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His men are spread out around us in a protective semi-circle, but I can barely see them. It’s almost as though we’re all alone here, only accompanied by an occasional rustle from the squirrels hurrying from branch to branch above us.
It’s been a while since I’ve sat outside this long in nature. I’m always moving, rushing as quickly as the squirrels are, never stopping to appreciate the beauty of existing.
With Jasha, life feels special and meaningful. There’s not a moment where I’m not gripped by some strong emotion, positive or otherwise, and it brings me to life in a way nothing else ever has.
Having a baby no longer feels like a struggle, but a gift. Especially since I have the unique opportunity to bring the heir of the Russian Bratva into the world. With Jasha by my side, I feel like I can do anything.
I snuggle closer to him as he tucks my feet into his lap. We’re sitting quite comfortably now, our bodies warming each other as my eyes adjust to the darkness. I didn’t realize how dark it could be in the woods during the day.
“You okay?” he asks, holding the back of his hand against my cheek for a moment.
“I’m fine, but don’t move. I don’t want to let any air into our little snuggle bubble.”
He laughs softly. “That’s adorable. Maybe I should keep you in the freezer when we get home to preserve your cuteness.”
“Don’t you dare,” I warn, pulling away from him an inch and then snuggling right back against his chest to keep from freezing.
He laughs again, and I can feel the vibration of his deep voice in his chest. It reminds me of the rumble of the train tracks late at night, when there’s nothing to see but darkness for miles, but I still feel perfectly safe in the control room.
I’m saddened by the realization that I’ll never be able to drive a train again after this, but that’s replaced by the realization that I won’t have to work at all. Jasha is a very wealthy man, and I’m certain he’ll go to no end to keep me satisfied.
I’m the luckiest girl in the world, and I’ve only just now grasped it.
“Is it fine to talk?” I ask Jasha tilting my head up to look at him. All I can see is his strong chin and nose, but their rigidity is comforting.
“Just keep your voice low and you’ll be alright,” he replies in voice that’s just above a whisper. “But if you hear a helicopter or people, remain silent and stay still. They won’t be able to detect us with this much snow. It covers the heat of our bodies, especially when the trees are so dense.”
I know nothing about combat tactics, but I trust that Jasha is correct. Even so, I’m afraid to make any noise louder than the faintest whisper. Even the crinkle of the plastic tarp beneath us makes my shoulders shoot up to my ears.
Jasha puts his hand on my belly, pulling me away from my paranoia. He always has a way of returning my mind to what’s most important, or at least distracting me from what bothers me.
“We don’t know the gender yet, do we?” he asks.
Suddenly, I’m all nerves again. My cheeks are so flushed with shyness that I’d probably die if he could see me right now. Thank God for the cover of darkness. Maybe that’s why people have sex at night.
“I’m supposed to go to the OBGYN clinic in a month and a half to find out,” I answer. “What do you want? A boy? Your heir to the Bratva?”
He moves his hand over my belly slowly, his fingers studying the slight curve. “Either way, they’ll be a blessing. My bother has a girl. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind having a cousin to play with. I’m sure the next one could be a boy if this one isn’t, but ultimately, all that matters is that they’re healthy and happy.”
I wasn’t expecting that level of thoughtfulness from him, but perhaps I judged him too soon. It’s easy to do that when he’s being so aggressive and dominant, but when his softer side comes out, it’s like the sun shining through the cold winter weather. It melts the ice and lights a fire in my heart.
I can feel it now, warming my body like a hot cup of tea.
“The next one,” I say, tasting the words in my mouth with newfound curiosity. “You want more?”
“As many as you’ll take,” he replies without hesitation.
Even in the bitter cold, a wave of arousal runs deep within me. “You’d really just keep going?” I ask, wanting to hear more about how many babies he’d put inside of me.
“Sure. If one is a blessing, think how many two or three would be,” he replies innocently.
“Or four?” I ask.
“Yes, why not?”
“Or… five?” I ask, wondering when he’ll relent.
“Or six,” he says, continuing on in a cheerful way that’s starting to make me nervous. Just how many babies is this man willing to put inside of me?
