Page 49 of A Billionaire's Second Shot

“I’m Tania,” I reply, smiling politely.

“That’s a beautiful name,” he says, his voice smooth. “I’m Ryan.”

Levi clears his throat, stepping slightly closer to me. “And I’m Levi,” he says firmly, extending a hand. “Tania’s fiancé.”

Ryan raises an eyebrow, shaking Levi’s hand but keeping his attention on me. “Fiancé, huh? Lucky guy.”

“Very,” Levi says, his tone tight.

I glance at him, biting back a laugh at the way his jaw tightens. He doesn’t get jealous often, but when he does, it’s oddly adorable.

We standnear the edge of the lake, exchanging pleasantries with Ryan and his partner, who introduces herself as Claire. She seems lovely, warm and friendly, but Ryan’s attention stays focused on me, his questions veering into the personal.

“So, Tania,” he says, his smile easy. “What do you do?”

“I run a PR firm,” I reply, keeping my tone light. “It’s busy, but I love it.”

“Impressive,” he says, nodding. “Smart, beautiful, and successful. You’re the whole package.”

Levi shifts beside me, his arm slipping around my waist in a clear show of possession. “She is,” he says, his voice even but firm. “And she’s mine.”

I suppress a laugh, shooting him a sidelong glance. “Levi...”

Ryan holds up his hands, his grin widening. “No offense, man. Just stating the obvious.”

“None taken,” Levi replies, though the tightness in his smile says otherwise.

Once Ryanand Claire head back down the trail, I turn to Levi, unable to hold back my laughter any longer. “What was that?”

“What was what?” he asks, his brow furrowing.

“That whole territorial thing,” I say, grinning. “You were one step away from dragging me off by my arm and declaring, ‘She’s mine!’ to the whole forest.”

He shrugs, his expression unrepentant. “What can I say? The guy needed a reminder.”

“A reminder?” I echo, crossing my arms. “That I’m engaged? Or that you’re capable of giving death stares?”

Levi smirks, stepping closer. “Both.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “You’re ridiculous, you know that?”

“Maybe,” he says, wrapping an arm around my shoulders and pulling me close. “But I’m also right.”

“Oh, are you?” I tease, leaning into him. “Right about what?”

“That you’re mine,” he says, his voice low but filled with warmth. “And I’m not sharing.”

I roll my eyes, though my heart swells at his words. “Relax, Nichols. You’ve got nothing to worry about.”

“Good,” he replies, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “Because I’m not above scaring off a few admirers if it means keeping you.”

I laugh again, the sound echoing through the trees, and for the rest of the walk, the tension melts away, replaced by the easy rhythm of us.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Levi

The sound of the phone ringing cuts through the quiet of the villa, startling both Tania and me. We’re seated at the kitchen table, laughing over coffee and the mess I made trying to whip up breakfast—a failed attempt at pancakes that ended in flour everywhere.

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