Page 48 of Into the Fire
It became impossible to contain her moans as he began to hum with his own enjoyment of knowing the reaction she had to him. He flutteredhis tongue over her clit, still working his fingers. She tossed her head back, and with a gasp, her whole body began to quake. Her ears were ringing, her legs still over his shoulders as her heels dug into his muscled back, her hands diving for his hair and pulling hard enough to make him break contact so she could catch her breath.
Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, he said, “You’re so fucking sexy,” as he dropped his forehead to hers.
She tilted her chin up to kiss him, not caring that her taste was still on his lips. He didn’t waste any time before he slid inside of her slowly, savoring every inch and letting her adjust to his size.
With one knee buried in the couch and the other foot planted on the floor, he deepened his angle, and each thrust became more intense. His pace quickened as the sound of their bodies coming together mixed with their breaths. Her body still sensitive from the last orgasm he’d just given her it didn’t take much more to get her there again, this time in unison with him.
He came with a low growl in her ear as hetensed and then went lax, draping nearly his full weight over her body. “Fuck, baby. I could stay here just like this all night; that was incredible.”
Eventually, Levi stood to slip his sweats back on, gathering Emery in his arms and heading up the stairs to his room, making a pit stop in the bathroom to get cleaned up before crawling under the blankets and falling asleep twisted up in each other's arms.
17
Sunlight filtered through the slats of the blinds. Emery stretched under the sheets, her hand brushing up against Levi. He was on his side, propped up slightly on one elbow, his gaze soft as he watched her.
“Morning,” she murmured, voice raspy with sleep.
Levi leaned in and kissed her temple. “Morning,” he whispered back, voice low and gravely. “Feels like straight-up torture having to get out of this bed right now.”
Emery smirked, rolling onto her side to facehim. “Is that because of me, or because of how late we were up last night?”
He gave a lazy grin, tracing a finger down her spine. “You, without question. I shoulda been outta here hours ago. I've got so much work to get done this week, but I couldn't force myself to stop staring at you in this bed. You're perfect.”
She laughed, pulling the blankets lower on his chest. “We’ve got to get moving before June comes looking for us, anyway.”
“Mm.” Levi buried his face in her neck with a groan. “Cruel world.”
A short while later, Emery had June buckled in the backseat of her SUV as they drove the familiar drive to school. June was kicking her feet lightly and staring out the window before suddenly blurting, “Those girls in my class are being mean again.”
Emery glanced in the rearview mirror. “Mean how?”
“They said I couldn’t play with them during recess, and they always whisper and laugh when I raise my hand to answer a question.”
Emery let out a sigh, keeping her tone calm but firm. “You know what? Those girls are just brats who don’t know what they’re missing out on.”
June’s eyes flicked to hers in the mirror, surprised. “You think I should ignore them?”
“No,” Emery said. “I think you've done enough of that, and you should stand up for yourself. You shouldn’t be mean, but you don’t have to let them treat you like garbage. You’re smart, funny, and kind. If they can’t see that, that’s their loss. But don’t let them walk all over you, okay?”
June nodded slowly, twisting her little mouth. “Okay.”
Back at the house, Emery was elbow-deep in laundry, windows open wide and music up loud,singing to herself when her phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID and immediately felt her stomach drop.
School Office.
“Hello?” she answered, nerves already building.
“Hi, this is the front office at June’s school. We tried to call Mr. Walker but got no answer, and he listed you as an emergency contact. I’m calling to let you know June’s been involved in a little… altercation at recess. She got into a disagreement with a few girls, and unfortunately, things escalated. She’s in the principal’s office now.”
Emery closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Is she okay?”
“She’s not hurt, just a little shaken up. But we’ll need you to come in.”
“Of course,” Emery said. “I’m on my way.”
She hung up and grabbed her keys, a swirl of guilt and dread settling in her chest. All she could think was: Maybe June took that advice a little too much to heart…
The fluorescent lights of the school office buzzed faintly overhead, casting a harsh reflection over the beige tile and bulletin boards covered with outdated school flyers. Emery stepped through the front doors, her heart racing, scanning the room until she spotted June, small, red-faced, and slumped into the back of a hard plastic chair.
