Chapter Twelve – Levi #3
I couldn’t ignore the way my heart felt like it kicked into overdrive as I watched Emeline walking in front of me. My eyes drifted to her perfect ass, and I nearly moaned. My dick came to attention, too, and I had to admit this was the first time in ages that I’d desired anyone sexually.
Christ, this was Emeline I was gawking at. Caden would kick my ass.
As if she’d read my mind, she called out, “Enjoying the view back there, or did you want to join me?”
Picking up the pace, I quickly made my way to her side. “The view was pretty damn nice, I have to say.”
She smiled as her cheeks turned a bright shade of pink. “How do you think Rhett did today?” she asked.
“Great. He met a little boy named Jimmy, and they hit it off.”
“Jimmy Mills?”
I looked at her, noticing her intense focus as we climbed an incline.
“Yes. His parents died in a boating accident, I was told. I went to high school with them both.”
She nodded. “Yeah, it was really sad. They went to live with Lori’s parents, and within months, they’d both passed from pneumonia.
They couldn’t find any other living relatives, so the kids had to go to River Haven.
Breaks my heart. I heard a young couple from Estes Park wanted to adopt Katie, but not Jimmy.
I think that it’s so incredibly cruel to separate siblings, especially twins. They have a special bond.”
I nodded. “Yeah, I agree.”
We made it to the top of the trail—and I froze.
The scene before me looked like a picture.
Damn, I missed these views. The ragged edges of the mountains rose over the valley, lit by the evening sun.
Dots of snow scattered across the mountaintops seemed to glow a light pink.
I couldn’t imagine what it would be like once the sun started to set.
“Oh wow! This is beautiful, Em.”
“I know. It’s one of my favorite places on the ranch. I found it one day while following the wildlife path. Then I showed it to Uncle David, and the next thing I knew, there was a riding path. I used to come up here to think.”
“Do you bring the kids up here?”
“No. The pasture we rode up in is where we bring them. They collect wildflowers, bring them back to camp, and the kids can press them to take home. It’s a bit too dangerous to bring them up here, what with the drop-off right there.”
“I bet it’s beautiful at sunset.”
She walked over to a large boulder and sat on it. “It is. You should see it in the winter. The way the sun hits the snow on the sides of the mountains, it looks like Heaven opened and diamonds spilled out. It sparkles.”
I joined her on the boulder and stared out at the view. I could get lost in my own thoughts easily, sitting here.
“Em, I wanted to talk to you about the clinics.”
Drawing her legs up closer to her chest, she rested her chin on her knee. When she didn’t say anything, I went on.
“I didn’t mean for you to think the guys should replace the camps. I didn’t mean that at all. Caden and I were talking about profits and such, and I thought the clinics would be a good addition to the ranch. Please know I wasn’t trying to push you out.”
Keeping her head on her knee, she turned her head and smiled softly.
“The camps are growing smaller each year. I know it’s a good thing that our need for them is lessening, which hopefully means more families are doing well.
Or the kids at the orphanage are getting adopted.
It’s just…I’ve worked so hard on these camps to grow them to what they are today.
I know we could open them to paying campers, but that isn’t why we started the place.
And my idea of doing a camp for kids with special needs is something I really wanted to try. ”
“Why can’t you?”
She sighed. “I had a meeting with Caden, Uncle David, and Uncle Mike, as well as my mother. The insurance cost alone would be more than we could afford right now. Then you have to hire the right staff, who are certified to work with kids with disabilities.” She drew in a deep breath and slowly let it out.
“We do great with the fundraising, but it wouldn’t be enough to cover the current camps, plus one that would require so much additional cost.”
“If the other camps are growing smaller, could you combine the free sessions into one per summer, to help with the cost? Maybe do a few paid camps as well? You’ve got it all down pat, and I know people would pay.”
“But again, it goes against why we started the camps.”
“There’s nothing wrong with making a profit, Emeline.”
She shook her head. “It would be so much more work.” She looked at me, and her eyes were filled with sadness.
“I think this is a dream that’s slowly going to fade away, sooner than later.
Holding the clinics makes more sense for the ranch.
