Page 79 of Stuck with the Hero Next Door

“Are you sure, you’re sure? I’ve heard Everwood has Grizzly Bears, crazy winter snowstorms, and seriously dirty, super-hot firefighters that take their job very seriously.”

I grinned back. “Hmm, I think I can handle the Grizzly Bears and the winter storms, but I’m not sure about the firefighters." I laughed hard, accidentally snorting, and clutched my stomach at the unexpected sound.

Levi shook his head, then kissed me on the forehead. A light peck I almost didn’t feel.

“I won’t melt if you get me dirty,” I teased.

The smile that spread across his face was warm and mischievous. Despite the soot on his cheeks and the exhaustion in his eyes, he looked like he’d just received the best possible news.

“Even when I’m covered in barn fire residue and probably smell of campfire that’s been put out with swamp water?”

I laughed, stepping even closer. “Especially when you are covered in barn fire and swamp water. You’ve been fighting fires all day, and now you’re standing here looking like you’ve been through a war, and all I can think is how lucky I am that you’re mine.”

“Am I?” he asked, his voice teasing. “100 percent yours.”

I reached up and cupped his face in my hands, ignoring the soot, the stubble, and the evidence of his long day. I looked into his eyes—tired but hopeful—and I let him see everything I’d been feeling, everything I’d been too scared or too confused to say.

“Oh yeah. You’re mine,” I said. “Are you sure you’re willing to take a chance on a teacher who can be a little indecisive, who sings off-key, and took forever to figure out what she actually wanted?”

“I’ve been waiting for you to figure it out,” he said, his hands settling on my waist where they belonged. “And I’d wait longer if I had to.”

“Well, lucky for us, we don’t have to wait anymore.”

This time, when he leaned down to kiss me, I met him halfway, my lips finding his in a kiss that tantalized and sent chills up my spine. It started soft but grew into something that had me gasping for breath. His hands were holding my waist like he was afraid I would vanish if he let go. It was perfect. His lips told me everything I needed to know. He loved me.

When we finally broke apart, we were both smiling.

“I should probably shower,” he said, his forehead resting against mine. “If I can smell me, then I know it’s bad.”

“Do you have a change of clothes?” I asked, not wanting to let him out of my sight. He retrieved a duffel from his truck. I took his duffel and laughed when I realized how heavy it was. “Are you carrying bricks?”

“Nope. Not today.” He winked, then took his bag back, and we walked to the house hand in hand

“Good, I want to tell you about my day, and I want you to tell me about yours, and I made us dinner.” I giggled and added a little sashay to my step as we walked to the house.”

“Is that roast and potatoes?” Levi licked his lips with a smile.

As we reached the front door, I realized this man had been patient with my uncertainty, shown up for me in every way that mattered, was standing here covered in evidence of his generosity and I almost lost him.

“Leave those boots on the porch,” I said, already pulling him inside toward warmth and dinner. “And that coat too. You're washing up before we eat.”

But even as I fussed over the practical details—muddy boots, soot-stained clothes, the smell of smoke clinging to his hair—I laughed. To think this all started when I'd stepped out of Tim's tow truck.

Chapter 22

Finally, Us

Levi

“Ishould really shower,” I said again, though I made no move toward the bathroom. I couldn’t seem to let go of her hand, couldn’t quite believe this was real.

Cassie laughed. “Oh, you definitely need a shower. But first, she reached up on her tippy-toes and kissed me one more time. “You smell.”

"I have been kinda busy today."

"Yes, I can see that, but what happened to your forehead?” Cassie reached up and pulled my hair back from my forehead."

I reached up to touch the spot she was focused on, feeling the evidence of where a piece of falling debris caught me. Just one of those small injuries that come with volunteer firefighting, but the concern in her voice made my chest feel warm.