We’re lying on my childhood bed, my head resting in Nikolai’s lap, while he softly strokes my hair. There’s an old classic rock record playing downstairs, and the summer breeze rolls in through the partially-opened window, carrying faint scents of rose and jasmine from the garden. It’s late afternoon, and Nikolai is nursing a vodka tonic. As much as I wish I could join him, I’ve got a precious little soul growing inside me, so I’m sipping herbal tea instead.
“Things are going to get harder before they get easier, aren’t they?” I ask suddenly.
Nikolai looks down at me and smiles, nodding. “Da, my love. That’s the way it goes.”
“I hope we can handle it. It’s a lot of work, trying to save the city. Especially with a baby on the way,” I add, gently rubbing my belly.
“You’re right. It won’t ever be simple, but it will smooth out over time. Together, we have already made good things happen. We’re a good team, Ana,” he tells me honestly. He leans down to kiss me, and I smile.
“Despite everything, I’m happy,” I admit. “It’s a fucked-up world, but this part—this little corner of it—is perfect. You and me, together. I love you, Nikolai, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for the three of us.”
“I love you, too,” he says, making my heart skip a beat. No matter how many times he tells me, it never stops giving me a little thrill of delight. “You and I are going to make the world a better place. A safer place. And not just for everyone else, but for us. For our baby.”
“It’ll be hard work, but we can do it,” I agree.
“And we’ve got the rest of our lives to work on it, because I’m not going anywhere, Anastasia. From the moment I laid eyes on you at that airport, from the moment you fell into my arms at the Ovechkin mansion, I knew I would never leave you. You’re stuck with me, lyubov moya, now and forever.”
“Good,” I answer, grinning. “Because I don’t ever want to imagine my life without you.”
Nikolai bends down to kiss me, more sensually this time, whispering, “And you will never have to, my love. Not as long as my heart is still beating. I’m yours, and you are mine.”
Also by Alexis Abbott
Romantic Suspense:
Alexis Abbott’s Bound to the Bad Boy Series:
Book 1: Bound for Life
Book 2: Bound to the Mafia
Alexis Abbott’s Hitmen Series:
Owned by the Hitman
Sold to the Hitman
Saved by the Hitman
Captive of the Hitman
Stolen from the Hitman
Hostage of the Hitman
Taken by the Hitman
The Hitman’s Masquerade (Short Story)
Romantic Suspense Standalones:
Criminal
Ruthless
Innocence For Sale: Jane
Redeeming Viktor
Sights on the SEAL
Abducted
Vegas Boss
I Hired A Hitman
Killing For Her
The Assassin’s Heart
Romance:
Falling for her Boss (Novella)
Most Wanted: Lilly (Novella)
Bound as the World Burns (SFF)
Erotic Thriller:
The Dangerous Men Series:
The Narrow Path
Strayed from the Path
Path to Ruin
About the Author
She lives in beautiful St. John's, NL, Canada with her amazing husband.
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