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The remorse in his voice makes my very soul ache, and at the same time, it fills me with astonishing relief. Nothing could have convinced me more completely that he wants this baby as much as I do. And suddenly, I feel like I could sing—or cry again. Maybe both.
“I want to have this baby,” I assure him fiercely.
“Then why…?” His strong brow presses into a frown once more. “Why are you still crying?”
I laugh, brushing the fresh moisture from my cheeks and surely removing all the makeup hiding my bruised face as I try to pull myself together. Pregnancy hormones are no joke. I don’t usually feel this weepy. But the stress of everything that’s happened these last few days hasn’t made it any easier. “I thought you might not want the baby—or me—after I told you,” I confess, my cheeks heating as I put all my cards on the table.
Mishka chuckles, his eyes soft and warm as he traces the planes of my face with his fingers like I’m the most precious treasure in the world. “Didn’t you hear a single word I just said?” he teases, his low voice making my stomach quiver. “My life has no meaning without you. And raising a child with you…? I can’t think of anything that would make me happier.”
Heart near bursting with joy, I rise onto my toes and kiss him.
He hums contentedly, his smile curling against my lips as he kisses me back. Then he pulls away suddenly, scowling in an instant as something seems to occur to him. “Wait, is that why you suggested that we run away together that night at the club?”
Fresh embarrassment heats my face as I think about my behavior that night. I must have seemed crazy. “Yes.”
“But that was over a week ago. How long have you known?” I can tell he’s trying to hide the hurt in his tone, but it still lingers.
“A few weeks?” I say reluctantly. “Remember that first night you brought me here? When I got sick? I took a test as soon as you dropped me off at Katie’s.”
“And you didn’t think you could tell me then? I would have been there for you, Alina. I could have gotten a test for you…” His hurt shifts to concern, and I feel even worse for having taken so long to say something.
“I know. I know. I should have. I was just scared to tell you because I promised I would keep our relationship a secret, and I was terrified that getting pregnant might put you in worse danger than I already have. So I thought… if I could figure out how to protect you and still keep the baby, maybe it wouldn’t be as bad.”
I shake my head, my eyes dropping for a moment, but I force myself to look at him when I go on. “I was going to tell you the other night. I swear. When I asked you to come see me after you finished working. Remember?”
Realization dawns in Mishka’s eyes, and he pales visibly.
“Then I saw you in the basement, and I didn’t know what to do…”
I just catch the guilty expression that transforms his features before he can hide it. He releases a heavy breath, pulling me closer to tuck my head into my favorite spot beneath his chin, my ear resting over his strong, steady heart.
“I’m sorry you had to carry that burden on your own for so long,” he murmurs, his strong hand rubbing slow and soothing lines up and down my back. “God, Alina, I’m so sorry for everything. I’m the reason you left the house that night, aren’t I?”
The horror in his voice wrings my heart.
Shaking my head, I pull back enough to look him in the eye. “I don’t want you to feel bad. Honestly, Mishka, I’ve never been so happy. And I wasn’t alone. Katie’s been my absolute rock.” I don’t even address my reason for leaving that night because even if I needed to speak to Katie about him, I could never blame Mishka for what happened.
Still, he smiles sadly, combing a lock of my hair behind my ear. “Then, I’ll have to find a way to thank her for looking after my girl when I couldn’t.”
“I’m sure we’ll think of something,” I say warmly, relishing the way he calls me his girl.
And when he leans in to kiss me, I feel like everything is right in the world once more.
His soft lips are possessive, as though he’s determined to claim me for his own all over again. I’m so glad that we’re done fighting because I’ve missed Mishka far more than I’ve been willing to admit.
It feels like we’ve been through a lifetime of hardship in the past few days, all the tension and anxiety like a rollercoaster that’s left me dizzy and nauseous. But now that the ride is over and we’re back on solid ground, it’s exhilarating to know we survived it together. That we came out stronger and closer because of it.
All the dark, mysterious shadows that have surrounded Mishka since the moment I met him seem to have lifted. And now, all I see is the good, loving, loyal soul that lies within. Strong hands travel slowly over my body, as if he’s rememorizing every curve and line. The tantalizing line his tongue traces along my lips sends zinging anticipation up and down my spine.
We’ve been together more times than I can count since that first night we got lost in the woods, but this time feels different. This time, it feels like the bond we’re forming is something powerful and lasting.
Wrapping my arms around his broad shoulders, I kiss Mishka with all the love and devotion I’ve been too scared to acknowledge until now. Because finally, it’s all out in the open. I was completely honest with him, and he still loves me. He still wants me. And he wants this child.
Giddy butterflies erupt in my belly. And though I know it’s too soon to feel the baby move, I’m suddenly excited for that moment to come.
Mishka’s hands trail down to knead my ass, and when he grips my thighs, sweeping me off my feet, I wrap my legs around his hips and let him carry me toward the bed. Heat radiates from my core, sending liquid excitement rushing between my thighs. My panties are wet in an instant.
When he lays me down, his muscular body settling on top of me, I’m consumed by desire.
