Before she could say anything else, he stood. The motion drove him deeper into her. She gasped and clutched his shoulders for support. Levi put one knee on the bed and lowered her back to the mattress. Gripping her shoulders tightly, he began to thrust. Short, hard stabs were interchanged with long, hard strokes.

Levi pushed her higher than she’d ever been before. She didn’t know what was different this time. Maybe it was because she’d told him she loved him.

She ignored the pain in the vicinity of her heart. He hadn’t told her he loved her back, but she knew he cared. He showed it in every action he took. That meant more to her than false promises spoken to make her happy.

He shoved one arm beneath her back, hammering into her. Every thrust pushed her closer to the edge. Her fingernails dug into his shoulders as she clung to him. She wrapped one leg around his back, trying to pull him even deeper.

Every nerve ending in her body was primed and ready. She arched her hips up to take every thrust, welcoming him, encouraging him.

“Come for me,” he commanded.

As if that was the signal her body had been waiting for, she felt the pleasurable heat rise up inside her and then, forcefully, she came. Her vision dimmed as her orgasm exploded deep within her. Her inner muscles clenched hard around him. His cock jerked and she felt the hot pulses of his release inside her.

She cried out as her body shook from head to toe. When it finally receded, a lone tear trickled down her cheek. She lay sprawled on the bed, totally spent with Levi draped over her.

Absently, she toyed with the silky strands of his hair that tickled her skin. He raised his head and stared down at her. She smiled at him, but he didn’t smile back.

Pulling out of her, he lifted her and tucked her beneath the covers before padding to the bathroom. Linda swallowed back her tears and took a deep, cleansing breath. She had no idea what was going on in Levi’s mind right now.

Closing her eyes, she let her thoughts drift away. There was nothing to be done about what she’d blurted out. And she wouldn’t change it even if she could. She loved Levi. He could either accept that or not. It didn’t change how she felt.

The mattress dipped and the covers shifted. Reluctantly, she opened her eyes. Levi stretched out beside her, supporting himself on his elbow as he watched her.

Reaching up, she cupped the side of his face. In the shadows, his face appeared even more rugged. She loved every inch of it from his high forehead, to his slightly crooked nose, to his golden-brown eyes and dark brows, to his stubborn chin and kissable lips. He was Levi and that was enough for her. She knew she’d never love another man the way she loved him.

He turned his face into her palm, placing a kiss there. The stubble of his jaw lightly abraded her skin.

“Did you mean it?” His voice was low and slightly raspy.

It took her a minute to understand what he was asking. She dropped her hand back down by her side and nodded. “I did. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable or anything.”

He placed a single finger over her lips, halting her explanation. “Say it again.”

Linda chewed on her bottom lip. She felt very vulnerable and open. But she’d taken a big step forward in her life today by dealing with her family and cutting off contact with them once and for all. There was no way she was going to become a coward now. She owed Levi a lot, the least of which was her total honesty.

“I love you.” Sitting up, she tucked the covers around her to keep them from slipping. Levi sat up beside her, letting the covers fall to his waist. He faced her, his features unreadable. Placing her palm over his heart, she repeated her vow. “I love you, Levi Mann. Now and always.”

He stared at her for so long she began to get uncomfortable, but she didn’t look away.

“I’m not an easy man to live with,” he began.

She could feel the heavy thud of his heart beneath her hand. “I don’t know about that. You don’t seem to have any trouble taking care of yourself. Plus, you cook.” She’d been hoping for a smile but his serious expression never wavered.

“I’ll never have a normal nine-to-five job, but I can support myself.”

Linda nodded, not quite certain what he wanted her to say. But it was obvious he required some sort of response. “My job isn’t exactly nine-to-five either.”

He nodded solemnly before covering her hand with his. His fingers fit between hers until they were linked together over his heart. “I can’t change my past, where I come from, what I’ve done.” He sighed. “You’re a classy lady, Linda, and I come from the gutter.”

“The past doesn’t matter.” She hated that her father had dragged out Levi’s past in order to hurt him. “You made yourself into a good man. The best I’ve ever known.”

The air in the room changed, becoming charged with each passing second. Tension surrounded Levi and his grip on her hand tightened almost imperceptibly. “Good enough for you to marry?”

She blinked several times, certain she hadn’t heard him right. “Marry?”

Even though it should have been physically impossible, his features grew even grimmer, more remote. “Yes,” he gritted out.

“Are you asking me?” Her stomach jumped and this time it had nothing to do with her ulcer and everything to do with hope.

He nodded stiffly. He was expecting rejection. How many times in his life had he been rejected by someone he loved? And he did love her. She knew it in her heart even if he’d never said it. He never would have asked her to marry him otherwise. Not Levi. If he made a vow, he’d keep it. He was that kind of man. She’d never have to worry about Levi falling into bed with another woman or breaking his promises to her.

“Yes.” She threw herself into his arms, hugging him tightly. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

He wrapped his arms around her, holding her so hard she could barely breathe. “Thank you.” His voice was barely a whisper, but she could hear the relief in it.

She wanted to talk, but Levi had other ideas. He rolled her beneath him and proceeded to make love to her. Twice.

Hours later, Linda was nestled in Levi’s arms, resting her head on his chest when he suddenly spoke.

“I love you.”

She waited, but soon realized he wasn’t going to say anything else. Levi was a man of few words, but those he said, he meant.

“I know,” she assured him, rubbing her hand over his chest. “I love you too.”

“I don’t want to wait.”

“For what?” She let her nails skim over his abs, loving the way they flexed and rippled.

“The wedding.”

“I’ll need at least two weeks. I have to find a dress, arrange for flowers and the church and invite people.”

Levi shifted slightly, drawing her closer. “You want a large wedding?”

She shook her head. “Not large. But we have to invite Shamus and Cyndi and Jonah and Amanda. Probably Patrick and Shannon as well.” She started making a list in her head.

“Whatever you want.” He kissed the top of her head. “As long as it only takes two weeks.”

She grinned, already planning on asking Cyndi if they could have their reception at the B&B. “Don’t worry. I can make it happen.”

He rolled until he was staring down at her. “Thank you.”

“For what?” She sensed the change in him. Whatever he was thinking now was important to him.

“For loving me. For giving me a home.”

Such simple words, but they touched her to her core. “Oh, Levi.” Wrapping her arms around him, she held him tightly. “I’ll always love you.”

He settled beside her again, neither of them speaking. But it was a good quiet, a contented one. Just as she drifted off to sleep, she heard him one final time.

“I love you.” A soft kiss grazed her temple and she was wrapped in the strength of Levi’s body and his love. Content, she drifted off, still making plans for the wedding.