Page 38 of Stolen Dove

“Why? So you know your babies are yours only?”

“No. Because I’m madly in love with you. I didn’t know it right away, but by the time we landed in Madrid, I knew that this burning pain in my chest from the thought of you leaving was more than guilt. I love you, and I know that I don’t deserve your love, but I’ll forever promise to love you faithfully, Dove.”

“I love you more than you know. I can’t say exactly when, but it could have been from the first instant that you grabbed me away from that man with such anger. For so long I thought you hated me, but I felt the way you’ve held me close every night. It only made me long for more. I wanted the fairy tale. I wanted your passion as well as your heart.”

“I was angry at first. I’d never paid to be with a woman. I abstained because my father made me sick with the way he let women ruin his life and ours. I took it out on you, wanting to punish you for making hunger for the forbidden.”

“You have me, but you don’t trust me enough to give me an inch of freedom. You keep me locked up, and then you’re gone all the time. They told me about your father and all your other siblings, and I can’t be your mother. I’m not strong enough to watch you betray me over and over again.”

“I’d never betray you. I could never enjoy seeing pain in your eyes.”

I get off my knees and sit on the bed, pulling her onto my lap and twisting her head slightly so I can look into her gorgeous sad eyes. “I’d never betray you either. I hadn’t expected for things to go as they had today. I thought I’d sneak out and come back and you’d be mad, but I never expected him to try anything inappropriate. Then he made the claims, accusing you of having a mistress. It was all I could do to keep myself together. My heart hurt, but I didn’t want revenge. I wanted to stop caring about you and to be anywhere away from you.”

“God, I hope the bastard’s still alive.”

“Wait, did you?” she asks with a gasp.

“Baby, I’m the head of my family. There’s no way I could let that slide. Hell, even if I wasn’t, that is unforgivable. He attempted to take you away from me. To seduce you,” I snarl.

“You’d kill for me?”

“I told you I would. You’re mine. I made sure of it that night. From that moment until forever. He noticed my neglect and took advantage of it. He’d been obsessed, aching to steal you from me.”

“I didn’t want him. I only want you. I love only you.”

I pull out the box from my pocket. “Dove, I love you with every bit of me and I’m sorry that I didn’t do it the right way, but I’ve had this made to show you how much you mean to me.” I slide the diamond ring with platinum that matches mine onto her finger.

“You had this made for me?”

“That’s part of the reason I left today. My half sister designs jewelry and I asked her to commission our rings, and it was her son’s birthday. I went to see them and pick up our rings.”

“They’re beautiful. I love it. Goodness. I’m sorry I believed him for even a moment.”

“Don’t be. You wouldn’t have if I didn’t give you reason to buy his bullshit, but now that we have that settled, let’s discuss what I overheard when I arrived. Is there something you have to tell me?”

“If I have to tell you then you’re not a very smart man, but I will say it anyway. I found out we’re having a baby. I’m pregnant.”

“I love you. Shit. Are you okay? Was I too rough with you?”

“I’m fine. You weren’t too rough at all. And by the way—if you think that I’m going to stand for that shit you said earlier, you have another thing coming.”

“What did I say?”

“About not fucking me anymore. That masterful cock of yours is my favorite hobby.”

“Good, because making you come is my favorite thing to do.”

“Do you need to handle anything right now?”

“No, just your greedy pussy. I need a shower. How about you join me?”

“I was just going to suggest it. You have a little blood right here, and we didn’t wash up after you fucked me hard.”

“Damn it, wife. The first load is going down your throat.”

“You bet.” I carry her inside the bathroom and keep my promise, jetting into her mouth before drilling her with her back against the cold tiles.

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