Page 19 of The Stowaway

“Did I hurt you?” he asked as he tried to pull away from me.

“No,” I shouted and tightened my legs around him before putting my hands around his neck. “Just hold me, please,” I said in a whisper this time.

He was still inside of me, and his presence made me feel safe. His body felt stiff, but he relaxed and stroked my leg. Yes, he had a big dick, but he had been correct because, after the initial pain, he’d made me feel so good. It felt better than I could have imagined, if not a little messy.

“What's wrong, baby?” he asked while his hand moved towards my face and proceeded to wipe my tears away.

I gave him a watery smile.

“I’m just so grateful that my first time was with you and not them. I-I just got a little emotional,” I said, feeling embarrassed.

His concern vanished, and a hard expression appeared on his face. His jaw was clenched, and his eyes narrowed on mine.

“You will never need to worry about them,” he said vehemently.

I wondered what he meant before I shrugged it off. They didn't need to be tainting this moment between us.

“When can we do that again?” I asked with a smile to reassure him.

His face softened before he smiled back at me.

“Not for a while after you almost gave me a heart attack,” he said, nuzzling into my hair and neck.

It was something he did often. The action reminded me of Misha, but there was no way in hell I would ever mention that to Ivan. I didn't respond to him. I just wanted him to be as close as possible to me, which was something he must have understood because he didn't move away from me, and he was still inside of me.

“How are your ribs?” he said before kissing along my neck.

“They are fine. You kept your weight off me. I think they will heal quickly,” I replied.

As each day passed, the pain lessened. I thought less about the dysfunctional family I had left and immersed myself in Ivan’s world. I felt happy for the first time in my life, and tonight had been perfect.

“Thank you for fucking me,” I blurted out before I closed my eyes in embarrassment.

Why didn't I think before I spoke?

I cracked an eye open when Ivan didn't say anything.

His dark eyes were twinkling with amusement. His expression was one of affection, and it softened all the hard edges on his face.

“I've never been thanked for fucking before,” he murmured.

My face fell when I thought of all the women he had probably been with. A sickening feeling hit the pit of my stomach. I looked away from him towards the back of the room.

What if I didn't live up to all the sophisticated women he was used to?

It took me half an hour to choose a combination of clothes.

“Kitten?”

I glanced up at him.

“I love you. I don't care how long it's been since I've known you. Fate brought you to me, and I knew that night. Anyone before you—it was nothing like this,” he said, staring into my eyes. “Trust me.”

I didn't realise my body was tense until my muscles relaxed. I would process his declaration of love later, as it was too much for me right now.

“What if I don't fit into your world?” I asked hesitantly.

“I think you have gotten it the wrong way around, Kitten. My world will fit around you.”

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