Thirteen Sunny
Waking up in Levi’s bed, wrapped in the warmth of his arms, feels like the most natural thing in the world. His chest rises and falls against my back, his breath tickling the nape of my neck. For the first time in forever, I feel completely content, like this is where I’m supposed to be. Where I belong.
I shift slightly, trying to wiggle out of his grip so I can slip to the bathroom. But he groans, tightening his arms around me.
“Nooo,”
he mumbles, his voice heavy with sleep as he buries his face in my hair. “You’re mine now. Forever. No escapes.”
I giggle, turning my head slightly. “I really have to pee, Levi.”
He sighs, dramatically loosening his hold just enough to let me slide away. “Fine,”
he mutters, the sleepiness replaced by a sly grin. “But only because I get to watch you walk away naked.”
I shoot him a teasing glare but don’t bother covering myself.
He folds his arms behind his head, leaning back against the pillows, his eyes following me as I slide out of bed. I don’t feel vulnerable under his gaze. Quite the opposite—I love the way he looks at me.
When I return, the bed is empty. The sheets are rumpled and still warm, but Levi is gone. I hear music floating up from downstairs, faint but unmistakable: My Girl. His deep, playful singing accompanies it. My lips curl into a grin. I grab Levi’s oversized T-shirt from the floor and pull it over my head. It swallows me whole, the hem brushing mid-thigh. It smells like cedarwood mixed with something purely Levi.
Following the music, I head downstairs to find him in the kitchen. The sight that greets me makes my heart swell: Levi is standing by the stove, swaying slightly to the music, spatula in hand, flipping pancakes. Barefoot, hair tousled, utterly focused. This mountain of a man singing Motown and making breakfast.
Damn.
Unable to resist, I walk over and wrap my arms around his waist from behind, pressing my cheek to his back.
“Morning, sugar,”
he murmurs, the smile evident in his voice. He turns, scooping me up, and perching me on the counter.
His lips find mine in a sweet, lingering kiss, then he brushes his nose against mine.
“You look so beautiful,”
he whispers, his voice soft and eyes sincere as he takes me in.
I can feel the heat rising in my cheeks, and I know I’m visibly blushing. This side of Levi, the sweet, tender side, makes my heart flutter. I adore every side of him—his possessive side, his goofy side, his playful side, even his stubborn side. But this? This soft, caring Levi? He’s everything.
The kitchen is quiet, save for the soft hum of the fridge and Levi moving around the kitchen. My eyes are locked on him as he glances over at me, his expression dark and full of lust.
There’s something about the way his eyes linger on me that makes my pulse race—like he’s pulling me in, making me forget about everything else.
I hold my breath as he steps closer, positioning himself between my legs. His hands move slowly, deliberately, finding the hem of the T-shirt I’m wearing, his T-shirt. I feel my breath hitch when his fingers brush against my bare skin, tugging the fabric up inch by inch. I don’t stop him; instead, I lift my arms, letting him peel the shirt off me. It’s a quiet surrender, and now, I’m completely bare in front of him. Levi steps back for a moment, his eyes trailing over my body like he’s committing every curve, every detail, to memory. His gaze is scorching, holding me captive. It’s not just heat—it’s authority, power, something deeper that coils low in my stomach, making my pulse race. Levi doesn’t just look at me; he sees me.
“Don’t move,”
he orders, his voice low, rough, and utterly commanding. I freeze under his stare, my breath hitching as he leans closer. His calloused hands grip my thighs, spreading them apart with ease. The possessiveness in his touch, the way he positions me exactly how he wants, I tremble, my body arching toward him on instinct, but his hand presses me firmly back against the counter. “I said, don’t move.”
His voice is a growl now, dangerous and intoxicating, and I love the way it makes me feel—small, vulnerable, and completely his.
I let out a shaky breath as he slowly trails his hands up my thighs, his touch deliberate, claiming. His fingers skim my hips before sliding to my waist, pulling me to the very edge of the counter, exactly where he wants me. My hair spills out behind me as I tilt my head back, my chest heaving, every nerve alight under his control.
