Page 17 of Slow Burn
6
BRYNN
Building something beautiful is what I do. Making it complex as hell is the fun part, though. It soothes me to add angles and designs that make sense to me. I went to school to learn how to make those beautiful, complex things work. In real life, though, a degree doesn't mean I know shit about building something right.
Basic destruction might be what I am most skilled at. Because, I make the bad choices, say yes to the things that hurt me and do it with zeal. Like agreeing to nanny for Levi. Even though being around him makes both my blood boil and my brain scramble. Let’s not mention what he does to my vagina, because I’m not proud of it. Damn the man.
Vulnerability on a fuck-hot firefighter is my nightshade, it would seem. I am exactly one day into being his paid employee—though we better discuss a raise since he has me doing manual labor—and already I want to cross all the fragile lines that make up this foolish partnership.
“Little nugget seems hungry, babe.” Levi calls from the doorway, Amelia cuddled in his arms.
Jesus, Christ. Amelia is cooing as she gazes up at Levi, looking adorable and sleepy. Levi looks as fuck-hot as he did without the baby ten minutes ago, when I climbed him like a tree. With the baby? Forget it. His mouth still looks wet from the kisses we shared, his eyes are heavy, but he’s smiling down at his tiny daughter and, once again, my ovaries explode.
“Want me to?” I nod towards the bundle in his arms but he shakes his head, bouncing her.
“Nah it’s my turn. You want some food too, I can order something? We deserve something unhealthy after working like slaves.” Levi winks, nodding his head towards the newly painted nursery walls.
Even though I feigned hesitance, the moment Levi suggested we set up Amelia’s room today, I was on board. It felt like a second chance to experience something special and I was greedy for taking what shouldn’t be mine. But, I was taking it. I was excited to paint and decorate this room for that little Princess and I couldn’t wait to see it finished.
There was one wall left to paint, and he didn’t know it yet, but I planned to call Lola in for that one. I could already see the perfect accent wall and I couldn’t wait to see her make it come to life. Then we could set up her crib and the matching pieces Levi had let us pick out.
Admittedly, I’d chosen the theme, kind of taking lead as we’d shopped. I had a thing for owls and it showed. The crib set, receiving blankets, mobile, some cute lamps and other decor, all of it went with that theme. Pinks and browns with the just a hint of green. I shouldn’t be so excited to set up a nursery for a baby that I had to walk away from, but cross that bridge and all that.
“I am hungry, even after that Yolk breakfast. How is it after lunchtime though?” I had my answer before Levi spoke.
“Brynn, you know being with me distracts you; just like it distracts me. You look fucking adorable messy in my clothes, by the way. Let me feed the nugget and you can choose lunch.” Levi smirked before I watched him head down the hall, my jaw slack and skin flushed.
Shit. I forgot what a mess I must be. In his too-big sweats and wife-beater, no less. I couldn’t paint in the dress I had started my day in, but I can’t lie and say I didn’t like the way he looked at me when he found me in his clothes. And, they smelled pretty damn good, too.
I grinned as I followed him down the hall towards the kitchen. Rolling the baggy sweats at my waist once more, then doing the same with the hem of the tank, I felt his gaze on me before I even entered the kitchen.
Brushing past him, where he was fixing a fresh bottle, I pretended the contact we made was necessary. Small kitchen and all that. When I took the menus off his fridge, as he ducked under me to put something away, the way he brushed his hardness into my backside was just because I was in the way. His fingers sliding over the small of my back as he brushed past me was because of the confined space, too.
Lies. Lies.All lies.
It was all lies and by the smirk on his gorgeous face, he knew I was making them up to allow the brushes and touches and presses of bodies. I spread the menus out on the counter as he paced around the island, holding Amelia and cooing at her as he fed her. Levi came up behind me, notching himself between my slightly spread legs, his hardness against the ache he left me with. I allowed it because he was feeding Amelia and I was going to feed us to. More lies.
“What sounds good for lunch?” I could have facepalmed; stupid question.
“Mmm, I can think of one thing I am starved for,” Levi husked against my neck, his body bouncing Amelia and rocking his hardness against me, “you make it too easy, baby. How about.... some subs?” He nudges a menu with his elbow, sliding it from the pack.
I twist and realize how bad it suddenly got. I am bent over the counter, top half nearly flat. Levi presses up against me, angled between my legs, his hips pinning me in place. I can feel him growing harder. My core aches, throbbing for that hardness. Amelia is safely tucked in one of his thick arms, already passed out once again. Levi still rocks her gently, his rhythm more for us than her.
“Behave.” I must have demanded this a dozen times since this began.
Didn’t mean a single one of those demands; not really.
“Mmm, impossible woman.” Levi’s lips brushed my ear, his words hot, sending a shudder right between my legs.
My body betrayed me every time he touched it. Levi shifted away, but pushed harder against me with his hips, thrusting once. I giggled. Like a teenager, I fucking giggled. Levi growled and his hips rocked again, his basketball shorts offering little safety from the hard, thick length of him. I giggled again in response. Couldn’t stop it. His free hand cracked my right ass cheek and I moaned, his hips thrusting again.
“Think you need to behave, baby. Not me. Order me a number four with a pickle and some chips, please. You don’t feed me something I might be feasting on you, baby.” Another crack and his weight vanished.
My hands gripped the cold, hard edges of the island as I fought to focus. To gain some control. What the fuck was my problem? Nothing like pulling all the stops on a train wreck bound to crash and burn.
Levi hurt me once before. I was in no place to begin something with him, or anyone, really. Chicago was not my home. That precious Princess was not mine, not ours. Just his. Just hers. Here I was flirting, taunting, getting attached to the two things that could crush me.
Before I could latch onto that, could let it center me, Levi was back. I had ordered numbly and was just hanging my phone up when he was there. I cried out as I went airborne, my ass hitting the island. Levi shoved my legs wide, angling his big body between them. I blinked at him in shock, sputtering before he took my breath away.
