Page 63 of Secret Bratva Twins

“Serge…,” she starts, her voice hesitant.

I lean in slightly, closing the space between us. “Yes?”

Her breath catches, her lips parting as if she’s about to speak, but instead, she tilts her head just enough to meetmy gaze fully. In the dim light, her eyes are dark, reflecting something raw and unspoken.

“I…,” she begins, but the words seem to fail her. Instead, her hand shifts slightly, brushing against my arm as if testing the waters.

The warmth of her touch ignites something I can’t ignore. Slowly, deliberately, I reach out, my fingers brushing against her cheek. Her skin is soft, warm, and she leans into the touch almost instinctively.

“Chiara,” I murmur, her name a whisper on my lips.

She doesn’t move away. Instead, her gaze drops to my mouth, her breath coming faster now. I lean in, unable to stop myself, until our lips meet in a kiss that’s soft at first, hesitant, but quickly deepens.

Her mouth is warm, sweet, and she tastes like everything I didn’t realize I was craving. My hand slides to the back of her neck, pulling her closer as her fingers curl into my shirt.

It’s only when Leo shifts in her arms, murmuring softly in his sleep, that we both freeze.

She pulls back first, her breathing uneven, her lips slightly swollen from the kiss. “The kids…,” she whispers, her voice shaky but firm.

I nod, forcing myself to take a step back, though every part of me screams to stay close. “We’ll wake them,” I agree, my voice huskier than I intended.

Her cheeks flush, but she doesn’t argue. Instead, she adjusts Leo in her arms, cradling him closer as she leans back against the pillows. Alyssa murmurs something incoherent, her small hand curling against my chest as I settle beside her again.

The silence stretches between us, charged and heavy, but neither of us speaks. Chiara’s eyes drift shut eventually, her breathing evening out as she succumbs to sleep.

I stare at her for a moment longer, my thoughts tangled in ways I don’t want to unravel. Finally, I let my head rest back against the headboard, Alyssa’s warmth a comforting weight against me.

The moment lingers, soft and unexpected, as sleep pulls me under too.

***

The soft glow of early morning filters through the curtains, casting a warm light across the room. I stir, blinking against the brightness as I adjust to wakefulness. The weight against my chest is unfamiliar, yet somehow comforting. It takes me a moment to realize what’s different.

Chiara.

Her body is tucked against mine, her head resting just below my chin, her arm draped lightly across my side. Her warmth seeps through the thin material of my shirt, her scent—a delicate blend of jasmine and something uniquely hers—lingering in the air between us.

I freeze, my muscles going rigid as the realization hits. At some point during the night, Alyssa must have left my side, and Chiara has taken her place. My arm, draped lazily around her waist, tightens reflexively before I catch myself.

This is not how I planned to wake up.

Chiara stirs slightly, her breath warm against my collarbone. Her lashes flutter, and she blinks up at me, her eyes hazy with sleep. For a moment, there’s no recognition, only thesoft vulnerability of someone just waking up. Then her gaze sharpens, and she stiffens against me.

Her eyes widen, and her cheeks flush a deep red as she pulls back abruptly, her hand pressing against my chest as if to put more distance between us. “What… what are you doing?” she stammers, her voice still husky with sleep.

“What am I doing?” I echo, smirking slightly despite the situation. “You’re the one cuddling me.”

Her blush deepens, and she sits up quickly, smoothing her disheveled hair. “I—I wasn’t! I mean, I didn’t mean to!”

“Sure,” I drawl, unable to resist teasing her.

She glares at me, though the effect is diminished by the way she ducks her head, clearly flustered. Before she can fire back, the sound of giggles cuts through the room.

I turn my head to see Alyssa and Leo standing near the door, their little faces alight with mischief. Alyssa clutches her stuffed rabbit tightly, bouncing on her toes as Leo stifles another laugh behind his hand.

“Good morning,MamaandPapa,” Alyssa sings, her grin widening.

Chiara straightens, narrowing her eyes at them. “What are you two up to?”

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