Page 105 of The Hermit

He gives a confused look. “That’s your name.”

“No. You call me all kinds of sweet things in Slovak. I’m only Grace when I’m in trouble.”

He lets out a burst of laughter, shaking his head at me. “Would you like both wings,moja láska?”

“Yes, please.”

“Never thought I’d get chastised for using your name,” he mumbles under his breath.

I raise my eyebrow at him. “What’s that?”

“Nothing. Just saying the chicken looks good.”

“Yeah, that’s what I thought.” I walk closer and smack his ass playfully. “Thank you for dishing up for us.”

He leans down a little. “Pay the fee.”

I press a kiss to his cheek, then grab my plate of food and leave the kitchen.

“We need to head out for supplies soon,” Dominik mentions as we take our seats at the table. “With winter around the corner, we need to prepare.”

“Just say when, and I’ll be ready,” I reply before popping a bite of cauliflower into my mouth.

Chapter 28

GRACE

Dominik takes a seat, and Miro, the tattoo artist, quickly cleans the area on his neck.

“Go for it,” Miro says.

I take hold of Dominik’s shoulders, and my man grins ear-to-ear as I lean into him and bite the spot on his neck.

“Harder,” he murmurs, his voice deep and rough, making my abdomen tighten.

I apply more pressure and hold still for five seconds before pulling away.

Miro quickly cleans the area again, and while he traces the indents my teeth left in Dominik’s skin, I say, “I’m just going to run to the pharmacy. I’ll be back in fifteen minutes.”

“Wait until I’m done,milácik. I don’t want you leaving my sight.”

Knowing it’s no use arguing, I glance at the pictures Miro has on his wall. “What do you think about me getting a tattoo?”

“If that’s what you want, go for it,” Dominik replies.

I hear a buzzing sound and glance over my shoulder. Moving closer, I watch as Miro works on Dominik’s neck, then ask, “Does it hurt?”

“Not at all,” my husband mutters.

Of course not. Nothing hurts him. I’d probably pee my pants.

I take a seat on the bench, and placing my hand on my stomach, I glance down.

The past week, my breasts have been tender, and I’ve been feeling nauseous. My period isn’t due for another week, but I’m too excited to wait.

My gut tells me I’m pregnant, and I want to be sure.

“Do you have a stomach ache?” Dominik suddenly asks.

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