Page 64 of Bad Duke

“Well, this is a nice awakening.” I slide my hand through his thick, brown hair and then arch my back when his tongue circles around my clit. He fixes his eyes on me and I realise how much they’ve changed since I first came here. There's no wickedness in them now, just adoration as he takes his time, and lets me know that this pleasure is all for me. His hands slip from my thighs onto my belly, holding it firm as the gentle laps of his tongue edge me closer to spilling all over it. The baby kicks against his palm and I see a smile in his eyes as he continues to pleasure me, softly and slowly, like he has all the time in the world.

I feel my climax threatening, growing stronger the more I try to hold on to it.

“You taste so fucking good for me.” Alex trails the tip of his nose through my pussy lips and when his tongue follows, in one, long stroke that finishes at my clit, I let it go. Alex holds me even tighter in his hands, as my body jolts. His tongue flicking harder and faster to ensure I get every last moment of pleasure from it.

“I’m sorry for being a jerk last night.” He climbs up my body and kisses me.

“You were fine. I was just worried when I couldn’t get hold of you,” I admit, feeling all kinds of needy. We’ve spent all of our time together over the past eight months, which seems crazy when I think back to the person he was when I met him.

“I shouldn’t have drank so much, what if something had happened?” I can tell he’s disappointed in himself and I don’t want that.

“What were you expecting to happen at a baby shower?” I giggle. “We had a good night, and so did you. You needed it.” I stroke my hand through his hair, liking how ruffled it looks when he’s just woken up.

“Well, don’t get too used to it. I’m not leaving your side for the foreseeable.” He smacks a kiss on my forehead before getting up and starting to get changed.

“Alex, that's ridiculous, you have businesses to run.”

“That's one of the reasons I went to see Marina, yesterday. I asked her to look for a new employee, someone to take the strain off her when I step back.” He shrugs casually as he fastens his watch.

“Step back, what do you mean?”

“I mean, from now on I’m just an investor. The past few months have proven that I don’t need to be around for my business to run, and I want to be a husband and father.”

I smile to myself and wonder how I got so lucky.

“And what about the other businesses?” I don’t want to ruin the moment, but I’m curious to know how far he’s going with this.

“Like I said, it’s going to take some time, but I will get straight.” I can tell from the look on his face that it’s not what he wants. Alex wasn’t a man who was born to follow law and order. He only wants out because he wants to keep us safe.

“I had an email back from that job I applied for in July,” I tell him, hoping we can move past the subject. “They wanted to meet with me and discuss a position once the baby comes.” I smile, hoping he’s going to be on board. I’ve been happy to overlook his confinements because I’m carrying his child, but I have every intention of returning to work, even if it’s only part-time.

“That's great news.” He manages a smile before focusing his attention back to my stomach, his palm rubbing a big circle over my stretched-out skin.

“Alex, you do realise that I need to go back to work? What we have is too intense, it’s borderline unhealthy,” I tell him softly.

“You mean I’m intense and I’m unhealthy.” He smiles at me sadly.

“I’m not saying I don’t like it, I just think that we have to let the real world in, a little. Don’t you feel like we’ve been living in our own little bubble lately?”

“I like our bubble.” His thumb strokes over my belly button.

“I do, too. But I don’t want to lose sight of the person I was before you,” I admit, hoping it won’t hurt him.

“I’d never ask you to be anyone else, Olivia,” he assures me, and although he promised me no more secrets, I can’t help feeling there's something he isn’t telling me.

ALEX

SIX WEEKS LATER

“Morning, sweetheart.” I smile at my wife when she waddles into the dining room. Standing up, I pull out her chair so she can sink herself into it. “What would you want me to plate you up?” I lift her plate, knowing that leaning over the table is far too uncomfortable for her now. She looks at all the pastries, fruit, and cereals that are spread out in front of her and lets out a heavy sigh. “I could get Kristoff to cook whatever you want if you don’t like what’s here,” I suggest.

“It’s not that, Alex. I already feel like I’m going to burst, I don’t want to eat a thing,” she tells me, manoeuvering her huge belly so she’s sitting more comfortably.

“Well, unfortunately, you have to eat something,” I remind her, picking up a croissant and some grapes, and placing them in front of her.

We had a doctor’s appointment yesterday and Olivia was very pleased to hear that, now she’s 38 weeks, the baby could come at any time. Up until a few days ago, she was enjoying being pregnant, but now our baby’s in its later stages of growth she’s getting tired and uncomfortable.

“I read a few things last night about natural ways to induce labour.” She looks at me, hopefully, as I retake my seat. “There's a tea I can drink that helps, and they say steady exercise is good too.” Her eyes flit towards the dogs that are lying by the door.

---