Four Levi
I lean back against the hood of my truck, the sun starting to set, casting a warm golden glow through the ranch. It has been a long day, and I can feel the weariness in my bones. But there is something about the quiet hum of the wilderness that makes every ache and pain worth it. I head over to the big barn to drop off some equipment. As I pull up outside, I see the light is still on inside, and the door open.
Hmm… Maybe the girls forgot to shut down after their shift?
I walk in and see Sunny standing there, stroking one of the horses. She looks peaceful, her fingers gently gliding through the horse’s mane. The sight of her, so at ease with the animal, makes me pause. There is something calming about the way she moves, her touch gentle and confident. I could watch her like this for hours. That sounds a bit creepy doesn’t it. Yeah, I probably shouldn’t do that. But the way she looked at me earlier in the kitchen—I can’t unsee it. Her gaze dipped to my lips, just for a second, but it hit me like a freight train. Something shifted inside me, something sharp and hungry that I haven’t felt in... well, ever actually. And now, every time I think about it, I’m grinning like an idiot.
What’s wrong with me? I mean, sure, Sunny’s got that whole sunshine-and-trouble vibe going on, but I’m not the kind of guy who spends hours replaying a look. Except that’s a lie... because here I am. Damn it. I drag a hand through my hair and walk over to the task lists, trying to shake off the craving she has quickly become.
“They’re peaceful creatures, aren’t they?”
she says softly, not looking up. Her voice is quiet, almost as if she is speaking more to the horse than to me.
“They’re also stubborn,”
I reply, chuckling as I sign today’s task list on the wall. “But that’s part of their charm, I guess.”
I glance over at her again, and something about the way she smiles makes my chest tighten.
Sunny makes her way towards me, a mischievous glint in her eyes, “You know, Levi,”
she says, her voice casual but with an unsuspecting teasing edge,
“I’ve noticed something about you.”
I raise an eyebrow, trying to play it cool, but my pulse quickens. “Oh yeah? What’s that?”
She steps closer, close enough that I can catch a hint of something sweet—maybe peaches or vanilla. It makes it hard to think straight. “You always have this serious look on your face when you’re working, like you’re plotting some grand scheme. But I’ve seen you when you think no one’s watching.”
I tilt my head, confused but intrigued. “And what exactly have you seen?”
She smirks as she taps her finger lightly on my chest.
“That sometimes, you hum to yourself. And I’m not talking about some deep cowboy tune. No, they’re High School Musical tunes.”
I feel heat rush up my neck. Oh, great. She caught me. I can’t help but chuckle, trying to deflect. “What can I say? It’s what motivates me.”
She laughs softly, a sound that makes the air between us feel a little too warm. “Don’t worry, It’s kinda cute.”
Cute? She thinks I’m cute and adorable! Calm down Levi.
“You think I’m cute as well, huh,”
I reply with a smirk, trying to play it cool.
She bites her lip, trying to hide her grin, and I’m struck with the realization that I’d let her call me whatever she wants if it means she keeps smiling like that.
I lean back against the wall, crossing my arms as a thought pops into my head, “y’know, you practically tackled me in the coffee shop when we first met, and then you were on your knees, rubbing my dick like you were polishing shoes.”
Sunny's face turned a deep shade of red, “Oh my god,”
she groaned, covering her face with her hands.
“I promise I was just trying to help! I made it so much worse, didn’t I?”
I can’t help but chuckle, taking a step closer. “Relax Sunshine, I’m just teasing,”
I say, as I gently move her hands away from her face, “You’re cute when you’re flustered,”
My voice softer now, the words almost slipping out before I can stop them.
Sunny blinks, slightly taken aback, her blush disappearing as she chews on her bottom lip, trying to hide her smile.
I clear my throat, suddenly hyper-aware of the tension between us. Her arm brushes against mine as she moves to stand next to me. We stand there in silence for a moment, soaking in the peaceful sounds of the ranch. The quiet between us isn’t awkward, just…comfortable, like we’ve done this a hundred times before.
