Chapter 53

Laura

Three months later

I LIEback on the bed, watching as Victor gently massages my growing belly.

At four months along, my bump is just starting to show, a soft swell that fills me with equal parts wonder and trepidation.

Victor pours a little lavender and coconut oil onto his palms, warming it before gliding his hands over my skin in soothing circles.

“Clockwise, five times. Anti-clockwise, five times,” he counts with each circle, his brow furrowed in concentration.

The firm pressure of his hands feels amazing. But it also tickles like hell, and I can’t help squirming a little, a giggle escaping my lips.

“Don’t move, malyshka,” he grunts, grabbing my hips to hold me still. “You’re gonna make me lose count.”

“Aye, aye, captain,” I snicker, throwing him a mock salute. “Wouldn’t want to disrupt your very serious massage technique.”

He raises an eyebrow, fingers digging into my skin just hard enough to make me gasp. “Damn right, you don’t. Now hold still, moya lyubov’.”

My love.

The words rumble from Victor’s throat, hitting me hard. Hearing him call me that in Russian, it’s so intense it almost makes me cry.

He’s been using it constantly since we got home, like he’s making up for lost time. I lean into his touch, warmth blooming in my chest.

“Moya lyubov’,” I echo, the words still a little clumsy on my tongue. “Am I saying it right?”

Victor’s eyes soften, his hands gentle on my belly. “Yeah, zhena, you got it. Ty moya lyubov’. You’re my love.”

He leans down, capturing my lips in a sweet, lingering kiss that makes my toes curl. I sigh into his mouth, melting against him, letting myself get lost in the slow, drugging slide of his tongue against mine.

When he finally pulls back, I’m flushed and a little dazed, my lips tingling. I blink up at him, a sudden thought piercing the haze of contentment.

“Hey,” I murmur, playing with the hair at the nape of his neck. “I think I’m ready to go back to work.”

Victor shakes his head, his expression darkening. “Not yet, lyubov moya. Your shoulder’s still healing. Doc says you need a few more months of rest.”

“But I’m fine now, see?” I protest, rolling my shoulder to prove my point. But the movement sends a sharp twinge through the still-tender muscles, making me wince. “Okay, maybe not completely fine. But I’m getting there.”

Victor gives me a look, his eyes narrowing. “Laura, dorogaya, you took a fucking bullet. You’re not going anywhere until Doc gives the all-clear.”

I huff, pouting a little. “Dr. Petrov did a great job with the surgery, though. The scar’s healing nicely.” I tug the collar of my shirt aside, revealing the puckered pink line along my collarbone.

Victor’s face softens, his fingers coming up to trace the mark with a feather-light touch. “I know he did, lyubov’. But that doesn’t mean you’re ready to jump back into the fray.” He dips his head down, pressing a gentle kiss to the scar. “Let yourself heal. I’ll take care of you, get you whatever you need. Okay?”

I sigh, leaning into him. “I’m not used to being coddled,” I grumble, even as I burrow deeper into his arms.

“Get used to it,” he rumbles, a smile in his voice. “You’re carrying my malysh. Coddling is part of the deal.”

I pout, tracing a finger along his jawline. “You’re too protective, you know that? Worrying over me, over the baby…”

He catches my hand, pressing a kiss to my palm. “It’s my job to worry, to keep you both safe. After everything that’s happened…”

His voice trails off, old shadows flickering in his eyes. I cup his face, drawing him back to me. “Hey, none of that. We’re here, we’re okay. Thanks to you.”

Victor leans into my touch, a small smile tugging at his lips.He takes a deep breath, shaking off the ghosts of the past. “You’re right, lyubov’. We’re safe, and that’s what matters.”

He gently guides me to lie back down, his hands returning to my belly. “Now, let’s get back to pampering my two favorite people, da?”

I grin up at him, warmth filling my chest. “You spoil us too much.”

“Damn right, I do,” he growls playfully, digging his thumbs into the tight muscles of my lower back. “And I’m going to keep doing it for the rest of our lives.”

He works in silence for a few minutes, the oil-slicked glide of his hands lulling me into a state of boneless bliss. I can feel the tension melting away, my body going soft and pliant under his touch.

“You’re good at this.” I smile at him.

“Thanks to the magic of YouTube tutorials and quality massage oils.”

I can’t help but laugh, the sound bubbling up from my belly, flooding me with joy. It’s the kind of laughter that makes everything feel lighter, brighter. The kind that reminds me how lucky I am, how much I love this man.

“Are you laughing at my massage prowess?” Victor quirks a brow, a playful gleam in his eye.

“Never.” I grin, biting my lip. “I would never mock such attention to detail.”

“Hmm, I think you need a little reminder of just how detailed I can be.”

Victor’s eyes darken as his hands skim higher, cupping my tits. My nipples are so sensitive now, aching at the slightest touch. “Fuck, you’re gorgeous,” he growls, rolling the tight peaks between his fingers. “Could stare at you all day.”

“Just stare?” I gasp, arching into his touch.

“Oh, I’ve got plans for more than looking, dorogaya.”

His other hand slides down, slipping into my panties to find me already wet and wanting. I moan shamelessly as he strokes me, teasing my clit until I’m writhing against the sheets.

“V-Victor…”

“Shh, dorogaya. Let me take care of you.” He tugs my underwear aside, fingers dipping into my slick folds. “I think you need this massage at least twice a day.”

I moan as he circles my clit, my hips rocking helplessly. The pregnancy hormones have me constantly on edge, desperate for him.

“Please,” I whimper, fisting my hands in the sheets. “I need you…”

Clothes are shed in a flurry of heated kisses and reverent caresses. Victor settles between my thighs, his hardness nudging against me. But he hesitates, his gaze filled with tenderness and caution.

“Is this okay?” he asks softly, one hand splayed protectively over my belly. “I don’t want to hurt you or the baby…”

I guide him to me, sighing as he slips inside inch by careful inch. “You could never hurt us,” I breathe, wrapping my legs around his hips. “We’re yours, forever and always. Now please, love me…”

And he does, with gentle rocking thrusts and whispered adorations. Pleasure builds slowly, a tidal wave cresting higher and higher until it crashes over us both, sweeping us away in its inexorable currents.

After, he holds me close, hands stroking over my belly, my back, threading through my hair. I’ve never felt so cherished, so complete.

“I love you,” I murmur into his chest, listening to the steady thrum of his heart.