Page 66 of Tempting Levi
He’d thrown down his flannel to fight Adam earlier, and now he could kick himself for not having anything to put over her shoulders.
He reached behind the truck’s driver seat and grabbed the blanket Adam kept there, draping it around her. “Don’t go anywhere, okay? I’ll be right back.”
She nodded, and he made his way to the officer. He didn’t want to leave Emily, but he should check in with the crew before they left.
He approached the firefighter in charge. “Need any help?”
Bill, a man Levi had worked with before, shook his head. “It’s been evacuated.” He glanced at the door Levi had kicked in. “We’ll board that up.” He cut Levi a quelling look. “Now get the hell out of here before civilians start thinking they can run into burning buildings.”
Levi didn’t need to be told twice. He headed straight back for Emily and grabbed her, hauling her into his arms. He tucked her head beneath his chin and filled his nose with her sweet floral scent.
His eyes burned, and it wasn’t from the smoke.
He could have lost her. The club wasn’t more important than Emily. Why had he been such a dumb shit?
He’d thought his past with her sister mattered? It didn’t.
That he needed to protect the club—well, he needed to do that, but he could do it and still have Emily at his side. The club and all it entailed was messy, but so what? Life was messy, and Emily didn’t seem to mind helping him fix the mess. She seemed to relish it. So what the hell had been his problem?
He might be capable of putting out fires—physical or otherwise—but none of it mattered unless he had Emily. “I was an idiot. I think—I think I was afraid of losing another person I cared about. I’m sorry for everything.”
He felt her swallow. “You’re sure?”
He looked down at her and kissed her nose. “I prioritized my work, my stupid past—which should be left in the past—over you. Running into a burning building was always easier. Taking over a business I knew nothing about annoyed me more than anything. But risking myself on you terrified me. You weren’t a part of the plan, but plans can go to hell. I know that as well as anyone. I don’t care about any of it anymore. Not if I don’t have you. I’m willing to take a risk on us, but do you still want me? I wouldn’t blame you if you’ve changed your mind.”
Her chest jerked on a choked laugh. “You are a stubborn mule. Of course I still want you, but I can’t do this unless you’re all in.”
He wrapped his arms around her until his fingertips touched the sides of her hips and she was fully encased in his embrace. “I’m all in.”
She lightly shivered and nuzzled in closer. “How in the world did you know about the fire, anyway? For the record, I smelled the smoke and was about to walk out, perfectly safe.”
“Wasn’t taking chances,” he mumbled into her hair. “I heard about the fire from a police scanner. I listen in from time to time. Old habit.”
Raising one hand to the back of her head, he looked down at her. “There will always be fires to put out. It’s the one inside my chest that burns for you that I don’t want to get rid of. I’d like it to simmer good and long.” He dropped his mouth to hers and kissed her deeply.
She pulled back, gasping for air. “I’ll have you know, I haven’t brushed my teeth.”
“You taste sweet to me.” He kissed her cheekbone and tried to go in for another one on the lips.
She frowned halfheartedly. “Must be all those Oreos I ate trying to convince myself that I’d be able to forget you.”
His face grew serious. “Don’t forget me.”
She gently touched the scar above his eye. “Don’t push me away. You need to hear me.”
He tucked his head near her neck. “I always heard you. Just wasn’t listening to my gut. But I won’t make that mistake again.” He squeezed her a little. “Give me a chance?”
She sighed. “I suppose. Those Oreos were going to be the death of me. At least now I can stop eating them to feel better.”
“You can still eat them. Just eat them at my house. In my bed.”
Chapter 29
They drovestraight to Levi’s place, and Adam was standing outside the house when they arrived. He shook his head, which Emily assumed had something to do with Levi driving his truck.
They exited the vehicle and Levi tossed his brother the keys, giving him a swift nod.
No words had been said on the way to his place, but Levi had held her hand the entire way, his thumb rubbing soft circles over the back of it.
