Page 52 of Accidentally Knocked Up By the Bratva

I catch Abram's eye, and the pride I see there makes my heart skip a beat. Maybe, just maybe, I've found my place in this world.

As the conversation flows, I find my gaze drawn to Abram. He's in his element, surrounded by his siblings, and I'm struck by the subtle ways he interacts with each of them. There's a gentleness in his eyes when he looks at Lara, a protective arm slung around her shoulders as he refills her glass. With Vladimir,there's a silent understanding communicated through nods and raised eyebrows. Even with the volatile Denis, Abram knows exactly how to defuse tensions with a well-timed joke or change of subject.

"You're quite the peacekeeper, aren't you?" I murmur to Abram when he returns to my side.

He chuckles softly. "Someone has to be. Family is… complicated."

I watch as he smoothly intervenes in a heated debate between Mark and Vladimir, his words carefully chosen to soothe both egos. It hits me then—this is why he kept me in the dark about not just the Bratva but also his family. He's been protecting me, shielding me from their outright and, oftentimes, temperamental personalities.

I get it now,I think to myself.

As the night winds down, the siblings begin to take their leave. Hugs are exchanged, and promises of future gatherings are made. I'm surprised when Vladimir pulls me into a brief, gruff embrace.

"Welcome to the family," he mutters before striding out the door. I watch, surprised, remembering how he insinuated I was a gold digger the last time around.

Once we're alone, Abram pulls me close, his fingers tracing lazy circles on my back. "So, how was it?"

I look up at him, seeing the mild nervousness in his eyes. As much as I want to be accepted by his family, he wants me to acceptthem.“I won’t lie,” I murmur. “It was terrifying. Intense.”

He frowns.

“But I loved them,” I add.

He breaks into a small, incredulous smile, his forehead furrowing in that perfect, endearing manner. When he looks like this, he’s the epitome of what it means to be ruggedly handsome, and a storm of desire gushes over me.

I stand on my toes, wrapping my arms around his neck. "Thank you, Abram. For trusting me with this. For showing me your world, your family."

He cups my face in his hands, his gaze intense. "They are my strength but also my greatest weakness. And now, so are you."

His words sink in, and my heart races. I’m suddenly aware of every point where our bodies touch, and with that, I'm reminded of our unfinished business from the previous night. I lean in, pressing my lips to his neck, tasting the salt on his skin.

"Zara," Abram breathes, his voice husky.

I pull back, meeting his gaze. "I want to show you how much I appreciate you," I murmur, my fingers trailing down his chest. "How much I understand the risk you've taken bringing me into the fold.”

His eyes darken with desire. "You don't have to—"

“Oh, but I want to,” I murmur, reaching out behind my back. His eyes widen as he hears the zip slide down my back. Slowly, I reach for the straps of my dress, letting them fall just gently down to my arms. His eyes flick between mine, to my lips, to the swell of my breasts slowly revealed as the dress slips down.

“Zara—” he tries protesting, even though I see the pain he’s in from holding back.

I reach up and silence him with a kiss.

Chapter 19 - Abram

It’s impossible to hold back with her half-naked in front of me. Here I was, worried sick she might still leave, but I’ve won back her trust. Honesty is all it took, and now, she’s seducing me.

This is a first—and one I never expected.

I’ve never felt more thrilled to be alive. My eyes flick over her perfect half-moon breasts spilling out from her bra, her dress now gathering at the waist.

“Zara,” I moan and rush toward her, my lips crashing against hers as my hands grip the delicate fabric of her dress. With one swift motion, I pull it down wholly to her ankles, revealing her flushed skin beneath. My breath catches as I take in the enticing curves of her body as she stands half-naked before me, in nothing but her panties and bra, my fingers tracing every dip and swell.

"You're exquisite," I murmur, reaching into her neck, inhaling her intoxicating scent.

Zara's breath hitches. "Abram, please…"

Her plea ignites something primal within me. I cup her ass, lifting her effortlessly. She responds immediately, wrapping her legs around my waist and pulling me closer. Her breasts press into me as I support her weight, feeling the heat of her skin through my clothes.

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