Page 29
It had been five months since the incident with the house fire, and now, my wife's pregnancy was more glaring than before.
Her belly had swollen in a rather majestic way. She'd gained more weight and wasn't as energetic as she used to be. But I'd be damned if I didn't admit that she was the most gorgeous pregnant woman I'd ever seen.
Lorena seemed like she was glowing anew every morning; her beauty radiated brighter whenever she smiled, and it always melted my stone-cold heart.
I didn't think I'd fall so deeply in love with this woman the way I had, considering that Pakhan Artem had practically cajoled me into marrying her. He'd once said that in due time, all would fall in place—all would make perfect sense.
At first, I’d doubted it despite respecting his wisdom and direction. It was hard to accept his words, especially because I hated Lorena and thought the Campbell girl was a spoiled little brat.
And indeed, she was.
Who would have thought that I, Alexei Tarasov, would fall so helplessly for the same Daddy's girl that I’d loathed so much? Who would’ve thought that she'd capture my heart and soul and even make me bend my rules?
What a woman!
I wouldn't change anything even if I could. No. All the pain, all the anger, and every argument I’d had with her had led to this moment of peace in our lives. It seemed like it all was orchestrated by life itself to add depth to our story. So, no, I wouldn't change anything.
Pakhan Artem was right, after all; every cloud, indeed, had a silver lining.
I couldn't have asked for a better partner. Maybe it was still a little too early to draw this conclusion, but that was my opinion. It was how I felt. It was impossible to picture my life with some other woman.
Recently, it was as though Lorena and I were in perfect sync. We understood each other so well that we hardly ever disagreed on anything. Ever.
How we’d moved from always seeing things from different perspectives to having almost the same view about everything was amazing. I wasn't one to be easily impressed, but this growth in our relationship was quite impressive—something I couldn't deny.
I'd never been happier in my whole life. I’d never felt so fulfilled and complete. It was as though Lorena's presence had turned everything around in my favor. She was like my good luck charm, making things easier than they'd ever been.
My affection, my love and adoration for this woman, blossomed every morning. In my heart, I was grateful that she hadn't died in that fire months ago. I wouldn't have known what I'd have done if she had. But one thing was certain: I would've been a lot colder than the fucking Arctic waters.
However, she was fine and safe, as was the baby in her womb.
A few years ago, the thought of settling down and raising a happy family was alien to me. I would admire my cousins and their wives. I would respect them but never envy or wish for what they had.
I used to be of the notion that sticking with one woman for the rest of my life was torture. I wasn't ready for any long-term commitment, wasn't ready to let go of my carefree life with my numerous lovers.
But today, here I was, stuck with one woman—the best of them all. I didn't think I would have eyes for only one woman. I didn't think I had it in me to be faithful to her, given the countless women at my beck and call, all eager to please me.
What Lorena had done to slip her way into my heart still eluded me till today. I couldn't pinpoint the exact thing she’d done, as it was a series of carefully orchestrated events. The woman wasn't just beautiful; she was also smart and brilliant.
Her ability to tame the beast in me, to soften my ruthlessness without even stressing, was a thing of marvel to me. I’d yet to fathom how she did it, how she pulled that off so effortlessly.
Confessing my feelings for her was one of the hardest things I'd ever had to do. But it couldn't be helped. The feeling was overwhelming, especially because I hadn't felt that way before.
Everything had been better since that day, and I felt more fulfilled than I ever had. I'd managed to maintain a balance between my work and family.
To my business associates, partners, and rivals, I was still the same Alexei Tarasov who shouldn't be messed with. I'd learned to handle things better, to temper justice with mercy in some cases. This was a strange innovation, given my ability to hold a grudge for so long. My reputation for unforgiveness preceded me, hence the reason this change, however subtle, was obvious.
The difference in my leadership and approach to situations was significant. I was starting to think and behave like Pakhan Artem and the rest of my married cousins in a way.
