Page 65 of Ruthless Daddies

Mila runs up beside him, holding a small pile of rocks. “And I found these! We can use them to scare away bears!”

Dmitri chuckles from where he’s sitting. “Scare away bears, huh? You’ve been listening to too many of Nikolai’s stories.”

Nikolai smirks. “Hey, every good camper needs a rock pile. It’s survival 101.”

I shake my head, a rare smile tugging at my lips. “You’re all going to be terrible influences on these two.”

But I don’t mean it. The truth is, this is exactly what my kids need. For once, they’re not surrounded by guards or locked inside a mansion. They’re just kids, playing, laughing, living.

Alice’s voice pulls me from my thoughts. “You know,” she says, “we don’t have to leave tomorrow. We could stay another day or two.”

The kids cheer immediately, their faces lighting up, and Nikolai grins. “I’m not opposed,” he says. “This place beats the city any day.”

Dmitri shrugs. “I’ll make a few calls, let the guards know we’re extending.”

I glance at Alice, her eyes meeting mine across the fire. There’s a softness there, an understanding that cuts deeper than I expect. “What do you think?” she asks gently.

I nod slowly, my voice quieter now. “We’ll stay.”

The kids erupt into cheers, Luka running back to his makeshift fishing rod while Mila starts arranging her rock pile. Nikolai and Dmitri exchange a rare, easy laugh, and Alice leans back on the blanket, her face glowing with satisfaction.

The next morning, we’re up early, the sunlight streaming through the trees as the kids drag us down to the nearby stream. Luka insists on trying out his “fishing rod,” while Mila collects wildflowers to make a “forest bouquet.” Dmitri sits on a large rock by the stream, keeping a watchful eye on the perimeter, though even he looks more relaxed than usual.

Alice stands near the water, her dress flowing around her legs as she leans down to help Mila arrange her flowers. She looks over her shoulder and catches my gaze, her lips curving into a soft smile.

I feel something stir in my chest, something I haven’t felt in a long time.

“Papa, look!” Luka calls out, holding up his fishing rod triumphantly. “I caught a leaf!”

I laugh, the sound surprising even me. “A leaf, huh? That’s a good start.”

Mila runs over, shoving a handful of flowers into my hand. “Here, Papa! These are for you!”

I crouch down, taking the flowers carefully. “Thank you, Mila. They’re beautiful.”

Alice watches us, her smile growing as she straightens and walks over to join me. “She’s a natural florist,” she says, her voice warm.

“And Luka’s a natural fisherman,” I add, glancing over at him.

Alice chuckles. “Well, he’s got the enthusiasm for it.”

Even though weplanned to stay out for another night, our plans are disrupted by the sudden arrival of a storm. It hits harder than we anticipated. The wind howls through the trees, rain pelting down in sheets, and the tents are no match for the fury of the elements. Luka clings to my arm as I scoop him up, his little body trembling, while Mila hides her face against Alice’s chest. We rush back to the cabin, Dmitri and Nikolai leading the way, their flashlights cutting through the dark as thunder cracks overhead.

Once we’re inside, safe and dry, the children settle into the bunk beds in the smaller room. Alice tucks them in, her voice soft and soothing as she promises them the storm will pass. Nikolai lights a fire in the stone hearth, and Dmitri secures the shutters, ensuring no stray drafts make it through. I watch Alice stroke Mila’s hair, her presence calming them even as the rain continues to hammer against the cabin.

When the kids finally drift off, we step into the main room, the fire casting a warm glow over the rustic space. Alice looks exhausted, her hair slightly damp, her cheeks flushed from the chill of the storm. But there’s something in her eyes—something that’s been simmering all day, just beneath the surface.

I feel it too.

She catches my gaze, her lips parting slightly, and I see the heat there, the unspoken pull between us. Nikolai steps closer to her, brushing a strand of hair from her face, and Dmitri lingers bythe hearth, watching her with that same intensity I feel coursing through me.

Alice bites her lip, her gaze darting between the three of us, and without a word, she steps back toward the couch, her eyes inviting.

Nikolai kneels in front of her, his hands sliding up her thighs as he presses his lips to hers, coaxing a moan from her as she melts into him. Dmitri moves behind her, his hands skimming her shoulders before pushing her damp shirt off, leaving her bare except for her thin camisole and shorts.

I stand back, watching as they strip her of her shorts and underwear inch by inch, revealing the soft curves of her body. Her nipples press against the thin fabric of her camisole, and Nikolai wastes no time lowering his mouth to one of them, teasing it through the material with his tongue. Alice arches her back, her head falling against Dmitri’s chest as his hands slide up her sides.

When I finally step forward, her eyes meet mine, dark and full of desire. I grip her waist, pulling her toward me, and she gasps as I lift her onto my lap. Her legs straddle me, her warmth pressing against my hard length, and I groan as she grinds against me.

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