AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Are you feeling okay? You’ve been quiet.” Viktor slips into bed.
I smile. “I was thinking about our wedding.”
“I wish I could have given you more and that it hadn’t happened under the circumstances we were in—”
“It was perfect,” I interrupt before scooting over for a snuggle.
“None of that. You need to behave, baby girl.” There’s humor in his voice that hides his desire to claim me. He’s been super cautious since we left the hospital.
“You’re the one with the dirty mind. I merely want to snuggle with my husband… or should I call my lover instead?” I fight to swallow my laugh.
Viktor’s voice is dark and filled with lust when he mutters, “I’m a jealous man.”
“Finally, you’re able to admit it,” I tease.
He tugs me closer. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” His smirk sets my heart on fire. “How are you feeling? Are you still in pain?”
“Only a little. But I feel better every day.” I prop up my head. “I’m so happy to be home with you and our kids.”
“I am too, but I want you to take it easy. Let the staff handle the mansion. Focus on our kids and getting better. That is youronlyjob.”
My brows scrunch together. “I need to get back to work. I’ve already missed so much time.”
“Absolutely not.”
I give him a soft peck on the lips. “Good thing it’s not your call. Good night.”
He grinds out his reply through a clenched jaw, “We will see about that.”
* * *
Cold sweat startles me awake. I look at the time and groan when I notice it is four in the morning. Viktor is sleeping peacefully beside me, so I carefully get out of bed, trying not to wake him.
Grabbing my robe, I twist it around my body while leaving our bedroom. Everything is quiet, eerily still.
I check on the kids, unsurprised to see they’re sleeping with no care in the world, as they should be. As I make my way downstairs, the quietness from upstairs continues. You could probably hear a pin drop.
I enter the kitchen and put the kettle on to boil. While I wait for it to boil, I prepare a mug with a chamomile teabag. I am moving almost mechanically, but there’s something soothing about it, which is exactly what I need.
Before the kettle can whistle, I take it off the stove. As I watch the tea diffuse into the hot water, I know there’s no way I’ll go back to sleep. It’s been like this since the day I was shot. My sleep is restless and uneasy, the nightmare playing on repeat.
“Hey.” I nearly jump out of my seat at the unexpected greeting. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.” Viktor prowls toward me.
“It’s okay.” I take the teabag out of my mug and take a sip. Its scald is nowhere near as warming as the vision of Viktor in nothing but a pair of sleep pants.
“Are you all right?” he asks, blind to my appreciative stare.
I lick my suddenly dry lips before jerking up my chin. “Yeah.”
He sits beside me and pulls my stool around so I face him. “Talk to me.” The concern in his voice reminds me of my earlier worries, but I don’t want to bother him.
“There’s nothing to tell. I’m fine.”
I try to turn away from him, but he doesn’t let me. “I know you’ve been struggling to sleep.” I peer at him curiously, wondering if he’s tapped into my inner psyche. He laughs off my shock. “I’m your husband. It’s in the job description, so tell me what’s keeping you awake.”
His words warm me, but there’s nothing he can do. This is haunting me, so I’m the one who must deal with it. He also doesn’t need to be worrying about me. He has enough on his plate.
“I’m fine,” I repeat.
