back, pressing her against him and grinding into the heat he found there. He hissed when she tugged at his hair. Inez broke away and smoothed his hair apologetically.

"S-sorry," she got out, breathing erratic and golden-green eyes cloudy as she looked at him, an animalistic glint in those orbs.

"No, I like it," he assured her, slipping his hand under her tank and grabbing at what he found there, rubbing his palms against her center.

"Your hands are rough," she panted, peppering his neck with kisses. She whispered, "I like it," and bit into his ear, licking the abused crest after and drawing a muffled groan out of Levi, mentally patting herself on the back for the accomplishment.

"Tease," he bit out, scraping his nails down her back and sides and cupping her ass.

"Ooh, am I making you mad?" She floated down to his collarbone and licked at the protruding ridge, nibbling and sucking while running her hands over his torso. She sat up again, licking her lips. "Can I lift your shirt?" She asked.

He nonchalantly took his hands off her ass and lifted them over her head, resting them on the cushions above him with an expectant line on his face.

She narrowed her eyes and tugged the offending clothing up and off, marveling at his alabaster skin and sculpted abs she found there, along with numerous little scars and nicks.

Her mouth watered and she dipped her head, licking a line from his navel to his chest. She pressed her hips down and made small circles against him, feeling him stiffen underneath her. Keeping eye contact with him, she traced his abs with hot kisses and nips, and gave a theatrical tongue flick at the end. His eyes followed every move, yet that self-assured, unaffected smirk was still frozen on.

Inez growled and press a line of teeth into the skin under his ribs, sucking hard and swiping her tongue over the mark.

"You don't seem to be enjoying this," she noted, outlining his muscles with her fingers.

He frowned and gave a quick thrust up, making her flinch and gasp. "Really? I'm not enjoying it?"

He sat up and ran his hands up her back, kneading at her hot flesh and sucking possessively at her neck. Inez whimpered and curved her spine up against him.

"Nnn."

The jingle of a key sliding into the lock at the front door cut through the air and they froze mid-action.

"Fuck!" Inez spat out as she rolled off him, simultaneously throwing him his shirt and skidding at her sweatshirt, haphazardly pulling it over her head just as Julius came in. Levi also started putting his shirt back on, heart rate still running high as he waited for what was sure to be an awkward conversation.

"Julius," Inez struggled to smooth down her hair, rearranging her clothes. Her brother's slightly amused face turned confused when he noticed his co-worker sitting on his couch, hair and mussed clothes in a similar state.

Julius shut the door and put his bags on the counter.

"Hey Inez. Levi. What are you two doing?"

"Sparring."

"Watching TV."

Julius watched them with a suspicious air that turned almost incredulous at their synchronized answers. "Right. Levi, did you want to stay for some lasagna?"

"No, thank you." Well, yes, he did, but not after her brother practically got a front row seat at their little performance. "It's almost past my bedtime, anyway."

He tried to shrug off the heat from Inez's eyes as he walked to the door. He dipped his head. "…Night, Inez."

She bit her lip. "Good night."

Hnng. The way her voice turned so sweet at those two words made him want turn uncharacteristically romantic and bury his face into her neck. Instead he tried to make a single look convey his thoughts and left, nodding at Julius and ignoring his knowing look.

When he got back to his apartment, he deemed sleep unattainable at this point and logged on to his computer, opening his folder and cracking his neck, intending to get some work done.

He ultimately failed, thoughts of what does this make us? and how far would we have gone? aligning with how do I hint that I want to be her date for that stupid dinner party?

An hour into inner turmoil and he was knocked out of it by a nagging at the door. He nearly jumped off the desk chair and fought to control himself from sprinting to the door, hoping it was—

"Hey," Inez breathed out, laptop case on one shoulder and other hand in her pocket.

"Howdy," he deadpanned, moving to the side to let her in. "What are you doing here?"

She worried her lip with her teeth and got comfy on his couch, fiddling with the strings on her hood. "I wanted to ask you something."

