Page 42 of Into the Fire
Even sick, even worn down, she’d never felt more cared for.
Her body ached, and her head pounded;she knew she had to be looking rough in her current state, but somehow the way he looked at her made her feel deserving of the attention he offered. She napped on and off the rest of the afternoon, with Levi waking her periodically to give her medicine or remind her to keep drinking some water or sip on the hot tea with honey he’d made her.
She woke a few times to the sound of his voice, low and warm, talking to June, or the gentle rustle of him pulling a blanket back over her shoulders. Once, she stirred to find his hand resting on her ankle like he needed the contact just as much as she did. She couldn’t remember a time she’d felt this safe, thisloved.
He handled dinner duties and got June off to bed, and then came back to the living room and helped Emery sit up slowly; the tea sat half-finished on the coffee table. Her eyelids were heavy, her cheeks flushed from fever, but she still managed a faint protest when he slid an arm under her knees.
“Levi, you don’t need to carry me. I can walk.”
“I know you can, but you’re not going to.”
“You’re gonna catch it,” she murmured as he lifted her. “And I look gross.”
He huffed a soft laugh, now at the top of the stairs as he carried her down the hall. “You don’t look gross. You look tired and sick, and you still somehow look pretty doing it. Let's get to bed.”
“Let's?” she groaned into his shoulder. “You’re not sleeping next to me like this. I probably have stinky fever sweat, and I haven’t brushed my hair since yesterday morning.”
“Well,” he said as he nudged open the bedroom door with his foot. “Lucky for you, I’ve smelled worse than fever sweat. I run a ranch, sunshine.”
He lay her down gently on his side of the bed, then pulled the sheet up. “Just let me take care of you. You can argue with me when you’re not burning up.”
Emery looked up at him through heavy lashes. “I don’t want to get you sick.”
He leaned in, brushing a knuckle along her cheek. “I’m not scared, baby.”
Levi stood, tugging off his shirt and tossing it onto thechair in the corner. He flipped off the overhead light and returned with a glass of water, setting it on the nightstand. When he climbed in beside her, she shifted instinctively, nestling close before remembering and pulling away.
“Levi—”
“Nope.” He pulled her gently back into his side. “Just hush and rest.”
“But—”
“You’re not contagious through cuddles,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “And even if you were, I’d still be right here.”
Emery looked up at him, her eyes glassy, lashes wet.
Levi shifted, pushing a stray wisp of her hair from her face. “What’s got tears in your pretty eyes?”
“Nothing,” she whispered and then let out a watery laugh. “God, it’s probably just the cold meds.” She shook her head, embarrassed, blinking fast. “I just—this feels safe. I didn’t know being with someone could feel like this.” Her voice cracked again, and she covered her facewith one hand. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
“There’s nothing wrong with you,” he said, his voice low and steady. “You’re allowed to feel safe. You should feel safe.”
She let out a breath, dropping her hand and staring up at him. “I’m just not used to being... taken care of like this.”
His jaw flexed, something raw flickering behind his eyes. “Then get used to it,” he said, quiet but certain. “Because I want to be the one who does it. I want to take care of you.”
She blinked at him, startled by this softer side of the cranky cowboy exterior he had.
He leaned down, kissed her temple gently. “Now get comfy, fever girl. You need sleep.”
She let out a breath, finally relaxing against him, her head resting onhis chest.
???
The early light was filtering through the bedroom curtains. She was tucked beneath the covers of Levi’s bed, still wearing the oversized tee he’d given her the night before, and even though her body still ached, there was comfort in the stillness.
Levi wasn’t in bed, but he must’ve sensed she was awake, because a moment later his soft footsteps crossed the bedroom floor. She shifted under the covers and felt the bed dip as he sat beside her, brushing a hand gently through his hair.
