Page 9 of Taken By Storm

Kasi watched him leave, then turned to Levi. She opened her mouth but closed it again without saying anything.

He watched her swallow heavily, watched her blink back tears, never shedding a single one.

Levi’s heart broke and came to life simultaneously as he reached out, gripped her upper arms, and pulled her toward him.

Kasi stood stiffly, her hands balled in fists against his chest, as he ran his hands up and down her back, slowly rocking her. It only took a moment for her hands to open, pressing flat against his chest, leaving him to wonder if she was going to push him away.

Levi didn’t loosen his grip, but he didn’t tighten it either.

A full minute passed before her shoulders sagged and her body gave way. She wrapped her arms around his middle, pressed her cheek to his chest, and just held on.

Levi knew in an instant that he would hold her like this for the rest of her life if that was what she needed. It was a heavy, misplaced, strange thought, but it was the truest, most real thing he’d ever felt.

She was shorter than him, most people were, the top of her head brushing his chin. He bent lower, placing a soft kiss to her hair, loving the way her hold on him tightened in response.

And between one beat of his heart and the next, Levi fell.

She was his.

Kasi Mills washis.

And just like that, his entire world clicked into place.

After a few minutes, Kasi lowered her arms and stepped away.

Levi resisted the urge to drag her back. The inches she put between them felt like miles, felt wrong.

He studied her face. Damn. She hadn’t shed a single tear. Levi couldn’t decide if he admired her strength or if he was worried about the way she kept her emotions bottled inside.

“Sorry,” she whispered, her gaze locked on the middle of his chest.

Levi cupped her chin, tilting her face upward, waiting until she lifted her eyes to his. “There’s nothing to be sorry for, little bear. You’re quite the warrior, aren’t you?”

Kasi cleared her throat, looking away first, as if uncomfortable under his gaze. She glanced toward the counter, where Levi saw the Crock-Pot.

“I need to make a tray for my father.” Kasi bent down to pick up the one her father had dropped.

Levi took it from her, guiding her toward one of the chairs at the kitchen table. “Sit down.”

She started to step back to the counter, but he halted her with a look.

“Now, Kasi.”

She blinked twice, her brows furrowed in confusion, then did as he said, sinking down.

If the moment wasn’t steeped in so much newness, Levi would have found her response to his command a turn-on. As it was, he was still reeling with the knowledge that she was his.

Levi opened a couple cabinets before finding the bowls. He dipped out three portions of the pot roast, steam rising, the smell making his mouth water.

“Where are the rolls?” he asked, recalling her telling her father about them.

She pointed to the refrigerator. “Freezer. I bought them at the store. I didn’t have time to make any from scratch.” She sounded as if she was apologizing.

Levi grabbed the bag. “These are the same ones my brothers and I eat. They’re good. Quick and easy.”

Sliding a half dozen of them into the microwave, he set the timer. They only needed a minute. While he waited, he loaded a tray for Mr. Mills with the bowl of pot roast, a small plate with a couple slabs of butter waiting for the bread, silverware, and a glass of water. When the timer buzzed, he added two rolls to the plate, then put the rest of the bread and the butter dish on the kitchen table. He carried over the other two bowls, glasses of water, and spoons.

“Eat,” he said to Kasi, as he turned back to grab the tray.

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