Page 62 of Into the Fire
She rolled her eyes but smiled, cheeks warming. “Shut up and help me get June settled beforeI melt in this dress.”
“Fair enough,” he said, reaching to take June’s bag from her, a little stuffed horse peeking out of the top.
Jess buckled June into the back seat of his pickup and turned to see Emery cautiously walking to the vehicle. The gravel was difficult to maneuver in heels, making Emery walk slowly. “I’m starting to think I should’ve just worn my flip flops,” she muttered.
Jess laughed. “You look great, he’s gonna lose his mind when he sees you. Let's get going, I don’t want to be responsible for your man committing a felony tonight if I get you there 5 minutes late.”
Jess opened the door for her with a flourish. “Your chariot awaits, m’lady.”
On the road to the Cattlemen's Ball, the sun dipped low, spilling vivid colors across the Wyoming sky. Jess kept his eyes on the road, but his tone turned just slightly serious. “I know Levi’s acting a little ridiculous about lettin’ you outta his sight. But you’re safe. I won't leave your side. Got it?”
“I know,” she said, touched by how seriously he was taking it. “Thank you, Jess.”
“Just don’t make me play bodyguard and dance partner. One trauma at a time.”
Emery laughed, relaxing a little. “I promise.”
23
They pulled into the lot at the lodge where the event was being held, lights from the venue casting a warmth in the air. Jess put the truck in park, then turned toward Emery with a quick nod. “Alright, let’s go melt some rancher wallets for a good cause.”
Coming around to her side of his pickup truck, he offered his arm, and she took it with a grateful smile. Heels clicking softly on the path as they walked toward the entrance, the hum of laughter and clinking glasses filled the air of the open barn-style venue, the strings of warm white lights wrapped around exposed beams and sparkled against the wide planks of the perfectly buffed wood floor. The scent of barbecue and whiskey drifted with the sound of a live fiddle coming from the corner. It was Cold Creek tradition atits finest. Polished boots, tailored suits, and the kind of ranch-town elegance that only showed up once a year.
Levi was standing near the far corner, his perfect smile flashing his white teeth in a way that only happened when he was genuinely happy. He laughed with a rich and unfiltered charm, deep in conversation with the Sheriff and a few ranch owners, a glass of something amber in his hand. His boots planted wide like he owned the floor until he saw her. The second his eyes lifted and settled on her, everything else fell away.
He blinked once. Twice.
Levi let out a breath, slow and sharp.
“Jesus,” he muttered without taking his eyes off her. He barely registered Jess beside her; his whole world narrowed to the woman walking straight toward him. She had no idea the kind of power she had over him.
She was everything he loved in shorts and flip-flops—but like this?
Hell, this was dangerous.
He left the men he was chatting with mid-conversation andtook a direct path to her, weaving in and out of anyone who stood in his way.
His hand found her waist the second he was close enough, pulling her in. “You tryna kill me, baby?” he murmured, voice low and rough in her ear. “’Cause you just might.” Emery’s chest fluttered as Levi’s eyes locked on hers, like she was the only person in the building.
His usual laid-back ranch uniform had been traded for something that sent her mind reeling and heat creeping to her cheeks. Crisp dark Wranglers that clung just a little tighter than his everyday jeans, a fitted charcoal gray suit coat that accentuated his broad shoulders over a rich black button-down shirt tight across his chest, and his nicer boots, worn but polished. He cleaned up nicely but was every bit still Levi. Unapologetically masculine. Calm. Dangerous.
His hair, neater than normal, made her thoughts go straight to wanting to tousle it and run her fingers through it. She took in his signature scent, which seemed richer than normal—maybe it was theabsence of dust and hay to muffle it, just pure juniper and rosewood. His gaze dropped, drinking in the dress. The way the satin hugged her hips. The delicate spaghetti straps on her shoulders. The glimpse of skin through the slit high on her thigh. Her lips. Her hair, the complete opposite of her go-to messy bun.
He stepped closer until his chest brushed hers, the edge of his palm trailing along the bare skin of her back. “I was already obsessed with you,” he said quietly, “But you just made me lose any control I had left.”
Jess cleared his throat beside them. “Alright, y’all gonna make me stand here like an idiot or what, Levi?”
Levi didn’t break eye contact. “Go get a drink, Jess.”
“I’m under orders not to let her outta my sight.”
“Your job's done, good work,” Levi said, voice dropping as his hand slid along Emery’s waist. “She’s where she belongs.”
“You clean up pretty well yourself, cowboy.”Emery’s cheeks warmed, but she didn’t look away. She reached up, brushing a stray lock of hair off his forehead. “People are gonna start talking if we keep standing here like this.”
Levi leaned in, brushing his lips just shy of hers. “Let ‘em talk. I don’t give a shit. I’ve got everything I ever wanted in my arms. But Em, next time I’m picking the damn dress.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Why? You don’t like this one, is it too much?” she asked. Suddenly, the feeling of self-consciousness crept into her mind.
