AllFreeNovel
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I open it. My breath catches in my throat. “This is gorgeous, Dima. This is the one…” I caress the multiple stands of pearls. “The one from the charity auction. Isn’t it?”
“Yes. I saw the way your eyes lit up when you looked at it. Here, let me put it on you.” He lifts the pearl necklace from its box, his fingers caressing my neck as he works the clasp. “There. Beautiful.”
I glance up at him, but he’s not looking at the necklace, he’s gazing at me. A blush heats my cheeks.
That look. That’s the one that makes butterflies swarm in my stomach and my knees weak. My heart swoons.
He loves me.
“Thank you. It’s stunning and I love it.”
His smile lights up his handsome face, and he’s simply breathtaking.
“I got you this.” I push the gift box to him. “I hope you like it.”
I’m overtaken by sudden anxiousness as he opens it, finding the antique brass knuckles inside. Does he like them? His fingers skim across the engraved filigree. They’re gorgeous, and deadly, just like him.
“I love them.” When his gaze meets mine it’s filled with wonder. “This is perfect. You’re perfect.”
Relief washes through me. I reach for him, and he pulls me into his lap, our breakfast forgotten as we make out at the table.
We reluctantly draw apart when his phone pings twice, then three times. He retrieves it from his pocket and swipes the screen. A frown mars his handsome face.
“What is it?” I ask, remaining in his lap.
He hesitates, seeming conflicted. Maybe it’s none of my business.
I open my mouth to tell him he doesn’t have to answer, when he sets his phone on the table and sighs. His arm wraps around my waist.
“Katerina’s adoption looks like it’s going to go through.” He rakes his free hand through his hair, his expression tormented. “I want what’s best for her. I really do. She should have found a family years ago, but none of the ones we vetted were good enough. But this one seems to be perfect.”
“You love her.” It’s an observation, not a question.
He glances up, surprised. “Yeah. As if she were my own daughter.”
“Then why haven’t you adopted her?”
“Because she needs a family—not a bachelor Bratva leader. I want her to grow up with two parents in a stable and loving household. But I don’t know how to let her go.”
“Why?”
His brow creases in thought. “I remember that night so vividly. I was restless and finally gave up on sleep, deciding I’d head to the orphanage and see the children. The drive and their company always clears my head. When I got there I immediately noticed the bundle on the doorstep. She was wrapped in layers of blankets, so still and peaceful that I thought she was gone from this world.”
He swallows hard, lost in his memories, and continues, “I picked her up and her eyes opened. She didn’t cry or anything. She just looked at me—like she could see into my fucking soul. I can’t describe what I felt, all I knew was that I lost a piece of my heart to that tiny face and those bright blue eyes. So I named her Katerina right then and there.”
“Oh, Dima.” I cup his strong jaw. “No wonder you can’t let her go. Not after finding her that way.”
“I know I shouldn’t have named her. That’s why she feels like my own flesh and blood when she’s not.”
“You can’t close your heart off to everyone.” I choose my next words wisely, my heart hammering against my ribs. “What if… What if we gave her a home?”
“With us?” His gaze bores into mine. Countless emotions and thoughts flicker in his eyes. “You’d be her mother?”
“I am your wife,” I point out.
“My wife. You’ve never called yourself that before. Not like this.” Raw possessiveness wars with uncertainty in his deep green gaze. He pulls me closer. “Will you really be my wife? Start a family with me?”
“Yes.” I brush his lips with mine. “I want you. Us.”
