“You should’ve seen Marco’s expression,” I laughed, placing a hand on my heart, which was beating very fast with excitement. "It was worth capturing," I added. Nikolai nodded, laughing with me. “I swear, if I had blinked, I would’ve missed the way his soul tried to escape his body.” Nikolai's laughter followed mine. I placed my hand on my stomach and leaned against the car for support. "I would try to get my hands on the camera and take his picture so that you could laugh whenever you wanted." I shook my head, inhaling deeply to catch my breath. "I wanted to laugh so hard when he shifted in his seat like his spine suddenly went missing.” I laughed. “Oh, I noticed.” We laughed together until our cheeks hurt. The passersby gave us weird looks, but we didn't care. We were already too lost in our own world. "But Alessia," Nikolai breathed, "I am really proud of you." He squeezed my shoulder in appreciation. “You dissolved it before it began. Anyone else in your pla
We were having a lazy morning with my head on Nikolai's chest and his finger making slow circles on my bare back when suddenly my phone started ringing, breaking the blissful stillness. It feels like a punishment to move away from Nikolai when we are so close. Both of us groaned when I reached for the phone. "Don’t answer it," he said softly, pulling me closer. I smiled faintly, knowing exactly how he felt. He just didn’t want to let me go, and neither did I. But calls at this hour only meant one thing. "It could be urgent," I replied softly, brushing my fingers along his jaw before reaching for the vibrating phone on the nightstand. Nikolai groaned, clearly not happy with my decision, but he didn’t stop me. He just buried his face in my neck, letting out a sigh as though he already knew the moment would be lost. My brows furrowed when I saw the caller ID. “Victor?” I mumbled aloud. One of the senior mafia delegates. Nikolai became alert. He immediately lifted his head. He also
Instead of answering, I leaned my head back onto his chest. His fingers worked around my core but not exactly where I wanted him. When I grew impatient, I guided one of his hand with my own. He chuckled softly and though he doesn't like anyone leading him yet he didn't stop me. He let me move his hand according to my wish. To be honest, he was enjoying it more than me. My breath hitched in my throat when his touch grew bolder and the tip of his middle finger grazed exactly where I needed it. The sound that escaped my mouth instantly was half-moan, half-relief. My eyes shutter close on their own. The pregnancy is definitely playing with my hormones. I am feeling more aroused than ever before. “I’ve got you,” he whispered against my ear, and I believed him.I let go of his hand and relaxed against his back, trusting that he can take it from here. His fingers gently moved up and down my slit, coaxing rather than claiming. And my body? My body responded like it always did with hi
Before I could react, Nikolai slid his arms beneath my knees and back and lifted me up in a bridal style. "Nikolai!" I gasped, half laughing, half scolding. "Put me down!" "No," he said with infuriating calmness. He carried me across the room as if I weighed nothing. Before I knew it, I was already inside the bathroom. He leaned down and slowly made me sit on the stool. He turned on the tap to fill the bathtub with warm water and added my favorite body wash to it. I smiled as I watched him work around, as if keeping me happy was the most important task for him. He then walked to the cabinet and pulled out our respective toothbrushes. He squeezed a pea-sized amount of toothpaste onto our brushes and handed mine to me. Just as I was about to grab it, he switched the brushes. "Nick!" He laughed, the sound of his sweet crackle resonating in the bathroom. He knows how much I hate using his brush. He always teases me with it. I gave him a look, and he handed me my brush. I shook m
Nikolai’s POV I never went there with the intention of killing Marco, but his words infuriated me so much that I wanted to end his game right then and there. But I had to control myself. First, I don't want to give him such an easy death; I want him to beg me to kill him. Death would be too easy a punishment for the sins he has committed. Second, this is not the right time. The world doesn't move; I am back, and I don’t like to attack from behind. I will capture him in daylight, in front of the whole world. I am not a coward to perform this task in darkness. He will surely get what he deserves, but first I want to take care of my woman and my baby. Once they are fine, I will take care of the rest of the things, including Marco. When I entered the house, it was quiet. I am sure my queen is still sleeping. The effect of the medicine is keeping her body at rest most of the time. It is better if she sleeps, because whenever she is awake, she always overthinks. I held the b
Nikolai's POV I woke up in the middle of the night with Alessia in my arms. The night was dead silent. The only sound that could be heard was the low hum of the AC. Faint moonlight penetrated the room through the slightly open window pane, casting a silver glow over Alessia, who lay curled beside me, one arm wrapped protectively around her belly. I hadn't meant to wake, but sleep had abandoned me hours ago. The events of the last few days had made me restless. My mind was always a battlefield of thoughts. I never expected Alessia to betray me and leave me, but I understood that she was under the influence of her devil of a brother. He manipulated her, and my insistence on aborting the baby fueled her desire to separate from me. The baby she is carrying is also mine. I want my little happy family, but not at her cost. She is the light in my darkness, my oxygen, my everything. I can't let anything happen to her. For me, she is above everyone and everything in this world.
Nikolai stiffened beside me and my fingers clutched his hand tightly when we heard her. "What—what do you mean, Doctor?" I asked, breaking the silence. She turned the report toward us and pointed at the numbers I barely understood. "There’s been no growth since your last visit. Not even a bit. The baby hasn’t gained any measurable weight, and the heart rate is becoming dangerously inconsistent." My lungs stopped working for a moment. My heart ceased beating, my throat went dry, and I could barely breathe. I blinked, trying to process what she was saying. My lower lip wobbled as I tried to control my tears. "But... but I’ve been taking the medications," I croaked, my voice breaking at the end. She looked at me with sympathy. "But medication alone isn’t enough if you’re not eating properly." The doctor sighed and leaned forward, her expression softening, only to prevent me from panicking. "Alessia, the last time you visited the clinic, I clearly told you that the baby
I woke up to the chirping of the birds. The warm sunlight penetrating the room through the curtains kissed my skin. I could feel its warmth all over my body as I turned onto my side. But that warmth was not enough. I wanted Nikolai's warmth, his presence, his scent, his embrace. My eyes were still closed, but a wide smile stretched across my lips when I thought about last night. It felt like a dream to me, a completely unexpected surprise. I truly thought that I had lost Nikolai. But he survived and came back for me, for us. My chest fluttered as I remembered the way he had held me, kissed me, and cooked for me. Slowly, I opened my eyes; my hands began searching for him, but all I felt was cold sheets. My smile faded almost instantly. My eyes shot open, and my heart started pounding in my throat. The space beside me was cold and empty. A shiver ran down my spine. No. No. No. Don't tell me that last night was a dream. The color drained from my face as I sat up and looked aroun
At first, I was completely taken aback when he slammed his lips against mine. I wasn't prepared for it.Not at this moment. He always does things unexpectedly. But this ...The desperation with which he kissed me took my breath away. It wasn't soft or gentle, it was raw, fiery, and filled with a thousand unspoken emotions. When my brain realized what exactly he was doing, my fingers curled into his shirt on their own. The force of the kiss made me stumble back, but he was quick to wrap his arms tighter around me, pulling me so close to him as if terrified I’d disappear again.His heart hammered with equal intensity under my palms. He was feeling the same as I. Unable to hold my emotions any longer, I responded to the kiss with equal hunger, pouring into it all the longing, guilt, and pain I had carried in his absence. His mouth moved against mine like a man starved—devouring, exploring, reclaiming.It had been so long…Too long.One of his hands slid down my back while mine mov