Page 230 of Never Die for a Sinner
Levi flips us in a blur of motion, like instinct takes over. He drives into me once, twice—and then he’s coming with a low, feral growl. His body tenses above mine, his head buried in my neck as he spills into me with a broken curse and my name.
The only sound is the wind howling outside and the ragged rhythm of our breathing. His body is still pressed against mine, skin slick with sweat, hearts pounding in sync.
And then he leans down, brushing his lips over mine, so soft it breaks something inside me.
“I love you, Ava,” he breathes against my lips, like it’s sacred. He tucks a strand of damp hair behind my ear, the pad of his thumb brushing my cheek. “I will love you until I take my dying breath,” he continues, his hand snaking up and his finger under my chin. “In this life and the next. I love you, Ava Ryan. So much so that being without you feels like someone robbed half of who I am.”
The words are a vow and a warning, dark and absolute.
I should feel trapped by that kind of promise.
But instead?
I feel free.
This man—this psychopath—is mine.
And I have no intention of giving him up ever again.
LEVI
Fuck,Levi . . .”
I grin against her, sliding my tongue through her slickness as she comes undone for me for the third time today. Even after a year and a half, and spending nearly every night inside her, I still can’t get enough.
Ava shudders underneath me, and I press kisses up her stomach, then to her tender breasts, before I reach her lips. She’s flushed, so pretty, and panting in the wake of her orgasm when I press my lips to hers.
“You’re going to kill me,” she breathes against my lips.
“I’m innocent.”Lie.“I’m just trying to keep my girl happy.”
Her cheeks flame, and she smiles up at me from the bed when I force myself to break the kiss. She looks so beautiful with the new glow in her skin.
“We’re late,” she grumbles when I help her stand, though the grin on her face tells me she’s not all that upset about it.
I scrub a hand over the back of my mouth and help her right her dress. It’s just big enough that it hides the small bump there, and I can’t help but press my palm to it through the material.
I smirk, dipping my head so my lips graze her ear. “Sweetheart, I’d make us late every damn day if it meant seeing you like that.”
She places her hand over mine, interlocking our fingers on her stomach. Her smile softens, and for a moment, the chaos of everything outside these four walls doesn’t exist. It’s just her, me, and the tiny life growing between us.
“Careful, baby. You keep eye-fucking me like that and we’ll never make it to this thing.”
She swats at my chest, laughing, but the sound breaks into a nervous little sigh when she catches the weight in my stare. I don’t look away. I can’t. The sight of her—glowing, carrying the proof of us—is more than I ever thought I’d deserve.
“You’re staring again,” she whispers, cheeks flushed.
“Can’t help it,” I admit, squeezing her hand on her stomach. “Every time I look at you, it feels like the first time. And now…” My voice cracks, and I clear my throat. “Now I know you’re carrying my kid, and fuck, Ava—it’s like my whole goddamn world’s right here.”
Her eyes glisten, and she presses her forehead to mine. “Are we going to tell your family?”
“Soon.”
“They’re going to figure it out eventually. Paulina’s been hovering lately. She probably already knows.”
I meet her gaze, dead serious. “I want to enjoy you. Us. Before everything changes. Once people know, it won’t just be ours anymore—it’ll be everyone’s business.”
Her lips part like she wants to argue, but then she exhales slowly, nodding. “Okay. Our secret. For now.”
