Page 75 of Twisted Empire: King's Gambit

“I’m disappointed that you can still walk perfectly fine this morning,” he grumbles, kissing my neck. “Am I losing my touch?”

I chuckle and turn my head to face him. “I had to take Advil after getting out of the shower, babe. A queen doesn’t show her discomfort.”

He groans and I swear I feel his cock twitching against my ass. “Fuck, I don’t want to go into work today. I want to stay wrapped up in you all day long,” he says, nipping at my neck while I turn into a puddle.

“There’s … there’s still tonight,” I breathe, throwing my head back. “Then you can make sure I’m not able to walk for a few hours.”

I feel him grinning against my skin. “Oh, you’re on,Malyshka,” he growls before spinning me around and kissing me senseless.

God, I love how he can reduce me to a quivering mess with just a kiss alone. Things have started feeling more heightened since we admitted our true feelings. I knew I was in love with Mikhail long before I admitted it, just admitting it was the hard part.

That I fell in love with the man who forced a ring on my finger, a man who now literally worships the ground I walk on.

“Hmm, see you tonight, baby,” he says as he pulls away and plants a kiss on my forehead. “I love you.”

My heart warms along with my cheeks. “I love you too, Mikhail.”

The sheepish smile on his face is everything to me, those dimples making him look boyish even though he’s literally built like a tank and has that scar on his face. After another kiss to my lips, he walks out of the kitchen and I float for the next few minutes.

Until I start making some bacon.

The sizzle and crackle of bacon in the pan usually makes my mouth water, but today it does something else. My stomach churns unpleasantly, roiling with a nausea that comes out of nowhere. Confused, I turn off the stove and rush towards the guest bathroom.

I barely make it to the toilet before I’m emptying the contents of my stomach—mostly the coffee I’d had earlier. After a couple of dry heaves, I sit back, sweat forming on my brow. What the hell? Did I eat something bad?

It’s then that something dawns on me. My period. Shit, when was the last time I had it? I count the weeks back in my head, and a rush of realization hits me like a ton of bricks.

Two months. It’s been two fucking months.

My hand instinctively touches my stomach as a myriad of thoughts storm through my head. Could it be? Could I be pregnant?

The idea is as terrifying as it is exhilarating, and the emotional whirlwind makes me feel even sicker. I take a deep breath, attempting to steady myself. I can’t confirm anything on an empty stomach and a mind full of maybes.

One step at a time, Gabi. One step at a time.

But as I flush the toilet and wash my hands, avoiding my own gaze in the mirror, I can’t help but wonder what this means for Mikhail and me. Especially for Mikhail, a man who’s just started letting love back into his life.

How would he feel about a lifetime commitment that’s far more binding than any ring?

With a feeling of surreal urgency, I pick up my phone and make an appointment with the doctor for later that day. They manage to squeeze me in, thank God.

The elevator dings, snapping me out of the trance I’ve been in for the last hour.

I walk to the foyer to find Natalya, who bursts in like a whirlwind, her eyes bright and a mischievous grin on her face.

“Hey, you! Got time for your favorite sister-in-law?” She doesn’t wait for an answer, brushing past me into the living room.

“Always,” I laugh, shaking my head. “What’s up? You seem like you’re about to burst with excitement.”

“Tea or coffee? I need caffeine!” she exclaims, plopping down onto one of the plush couches.

“Tea coming right up,” I say, making my way to the kitchen. The kettle whistles its readiness, and I pour the hot water into mugs. Carrying them over, I can see Natalya’s already made herself comfy, her boots kicked off and her feet tucked under her.

“So, spill. What’s the big news?” I hand her a mug and sit down.

“Okay, so you know Mikhail’s birthday is coming up, right?”

“Yeah, of course. I’ve been racking my brain trying to figure out what to get him.”

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