Page 30 of Merciful Lies

Maybe it’s natural. Maternal instinct. Or maybe it’s my desire to have a family, someone of my own, that makes me feel this way.

There’s no second guessing for me. I love my baby. And I would do anything to keep him or her safe.

Including marry a stranger.

My chest squeezes, and the baby kicks again. I open my eyes and Nico is right in front of me. His expression is concerned.

“You need something? Food, water? Maybe you should sit.”

I shake my hand, then before I can think better of it, I reach for him. I bite my lip, afraid he’ll pull away. But he doesn’t.

The king of the Vipers is docile as a kitten as I tug on his big hand and position it over my belly.

“Is that him?” he asks and looks down as our child kicks again.

My gaze is glued to him.

Jesus.

He’s so beautiful. A rough man like that probably doesn’t get called beautiful often.

But I can’t think of another word half as good as that one.

His bone structure is superb. All sharp angles that directly contrast with his plump lips.

They’re as soft as they look. I know that firsthand, but still, I wish I could kiss him.

We’re married, but he’s not mine.

Not like that.

The baby moves again and the corner of his mouth twitches like he might smile. I wish he would.

He doesn’t strike me as a man who smiles often, and for some reason, I want to be the person to make him do just that.

Normally, Nico looks like an avenging angel, all in black, his arm, hand, and neck tattoos visible. But right now he looks stunned, surprised and maybe even happy.

His blue eyes flick to mine, and I swear I am ready to swoon. Those eyes just get me every time.

They’re so bright, brilliant really, and I hope like hell our baby inherits them.

Mine aren’t bad, but they’re just brown. Simple. Plain. And I bite my lip harder.

“Don’t,” Nico whispers, using his other hand to pull my lip free from my teeth.

His touch lingers on my face before he drags his fingers down to my chin and neck until they drop away, but not before he brushes them over my breast.

The air between us feels charged. Nico’s eyes narrow and I suck in a breath, trying not to show how much he affects me.

“Hey, Boss, I’m gonna go talk to the crew,” Angel says.

Then he prowls across the room like some sort of big cat.

Nico doesn’t so much as look his way.

All his attention is on me, my belly, and I realize he’s still touching me with his other hand.

He looks fascinated, and I shiver in response.

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