Page 131 of Burning for You
“Carolyn… I know it was stupid of me to believe those rumors. And I had Anton answering your phone—”
“Josh stole my phone and got Anton to do that,” I say quickly.
He throws his head back, realizing what had happened.
“Levi, do you want us to be together? Not just because of the baby. Do you want you and me?”
“Of course. I’m sorry I gave up on you, on us, so soon. I had my doubts, I’m not gonna lie about it. I even feared what was going to happen between us when we started living our lives. We’re so different. But we’re so good together. I’m ready—for you and me. For you, mainly.” He cups my chin. Half of it gets the bandaged part of his hand, the rest of it is feeling his bare fingers.
I move my face so my lips are on top of his thumb, acknowledging his determination with a peck. Looking up to him, I say, “And you’ll accept that I will change to be with you? I will stop the bath and go to bed with you if you don’t want to join me. And I will train to be in a rodeo, if that’s what it takes to win your heart fully.”
He smiles. “You’re one hell of a woman. You can be whatever you wish to be. And you know what? I’ll match that by being one hell of a man for you.”
He’s already that to me. “So we have a chance, then?”
“You flew all the way from New York. We defied the rage of a Montana river. The likes of Zac Moss, the red carpets, they’re a walk in the park compared to what we’ve fought for. I’ll be by your side, on your side, wherever you are.”
I give him a subtle nod, not wanting him to stop because what he’s saying truly warms my heart.
“Most of all, Carolyn, I can’t wait to raise our family, and live with you for the rest of my life. So, what I’m saying is, I will make a chance for us.” He drives my hand to his cheek. “I love you.”
Then his lips find mine. A man’s kiss has never felt so passionate, reassuring, and heartfelt. What we had a few weeks ago was just a hiccup, but we were never apart.
“More flowers for you.” A nurse comes and puts a bouquet of pink blooms on my bedside table.
Levi tells me we’ve already received bouquets from Bear and his boyfriend Blake, the crew of Sass, and of Brilliance, as well as from the East Coast Flying Doctors.
I look at the card attached to the charming country basket.
“Who’s Giro?” I say.
Levi chokes. “They’re from him?”
I read the message: “Keep your ranch. Just cook my wife a fucking breakfast next week. It’s her birthday.”
Bewildered, Levi rounds my bed to read the card himself. “Geez!”
“Everyone wants your breakfast! Who’s Giro, seriously? And what is this about the ranch?”
“He’s the head of the Pit Vipers, the boss of the men who took you.”
Oh, so the giant worm tattoos on those men were supposed to be some kind of vipers.
Levi continues, “Jesse promised to hand the ranch over to him if he told us where his men took you.”
My face slacks. He did that for me?
“Giro was my friend, and former boss.”
“Speak of the devil!” I say in disbelief. “Aren’t you supposed to be in ICU?”
“Fuck ICU!” Jesse lets himself in. “So, it’s true. I’m gonna be an uncle?”
I cringe, hurting just by looking at him hobbling. But I welcome his hug.
“Never swam in the river before, heh?” the big Mr. Holt teases me.
“No one swims in the river in New York,” I say. “You’re my hero, Jesse.”