Loving Him

Chapter 7

Levi could feel the firmness of Mike's chest each time her back pressed against it. It was like a current of electricity sparking through her body—something she tried hard to ignore. Gripping the reins tighter, she braced herself.

“Are we still far?” she complained again.

“Why, are you in a rush?” he shot back teasingly.

“You’re too slow! At this pace, do you really think we’ll make it to our destination?”

“Could you just shut up? Dámn it, woman!” Mike snapped, striking Tigrel so the horse bolted forward. Levi instinctively clung to his arms as thunder suddenly roared overhead. Startled, she screamed.

Mike couldn’t stop the small smile tugging at his lips. Whether he admitted it or not, the way Levi gripped him so tightly stirred something unfamiliar inside him—something he’d never felt before. His brows furrowed at the sensation.

“Looks like it’s going to rain. Just our luck,” Levi muttered.

The downpour came without warning, the sky turning dark in an instant. Up ahead, they spotted a small hut—likely a resting place for workers. They were only a few meters away from the workers’ house, but the storm made it impossible to push through. Mike steered them toward the hut instead.

By the time they entered, both were drenched. Mike carefully helped Levi inside, her body trembling from the cold. Luckily, the hut had light and was furnished with essentials.

Mike immediately set water to boil. Levi sat silently in the corner, hugging herself. Concern tugged at him as his eyes flickered over her soaked clothes. He couldn’t deny it—Levi was beautiful. Sexy, kind, and intelligent… though her sharp tongue was a different matter.

He peeled off his shirt, hanging it on the window to dry, then searched for something she could wear. Finding nothing, he cursed under his breath. She needed to get out of those wet clothes, or she’d fall sick.

He walked toward her, but as he drew closer, he noticed her grimacing.

“What are you staring at? If you think I’ve got a fever, I don’t!” she blurted.

“Did I say that? Then why are you so quiet all of a sudden?” he snapped back.

“It’s just that… Mike, get it off—oh my gosh, it might bite my pearl!” she cried, pointing to the centipede crawling up her thigh.

“What the hell!” Mike exclaimed.

“Hurry!” Levi pleaded, her voice shaky.

“Stop squirming. Close your eyes if you can,” Mike ordered.

“Why would I close my eyes? Mike… hurry, it’s near… my pearl, Mike!” she gasped helplessly.

Mike couldn’t help the smile that flickered across his face. Up close, she was stunning—her soft, kissable lips seemed to tempt him, reminding him of the kiss they once shared, a memory that still haunted his heart and mind no matter how he tried to bury it. Levi wasn’t supposed to be the kind of woman who could unravel his guarded heart.

With one swift motion, he flicked the centipede away and crushed it under his heel—just as Levi let out a shrill scream that nearly deafened him.

“Levi, did you really have to scream like that?” Mike muttered in irritation.

“Of course! That’s a normal reaction. Wouldn’t you scream if something like that crawled on you? Don’t you know centipedes are poisonous?”

“You’d better take off those clothes before you catch a cold. Hang them by the window. You’re wearing a bra anyway. Don’t worry—I won’t lust after you.”

“Me? Undress? I’d rather get sick than strip in front of you! You might pounce on me. You say you won’t, but your mind might be thinking otherwise.”

Mike could only shake his head. This woman was impossible. She was unpredictable, confusing—and he was starting to get swept up in her ways.

His gaze lingered on her thigh, and he swallowed hard. Tugging her clothes back down, he quickly turned away, though his chest tightened. Levi, catching his reaction, secretly smiled.

She watched him settle into the small hut’s seating area. It was well built, just enough space for two.

A cold breeze brushed against her skin, making her hug herself tighter. Mike returned, handing her a steaming cup.

“Drink this,” he said, sitting across from her.

“Good thing this place is stocked. Whose hut do you think this is?”

“I don’t care whose it is,” he replied flatly.

Levi rolled her eyes, but when her gaze dropped to his sculpted abs and the sharp lines of his v-line, she swallowed hard. Her eyes lifted back to his face, her heartbeat racing. She quickly clutched her chest, realizing he had been staring too—his gaze fixed on her damp clothes that clung to every curve.

“What are you looking at? I knew it—you really do desire me!” she accused, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Don’t be paranoid, Levi. I’m a man. Of course I’ll notice. But just because I look doesn’t mean I desire you. Didn’t I tell you already? You’re not my type. I don’t go for flat-chested women.”

Levi scowled, turning her gaze toward the rain lashing against the window. With the wind howling, it almost felt like a storm had set in.

Mike stood, grabbed his dry shirt, and tossed it at her face. To her surprise, the fabric smelled fresh and clean. She tugged it off her face with a pout, but before she could voice her protest, Mike cut her off.

“I’ll turn around. Take off your clothes and wear my shirt. Hurry up, and don’t give me any attitude—unless you want me to strip you myself just to make you wear it.”

“Wow, really? What is this, a movie moment—Justin and Selena? Excuse me, I can handle myself,” she shot back with a huff.

“Try me, Levi, and I swear I’ll do exactly what I said.”

“Fine! I’ll change. But don’t you dare peek! If I catch you looking, you’ll regret it.”

“Come on, Levi. Enough chatter. Just do it.”

“Alright, alright! Just turn around already!”

Mike did as she demanded, his back facing her. Levi hurriedly stood but winced and sank back down, pain shooting through her foot. The cut was deeper than she thought, and when she glanced at it, blood was already seeping again. She swallowed hard, that dizzying sensation creeping in. The last thing she wanted was to faint in the middle of a storm.

“Are you done yet?” Mike called out.

“Not yet, wait.”

“You’re taking forever to undress. Can you hurry it up?”

“Shut up! I said wait, didn’t I?” she snapped irritably. She tried standing again, but her balance gave out, and she fell hard against the cement floor.

“Ow!” she yelped. Mike spun around instantly. Thankfully, she hadn’t started undressing yet. His brows knitted together as he quickly moved to help her up.

“I told you to change, not lie down on the floor,” he teased.

She smacked him hard.

“Hey, I’m just kidding. Now tell me, why did you end up on the floor?”

Levi didn’t answer. She simply pointed to her bleeding foot with a grimace.

“Damn,” Mike cursed, crouching to examine her wound. His movements were careful, almost gentle. Levi stared at his face, surprised at the worry etched across it.

She wasn’t sure if her eyes were just playing tricks on her, but for a moment, it looked like Mike was genuinely concerned. A part of her wanted to believe it was real, but another voice in her head whispered that maybe it was only guilt driving him to act this way. Still, she couldn’t help but wonder—why did it matter so much to her whether his concern was genuine?

Mike stood and rummaged around. When he returned, he had a small medicine kit in hand. Kneeling in front of her, he carefully cleaned her wound.

“Thank you,” she said softly.

“There’s a price for this, you know,” he replied flatly.

“What? A price? And here I thought you were helping me out of the goodness of your heart.” She pouted at him, narrowing her eyes at his serious face.