Page 110 of Velvet Chains
I clasp his face in my hands, touched by his concern. “No, I like it rough,” I assure him. “But the baby…”
Understanding dawns in his eyes. He’s not just worried about me; he’s thinking of our child, too. The realization makes my heart swell with a confusing mix of emotions.
Victor carefully pulls out and rolls onto his back, drawing me into his arms. “We’ll have to be more careful from now on,” he murmurs, his hand coming to rest protectively over my stomach. “Can’t have my son thinking his old man is a brute.”
“Or daughter,” I correct with a smile, snuggling into his chest.
He chuckles, the sound rumbling through me. “With the way you were screaming, kiska, I’m pretty sure it’s a boy.”
I smack his arm playfully.
“We’ll see about that.” I stick my tongue out at him. He grins, pulling me closer into his embrace.
We lie there for a while, basking in the afterglow. Victor’s fingers trace idle patterns on my skin, his touch soothing and electric all at once.
“Laura,” he says quietly, breaking the comfortable silence.
“Hmm?”
“I meant what I said earlier. About keeping you and the baby safe.” His voice is low and serious, all traces of teasing gone. “I know I’m not… I’m not good at this. At being open, at showing how I feel. But I need you to know that I…” He trails off, struggling for the right words.
I prop myself up on my elbow, looking down at him. In the dim light, I can see the vulnerability in his eyes, the fear and the hope warring on his face.
“I know, Victor,” I whisper, cupping his cheek. “I know.”
He covers my hand with his, turning to press a kiss to my palm. “I’ll do better,” he vows, his gaze intense. “I’ll be better. For you, for our child. I swear it.”
Emotion clogs my throat. I lean down, brushing my lips softly against his. “We’ll do better together,” I promise.
I settle back into his embrace, my head on his chest. His heartbeat is strong and steady beneath my ear, a soothing lullaby.
Chapter 44
Laura
I WAKE up to find Victor still sleeping next to me, his breathing slow and steady, his chest rising and falling in a peaceful rhythm. I can feel the heat radiating from his naked body, warming me from head to toe.
The evening light filters through the blinds, casting long shadows across our rumpled sheets.
A single tear slips down my cheek, and I hastily wipe it away.
Damn it, these pregnancy hormones are too much.
I’m constantly on the verge of tears, even in moments of pure contentment.
Carefully, so as not to disturb him, I prop myself up and study his face.
He looks younger in sleep, the hard lines of his features softened by rest. I resist the urge to trace my fingertips along the sharp angle of his jaw, to feel the rough stubble beneath my touch.
How did I get here?
My heart swells with a confusing mix of feelings.
Married to a man I barely know, carrying his child, and yet… somehow falling for him more and more each day.
As if sensing my gaze, Victor stirs, his eyelids fluttering open. Those mysterious gray eyes meet mine, and a slow, lazy smile curves his lips.
“Morning, kiska,” he murmurs, his voice rough with sleep. “You been watching me long?”
