Page 29 of Unexpected Bratva Baby

I cup her face in my hands, hating the lies I’m about to tell. “Everything’s fine. I just realized life’s too short to always be working. I want to make memories with you.”

Her expression softens, and she leans into my touch. “Oh, Mikhail. That’s so sweet.”

I kiss her forehead, closing my eyelids briefly. When I open them, she’s looking at me with such trust and adoration that it nearly breaks me. “So,” I say, forcing lightness into my tone, “Shall we celebrate?”

Phoebe grins. “Absolutely. I was just about to make some apple and cinnamon scones. Want to help?”

I smile, genuinely this time. “I’d love to.”

We move to the kitchen, and she hands me an apron. I tie it around my waist while she starts explaining the recipe.

“The trick is to use cold butter,” she says, demonstrating as she speaks. “And you want to handle the dough as little as possible to keep it flaky.”

I watch her work, admiring her skill and enthusiasm. She catches me staring and blushes.

“What?” she asks, a smile playing at her lips.

“Nothing,” I say, shaking my head. “I just love watching you in your element.”

Her blush deepens. “Don’t just stand there. Start cutting the apples.”

I chuckle and get to work. We move around each other in the small kitchen, and I can almost forget the real reason for this trip. Almost.

She kneads the dough. “Tell me more about this itinerary you’ve planned.”

I slouch against the counter, crossing my arms. “I thought we’d start in Edinburgh. There’s a medieval cooking class I’ve booked for you with a chef who specializes in historical Scottish cuisine.”

She looks intrigued. “Really? That sounds amazing.”

I nod, warming to the subject. “Then we’ll tour Edinburgh Castle, of course. After that, we’ll head to the Highlands. I’ve arranged for us to stay in a renovated sixteenth-century castle.”

“A real castle?” Phoebe gasps. “Mikhail, that must have cost a fortune.”

I wave off her concern. “Don’t worry about that. This trip is my gift to you.”

She sets down the dough and turns to face me fully. “Why are you doing all this? It’s so much.”

I swallow hard, choosing my words carefully. “Because you deserve it. Because I...care about you, Phoebe. More than I’ve…cared about anyone in a long time.”

She steps closer, flour-covered hands coming to rest on my apron-clad chest. “I care about you too, Mikhail. So much.”

I wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her close. We stand there for a moment, just holding each other. The oven beeps, startling us both. She laughs, stepping back. “Time to get these scones in the oven. What else is on the itinerary?” she asks as she slides the tray into the oven.

I pull myself from my thoughts. “There’s a whisky tasting at a famous distillery. I thought we could learn about the process together.”

Phoebe grins. “That sounds fun. I’m not much of a whisky drinker, but when in Scotland, right?”

I chuckle. “Exactly, and of course, we’ll visit Loch Ness. It’s a bit touristy, but I thought you might enjoy it.”

“Are you kidding? I’ve always wanted to see Loch Ness.” She pauses, tilting her head. “You’ve really thought of everything, haven’t you?”

I shrug, trying to appear nonchalant. “I want it to be perfect.”

She steps nearer again, wrapping her arms around my neck. “It already is perfect, because I’ll be there with you.”

I kiss her, trying to convey all the emotions I can’t put into words. When we part, she’s breathless.

“What was that for?” she asks, a little dazed.

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