However, in spite of the positive change in attitude, I still maintained my signature aura of ruthlessness and cruelty. My enemies knew better than to take advantage of these slight changes. They knew it'd be suicide because I'd obliterate each of them without hesitation.
My wife might have tamed the raging beast within, but the beast only answered to her and her alone. My protectiveness for my family was off the charts. I'd do anything to keep them safe. Anything at all.
My enemies understood this, and they all stayed the hell away from me. Nobody wanted to get in a fight with Alexei Tarasov.
These days, I was proud of the man that I'd become, all thanks to my wife. She'd stolen my heart, and honestly, I didn't want it back. It was safer in her possession, and she seemed to be using it better than me.
Lorena was the one for me, and I couldn't have asked for a better partner.
With a smile perched on my face, I glided through the hallway, my shoes clicking on the floor. I'd stepped out for an important meeting with some high-profile clients and had returned home, my heart racing with anticipation to set eyes on my wife.
I'd been gone for only a few hours, but it felt like days that I hadn't seen her. That was how attached to her I'd grown.
I grabbed the door handle, turned it, and it creaked open, revealing Lorena sitting on the bed, her back against the headboard.
She looked in my direction, her face lighting up with a smile, eyes crinkling at the corners. Her belly was swollen underneath the fabric of the flowered knee-length dress that shrouded her form. Lorena's smile was still as radiant as before, unaffected by her present condition.
I strolled inside, shut the door behind me, and shed my jacket, tossing it onto the nearest couch. As I headed toward the bed, my fingers loosened the tie around my neck, my eyes fixed on this charming woman who wouldn't stop smiling at me.
Her skin simmered in the soft lights, her face illuminated by the chandelier's warm glow. “Hey,” she greeted me, her sweet voice a mere whisper under the classical music playing in the background.
“Hey,” I replied with the same tone, taking off my tie and sitting next to her. I planted a kiss on her forehead, then her nose, and then her lips. “How are you?” My fingers toiled with the brown wavy hair that cascaded down her shoulders.
She let out a soft sigh, her eyes dropping to avoid mine. “I'm, uh…. I'm…I'm fine…I guess,” she said, her voice laced with a hint of anxiety, devoid of her usual confidence.
Alarmed, my brows knitted together as I gently raised her chin, my eyes meeting hers again. “What's wrong?” I asked, concern creeping into my tone.
She stared at me in silence, blinking with her hands resting on her lap in a way that accentuated the despair etched on her face.
“Lorena, what is it?” I edged closer, my heart pounding in my chest as I started cooking up scenarios in my head—thinking the worst. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?” My eyes roamed her body and settled on her protruding stomach. “Is the baby okay?” My hands reflexively rested on her belly.
“The baby's fine— I'm fine,” she said, letting out a soft exhale.
“Okay, then, what is it?” I inquired, caressing her stomach over the fabric of her dress.
She looked at me in silence as if contemplating her response.
“Lorena, you can talk to me,” I said, my voice smooth and reassuring.
She drew a deep breath and began, “It's just…. It's just that….” She paused, then added almost immediately, the words bursting out of her in a rush, “These days, I feel like a balloon, Alexei.”
My brows arched in disbelief, unable to comprehend the fact that this was the reason for her despair. I curled my lips into a hilarious grin, eyes never leaving her face. “A balloon?”
“Yes,” she blurted out, her expression softening. “And stop smiling. It's not funny.” Her hand teasingly slapped against my chest, her lips pressing into a fine line in an attempt to suppress her own smile.
I chuckled, relieved that her concern was nothing serious. “I'm sorry, but it is—it’s funny that you'd think that.”
“But it's true,” she said, her gaze boring into mine as if searching for answers.
“No, it's not,” I objected, taking her hand without breaking eye contact. “You're not a balloon, Lorena. You're a beautiful, bouncing bundle of joy.”
Her cheeks flushed at my remark, lips parting into a smile and eyes crinkling at the corners.