His lips meet mine, slow and deliberate at first, but the kiss deepens quickly, our need for each other growing stronger by the second. I melt into him, my hands gripping his arms for support as his grip tightens on my thigh.
When he breaks the kiss, his breath is hot against my lips. His hands slide down my body, one lingering at my neck while the other moves lower, pushing me back onto the counter. My hair spills out behind me, and I look up at him, his eyes full of hunger. My chest rising and falling with anticipation.
“Look at you,”
he murmurs, voice softer but no less commanding. His hand moves to my throat, his thumb pressing just enough to feel my frantic pulse.
“You trust me, baby?”
I manage a shaky nod as he hums in approval.
“Good girl.”
The praise sends shivers through me, and I can feel myself growing desperate under his touch, every part of me begging for more. His other hand trails lower, brushing over my stomach before finding the heat between my legs. A soft gasp escapes me as he starts to rub slow, teasing circles.
My body reacts immediately, arching into his touch, desperate for more.
“You’re so fucking perfect like this,”
Levi growls, his voice thick with desire. “Spread out on my counter.”
I moan softly, my back arching as his hand works me, every touch sending waves of pleasure coursing through my body. He keeps one hand on my throat, steadying me as I start to lose control, my breaths coming faster, more ragged.
I can’t form words. All I can do is gasp as he pushes me closer and closer to the edge, my hips bucking against his hand, desperate for release.
“Let go for me, Sunny,”
he murmurs, his voice commanding, full of need. “I want to feel you unravel.”
With those words, I come undone. My body arches off the counter as I cry out his name, trembling beneath him, completely at his mercy. The pleasure washes over me in waves, leaving me breathless, my mind blank with the intensity of it all.
Levi doesn’t take his eyes off me, not for a second. Watching me as I fall apart in his hands, my body still trembling from the release.
But he isn’t done with me. Not yet.
Before I can catch my breath, he flips me, bending me over the counter. I gasp, my palms pressed flat against the cool surface as his hands grip my hips, pulling me back into him. The control he exerts over me, the strength in his movements, makes my pulse race all over again. I love the way he takes over, how effortlessly he commands every inch of me.
He presses against me, his breath hot against my ear. “You’re going to stay just like this, sugar,”
he growls. “Don’t move unless I tell you to. Understood?”
“Yes,”
I manage, my voice shaky with anticipation.
“Yes, what?”
His tone sharpens, demanding the answer he wants.
“Yes, sir,”
I whisper, the words tumbling out of me. The moment I say it, I feel the tension in his grip intensify, his approval rolling over me like a wave.
He chuckles, deep and dark as he says, “That’s my girl.”
His hand slides up my back, pinning me in place as his other hand dips lower, teasing, testing.
“You’re so sensitive,”
he murmurs, his fingers brushing against my core.
“Every inch of you reacts to me. Just the way I like it.”
He positions himself at my entrance, and the moment he starts to push into me—slow, deliberate— I whimper softly, throwing my head back, but he’s quick to press me down. “Stay still, baby,”
he commands, his tone brooking no argument.
“Levi,”
I whisper, my voice trembling.
“You’re doing such a good job. Taking all of me.”
Hearing my voice like that seems to push him closer to the edge. He leans over, placing a soft kiss to my shoulder before his movements come faster. Each thrust is deep, controlled, and I can feel every inch of him as his hips snap against me. I’m gripping the counter, gasping his name between moans, my body reacting to his every touch, every thrust.
“Fuck, Sunny,”
he growls against clenched teeth.
I can feel myself spiraling again, my body tightening around him as he drives into me harder, faster, gripping me tightly as he has his way with me, the force of it making my breath catch in my throat.
“Such a good girl,”
he murmurs.
That’s all it takes. I come undone, my body trembling beneath him as I scream his name. Levi follows me over the edge, his body tensing. I feel him shudder against me, groaning my name as he finds his own release.
He collapses on top of me, both of us trembling, breathless, as the intensity of the moment washes over us. Levi wraps his arms round me, his forehead resting against back as we try to catch our breath, our bodies still tangled together.
For a long moment, we just stay like that, wrapped in each other, both of us still coming down from the high. The kitchen is quiet again, except for the sound of our ragged breathing.