Levi closed his door and went to the kitchen, pouring a glass of water. "Shoot."

"Do you absolutely hate business dinner parties?"

Here we go. "I wouldn't say hate. They're shitty, yeah, but not hate."

"Well, Erwin Smith called me earlier and basically talked me into going to one for Mike Zacharius." She waited for a response. He took a sip and watched her like a cat swatting at a toy. "So?"

"So, I need a date. And you and Erwin are friends, so…" He remained silent. "So will you be my date? It's a black tie event so you'll have to wear a suit and I'll have to wear heels and that's never gone over well plus I'll have to 'talk business' which I never have before so I'm nervous about that and it would help if I had someone there that I actually liked."

The corners of Levi's mouth twitched and he took a sip to hide it.

"I am honored, as the formal asshats say."

She let out a relieved sigh. "Thank you."

She opened her laptop and started reading where she left off before Levi had come over they had gotten…carried away. She flinched as he sat down heavily next to her, turning on the TV.

They sat like that for a while. Inez was still embarrassed about her earlier boldness and Levi enjoying the way she did all these little subconscious quirks, like tapping her fingers against her knees or biting her lip when he shifted slightly in his seat.

"What color will your dress be?"

"Huh?"

He rolled his eyes over to her. "Your dress. What color is it?"

"Oh, I don't know. I have to go buy one. I'm actually looking around locally online for one." She scrolled down the page with numerous formal wear. "I'm thinking black. I'm not sure I can pull off color."

Levi gave her a steady look. "I think you could pull anything off."

It was too easy. He sat back and soaked in the blush. "You're embarrassing," she muttered, crunching closer to her screen. "And it will be black. Black is the ultimate color."

"The ultimate color?"

"It goes with everything."

Levi hummed. "You'd look good in red."

"Ew, too flashy."

"Also gold."

"Again, flashy. When we get there we I will hang low and try to learn all I can." She rubbed her eyes and looked over at him. "You have a suit, right?"

"I have a job, right?"

"Well, yeah, but you only ever wear white shirts or a sports jacket to your school."

He cast a dubious eye over her snuggling form. "Do you keep a diary log of my outfits or something?"

Inez gave a lopsided smile and shook her head. "If I did, would that be creepy or endearing?"

"Definitely creepy."

"Then no."

"Weirdo," Levi sneered, changing the channel.

She puffed out her cheeks and hit his arm with a small pillow. "You have no idea how weird I am."

That seemed to interest him as he turned towards her, all previous focus moving from the TV to her. She twisted her fingers together, his scrutiny on her like the most inward-seeking spotlight available.

"Then tell me."

She gawked. "What? Tell you how weird I am?"

"Yep."

"Well, I like you, so," the red on her cheeks sapped all the force out of her words. His wrinkles smoothed into a soft grin as he threw the pillow back at her.

"About that…" Inez shut her laptop and kept her eyes on the ground, her words unsure and heavy. "I need to know how you feel about this."

Levi withheld his skeptic sigh. "About what? About making out with you?"

Inez started squirming. "Yes! Well, more than that!" She finally faced him, aversion written on her face. She made sporadic hand gestures in the air between them. "This! What do you want to call this?!"

Levi leaned on one hand. "Well, a lot of it depends on what you want to call it. Friends with benefits, boyfriend and girlfriend, fuckbuddies," he dipped his voice down an octave for the last one, "I'm flexible. You're probably flexible, too."

"Oh, jeeze," she buried her face into her hands.

"Look, Inez," he was suddenly serious. "Honestly, I don't know where I want to go with this. I would like to date you first before…" He was about to say "before I jumped your bones" but cut himself off.

Inez nodded, her face clearing. "Okay. That sounds logical." She glanced at the clock and put away her laptop, standing up. "Well this was…nice, actually."

"Why wouldn't it be?" Levi was only half-serious. She rolled her eyes and started for the door, Levi following after.

She opened the door. Inez dove in, placed a quick kiss on Levi's cheek. "Good night," she grinned, slipping out his door for the second time in just a few hours.