Page 50 of Levi

“Where were you?”

“Just getting some fresh air.”

“Why?”

“I was thinking about us.”

“Is that good or bad?” She smiled when she saw a puff of cold air in front of him and knew he’d huffed out a breath.

“I’m just worried that you’ll change your mind about wanting to have kids.”

“Levi, I love you and want to be with you. I believe we’ll be fine without kids.”

“Are you sure?”

“I am.”

“I hope so, baby because I will not change my mind.”

“I know. Now, let’s get in out of the cold.” She turned from him, but he touched her arm making her face him and leaned down and kissed her lips.

“Happy New Year,” he said against her lips.

“It’s not new year’s yet,” she said with a grin.

“It’s not? Well, I guess I’ll have to kiss youagain when it is.”

Kinley laughed. “Sounds good to me.”

Levi took the case from her hand, then led her up the steps and into the house.

“Let me take your coat. I have a fire going in the living room.”

“Good. I’m freezing.”

He pulled her close, kissed her deeply, then raised his lips.

“I bet I could warm you,” he murmured as he placed his lips against her neck, and she shivered. He lifted his head and gazed into her eyes. “You are cold, aren’t you? You’re shivering.” He grinned.

“You know it’s not from the cold.” She wrapped her arms around his waist. “I’d love to have you warm me. We don’t have to be at Addison’s until seven.”

Levi looked at his watch. “That gives us two hours.”

“Do you think that’s enough time?” She raised her eyebrow.

He laughed. “In that time, I could warm you several times.”

“I want to know about the woman texting you,” she said, as they removed their coats.

“Of course, you do. Come on, let’s sit in the living room.” Levi hung their coats and his hat, then led her to the sofa.

He took her hand in his and rubbed his thumb over the back of it. Taking a deep breath, he looked at her.

“As much as I thought I loved her, it’s nothing compared to how I feel about you. I met her seven years ago, but there was someone else before her.Juliette. I was with her for less than a year. When she found out I didn’t want kids, she broke it off with me. I was thirty-four then. I didn’t think I’d meet anyone again, but I met Tara two years later. We fell in love and were together three years.” He shook his head. “I told her all about my past and the same thing I told Juliette, and she said she was fine with it. She was, for a while. Then when her sister had a baby, she started on me about kids. We had a huge argument about it. She told me to leave, and I did. I didn’t hear from her until two years ago, she emailed me to tell me she was getting married. I told her I was happy for her, and I was. She got what she wanted. Both Tara and Juliette wanted marriage, kids, the white picket fence, and I couldn’t give it to them. Tara moved to Billings, but her grandmother still lives in Clifton. My father constantly used his fists on me and my mother and it kills me thinking I could be that way. I’m not taking that chance.” He sighed. “I won’t risk it. Like I told you before, I want to spend my life with you, but children are out of the question. It’s not a risk I’m willing to take. I want you to understand that. If you think you’ll change my mind, you won’t.”

“And I told you, I’m fine with it. I remember Vivian Beckett telling me that when she told Grayson she might not be able to have kids, he told her he could live without kids, but he couldn’t live without her. That’s how I feel, Levi.”

“As long as you’re sure.”

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