We might even be able to do more fun things with the cabins. ”
“What about doing a dude ranch?”
“A dude ranch?”
“Yeah, why not? People would love to do that.”
She chewed on her lower lip, then looked back out over the view. “Can you imagine people coming onto the ranch and Caden having to deal with them?”
We both laughed.
“He would lose his ever-loving mind.”
“He would.” She exhaled. “Maybe it’s time I concentrated on growing the equine side of the ranch.
I really do love my job, and the camps are so much work.
I know my mother was glad to step back from the major planning and handling of them.
Now I see why. I can’t imagine doing a camp every single week for three months. No, thank you.”
“Em, you’ve been doing these camps for several years. Do you think maybe you’re simply longing for something different?”
She shrugged. “Possibly. Something just hit me that night that you brought up the clinics. It’s almost like something shifted in me. I want more. The only problem is, some of what I want is…”
“Is?” I asked.
She looked like she was struggling to say what she wanted to say. “Unattainable…that’s the only word I can think to describe it.”
“What is it that’s so unattainable?”
I studied her profile while she remained silent. The desire to pull her into my arms and tell her I’d do literally anything if she would simply smile was almost overwhelming. I never had a connection this strong to Caroline.
I’d always had a connection to Emeline, though, even when we were younger. She just had something about her that I was drawn to.
She looked at me, and our eyes locked. The air between us seemed to heat, and my body came to life as her eyes darkened, and when she licked her lips, I dropped my gaze to watch the motion. We both leaned closer to one another.
I was about to bridge the remaining distance between us when Emeline scrambled back.
I frowned. “I’m sorry, I thought you—”
She quickly stood. “That’s the problem, Levi.”
Confused, I also stood. “What’s the problem?”
Emeline motioned between us. “This! You’ve repeatedly said you aren’t interested in a relationship, yet the more time I spend with you, the more confused I get. I want…”
I took a step closer. “You want what?”
Her mouth opened, then quickly shut.
“Em, please tell me what’s going on in your head.”
“I can’t.”
“Why not?”
She slowly shook her head before dropping it with a sigh. “It’s you, Levi. You’re the one I want. I have for years, and I thought…”
Her head lifted, and our eyes met.
“I thought it was a crush I was over, but I’m not. If anything, my feelings for you are stronger than ever, and everything in my life feels like it’s changing, and all I want is…” She closed her eyes and whispered, “You.”
“Em—”
Her eyes snapped open, and she took a step away from me. “You don’t have to say anything. I know the last thing you want is a relationship. I know. And I also know you think I’m too young for you. And then there’s Caden, even though he told me he’s fine with it, and Rhett, and just stupid life!”
Walking up to her, I did the only thing I knew was right in this very moment. I cupped her face in my hands, and kissed her.
She opened to me almost instantly, and the kiss immediately grew deeper.
Emeline melted against my body as she wound her arms around my neck.
I dropped my hands from her face and gripped her hips, drawing her body closer to mine.
This kiss was unlike anything I had ever experienced before in my life.
My fucking knees felt weak, and my heart pounded so hard in my chest, I was sure Emeline could feel it.
After what felt like an eternity, we slowly drew back. I leaned my forehead against hers and drew in a deep breath.
“You’re not too young, Em. And Caden isn’t a problem. And I wasn’t wanting a relationship…but then you came back into my life and everything changed.”
She moved her head back. “What do you mean?”
I smiled as I tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
“My marriage with Caroline wasn’t a happy one.
We had happy times, and I’m grateful for my kids, but something was always missing, and I could never put my finger on it.
Maybe it was because we were forced into marriage so young, I don’t know.
Together, we were like wind and fire. She was always angry, discontent, and no matter how hard I tried to make her happy, I just fanned those flames instead.
It was a dangerous combination. We didn’t match.
“I wish Caroline all the best, but she wasn’t the person who caught my soul on fire.
Since I’ve been home, spending time with you has made it crystal clear that you’re that person, Em.
Every time I’m near you, something inside me comes to life.
I’ve been trying to ignore it, because a part of me keeps saying I need time for myself and for Rhett.