“So, how has work been so far?”
I ask, not wanting to leave her presence yet. It feels good, standing here with her, like I am exactly where I am supposed to be.
“It has been so much fun!”
she says, her face lighting up as she recounts her time here so far. Watching her speak about something she loves, with that smile on her face, makes my chest tingle. She is so full of life, so passionate. It’s mesmerizing, how she seems so at home out here already. I’ve been dying to know more about her, so I finally ask.
“So, tell me more about yourself, about your family. Any siblings?”
She shifts a little, her smile fading just enough that I know I’ve hit something sensitive. “Well, I’m a twenty-four-year-old only child,”
she says quietly, her voice softer than usual.
Hmm, a ten-year age gap isn’t bad, right.
“I don’t really talk to my parents anymore. They wanted me to be a lawyer or a doctor, something ‘prestigious,’ y’know? When I told them I was studying equine science, they lost it. Completely disowned me. Haven’t spoken to them since.”
I don’t say anything, just listen.
“I was really close to my grandpa, though,”
she continues, her eyes glazing over with that distant look people get when they’re remembering someone they’ve lost. I know that look all too well.
“He passed a few years ago. He was the only one who really understood me.”
She pauses, like she’s trying to hold it together. “Now I just have Paisley. Her parents practically took me in, so I go to their place for Thanksgiving and Christmas. They’re my family now.”
Hearing her talk about it, about how her own parents couldn’t see what I do, how they just let her go—it hits me harder than I expect.
As she speaks, I place my hand in my pocket, feeling the small lump of a sugar cube in my hand. An idea sparks in my mind, something to keep her here with me a little longer. And maybe show off a bit.
I pull out the cube and place it in Sunny’s hand. Her face immediately fills with confusion.
“Why have you got sugar cubes in your pocket?”
she asks, laughing as she looks down at the cube sitting on her palm.
I chuckle, shrugging my shoulders. “You never know when someone needs a little sugar,”
I say, trying to sound nonchalant. “Even the horses.”
She shakes her head, laughing again, and I can’t help but smile at the sound. “Is this your idea of a pick-up line, Levi? Because I gotta say, it’s…unique.”
“Well, it’s working, isn’t it?”
I tease back.
“You’re still standing here, aren’t you?”
She grins, and before she can respond, I gently place my hand on her lower back, guiding her toward one of the stalls. I feel her stiffen slightly under my touch, but then she relaxes, letting me lead her to an older horse, it’s coat slightly gray with age. “This here is Luna,”
I explain, keeping my voice low. “She’s got a few tricks up her sleeve.”
Sunny looks at Luna, then back at me with curiosity.
“Tricks? Like what?”
“Hold your hand out,”
I instruct, stepping back slightly to give her room. She does as I ask, palm up, the sugar cube resting in the center. “Luna, round,”
I say, twirling my finger in a slow circle.
To Sunny’s amazement, Luna does a slow, deliberate spin, her head turning to follow the motion. Sunny’s face lights up with excitement, she lets out a little squeal when Luna gently takes the sugar cube from her hand. “Oh my gosh, that was amazing!”
she exclaims, her eyes wide with wonder.
“Luna’s full of surprises,”
I say, grinning at her reaction. “She’s got a few more tricks, but I’ll save those for another day.”
Sunny strokes Luna’s muzzle, still beaming. “You’ve got a soft spot for her, don’t you?”
I shrug, feeling a heavy weight in my chest, “She’s been around for a while. She’s earned it.”
No need to ruin the mood with my life story.
I watch as Sunny continues to pet Luna, her movements gentle and caring. There is something about her, the way she makes me feel. The way I want to taste her lips, feel her body. I move closer to her. She turns to face me, closing the distance even more. Her lips part as she sucks in a breath.
