Chapter 191 I Love You, Ava

Chapter 191 I Love You, Ava
Ava's POV

The movie theater was dimly lit as Richard and I were absorbed in the action film on the big screen, explosions and soundtrack booming around us. I was curled up in his arms, my head resting on his shoulder, occasionally stealing popcorn from his hand, savoring this sweet intimacy.

Suddenly, my phone screen lit up with an incoming text. I was about to ignore it, but seeing it was from Jane, I couldn't help but open it.

[I'm pregnant!!!]

My eyes widened in disbelief. Jane was pregnant? Really?

"Oh my God!" I couldn't help but exclaim, my voice cutting through the quiet theater like a knife.

All the moviegoers around us turned to stare, some making annoyed "shushing" sounds. Realizing my outburst, I quickly waved my hands apologetically, whispering, "Sorry, sorry."

Richard's hand gently rubbed my back as he whispered in my ear, "What's wrong, babe?" His warm breath against my ear made me shiver involuntarily.

My face burned like fire as I quickly shoved my phone back into my purse, whispering back in his ear, "I'll tell you later." I tried to refocus on the movie, but my mind was completely elsewhere, consumed by Jane's news.

Richard seemed to sense my excitement, his fingers beginning to trace gentle circles on my arm. The feather-light touch made it even harder to concentrate.

The rest of the movie was sweet torture for me. I kept fidgeting in his arms, dying to share the amazing news with him.

Finally, the end credits began rolling and the lights gradually came up. Richard looked down at me, his eyes full of affection.

"Can you tell me now?" he asked softly, his thumb caressing the back of my hand.

I practically bounced in my seat, grabbing his hand. "Jane's pregnant! Oh my God, Richard, she's pregnant!"

Richard's eyes immediately widened. "Really? That's amazing!"

"I know!" I said excitedly, then added with a mischievous grin, "Though I have to say, they work fast. They've only been married two months!"

That's when I noticed Richard looking at me with this intense, smoldering gaze—the kind that made my heart race and felt like he was about to melt me on the spot.

I felt my cheeks flush under his stare, but I couldn't bring myself to look away. We just gazed at each other like that, the air thick with tension.

"Let's get out of here," Richard suddenly said, his voice slightly husky as he took my hand.

We walked out of the theater into the cool night air, which helped clear my head a bit. I linked my arm through his, still buzzing with excitement about Jane's news. "I'm so happy for her! Having a little baby must be such bliss. I can already picture David as such a great dad, and Jane as a mom..."

Suddenly, I realized Richard was leading me toward a darker, more secluded corner beside the theater, away from the crowds and streetlights.

"Huh? Why are we going over here?" I asked, suddenly aware of my quickening pulse.

Richard gently pressed me against the wall, his hands braced on either side of me, trapping me in his embrace. In the dim moonlight, I could see the tender fire burning in his eyes.

"Because I want to kiss you," he said, his voice low and sexy. "You looked so adorable when you got excited just now. I can't help but want to have you all to myself."

My heart was pounding so hard I thought it might burst from my chest. Even though we were together, Richard's bold and passionate words still made me blush and my heart race.

"I've always been too restrained before," Richard continued, his fingers gently caressing my cheek. "But seeing you light up talking about Jane and David just now made me want you to know that you have something just as beautiful."

I opened my mouth to say something, but before I could get the words out, Richard leaned down and captured my lips with his.

This kiss was deeper and more passionate than usual, filled with a kind of possessiveness and devotion. His lips moved against mine with deliberate slowness at first, as if savoring every second, before becoming more urgent. I could taste the faint sweetness of the movie theater candy on his tongue as it gently parted my lips, exploring with tender intensity.

My arms instinctively wrapped around his neck, my fingers threading through his hair as I responded to his fervor. The world around us seemed to fade away—the distant sounds of cars, even the cool night air—everything disappeared except for the warmth of his body pressed against mine and the intoxicating sensation of his kiss.

His hands moved from the wall to cup my face, his thumbs stroking my cheekbones as he deepened the kiss even further. I felt myself melting into him, a soft sigh escaping my lips as he pulled me impossibly closer.

When we finally broke apart, we were both breathing heavily, our foreheads touching as we tried to catch our breath. My lips felt swollen and tingling, and I could see my own desire reflected in his darkened eyes.

"Richard..." I whispered softly, my voice barely audible and carrying a hint of breathless wonder.

"I love you, Ava," he murmured against my lips, his voice rough with emotion. His breath was warm against my skin as he pressed gentle kisses along my jawline. "We'll be just like Jane and David..."

He didn't finish the sentence, but those unspoken words hung in the night air between us, sending a wave of sweet anticipation and possibility coursing through my heart.

The promise in his voice, the tenderness in his touch, and the way he looked at me as if I were his entire world—it all made me believe that maybe, just maybe, our own fairy tale was just beginning.