My gaze dropped to her belly, my palm gently rubbing over it. “I love your new curve.” I glanced at her face, savoring her grin for a moment. “It’s my favorite thing to hold.” I reached down and planted a kiss on it.
“So, you don't find me…unattractive?” she questioned, her tone laced with anticipation, her eyes locked on mine.
I shook my head, my voice dropping to a husky whisper. “No, I don't.” My hand caressed her arm, feeling her soft, smooth skin against mine. “In fact, every change in your body makes me adore you even more.”
Her tense shoulders eased, a soft sigh escaping her lips as a warm flush spread across her chubby cheeks. “You really mean that?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with delight.
I held her gaze, my tone dripping with sincerity. “Cross my heart,” I reassured, my fingers tracing gentle circles on her arm.
Her face shone brighter, eyes sparkling like a thousand sapphires, shining with vulnerability and hope. She leaned in, her face tilting upwards as if inviting intimacy.
I mirrored her position, her breath warm against my skin as our foreheads rested on each other's. “There's nothing wrong with your body, Lorena,” I whispered for more clarity. “Your swollen belly is a testament to our love growing inside you. It doesn't make you any less of who you are.”
Her lips curved into a beautiful smile. “This means a lot.” She wrapped her arms around my neck. “I don't know what you've done to the man I married, but…I like this version.” She giggled.
“Like?” I teased, arching my brows.
“Sorry,” she said, her voice switching from playful to solemn. “I meant to say that I love the man you've become.”
I initiated a kiss, my lips claiming hers with a slow, desire-fueled move. She shut her eyes, drawing in a deep breath as she kissed me back, our heads tilting sideways to the rhythm of the passion flowing through us.
She slipped her tongue in my mouth, and with mine in hers, the intensity began to slowly build.
Amazing how my heart still pounded in my chest when being intimate with her, even after all this time.
As the passion grew, Lorena devoured my lips as I did hers, tongues dancing in our mouths.
Her hands roamed my back while my palms clasped around her neck, my body feeling the sensation jolting through me. Her scent invaded my senses, the taste of her lip gloss lingering on my tongue.
My hands slid down her neck, palms fondling the gentle swell of her breast. I pinched her nipples, fingertips grazing over the fabric of her dress.
She broke the kiss and stared at me, her face etched with longing and her chest heaving slowly with heavy breaths. Lorena's hands undid the buttons of my shirt while my fingers caressed her thigh. Her legs parted, allowing me access to travel further.
I slid my hand up her leg and settled on her underpants, watching her body tremble at my touch. She undid the last button and helped shed my shirt, revealing my rigid frame.
Her eyes darted across my body, a smile twitching at the corners of her lips. “I can never get used to your masculinity,” she whispered, her body jerking at my finger rubbing over her panties. Her eyes rolled back as she moaned softly. “Oh, yes,” she purred, her manicured hands traversing my torso.
“You're so wet,” I said, my voice low and husky as I stared at her face, contorted in pleasure. I loved the feeling of her slippery entrance accepting my middle finger, wrapping it with her warmth.
“I got wet thinking about you,” she whispered, biting her lower lip, her tone dripping with pleasure. “You make me so wet, Alexei,” she confessed, her hand gliding down to my waist. “And I can't seem to get enough of you.” Her hand traced the print of my length, her smile broadening. “You're so hard…just the way I like it.” The slight pause came when she shot a quick look down at it.
She reclined into the headrest, her back leaning on it with legs spread wide apart.
Effortlessly, I kicked my shoes off with a quick foot flick and mounted the bed, kneeling in front of her. I leaned forward and kissed her, lips accepting her stuck-out tongue. My cock grew harder in my pants as the intensity of our kiss increased by the second.
Her hands flew to my waist, fingers unbuckling my belt. Once done, she pulled it off and tossed it away, her focus switching to my zipper. She unbuttoned my pants, and the zipper yanked open, causing the cloth to sag loosely around my waist.
