Page 86 of Fractured Empire

“Mhm,” I agree with a hum. “But my job isn’t just worrying about them. It’s loving them, and caring for them, and having fun with them. I have my fair share of stress too, you know? This is my first time living away from home, in a completely new state, surrounded by an entirely new group of people. But I manage myself to make things easier. When the kids go to bed, so do I. I read, or play the piano, or stargaze on the patio. I do anything besides stare at my computer and worry.”

“I have responsibilities,” Leon points out stubbornly. “Things are busy. And they don’t stop just because they’re pissing me the fuck off.”

“We should have a swear jar,” I tease with a small giggle. “But I know that you have important stuff to take care of, Leon. I’m just saying you should take care of yourself too. Or at least, let me help take care of you.”

Something changes in his expression at my last suggestion, and his jaw seems to tighten. “Take care of me?” he asks, his voice dropping an octave. “And how would you do that, hmm? You already clean more than you need to, and you cook just as much as I do, if not more lately. You’re already taking care of me, Katya.”

“Better,” I clarify.

“What?”

“Better” I repeat, lips twitching. “Let me take care of you better, bohatstvo. I know you married me for them at first, and I know we seem to keep getting interrupted when things are beginning to change in our relationship but I haven’t forgotten. I’m your wife, Leon. I told you I wanted you, and I meant it. And I can’t sit back and watch you burn out while I could be here for you.”

His throat bobs and his eyes grow dark and haunted as he looks up at me. “It’s not like you can take on any of the burden of my work, Katya.”

“No,” I completely agree. “But I can do other things.”

He goes still, watching me and expecting me to clarify my meaning.

Moving slowly so I don’t spook him, I take a few deliberate steps and end up behind his chair. My hands land gently on his shoulders over his shirt, and without prompting, I begin to rub and squeeze his shoulder muscles, moving in to work on his lower neck at the same time.

“I can rub your shoulders, and force you out of your office for more than just meal times,” I suggest, feeling him release a long breath. He gradually relaxes under my touch, letting my hands mold him like putty. “We can spend more time together when the boys are asleep. Adult conversation that isn’t about work or children can be very beneficial to your mental health.”

Leon doesn’t respond, but he doesn’t push me away either.

His body is so tight under my hands, the stress of his everyday life clearly having worked knots of tension into his muscles. My stomach gives a flutter the longer I massage him, and the idea to dip my hands into the opening of his collar so that I can rub his skin directly lights up in the back of my mind.

“I can do more than massage your shoulders,” I tell him, my voice just above a whisper. Rolling my hands up, I start to rub circles into the back of his neck just under his hair line. He sighs, clearly enjoying the soothing touch. Going a step further, my fingers draw up the back of his head, before delving deeper into his hair and stroking his scalp. “When’s the last time someone touched you here?”

I watch in utter fascination as gooseflesh peppers up his neck. I’m making him tingle, and seeing evidence of it makes me need to clench my thighs closer together. Having an effect on a man as handsome and as powerful as Leon Moretti is a turn on that can’t be denied.

Leaning closer to his ear, my words brush his skin as my fingers drag through his scalp. “I can touch you all over, if you want.”

“Katya,” he rumbles, the sound of my name almost coming out like a warning.

“Husband,” I whisper in return, my lips skimming the shell of his ear. “Let me take care of you.”

I can hear him swallow thickly. “You don’t have to do this.”

“I want to,” I say with assurance. “Nothing would make me happier. I want this to work, Leon. I care for you, and for our family. I know you’re not quick to trust. You don’t have to be. But let me show you that I want you. That I want this relationship to grow.”

“Fuck,” he murmurs. “Who are you?”

Letting go of his hair, I spin him around in his seat and smile down at him. “I’m your wife, bohatstvo.”

Our eyes meet in a fiery blaze of contact as I lower myself down to the ground.

“Katya…” he begins, almost protesting.

“Hush,” I instruct sweetly, reaching for his belt. “You should really be in more comfortable clothes at this time of night, husband.”

He doesn’t speak, but I can see his Adam’s apple bob as I unhook his belt and swiftly pull it out of his pant loops. Before going for his button and zipper, I set his belt aside and push my hands from his knees to the top of his thighs, using a heavy pressure to make sure he feels every single second. My eyes light up at the evidence of my effect on him, seeing the growing imprint of his cock stirring to life.

“Take your shirt off,” I instruct, my voice coming out sensual rather than commanding. “I want to see you.”

Leon takes the direction in stride, making short work of his white button down. In only a matter of moments, his bare chest, torso, and arms are fully displayed before me. His muscles are relaxed in his seated position but still visible and tight with anticipatory tension. Every breath he takes makes his abs flex, and I almost lean forward to lick them just to see if they would contract under my tongue.

Desire flares hot beneath my skin, encouraging me to continue. With quick and nimble fingers, I undo his slacks, pulling the zipper down and tugging on the hem of his boxer briefs to pull them down enough to free his hard length. His erection springs out of his clothes and smacks against his stomach, the sound of skin on skin contact sending a thrill through me. Needing to touch him, I wrap my fingers around his thick shaft, pulling him gently toward me and away from his bellybutton.