Page 55 of Forced Prisoner By the Bratva

My lips curled into a knowing smile, and I didn't stop working, nor did I act like I knew he was behind me. He always loved to sneak up on me, and I would almost always jump out of my skin, startled. Not this time.

“How long do you intend to stand there for?” I asked without turning to look in his direction, my fingers taking a pause on the keyboard.

“Wow!” he said softly, his voice coming from behind me. His shoes clicked against the floor as he approached. “Someone's learning. I'm impressed.” His tone was amused and glinting.“How'd you know I was standing there?” he asked, his voice dripping with curiosity.

I jerked my head to look up at his face as he towered over me from behind, my cheeks flushing. “I sensed your presence. I can't explain it, but I did. Plus, your cologne gave you away,” I explained, my smile broadening.

He beamed, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Your senses are heightened, and you pay more attention to your surroundings. Is that part of the pregnancy, too?” he teased, his hands massaging my shoulders.

I was silent, melting into his relaxing touch, my exhaustion dissipating as his fingers dug into my flesh in a soothing motion. “Hmm.” I let out a soft exhale. “Just what I needed,” came my low whisper as I felt my tension and anxiety gradually easing off.

“You’ve been working so hard these days,” he said, leaning closer, his fingers still working their magic on my shoulders. “You need to take a break, relax, cool off a little.” He paused for a moment, his lips pressed to my neck. “You're in no condition to keep stressing yourself out.”

His low, husky whisper sent shivers down my spine, and his tender touch was so relaxing.

His eyes darted across the papers, sketches, and notes littered over the table. He reached out to pick up the rough prototype design for my flagship clothing line, and his brows arched in astonishment. “This is impressive, Tessa,” he said, his voice tinged with a hint of admiration, his eyes locked onto mine. “You're full of surprises, you know.”

My lips curled into a radiant smile, a flutter swelling up in my chest. “Thank you.”

He flashed a faint grin, his hands gently sliding over my shoulders as he leaned forward, his breath fanning against myskin. “You're an amazing woman, Tessa,” he murmured, his hands traveling down to rest on my swollen belly.

His touch was tender—reverent, even—and it stirred up something within me, something emotional. I melted into his touch, craving the comfort, warmth, and security that came with it. My thoughts spiraled at the weight of his hand on my stomach.

I’d yet to understand what Erik had done to me and why I'd become sort of addicted to his touch. This was a man I once loathed; now, I couldn't seem to get enough of him.

What I felt for Erik was beyond sexual connection; it was something much deeper than that, and it scared me, honestly. My feelings were starting to sprawl out of control, and I realized that I wanted more of him. Not just as the father of our unborn child, but as a husband.

The sex was good, and everything seemed like it was okay. Erik's affection and care during my pregnancy had broken my defenses and pulled down the walls I'd built to protect my heart. His invasion was terrifying, and I thought it was too early to start harboring such deep feelings for him.

What I felt was dangerous, but I couldn't help it. The undeniable truth remained that I wanted him—not just physically but also emotionally. With each passing day, the pull grew stronger, and I wasn't sure how to stop—or if I even wanted to.

His hands traveled back to my chest, his palms delicately caressing my swollen breasts.

“Hmm.” A slight moan came forth, my eyes shutting to enjoy the feeling of his hands on my gentle swells.

My breasts were heavy, aching, and I hadn’t realized I needed that massage until he gave it to me. A jolt of sweet pain spread across my body as he took his time to fondle thosevoluptuous curves of mine. I felt my nipples hardening as his fingers brushed over them, pinching them deliciously.

“You like that?” he asked, whispering in my ear.

I nodded, my muscles relaxing, my stress and tension dissipating with each delicate squeeze. I felt a tingling sensation between my legs, and my thighs brushed against one another in response to his touch.

However, before things could heat up, he released my breasts and kissed my forehead. “You should get some rest.” He gently squeezed my shoulder before vanishing, his footsteps fading away.

A faint scowl flashed across my face, mirroring my disapproval of his sudden withdrawal. However, I figured it was for the best. I was in my third trimester anyway, and he was right. I needed to get some rest; my body was aching terribly already.

I let out a soft sigh, rubbing my tired eyes as one question lingered on my mind.

Did he actually feel the same way I felt, or was it all one-sided?

Was his affection, care, and attention permanent, or was it just for the time being? Would he change back to his old self once the baby was born?

What was my fate in this marriage? I wondered.

Chapter 22 – Erik

I couldn't believe my eyes, couldn't believe how something as small as that could have me spellbound. The baby's tiny features—her button nose, her delicate eyelids, and her rosebud lips—had me captivated.

Tessa lay on the hospital bed, dampened in sweat, her back against the headboard, with the cute little thing cradled in her arms. Her eyes were fixed on the tiny baby swaddled in a soft white fabric. As the baby cooed, her small chest rose and fell with each breath.

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