But he’s thriving here beyond all my expectations…
and I’m tired of fighting whatever this is between us. ”
She swallowed hard. “Levi, I have to be honest with you about something.”
“Please do,” I begged.
Her eyes closed, and she seemed to be debating before she snapped her eyes open again, and she just let it all out.
“I feel something so profound that I can’t explain it, and I don’t want to hide it anymore.
My mother told me that I needed to tell you how I felt, and so did Caden, but I didn’t want to lose our friendship.
But then I think about Ensley and Grady, and I don’t want to go the rest of my life regretting that I wasn’t honest with you about how I feel. ”
“How do you feel, Em?”
Her eyes fell to the ground.
I placed my finger under her chin and lifted so her eyes met mine once again. “How do you feel, Emeline?”
Pressing her lips together, her eyes filled with tears.
“Please,” I whispered.
“I’m in love with you, Levi. I know you don’t feel the same way about me, and that’s okay. I don’t want it to come between us, or for you to feel awkward around me.” Her eyes closed. “Oh God, I should have kept my mouth shut.”
I drew her to me and held her tight as she buried her face against my chest. “I’m glad you told me, Em. I can’t say I’m in love with you—”
She tried to pull away, but I wouldn’t let her go.
“But I can say what I feel for you is so much more than friendship. Truth be told, Em, I’ve always been drawn to you. Even when we were younger, there was something about you that made me want to spend time with you.”
She lifted her head slightly and peeked at me. It was so fucking adorable, I wanted to kiss her again.
“I’ve got a crazy idea,” I said with a wink.
“What’s that?” she asked, her eyes lighting up.
“What would you say to going out on a date with me?”
A smile erupted across her beautiful face. “I’d say I like that idea.” Then she glanced over my shoulder. “Look at the sky.”
When I turned, I was captivated by a reddish-pink sky. It somehow felt like the most perfect place on Earth for us to express how we felt about one another.
“We should get going before we lose daylight,” she said.
When I looked back at Emeline, she was gazing out over the valley. It was clear she loved this place with her whole heart.
I took her hand in mine and brought it to my lips. Kissing the back of her hand, I smiled at her.
“We could count this as our first date,” she said softly, her eyes drifting to my mouth as she spoke.
Nodding, I quickly pulled her to me, causing her to laugh. “In that case, I think we should probably kiss once or twice more, don’t you think?”
Wrapping her arms around my neck, she nodded, lifting up to her toes. Her mouth met mine in another explosive kiss.
If just kissing this woman was driving my body insane, I didn’t even want to think about what it would be like to make love to her.
My hands slipped under her shirt, and when I found her nipples hard under her bra, I rubbed my thumbs against them, causing her to moan.
The sound traveled straight to my cock, which throbbed in my jeans.
I hadn’t even taken myself into my own hand for the last few months, and if this kept up, I’d come in my pants.
Emeline’s hands found their way under my shirt, and the feel of her skin on mine was enough to make my mind go blank.
For a moment, I considered pulling her to the ground and taking her right there.
Luckily, I regained power over my dick, and my mind started to work again.
I wasn’t about to have sex with Emeline on the ground, out in the open. Not for our first time.
She drew back eventually, panting as if she’d just run a marathon. “We should stop.”
“Agreed,” I said, my own breath sounding heavy. “I’m going to guess you’re not gonna be able to break away this week for that date?”
Looking sad, she slowly shook her head. “I don’t think so. Starting tomorrow, it’s going to be very busy days.”
“Then we’re going to have to get creative.”
Her brows lifted. “Creative?”
“If you think I can see you every day and not at least kiss you again, you’re crazy.”
She giggled as she took my hand. “I’m sure we can figure something out. We need to get going.”
We headed down the path, walking hand in hand until we got to the pasture. Both horses were still there, only a few feet from one another.
Emeline whistled, and her mare lifted her head, then happily trotted over to us. The gelding followed. We mounted up and rode back down the trail in silence. It was a comfortable silence, though. Giving me time to think about how I’d let Rhett know that Emeline and I would be going on a date.
I didn’t think he would have a problem with it, but how would everyone else feel?