Levi presses a soft kiss to my shoulder. His touch is tender now, full of something deeper than just desire and need, and it makes my heart swell.
“You’re so beautiful,”
he murmurs, his voice soft as he turns me around. I smile, still catching my breath, my body warm and content as I look up at him, feeling utterly at peace in this moment. I pull him closer for one more kiss, slow and sweet. When we break apart, he helps me put his t-shirt back on, placing another kiss to the tip of my nose.
I hop back onto the counter, my body still tingling from his touch. The air between us feels heavy, charged, even as Levi starts to move. He turns his back to me, adjusting his pants and reaching for the skillet on the stove. There’s something captivating about watching him like this—his ease, his confidence. He moves with a grace that seems effortless, the muscles in his arms flexing as he cracks eggs into the pan. It’s almost mundane, the way he returns to making breakfast, but it feels so him. A quiet strength, unshakable.
I watch him for a moment longer, the soft sizzle of the pan filling the space between us. My eyes trace the lines of his tattoos. The ink on his arms shifts as he moves, the bold designs catching the light. A thought stirs in the back of my mind, curiosity bubbling up before I can stop it.
“Levi,”
I say softly, my voice cutting through the quiet.
He glances over his shoulder, one brow raised.
“Sunny?”
I hesitate for just a second, then ask, “Tell me about your tattoos.”
He glances at the ink on his arms, then looks back at me with a grin. “Which one?”
I point to the rose tattoo, the only one in color. The red is vibrant, almost alive against his skin. “This one. Any meaning behind it?”
His smile falters slightly, a shadow passing over his face. “My mom’s name was Rose,”
he says quietly, my stomach drops. Was,
his voice breaking slightly. “She… she was in an accident five years ago.”
My heart aching at the thought of what he must have gone through.
“I’m so sorry, Levi,”
I whisper, reaching out to cup his cheek, bringing his gaze back to mine, his eyes full of sadness.
“Luna was actually her horse. She got her when we were kids. Spent hours teaching her tricks. Every week, she’d call us out to the yard, her eyes lighting up, excited to show Colt and I something new she’d taught her.”
He smiles a little, a fond, faraway look crossing his face.
“Luna learned to do all these amazing things—bowing, nodding, spinning like I showed you. She would do whatever mom asked her to do. Mom treated her like family.”
I’m quiet, feeling a pang in my chest at the loss woven into his words. I watch him, my heart aching for this piece of him I never knew, for this life he had before. He glances at me, his gaze steady, and there’s a vulnerability in it, one I don’t think he shows often.
“She would have loved you,”
he murmurs, almost to himself, and I feel my cheeks heat up as he shifts closer, brushing a thumb along my knee.
“I bet she was amazing.” I smile
“She was,”
he replies. I can see the sadness growing in his eyes, the grief that still lingers there, and it makes me want to hold him close, to take away his pain.
“I bet she put you and Colton in your place,”
I say, trying to lighten the mood.
He chuckles again, this time with a bit more warmth.
“Always. She didn’t take any crap from us. She was tough, but she was so full of love. She made everyone feel like they mattered, like they were the most important person in the world. Y’know, she made up this monthly tradition. Called it the Monthly Monroe Dinner. She would prepare an absolute feast, enough food to feed the whole town.”
I listen as he talks about his mom, the fondness in his voice, the way his eyes light up when he thinks about her. I can see how much she means to him, how much he misses her.
And I would do anything to take that pain away from him.
“She would invite all our closest friends over for dinner, we’d eat, drink, and play games. There wouldn’t be a single person in the room who didn’t have a permanent smile plastered on their face.”
He adds, his own smile dropping as his words trail off,
“Levi…”
I whisper, gently rubbing my thumb along his cheekbone. His gaze meets mine, his eyes full of regret, “we haven’t kept up the tradition. We haven’t done one since she passed.”
I look at him for a second, searching his eyes, “why don’t we do one? We can prepare a feast, just like your mom did. You can bake cookies, and we can have Paisley and the guys over for karaoke and games.”
He chuckles, a smile spreading across his face as he stares into my soul.
At least that’s what it feels like.
“You’re something else, you know that, Sunshine? You’ve got one of those smiles that makes the entire world smile too.”
