AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I think about it. “No,” I say honestly. “I really don’t.”
I reach over and unfasten the top button of his dress shirt. “Come back to me, though?”
He reaches for my fingers and kisses the tip of each one. “Always,baby. Always.”
My phone beeps when the timer goes off. I blink and stare at the two pink lines on the test. He holds up the second with the wordpregnantin bold letters and a moment later, gathers me in a hug so fierce it takes my breath away.
“Baby,” he whispers, his voice all crackly.
“Ivy’s gonna be a big sister,” I say. “You need to call Mikhail.”
“You sleep in our bed tonight,” he says as he leaves. “Promise me, Harper.”
“Of course, of course, I’ll be there.” I mean I’ll check on Ivy of course but if she’s sleeping well, I am more than happy to come back to our bed. I lean in and kiss his cheek. Close my eyes. Remember who I am and who he is before I tell him, “Make him pay, Aleksandr.”
His voice sends shivers down my spine. “You know I will.” He kisses my cheek. “When I come back, I expect you naked and waiting for me. No clothes, Harper. Nothing but you and me.Nothingbetween us.”
I take a long, hot shower. I try not to think about where my husband is or what he’s doing right now.
I peek in on Ivy and find her asleep. I sit beside her bed and watch her for a little while. It’s almost therapeutic.
“I’ll always protect you,” I whisper. “No matter what you do. No matter who you are. I’ll love you forever.” I bend down and tuck the blanket around her. “Always.”
Sometimes, it’s having good parents that teaches you how to be a good parent yourself. And sometimes you have to find your own way… or beside someone else doing the same damn thing.
I love this sweet girl unconditionally. I know that in my soul. I’m going to pour love into her in a way my parents never did.
I climb into bed in the fluffiest pajamas I own and fall fast asleep.
I wake to the sound of a growl in my ear.
“What did I tell you?”
I yawn sleepily, though I’m immediately awake and my blood is pounding in my ears. Do pregnant women get turned on more easily? Because I am onfireat the feel of Aleks’s hands on me, pinning me in place.
“You know what I told you, Harper.”
I didn’t hear Aleks come in, but he’s obviously been here a while. His hair is damp from the shower, and he’s only wearing a towel around his waist. I tentatively reach my hand out to his arm and stroke it.
“Is it done?”
A muscle clenches in his jaw and he nods curtly. “You don’t ever have to worry about him again. Nobody does.”
I swallow and lick my lips. “Thank you.” I’m glad then that I gave over my need for vengeance. He wanted to seek retribution for me. He wanted to know for certain that I was safe.
“I love you, Harper.” I close my eyes and let the words wash over me, a balm to my soul and exactly what I need to hear. “I love you.”
He kisses my cheek and cages me in, his large, warm body braced over mine, one arm on the bed. “You’ve been through so much. And you deserve so much better.” He kisses me again, thistime dragging his fingers through my hair and pulling my head back before he captures my mouth.
I lose myself in the kiss. I feel lighter than I have in years, even as a pall of sadness hovers at the periphery. I’m not whole, not yet. I’ve seen monumental changes in the past few months, and I haven’t even adapted to the new me.
But I will.I will.
When we pull apart, we stare into each other’s eyes.
“I love you, Aleks. We’vebothbeen through so much. We need normal for a little while. Boring.”
His piercing eyes hold mine and his lips twitch. “I can’t give you either.”
