Page 31 of Accidental Bratva Daddy

She trails off, gesturing vaguely between us. I understand what she means, even if I don't want to admit it. We're not a real couple. This was supposed to be a business arrangement, nothing more. A child—let alone two—changes everything.

I take a deep breath, trying to rein in the mess of emotions threatening to overwhelm me. Anger. Fear. An unexpected surge of joy that I quickly tamp down. I need to think rationally about this.

"You're staying here for the pregnancy,” I say firmly, my tone leaving no room for argument. "The rival mafia has seen your face. You won't be safe anywhere else."

Natalia's eyes narrow. "I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself," she begins, but I cut her off with a sharp gesture.

"This isn't just about you anymore," I remind her, my gaze dropping pointedly to her stomach. "Those are my children you're carrying, and they’ll have enemies before they’re even born. I will not risk their safety. Or yours, for that matter.”

For a moment, I think she's going to argue. I can see the stubborn set of her jaw, the fire in her eyes that I usually find so captivating, and at times like this absolutely infuriating. But then her shoulders slump slightly, the fight draining out of her all at once.

"Fine," she says quietly. "You're right. It's not safe for me to be alone right now."

I nod, relief washing over me. "Good. I'll have Alexei prepare a suite for you. Anything you need, just ask."

Natalia stands, smoothing down her ruined gown. "I should go clean up," she murmurs, not quite meeting my eyes. "Get some rest, Luka. I'll check on you later."

As she turns to leave, something possessive and desperate seizes me. Before I can think better of it, I reach out and catch her wrist. Natalia tenses at the contact, but doesn't pull away.

"Wait," I say, my voice low and rough. I tug gently, urging her closer until she's standing at the edge of the bed. My free hand comes up to cup her cheek, thumb brushing over the delicate curve of her cheekbone. "Isn't it beautiful?" I murmur, unable to keep a hint of awe from my voice. "My doting wife, bringing not just one but two babies into the world."

Natalia tries to pull back, a mix of emotions flashing across her face too quickly for me to decipher. But I tighten my grip on her wrist, holding her in place.

"I want to thank you," I tell her, my gaze locked on hers. "For saving me. For carrying our children. For being braver than I ever gave you credit for."

Before she can respond, I pull her down and capture her lips in a kiss. Natalia makes a small sound of surprise against my mouth, her free hand coming up to brace against my chest. For a heartbeat, I think she's going to push me away. But then she melts into the kiss with a soft sigh that sends heat coursing through my veins.

I deepen the kiss, my tongue teasing the seam of her lips until she parts them with a quiet moan. My hand slides from her cheek to tangle in her hair, holding her close as I pourevery ounce of gratitude and desire I feel into the kiss. Natalia responds with equal fervor, her fingers curling into the fabric of my shirt.

This is it, I realize. She is mine—my wife, the mother of my children, my everything. And I’m going to show her exactly what that means in my world, one way or another.

15

Natalia

Luka's grip on my wrist loosens, his large hand sliding up my arm to cup the back of my neck. He pulls me closer, deepening the kiss until I'm breathless and dizzy with want. Without breaking away, I shift to straddle his lap, careful not to put pressure on his injured side.

The new position brings our bodies flush together, and I can feel the hard planes of his chest against mine, the heat of him seeping through the thin fabric of my ruined gown. His free hand finds my hip, fingers digging in possessively as he guides me to rock against him.

I gasp at the friction, breaking the kiss to throw my head back. Luka takes advantage, trailing hot, open-mouthed kisses down the column of my throat. When he reaches the sensitive spot where my neck meets my shoulder, he nips lightly before soothing the sting with his tongue.

"Luka," I breathe, my voice barely above a whisper. "We shouldn't... your wound..."

He growls against my skin, the vibration sending shivers down my spine. “It’s no trouble,” he growls, his voice thick with arousal. "I need you, Natalia. Now."

His words ignite a fire in my blood. I capture his lips once more, pouring all my pent-up emotion into the kiss. My hands roam his broad shoulders, careful to avoid the bandages on his side as I explore the sculpted muscles of his chest and arms.

Luka's fingers find the zipper of my dress, tugging it down with agonizing slowness. As the fabric loosens, he pushes it off my shoulders, his calloused hands leaving trails of fire on my skin. I shrug out of the garment, letting it pool around my waist.

“Beautiful,” Luka breathes, pulling back to drink in the sight of me. His eyes, dark with desire, roam over my body with naked appreciation. "You're so beautiful,moya zhena."

The endearment—"my wife"—makes my heart skip a beat. I know I shouldn't read too much into it, that this is just physical release after a traumatic night. But a small, traitorous part of me wants it to mean more.

I push the thought aside, focusing instead on the delicious friction as I grind against Luka's growing arousal. He groans, his head falling back against the pillows, exposing the strong column of his throat. Unable to resist, I lean down to press open-mouthed kisses along his jaw, relishing the scratch of his stubble against my lips.

Luka's hands slide up my sides, thumbs brushing the undersides of my breasts. I arch into his touch with a breathy sigh, quietly begging for more. He obliges, cupping my breasts fully andrunning his thumbs over my nipples until they're tight, aching peaks.

"Luka, I need you. I need all of you right now.”

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