AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I nod. “Absolutely.”
Chapter 45
Dimitri
The new house is in need of a fresh coat of paint and several large renovations, but all I care about is that it’s in a secure location deep within Antonov territory and has all over the latest security features in place. New locks, reinforced windows, security cameras insideandout. When I asked Luka to give me a rundown of gear he recommended, he sent over a list a mile long. I spared no expense acquiring every single item.
I designed it to be a fortress with my growing family in mind, way out in the suburbs where I can keep them tucked away, safe and sound. It boasts five rooms, three and a half baths, and a massive open-concept kitchen that leads right into the living room area. There’s a big backyard full of flowing green grass, the perimeter of which is surrounded by a security fence and tall evergreens to provide the children with plenty of shade from the sun.
The whole place needs to be refurbished in preparation for the arrival of our youngest, but Natalya and I still have plenty of time. For now, we just want to enjoy this time together. I’ve explicitly asked Mikhail to give me some time off from work. He granted my request without question. He knows as well as I do that Natalya and I deserve this break.
“Oh, like, you’re back!” Alexandra says as Natalya and I enter the house through the garage entrance. “Does this mean I can go early?”
Her people skills leave much to be desired, but the woman has turned out to be a surprisingly capable nanny. I figured with the baby coming, Natalya could use the extra pair of hands around the house, so I kept Alexandra on to keep an eye on Simon instead of firing her outright. She’s tolerable in short bursts, and Natalya actually seems to get along with her just fine.
“Yes, you can go,” I say. “Thank you for your hard work.”
“I’ll see you two cats tomorrow,” Alexandra says in a singsong manner as she hands Simon to Natalya. “He’s been fed, bathed, and I just changed his diaper. He should be just about ready to conk out for the night.”
“Thank you, Alexandra,” Natalya says. “We’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Later!” The nanny scurries off, humming some pop tune as she grabs her coat at the front door and leaves.
“You two cats?” I mumble. “Is that a thing the kids are saying these days? Are the Roaring Twenties making a comeback? I don’t think I’ll ever understand her.”
Natalya laughs softly. “You don’t have to. All that matters is she’s great with Simon. Isn’t that right, sweetie?”
Our son laughs gleefully, his whole face lighting up like fireworks. “Mama! Dada!”
I reflect his smile, feeling so much lighter and warmer now that I’m here. If someone had told me a year and a half ago the pure joy of having Simon in my life would bring, I don’t think I would have believed them. Now I know he’s nothing short of a blessing. My little wonder.
“Let’s get him tucked in,” Natalya says, kissing him on the forehead. “You know how fussy he gets when he doesn’t get a full night’s sleep.”
“Like father, like son,” I joke lightly.
Simon’s nursery was the first room I fixed up when we moved into this place. The walls are painted a rich navy blue with glow-in-the-dark stars stuck to the walls and the ceilings. Everything was lost in the fire, but luckily for us, money is no object. And Mikhail and Aurora made sure we had clothes and baby gear in the meantime.
Gestures like these make me so unbelievably grateful for my family.
Natalya rocks Simon gently in her arms while I wind up the mobile above his crib, the soft melody ofTwinkle Twinkle Little Starfilling the room. She sets him down on his back and rubs his belly, the two of us smiling down at him as his lids drift shut.
“He’s getting so big,” I murmur. “I wonder if he’ll grow up to be taller than me.”
“Does this mean I’ll have two strong boys to protect me?” Natalya teases. “God help me. I won’t know a moment’s rest.”
I sling an arm around her lower back and press a kiss to the corner of her lips. “Don’t worry, angel. I’m sure we’ll take it easy on you.”
She leans in a little closer. There’s a wicked glint in her eye. “Hopefully not tonight, though.”
I can’t help but chuckle. I reach down and take her hand, lacing our fingers together. We leave Simon’s room and lazily venture out into the hall together. The air around us crackles with anticipation, the sweet caresses we share transforming into something hungrier, more desperate.
My mouth finds hers with ease. I could list any number of clichés to describe how perfect her lips fit against mine. A lock and key, two magnets finding one another, like coming home. I could wax poetic until my face turned blue, but I don’t think there are enough words in the world to describe just how perfect kissing her is. It’s heaven, paradise, nirvana…
And she’s all mine.
I deepen the kiss, teasing her lips apart with the tip of my tongue. Natalya moans against me, her fingers combing through my hair as I pin her against the hallway wall. She hooks a leg around my hip, grinding against my growing erection. A low growl rips itself from my chest.
“Naughty girl. What ever will I do with you?”