One of the horses knocks into their stall, causing a loud thud that breaks the spell. I step back, the reality of the situation settling back in. I’m getting too comfortable with her, too close. She’s only been here a week. And she’s twenty-four. I need to keep some distance before I do something stupid.
“I better finish up,”
I say, my voice gruff, more than I intended it to be. It’s hard to pull away, but I know I have to. The last thing I need is a summer fling.
Sunny smiles, soft and warm, as if she knows exactly what I am thinking. “Sure, I better head to bed anyway.”
I watch her walk away, feeling like I should say something else—anything to keep her here just a little longer. But what?
Stay and watch the stars with me? Nope, sounds too cheesy.
Or maybe, I think about kissing you more than I probably should? That’s just… not happening. She can’t know that.
I want to bend you over this fence and-.
Abso-fucking-lutely NOT! Get a grip, Levi.
Instead, I give a half-hearted wave, leaning back against the stall like I wasn’t just thinking impure thoughts.
Forgive me, father, for I have sinned.
I stand there for a minute, trying to shake off whatever spell she’s cast over me. The ranch is quiet now, just the soft shuffle of hooves and the creak of the old barn settling for the night. But my brain is still running laps, like I’ve got a hundred things to say, and none of them are appropriate for someone who’s supposed to be just an employee.
Except she’s not just that, is she?
Nope, she’s this damn enigma—funny, shy, and beautiful. So damn beautiful. Fuck.
I find myself wondering how long she’s planning to stick around. And more importantly, how long I can keep pretending she’s not driving me a little bit crazy.
I seriously need to get a grip. What the hell is wrong with me? I’ve known Sunny for, what, five minutes? And yet, she’s already crawling under my skin, switching something on inside me I didn’t even know was there. It’s not sweet, or soft, or anything close to that—it’s raw, sharp, and hungry. Like I need her in a way that makes my pulse race just thinking about it. When she looks at me, it’s like every nerve in my body is tuned to her. My self-control? Yeah, that’s hanging by a thread. I’ve never craved someone like this before, never felt my own restraint splintering just because someone met my eyes or bit their bottom lip. This isn’t me—this can’t be me—but she’s all I can think about.
I push away from the wall and rub the back of my neck, trying to shake off the heat crawling up there. It’s like my brain short-circuits every time she so much as looks at me—she’s just being Sunny. All sweet smiles and big eyes, talking to the horses like they’re old friends.
I need to stop. Seriously, Levi. Pull it together. She hasn’t even done anything, and you’re over here wondering how she tastes. It’s the newness, right? That’s gotta be it. New face, new energy on the ranch, and I’m just all hyped up over it. Yeah, that’s it. I just need to chill. Give it a few days, stop getting all Me Tarzan, you Jane when she looks at me with those big, innocent eyes. I mean, this is me. I’m the guy who flirts with the cows to keep things light around here, for crying out loud. But with Sunny, it’s different. She also doesn’t need to think I’m the type to flirt with every woman who crosses my path. I don’t want her getting the wrong idea—that I’m just some flirty cowboy throwing charm around like confetti.
God, that would be a disaster. Can you imagine? She’d probably laugh in my face if she thought I was some ranch Casanova. Oh, look at Levi. Using the sugar cube move on every woman who walks into the barn. How original.
No, no, no. I need to rein this in. Keep things professional. Or at least try not to be a horny idiot around her. Maybe back off the flirting just a little. Because at this point, I’m one doe-eyed look away from putting my hat on her head, if you know what I mean.
I need to play it cool, but the truth is, I don’t want to play it too cool. Not with her.
I take a deep breath, looking out at the fields like the dark, wide-open space is going to give me answers. Wait, maybe some space is what I need. Just a little distance. Let things simmer down, and then I’ll stop feeling like I’m going to explode if I don’t touch her. Yeah, that’s the plan. A little distance. That’ll fix everything, right?
Except… who am I kidding? I’m already counting the minutes until I see her again.
Great. Just great. This is going to be harder than I thought.