Page 135 of Velvet Chains
I lean down, kissing her forehead, her lips, the scar on her shoulder where she took a bullet for Eli. My woman’s got more guts than most men I know.
“That’s creeper talk, too,” she says.
“You love it,” I tease, trailing my lips down to her stomach. I linger there, thinking about our kid, our son, growing bigger every day.
“He’s going to be a handful if he’s anything like you,” Laura jokes, running her fingers through my hair.
I look up at her, dead serious. “I’m going to do right by him, Laura. By both of you. I promise.”
She smiles, her eyes going soft. “I know you will, Victor. You already are.”
I pull her close, burying my face in her hair.
With Laura and our kid, I feel like I can handle whatever life throws at us. Like we’re untouchable as long as we’ve got each other.
But there’s a part of me that’s scared shitless. I’ve never been a father before. Hell, I never thought I’d live long enough to have the chance.
“What if I’m no good at it?” I murmur into her skin, voicing the fear that’s been eating at me. “Being a dad. What if I fuck it up?”
Laura pulls back, cupping my face in her hands. Her eyes are soft, understanding. “Oh, Victor. You’re going to be amazing. You know how I know?”
I shake my head, feeling raw and exposed.
“Because of how much you love,” she says simply. “How deeply, how fiercely. Our son is so lucky to have you.”
I swallow hard, blinking back the burning in my eyes. “I’m going to make mistakes,” I warn her. “I’m going to let you down. But I swear, Laura, I’ll never stop trying. I’ll never stop fighting for you, for our family.”
She smiles, pressing a gentle kiss to my lips. “That’s all I ask, lyubov moya. Just don’t give up on us.”
I nod, resting my forehead against hers. “Never,” I vow. “You’re stuck with me now, zhena. For better or worse.”
She laughs, the sound bright and warm. “I think I can live with that.”
We stay like that for a long moment, just holding each other, breathing each other in. But then a loud rumble breaks the silence.
I pull back, looking down at Laura’s stomach in surprise. She flushes, covering her face with her hands.
“Oh, my God,” she groans, embarrassed. “I think your son is demanding sustenance.”
I grin, delighted. “Kid’s got a healthy appetite. Wonder where he gets that from.”
She peeks at me from between her fingers. “Well, he is half Morozov. I’ve seen you put away a steak.”
I chuckle, dropping a kiss on her belly. “Hear that, little man? Your mama thinks you take after me.”
Another fierce growl from Laura’s stomach. I pat her bump affectionately. “Alright, malysh, we get the message. Time to feed you and Mama before you stage a revolt.”
Laura starts to sit up, but I stop her with a hand on her shoulder. “Nuh-uh, dorogaya. You stay put. I’ve got this.”
She raises an eyebrow as I climb off the bed and head for the dresser. “Victor Morozov, are you going to dress me up?”
I shoot her a wink over my shoulder. “You bet your sweet ass I am.”
I grab one of my T-shirts from the drawer, the soft fabric dwarfing her frame as I help her slip it on. The sight of her in my clothes, her belly rounding with my child… it does things to me. Makes my heart feel too big for my chest.
She notices my heated gaze and smirks. “Later, mister. Feed us first, ravish me after.”
I steal a quick, hard kiss before scooping her up into my arms, relishing her squeal of laughter as I carry her out of the bedroom.
