It should be illegal to be as hot as Levi is. Standing there in his bedroom with a tight t-shirt, hugging his biceps, showing off the tattoos on his arms. The jeans he’s wearing have been worn a long time, the ass is really close to coming out of them, and the hem on the bottom of the legs is starting to pull out. He’s got on a pair of old tennis shoes.
“There’s one thing wrong with that,” I say as I look him up and down.
“Oh yeah, what’s that?”
“It’s perfect. You look like a guy in a country video who hangs out by a bonfire, except your shoes. Where are your old boots?”
He glances down. “I thought they’d make me look like I don’t have enough money to be doing what I’m supposed to.”
If he only knew how hot he is with those boots on. He’s had them for years, and I can remember when they were brand new. I watched those boots, just like him. As he grew up, they got worn in, and I found myself looking at them every time I’d see him out and about. “Nah, I think it’ll make you look weirder if you don’t have them. I mean, what person do you know hunting in tennis shoes?”
“True, I guess you do have a point.”
“I know I do, go put those on, and I’ll make us some food before you have to leave.”
He looks back at me as he goes into the closet. “I didn’t invite you here to cook for me, Magnolia.”
My throat tightens. “I know, but the fact of the matter is, you’re letting me stay. You don’t realize how much I hated being in that house with Cody, even if I was really in a different one. It was as if I could feel him watching me all the time, and he knew things...”
“What type of things?” He asks, his eyebrows drawing together as he looks at me.
I shake my head. “Doesn’t matter now. But that’s what I’m talking about,” I tell him as I point down at his feet. “Now you look like you’re there to actually hunt, instead of just looking at the property.”
“Thanks for pointing that out. I might have gotten most of being an officer down pat, but there are still things that catch me off guard. Guess the shoes were something I didn’t think about. Thank you for helping me.”
He’s so sweet in the way he’s willing to give me credit for helping him. “You’re welcome.” And I mean that because he was truly thankful. If it had been Cody, he’d say that, and then find a way to throw it back in my face when we were fighting. I’m not used to someone being honest with me for the sake of being honest, and I’m just now realizing how it may affect me in the future. “Now what do you want to eat this morning?”
“I’m not used to having anyone here to cook for me. I’m a bacon and eggs kinda guy with maybe some oatmeal and fruit.”
Looking him up and down, I give him a grin. “Looks like you’re doing pretty well on your own, even though you don’t have anyone here to cook for you.”
His cheeks get red, and he grins back at me. “I don’t have anyone to cook for me. Like I told you.” He reaches back, scratching his neck. “So whatever it is you want to do for me, I would be appreciative. Typically I don’t even eat here, so I’ll enjoy it while I can.”
I’d love to tell him that I’m gonna be here forever, because that’s what my wish is. But if there’s anything I’ve learned over the last few years, it’s that the things we think are forever, aren’t guaranteed. With Levi Harrison, though? I wish they were. “Well, I’d love to send you to work with a full stomach and a home-cooked meal.”
“My mom might get jealous,” he laughs.
“Trust me, I don’t want Ruby to be on my bad side, but I think she’d be okay with me making sure her baby boy is taken care of.” The way his eyes move up and down my body, heats up certain parts of mine. We’re obviously both thinking of other ways I can take care of him, and I’m not sad about it. We just don’t have any time for that this morning. “Okay, what do you want, Levi?”
“Magnolia Grace, whatever you wanna fix me.”
“No,” I shake my head. This is what Cody did to me. Force me to make a decision I didn’t want to make, and then get angry when I didn’t make the one he wanted me to. “I need you to make the decision. Please.”
Our eyes meet. My blue ones clashing against his brown. We look at each other for longer than we should, but there must be something he sees in the depths of mine. That slight smirk he wears most of the time fades, and his face gets as serious as anyone ever sees it. “Then I’d love a bacon and egg sandwich.”
My throat tightens and slight tears pop into my eyes. He recognized it. How much it would mean to me for him to make the decision. “Thank you, that’s what you’re going to get.”
About an hour later, we’re finishing up our breakfast, and I watch as Levi checks his phone. His foot is tapping under the table, the heel of his boot making a rhythmic sound against the floor. “Are you nervous?” I ask softly, taking a drink of my orange juice.
“Yeah,” he admits quickly. “This is the first time I’ve been given this type of responsibility. Obviously most everyone I work with knows who my family is. That my dad is the best K-9 Officer for Laurel Springs, that my grandfather is the Chief. They know there’s a legacy behind me.”
“Is it hard to live up to that legacy?” The question is impulsive. He never seems to wither under that pressure, so many would, but Levi? He doesn’t seem to have a problem. Never has, and I’ve always respected that about him but at the same time maybe I’m not looking hard enough.
He’s quiet for a few minutes, before his voice speaks low and slow. “Yeah, it is. I’m proud as hell of the family I’ve grown up in. I’m going to work hard to continue that legacy, but I think a lot of people forget just how young I am when it comes to the badge. I’ve only been a professional for a year and a half, and I’m still learning a lot. Sometimes people, including my bosses, don’t remember that I’m still in that phase. So, being given an undercover assignment is making me pretty nervous.”
Licking my lips, I pull my bottom one in between my teeth, before reaching over and grabbing his wrist. Wrapping my fingers around it as far as they’ll go, I give him a squeeze. “You’re going to do amazing. I’ve seen you grow up, been able to witness your work ethic, you’re going to rock this.”
He sighs heavily, leaning back in his chair. “I appreciate it, Magnolia Grace, and I really thank you for the breakfast. I’ve got to be going.”
