Page 52 of Every Single Broken Piece
Oh, thank you, sweet baby Jesus.
His words register, and happiness pours back into my heart.
Needing to know the answer, I ask, “Why did you marry her?”
“I didn’t want to be alone. I thought I could make it work, but I quickly realized I’m too fucked up to be with someone.”
“You’re not fucked up.”
Levi puts down his fork, and his eyes lock with mine. For the longest moment, he just looks at me, then he says, “I am, Kelcie. I’m still a grumpy asshole when I’m not with you. I still avoid talking to other people. I still crawl out of my fucking skin when someone touches me. None of that has changed.”
“You’re not fucked up,” I repeat myself. Getting up, I move around the table, and I frame his face with my hands. As Levi looks up at me, I say, “You’re the most incredible man I’ve ever met. You’re the only one who got through to me. I wish you could see yourself the way I see you.”
He sucks in a deep breath as if he’s trying to inhale my words.
Leaning down, I softly press my mouth to his. I keep the kiss tender, and when I pull back, I whisper, “I’ve never been in love until you. My parents raised me to have super-high standards, and you’ve met them all.” I give him a pleading look. “We won’t fail if we give this a go, because I feel we’re perfect for each other.”
Levi grips hold of my hips and tugs me down onto his lap.
A myriad of expressions flashes over his attractive features. After what feels like long minutes, a determined expression settles in his hazel eyes.
“The last thing I want to do is hurt you,” he whispers.
“I know.”
Please, Levi. We’re meant to be.
“I only want to make life easier for you. I want you to be happy, Kelcie.”
My eyes mist up, and my chin begins to tremble from all the intense emotions I’m experiencing. “I’ve been happy every moment I’ve gotten to spend with you.” I suck in a quivering breath. “I was dead until you came along.”
I wish he would see that he is the only reason I’ve started living again.
Levi lifts his hand and brushes some hair away from my face while looking at me with something that can only be described as wonder.
His fingers trail over my temple and cheek until his thumb tugs at my bottom lip. My breathing instantly speeds up, and my heart skips a beat.
His gaze turns downright predatory, and I’m glad I’m sitting on his lap because I swear, I go weak in the knees.
I feel how Levi tenses. “Once we cross the line, there’s no going back.”
I cup the sharp line of his jaw and shake my head. “We’ve already crossed the line, Levi.” Thinking he might need to hear it, I say, “I want all of you. Every single broken piece. The good. The bad. There’s nothing you could do to make me feel any different.”
His eyes flick away from me, worry flashing over his face.
“Hey,” I whisper. He brings his gaze back to me, and I smile. “Stop overthinking things.”
When Levi remains silent, I give him the time he needs, and it pays off because the determined expression that’s super hot returns to his face.
I lean in a little closer until I’m able to press a soft kiss to his lips. His week-old beard is scratchy on my skin, causing tingles to spread out over my body.
I pull back an inch or so, and when Levi follows, his mouth nipping at mine, once ... twice, I let out a needy moan, desperate for more.
A sexy grin forms on his face, and I realize he’s teasing me. I playfully slap his shoulder and move to get off his lap, but his hand shoots up, and he grips me by my throat.
My brain completely misfires at how dang hot the move is, then his mouth takes mine in an urgent kiss that has me seeing fireworks.
The level of heat between us becomes damn near combustible, and I feel his manhood harden beneath me.
