Page 51 of Into the Fire
“Levi,” she started quietly.
He didn’t look over. “You better not try to apologize again.”
She exhaled, a bit frustrated. “If you’d just let me finish—I’m not apologizing for standing up for her. I’d do it again.”
That got his attention. He turned slowly as he dried his hands with a dish towel and dropped it on the counter, his body a line of restrained power.
“I’m apologizing…” she went on, her voice pausing slightly, “because I don't want to be adding more weight to your shoulders. One more fire to put out. One more thing you have to micromanage, and I know you hate that. One more person you have to—”
“Baby, stop.” His voice was steady enough to silence her words.
She blinked up at him, chest rising and falling.
“You don’t make my life harder,” he said, stepping closer, his tone low but unshakable. “Not one goddamn bit. You think I had to micromanage that situation because of you?”
He took another step, now right in front of her, towering, and so close she could feel the heat radiating off his body.
Her breath hitched.
In a swift, controlled motion, he gripped her hips and effortlessly lifted her to the counter, stepping between her knees and bringing his body against hers. His hands slid up to hold her face with such care that it made her weak.
“You’re mine, Emery. I’m yours.”
And then he kissed her—deep andforceful, no hesitation. No room for doubt. His hands threaded into her hair at the base of her neck.
She clung to him, with the promise in his touch that there would never be another moment where she’d question where she stood in his life.
“This isn’t a fling—fuck a trial. I need you to tell me now if this isn't what you want.”
“I want all of it, Levi,” she whispered. “Every part of you.”
Pulling back just enough to rest his forehead against hers, their breaths tangled, he whispered, “No more doubting it. No more tiptoeing. You’re everything to me, Emery. And I need you to know that.”
Her breath caught as Levi’s words sank into her like wildfire. Everything in his expression, his clenched jaw, the storm in his eyes, the tenderness behind his grip—told her this wasn’t just a heated moment. It was a turning point. A full surrender.
18
Emery glanced down at her phone, reading Levi’s message again as she strolled along the little downtown strip.
LEVI:Running into town for fencing supplies and gotta drop my truck at the shop. Meet me in an hour? We’ll grab June from school together.
She smiled to herself, warmth in her chest despite the cool early fall breeze. Things with Levi had shifted so quickly; she loved how things had become more real, more steady. More… permanent.
She was only a block away from the hardware store when she saw him, standing beside his truck, arms crossed as he talked to a woman Emery didn’t recognize. Blonde. Too polished for ranch life.Laughing a little too loudly and playfully swatting at his arm that he held across his chest. His jaw set, and he took a step back.
As she stepped closer, she could make out what the blonde was saying. At first, it sounded like small talk. Then she heard it—
“Oh, Levi, I was so sorry to hear about what happened at the school. I had hoped you weren't being a little too trusting. I mean, some nanny shows up, and suddenly June’s getting into fights?” The woman laid a hand on his arm again, this time leaving it there. “It’s no wonder she’s acting out. She’s being influenced by someone who doesn’t know how to be a proper role model.”
Levi’s posture stiffened just as Emery came into view. She froze for a split second. Her heart dropped, an ache tightening in her chest as her mind tried to interpret what she was seeing, hearing. She didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but her feet stopped anyway. That hurt look hit her face before she could stop it.
But Levi’s eyes found hers, andeverything changed.
He tossed the woman’s hand off his arm as he reached out, taking two long strides to close the distance. One arm wrapped around Emery’s waist and pulled her into his side with a certainty that left no room for doubt, planting a sure and lingering kiss on her lips.
The woman scoffed uncomfortably beside them.
“She’s not the nanny,” Levi said, turning back to the woman with a voice like steel wrapped in velvet. “She’s the best damn thing to ever happen to June.”
