Page 72 of Forced Bratva Hostage

Sasha giggled, her eyes crinkling at the corners as she picked up on the worddance. “Birthday!” she exclaimed.

My face lit up, a broad smile playing on my lips. “Indeed.” I chuckled, then dropped my voice to a low whisper, tinged with a hint of disappointment. “It would've been better if your Dad had gotten me a present.”

“Daddy gift,” she said, her wide eyes seeming to say more than her words.

I squinted, brows furrowing with deep creases between them. “Sasha…do you know something that I don't?”

She yawned, stretching. “Sleep, Mommy.”

My head tilted to the side— she definitely knew something but wouldn't spill the beans. “You and your Daddy are keeping secrets from me now, eh?”

“No,” she replied with a giggle, retaining that cute little smile that revealed her adorable dimples. “Night, Mommy.” She lay on her side, cuddling her teddy bear.

“Goodnight, sweetheart.” I leaned forward and planted a kiss on her forehead.

She exhaled softly, her chest rising and falling—ready to fall asleep.

I rose to my feet and headed out, my mind racing with the possibility of what Afanasy had in store for me.

“Mommy,” she called without turning to look at me.

“Yes, honey?” I stopped in my tracks, swiveling to face her.

“Love you,” she said, her tone sweet and cute.

My lips curved into a smile, my heart swelling with excitement. “I love you, honey.”

She was quiet for the next few seconds, and her steady breathing indicated that she'd drifted asleep. I loved her so much, and I’d always be grateful that she came into our lives when she did.

Quietly, I stepped out and shut the door behind me, my movement slow and cautious.

“Hey.” His soft tone, as gentle as it was, startled me.

My body jerked in an instant, seeing him leaning against the wall outside Sasha's room. “Jesus!” I yelped, losing my breath for a second, my hand flying over to my chest as if to prevent my heart from jumping out.

He just stood there, one foot crossed majestically over the other, a mischievous grin playing on the corner of his enticing lips.

“Don't do that again!” I smacked his strong arms, my palm bouncing off his muscles.

“Do what?” His eyes checked out my body, a flirtatious glint on his face.

“Don’t sneak up on me like that,” I replied, frivolously slapping against his chest.

He laughed, raising both hands in surrender. “Alright, I'll try my best.” Afanasy stepped forward, his hands resting on my slender waist. “Did you know you look sexy and beautiful when you're afraid?” His lips curled into a seductive smirk.

His remark melted my reserve, his groin against mine sending shivers down my spine. My lips pursed into a fine line in an attempt to suppress a smile from breaking forth.

Once again, his silver tongue had left me speechless, my cheeks flushing at his unmatched verbal skills.

“Is that why you jump on the opportunity to scare the pants off me?” I questioned, jerking my head to look into those amazing green eyes.

He pulled me closer, squeezing against my butt, his fingers digging into my flesh. “Speaking of pants going off….” He flashed me that signature smirk of his.

My chest fluttered, my heart skipping a beat at the thought of him inside me. I trembled subtly when his finger grazed against my skin. “Hmm. You'd like that, wouldn't you?” I flirted back, my hand gliding through his chest, down to his erection.

“I like where this is going,” he confessed, eyes crinkling at the corners, his smile broadening. “But first, I have a surprise for you.”

I pulled my head back, squinting as if Sasha hadn't just given me a hint—although I still had no idea what it was, and I wasn’t sure how much she did, either, with her baby talk.

---