His voice is warm, playful, but there’s a sincerity in his eyes that makes my heart flutter. “Let’s do it. Let’s do a Monroe Dinner to make my mom proud.”
He leans in, brushing a kiss to my nose, and I can’t help but laugh softly, the sound bubbling up from deep inside me. Warmth spreads through my chest, melting me from the inside out, leaving me feeling light and full all at once.
As the laughter fades, Levi’s gaze shifts, settling on my forearm. His thumb brushes over the little sunflower tattoo just below the crease of my elbow. The motion is gentle, almost absentminded, but it sends a shiver down my spine.
“What about this one?”
he asks, his voice soft, curiosity flickering in his tone.
I smile, glancing down at the tiny sunflower. “It’s for Paisley. A sunflower symbolizes someone who instantly makes you feel calm, who makes you happy. They encourage your dreams and celebrate your wins without an ounce of jealousy. They’re warm and bright, loving, and loyal. They make you the best version of yourself.”
Levi smiles, his eyes not moving from the tattoo as he continues to run his thumb over it. Then, without hesitating, he leans in and places the softest kiss to my lips. It’s so gentle, so tender, completely different from the other kisses we’ve shared. But it’s just as powerful, just as meaningful.
“Wanna do something fun with me today?”
he asks, rubbing his nose against mine.
“Always,”
I reply, feeling a rush of excitement at the thought of spending the day with him.
* * *
We arrive at a ranch not far from Rose Lake. It’s peaceful here, the kind of place that instantly puts you at ease. As we pull up, an older man comes out to greet us. Levi introduces him as Hank, and I smile,
“Nice to meet you, Hank.”
“Nice to meet you too, darlin’,”
he says with a warm grin. “Follow me.”
We walk together, following Hank into a barn. The smell of fresh hay in the air, and there’s a warmth to the place that I can’t quite explain. As we get closer to the center of the barn, I see a small pen. My steps slow as I start to see what’s inside. I freeze, grabbing Levi’s hand as I whisper, “No freaking way.”
Levi chuckles, pulling me closer to the pen. “Come on, Sunshine, you’ve gotta see this.”
Inside the pen, nestled together in a pile of hay, are two calves. They’re tiny, with big brown eyes and fur that looks like it would be the fluffiest thing in the world. They’re cuddled together, looking so peaceful and content.
“Oh my Gosh,”
I breathe, my heart swelling.
“Levi, they’re so cute!” I squeal.
Levi places his hands on my hips and lifts me off the ground with complete ease, placing me over the fence. I crouch down, reaching out a hand to the nearest calf. It lifts it’s head, nuzzling my palm with it’s wet nose, I giggle, feeling my heart burst with utter cuteness. I glance up at Levi, who’s watching me with a warm, affectionate smile.
“You like ’em?”
he asks, his voice full of amusement.
“Like them?”
I exclaim, my voice full of excitement.
“Levi, I love them!”
I look back at the calves, the cuteness almost unbearable.
Levi hops over the fence, okay that was hot. ‘Click’ mental image saved for later, crouching down beside me, his hand resting on my back as we watch the calves together.
“I thought you might,”
he says softly, his voice full of warmth as he places a kiss to the crown of my head.
I lean into him, feeling the perfect contentment of the moment. It’s not just the baby cows, or the ranch, or the beautiful day. It’s being here, with Levi.
After getting the calves all loaded up, Levi and I drive them back to his place, the sun sinking low on the horizon, painting the sky in soft oranges and pinks. Levi’s hand rests on my thigh as he drives, his thumb absentmindedly tracing circles on my skin. It’s a small gesture, but it makes the butterflies go crazy. I glance over at him, and he’s got that easy smile on his face, the one that tells me he’s completely at peace in this moment. And I get it. I’m feeling it too.
We pull up in front of the old barn, near the edge of his property. The barn has clearly seen better days, but Levi’s done a good job of fixing it up. The red paint is faded, but there’s something charming about it, something cozy. Like it’s got stories to tell.
“You ready to see their new home?”
he asks, flashing me those dimples as he hops out of the truck.
