But I’m careful as we fall into bed, careful of the baby and careful of her. It’s irrational, I know, but somewhere in the back of my mind, I’m afraid of hurting her. Because I know I’ve hurt her enough. And I’m afraid that in a moment, I might wake up in my own bed in New York, utterly alone.
I pull back slightly, greedily taking in her beauty before me. Her eyelids are heavy with want, and her full breasts rise up and down with each breath, beckoning me closer. The mother of my child. The woman that I love.
“What’s wrong?” she asks.
“Nothing,” I reply. “I just want to get a good look at you. You’re so beautiful.”
She bites her lower lip. “I don’t feel so beautiful some days.”
“Nonsense.”
I claim her lips once more, exploring all corners of her mouth with my tongue. Excitement courses through my body as she returns the favor. She arches into me, and I feel her quivering wet warmth teasing at my cock.
“Pavel,” she gasps. “Please.”
And that’s the only thing I need. I angle my hips toward her and feel my cock slowly inching into her inviting warmth. A low groan tumbles from my lips before I can stop myself. Her nails dig into my back, and I feel myself coming undone. I haven’t cum since she left other than the scant few times I’ve jerked myself off in the shower, dreaming of her.
But nothing compares to the real thing. Each thrust draws out a tiny soft moan from her lips. Her fingers reach up to seize my shoulders, my back, my ass. She missed me as much as I missed her; I can feel it.
Her heels hook around my legs and the slightest tremor passes through her body, so slight that it might as well be imagined. But each thrust brings out another tremor. Her face flushes, and sweet whimpering moans rise from her throat—each one just a little bit longer and louder than the last.
I gaze into her amber eyes, losing myself in their depths as I drive my cock deeper and deeper into her, touching her in a place that no man has ever touched. Her moans are louder now, and her breaths heavier, encouraging me to pick up my pace. But I hold myself in check.
Mine.She’s always been mine; she’ll always be mine. I want to savor this moment, but Liya has other plans. Her hand smooths across the broad expanse of my back, moves down my torso, and finally grips my ass tightly. That’s when her arms begin moving, goading me to match the intensity she wants.
Happily, I obey, allowing her to set the pace and show me that she’s unbreakable. My breath quickens, and I feel my control slipping.
“Liya…” I breathe. But she silences me with a kiss. Her mouth traces its way down my neck until she finds that sensitive spot right above my collarbone and gives it a light bite, grazing it with her teeth.
Shivers rush down my spine and culminate deep in my balls. With a long, ragged breath, all sense of control fades away. Thick, ropey tremors shudder through my body and leave my ears ringing. But she doesn’t stop, and neither do I.
Sweat drops from my body and blossoms on her skin. Both of us are breathing and moaning heavily as I empty myself deep inside her. She crosses her legs behind my back, locking me in place while her sweet, familiar warmth milks me for every last drop. Our lips meet again, and for a moment, I don’t know where I end and where she begins.
All I know is that I can stay here forever with her and never leave.
***
Hours later, sweaty and sated, I hold her in my arms as the setting sun paints a long streak of red across the open Wyoming sky. My hands caress over the bump of her belly, and suddenly, I feel a slight motion.
I look at her, breath in my throat. “Is that…”
“Yes.” She smiles. “That’s our baby. Say hi, Daddy.”
A swell of emotions washes over me.Our baby. My hand caresses the same spot as I hold Liya tighter to me. Suddenly everything falls into place.This is what matters. This is always the only thing that matters. Not the Bratva, not some title or claim or dreams of power. This.My nose stings, and my vision blurs with tears.
“Pavel Suvorov.” Liya’s teasing voice rises softly. “Are you crying?”
“Of course I’m crying,” I reply. “What father wouldn’t cry at this moment?” To think that I was ready to cruelly snatch this child away from Liya, to separate her from a piece of herself. The old accusations echo in my ears.Liar. Monster.
No more,I decide.That Pavel is gone.
I plant a soft kiss on Liya’s forehead. “I have something to show you.”
“Oh?” Her eyes flutter open, and I see the familiar shadow of concern just at their edges. She’s still afraid of what I might say next. But she shouldn’t be.
“Do you remember when you asked me about my tattoos? What they meant?”
She nods, her brow furrowing as she ponders where I’m going with this.