Page 31 of Beautiful Agony

The same warmth I felt the first time she challenged me at Mrs. Klossner's. The same warmth that grew each time she showed me what real strength looks like.

The same warmth that I thought had been lost forever.

"You're amazing," I tell her, my thumb stroking over her knuckles. "I don't deserve how lucky I am to have you in my life."

"Vadim—" she starts to interject, but I shake my head.

"Let me finish," I say. "I'm the luckiest man alive to have you. You gave me back my mother. You gave me hope that I'm not destined to become him. You're carrying our child. And still, somehow, you look at me like..."

My voice trails off as I take a breath to steady myself.

"Like I'm worthy of you."

The glow in her eyes takes my breath away. All this time, I've been afraid that the chasm between us had grown too wide to cross. But standing here with her, feeling her pulse beneath my fingers, I know the truth.

"You're not just my wife or the mother of my child. You're my compass," I tell her, my voice rough with emotion. "When I lose my way, you guide me back. When darkness threatens to consume me, you shine brighter than any star,zvyozdochka."

Her fingers tighten around mine. A blush creeps across her cheeks, but she doesn't look away.

"You're the strongest person I know," I continue. "Not because you never break, but because you choose to rebuild. You chose to stay after Paris. You chose to help continue Irina's work. You chose to face Sayanaa's cruelty with unwavering courage."

My free hand comes up to cradle her face. Her skin is warm against my palm as she leans into the touch.

"And now you've given me back something I never thought I'd have." I press my forehead to hers, breathing in her familiar citrus-lavender scent. "And in the process, gave me something I didn't dare think about having."

She trembles slightly against me, and I can see tears gathering in those remarkable eyes. But it's her smile that sets my heart beating even faster—a smile can light up even the darkest corners of Pankration's walls.

"And what's that?" she asks softly.

"Family."

Before she can speak, I capture her lips with mine. The familiar taste of her floods my senses as I pull her closer, one hand sliding into her hair while the other wraps around her waist. Her softness presses against me, igniting that ever-present spark between us into a roaring flame.

She melts into me with a small whimper that sends heat rushing through my veins. My tongue traces the seam of her lips, and she opens for me without hesitation. The warmth of her mouth matches the heat building in my core as our tongues meet and dance.

Every sweep of my tongue against hers draws out another of those intoxicating little sounds. My fingers tighten in her hair, tilting her head to deepen the kiss further.

To tasteher.

To feel the feeling that I've been craving for the past three weeks.

Her hands fist in my shirt, pulling me even closer as if she can't bear to leave any space between us. I can feel her pulse racing on her fingers, matching the thundering pace of my own.

The sweet press of her curves against me makes my blood sing with need.

Heat blossoms between us, and the wall that has come up crumbles away.

When she arches into me with a breathy moan, I have to break the kiss to catch my breath. But I can't bring myself to pull away completely. My forehead rests against hers as we both pant softly, sharing the same air.

"Do you mean it?" Lacey whispers against my lips, her breath warm on my skin.

My heart thunders at the vulnerability in her voice. "Yes, zvyozdochka. Every word."

Her fingers trace along my jaw, sending electricity through my veins.

"Then take me to bed, Vadim," she breathes.

The need in her voice matches the hunger burning in my chest. Without hesitation, I sweep her into my arms. She lets out a small gasp of surprise that turns into a delighted giggle as her arms wind around my neck, pulling herself closer.

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