Page 26 of Sinful Bride

“Turn around.”

I do as he says. Within seconds, he unlatches my nursing bra and slides it down my arms.

This… this is hotter than it should be. His fingers lightly dance along my skin with every move, helping me step out of my sweatpants, gesturing for me to put my arms back up.

I want him.

I’m not allowed to have him.

I want to believe he’s resisting as much as I am. That his breath is hitching in his throat as he fights off temptation to caress my breasts whenever his fingers skim the sides.

But soon enough, the long sleep shirt is on and Pasha walks away to go check on something in the bathroom. I ease myself over to the bassinet to check on Taty. She’s sound asleep, her breath soft and steady.

One of these days, I’m going to get over the wonder of how she came from me.

Or maybe I won’t. Maybe I’ll just watch her sleep all the way through her teen years and continue to marvel at how someone so beautiful, so wonderful, so perfect could be a part of my world.

I sip on my smoothie as I eventually wander out into the living room. It’s blessedly quiet here. No dings or pings or alarm bells to wake me up in the middle of the night. The couch is soft, so much softer and better than the hospital bed made of sheet rock.

I need a nap.

Right here will suffice. Because I’m not moving an inch. I’m too tired. Too worn. The pain meds haven’t quite kicked in and I just… Fuck. I’m just gonna lay down.

Of course, that is when the front door bursts wide open.

“Don’t mind us!” Mak announces as he shoulders his way inside, carrying what looks like a truckload of suitcases and bags. “Just getting Mama settled in.”

“Wha…?”

“Me first! I’m first!” Sofi shoves past him and adds her coat to his pile. “I get baby snuggles first!”

“I’m literally holding everything but the kitchen sink! That’s not fair and you know it!”

“Don’t be such a baby! Your niece doesn’t whine half as much!”

Mak glowers after his sister. Then sees me on the couch and flashes me his signature lopsided grin. “Heya, sista. How’s it hangin’?”

I snort a tired laugh. “Not as bad as I thought. These stitches are keeping everything together, thank God.”

It takes a minute for him to realize what I’m referring to, and when he does, the look on his face is absolutely worth it. He decides dragging everything to the guest room is better than visualizing my lady bits “hangin’” and leaves me to chuckle to myself on the couch.

The door swings open again. Asya is far less boisterous than her children when she enters, but I don’t know if that’s on purpose or because she’s too busy blowing kisses to whoever’s on the phone with her. I don’t speak her language, but I’m pretty sure she just told them she loves them and will see them later.

“Daphne, malyshka.” She sets her purse down by the growing pile of shoes at the door. “I am so sorry to wake you! I’ll have a talk with my shumnyye deti,” she adds with a pointed stare in the direction of the master bedroom where Sof and Mak went.

“You didn’t wake me. I was just about to lie down, is all.” I smile at her as she sits next to me and takes my hand in hers.

“As you should. Rest is so important right now so you can recover.” Asya leans forward to half-whisper, “If Tatyanna’s anything like her father, I’m betting that big head did a number down there.”

Oh my God. I try so hard not to snort in Pasha’s mother’s face. “Really? Pasha?”

“Bozhe moy, I thought I gave birth to a literal genius, what with how big his head was! Seventeen stitches and only vodka for painkillers. That, and lots of sleep.” She squeezes my hand. “Which is why I’m here. You get your rest while I get settled in.”

It’s my turn to feel a bit warm in the face. “I know you mentioned it back at the hospital, but I still… I guess I don’t understand. Why…?”

How do I ask her why she’s doing all this without sounding rude?

“Why am I here to be your temporary live-in housekeeper, nanny, and chef?” Asya tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear. “It is how we do things, malyshka. We support our family. You don’t have family to support you, so here we are.”

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