Lorena dipped her hands in my boxers and withdrew my cock, stroking the length with expert precision.
A shiver traveled down my spine as she played with my cap and the pre-cum I'd released. With that sensation coursing through me, I devoured her lips, claiming and reclaiming them in the heat of passion.
Breaking the fervent kiss that had us glued, I kissed the nape of her neck, through to her chest, her swollen belly, and then down between her legs. She adjusted in bed as I slid under the loose hem of her bogus flowered gown.
Lorena let out a soft moan, her fingertips straining to press my head further in as if seeking a deeper connection. With her protruding stomach, there were more than a few things she was limited to doing. Like freely moving her body or easily bending over to press my head in that position. Her stomach was too heavy to allow that.
Nevertheless, these limitations didn't stop the flow of passion, nor did it quench my desire and longing for her.
My fingers grasped the waistband of her underpants, and I yanked them off her, revealing her perfectly molded mound. I swallowed, licking my lips as I savored the endearing sight before me.
Glistening with desire, her petals shone like morning dew, her moist, rose-tinted lips inviting me to explore. I shot a quick glance at her face, catching a glimpse of the anticipation etched in her gaze. Her chest heaved slowly as she waited to feel the chill of my tongue on her pussy.
My index finger caressed her swollen clit with a slow, deliberate motion. Seconds later, I slid it down her entrance, feeling her wetness beneath my skin. Her silent moans were music to my ears, fueling my desire.
I could feel her body relaxing, surrendering to my touch. Her stress, anxiety, and tension dissipated gradually as she gave in to pleasure.
I breathed in the enticing scent of her arousal, my index finger pushing through her wetness.
“Fuck…” she groaned, dragging out the word, her tone sweet and laced with longing.
Her juice coated my finger as I gently finger-fucked her, my movement fluid, in…and out. My mouth claimed her clit as her body twirled beneath me in response to my dual action on her pussy.
My teeth grazed over her clit, my tongue licking it while simultaneously fingering her entrance.
“Alexei…. oh, Alexei…” she said, her fingers squeezing against the sheets.
I ate her up, taking her pussy in my mouth, her juice smearing over my lips as I relentlessly sucked her.
She moaned my name, her legs trembling, hands pulling on the sheets. “Please, don't stop. I think I'm gonna cum,” she announced, her voice faint and overwhelmed with pleasure.
Nice. Just what I wanted.
I ate her up even more, my tongue pushing deeper into her pussy, my thumb rapidly rubbing her clit. I sucked the juice off her glistening petals, my middle finger gliding into the entrance.
“Oh, my God, yes!” she cried out, her voice dripping with desire. Her body stiffened, legs shuddering in ecstasy.
But I wouldn't stop. I continued to eat, to finger, anticipating her release—wanting to taste.
“Fuck, I'm cumming!” she announced, her voice deep and husky, her legs shaking more intensely.
In an instant, her body surrendered, unleashing a torrent of desire as she let go. Her release was a cry of pleasure, her passion overflowing, bathing me in warmth. Lorena's climax was a flood that washed me away, her fluid splashing against my face.
I rushed back at her warm pussy, eating her up regardless of the flood she'd unleashed. She tasted really good, and her moans, together with her trembling body, hinted at how much pleasure was coursing through her.
I loved it!
As her tension eased off, her grip loosened around the sheets, and her muscles relaxed, her chest heaving with rapid breaths.
I raised my head, wiping her juice off my mouth, my gaze sweeping across her spent form. She jerked her head up and locked eyes with me, her smile broadening, her skin glowing in the lights.
Lying beside her, I kissed her forehead, then her lips as she adjusted to mirror my face. She placed her palm on my cheek and flashed a genuine smile. “Thank you,” she whispered.
“Anything for you,” I replied with the same tone, basking in the satisfaction etched on her face.
Tonight wasn't about me. It was about her. All I wanted was to pleasure her, make her feel good, and now that I'd done just that, her satisfaction was my satisfaction.