I swallow hard, looking into his eyes. “Do you think we’re ready to be parents?”
Elias shakes his head, making my stomach dip. “No, I don’t think anyone ever is.” His grip moves to my hips and he squeezes. “But we’ll figure it out together.”
I can not believe that his words bring me such comfort. Many would say I’m insane for ever considering marriage to a man who spent years trying to break me, but I think my perspective changed the moment I learned the reason behind the cruelty he put me through.
He witnessed something no thirteen-year-old boy should ever have to see. His father beat his mother to death in cold blood, and I can’t imagine the rage he harbored deep within since that day.
“When are you going to tell your brother?” He asks.
I swallow hard, as the idea of telling Mikhail I’m pregnant only a few months after graduating from the academy churns my stomach. “Soon,” I say, shaking my head. “They say it’s best to wait until after twelve weeks.”
Elias gives me a look that tells me he’s not buying my bullshit. “You are thirteen weeks now, princess. And you’ve told all your friends, so that argument doesn’t stack up.”
I sigh heavily. “Okay, I’m just scared to tell him, but I’ll do it tomorrow.”
He laughs, shaking his head.
“What’s so funny?” I ask.
“The fact you think you are escaping our bed at all tomorrow is rather hilarious. Don’t you think?”
Heat pools deep within my gut at the suggestion that he’s going to keep me in bed all day. My body burning at the idea, desperate for him to make it a reality. “Okay, I’ll tell him as soon as you release me from captivity.”
He pulls me closer. “I think it’s time for me to take you captive right now.”
A shiver races down my spine. “I think that’s an excellent idea.”
“Of course you do because you are my dirty little girl, aren’t you?” he whispers into my ear.
“Yes,” I breathe.
He grabs my hand and pulls me off the dancefloor and out of the beach bar’s events room. I swallow hard as he leads me onto the beach and down toward our cabin at the edge of the sea.
“Shouldn’t we have said thanks to everyone for coming or something?”
Elias shakes his head. “They’ll all be here in the morning.”
I arch a brow. “I thought you said we’re not leaving the bed.”
“True.” He chuckles. “They’ll all be here when we finally escape the cabin in a few days’ time.”
I shake my head, as he’s being ridiculous. There’s no way we can survive in that cabin for a few days without at least getting some food and drink.
He stops in front of the door and picks me up suddenly.
“What are you doing?”
“Carrying you over the threshold, of course.”
I laugh as he does just that and sets me down gently on the four-poster bed in the center of the beautiful beach hut.
It smells of the ocean and roses, and petals are spread all over the bed and floor.
“This place is beautiful,” I say, gazing out of the window toward the moonlit sea twinkling just outside of it.
“Not half as beautiful as you.” He’s staring right at me when I turn over, those beautiful eyes of his alight with desire. “I’m ready to consummate our marriage.”
I lick my lips, which suddenly feel too dry, my thighs tingling with anticipation. “And how do you want me?”