I nod enthusiastically, climbing out as Levi opens the back of the trailer. The calves are calm, like they somehow know they’re in good hands. I follow Levi to the barn, my heart swelling as he guides one of the calves with complete ease.
I grab the other calf, trying my best to mimic Levi’s technique, but let’s be real—it’s not as graceful. The calf bumps into me, and I stumble slightly, laughing as I steady myself. Levi looks over his shoulder, chuckling softly. “You good, Sunshine?”
“Oh, yeah,”
I reply, trying to sound confident.
“Totally. Just bonding with my new bestie here.”
We take the calves into the barn, which Levi has already set up with a cozy pen full of soft hay. The pen is sectioned off in one corner, and there’s a small trough for water and feed. I can tell he’s put a lot of thought into this, and it makes my heart swell even more. We close the gate to the pen, and they immediately start exploring, nuzzling the hay. I lean on the edge of the fence, watching them with a smile.
“They’re so cute,”
I whisper.
Levi steps up beside me, his arm sliding around my waist as he pulls me close. “Not as cute as you,”
he murmurs, his lips brushing against my ear.
I feel a shiver run down my spine as he turns me to face him, his hands resting on my hips. There’s a soft, playful look in his eyes, but it’s the way his gaze dips to my lips that makes my pulse quicken. He leans in slowly, his lips brushing mine, and the moment is so sweet, so perfect, that I think I might actually melt right here in this barn.
But then… I feel eyes on us.
Not people eyes. Baby cow eyes. Big, brown, innocent baby cow eyes.
Levi deepens the kiss, his hand sliding up to cup my face, and all I can think about is how the calves are probably watching us, judging us. Like, what kind of example are we setting here?
I pull back slightly, giggling as I try to compose myself. “Levi…”
I whisper, biting my lip to keep from laughing.
He pulls back just enough to look at me, his brow furrowing.
“Sunny?”
He asks, half-smiling like he knows I’m up to something.
I nod toward the calves, trying to keep a straight face.
“The babies are watching us.”
Levi glances over at the calves, then back at me, his smile turning into a full-blown laugh. “The babies?”
“Yes!”
I insist, giggling. “They’re right there. Judging us. With their big, innocent eyes.”
He grins, leaning down to press his forehead against mine. “You’re ridiculous, you know that?”
“Maybe,”
I say, grinning back. “But I can’t make out with you while the babies are watching! It feels… weird.”
He laughs, a deep, rumbling sound that makes my stomach flutter.
Without warning, he grabs me around the waist and lifts me over his shoulder. “Fine,”
he says, his voice full of playful mischief. “You’re coming with me, little lady.”
I squeal, kicking my feet and laughing as he carries me out of the barn. “Levi! Put me down!”
I giggle, but I don’t really mean it. It’s kind of hot how easily he can manhandle me like this.
“Nope,”
he says, his voice full of teasing defiance. “Can’t have you worrying about the babies while I’m trying to kiss you.”
I can’t stop laughing as he carries me out into the open air, the sunset casting a warm glow over everything. He spins me around, making me laugh even harder, until finally, he sets me down gently on the soft grass outside the barn. I stumble slightly as my feet hit the ground, but Levi’s hands are quick to catch me, pulling me into his chest.
“Better?”
he asks, his voice low, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he brushes a strand of hair behind my ear.
I nod, still breathless from laughing, my hands resting on his chest. “Much better,”
I reply, looking up at him through my lashes, “Now, where were we?”
He grins, leaning down until his lips are just inches from mine. “I think we were right about…here,” he murmurs, closing the distance between us in a soft, slow kiss that makes my head spin. His hands slide down to my waist, pulling me closer, and I can feel the warmth of his body against mine, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
The world around us seems to disappear, and for a moment, it’s just us—me and Levi, wrapped up in each other, with the soft glow of the setting sun and the distant sounds of the ranch around us.
When we finally pull apart, Levi rests his forehead against mine, his hands still holding me close, and I can’t help but smile.
“You’re crazy, you know that?”
I whisper, my fingers tracing the edge of his jaw.
He chuckles softly, his breath warm against my skin.
“Yeah, but you love it.”
I do. God, I really, really do.