Page 165 of Sweet Deception

I thought for a moment before replying, “The story is tragic, but I find it satisfying.”

“Why?”

“Because being barren wasn’t her fault. I know kings back then needed heirs, but they could’ve been more patient with her. The king cheated on her, and if he eventually paid for it, then he deserved it. I’m glad she rose from being a slave to becoming a queen. That’s satisfying enough for me. Did she go after those men who raped her when she was a slave?”

“The king already did that in the earlier chapters, remember?” he reminded me.

“That’s right.” I relaxed back against his chest. It wasn’t such a boring story after all.

I paused, deep in thought, before turning my attention back to him.

“That queen... she had nothing left to lose, did she?” I murmured, my voice soft. “She fought for her dignity in the only way she could. I admire her strength.”

I lifted my gaze to meet Gleb’s eyes, “And maybe, in a way, you’re fighting your own battles too. You’ve been locked away in your own cage, just like she was.”

“I guess we both have our demons,” Gleb replied, his voice almost a whisper. “But I don’t want to hide from mine anymore. Not when I’m with you.”

“Do you know I’m allergic to touch, Anna?” he asked, his voice soft.

“Really?”

“Yeah. I suffer from Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. All my men know not to touch me.”

“I didn’t want to tell you. I didn’t want you to see me as broken, as weak. But every time you touched me, I felt something inside me shift... and it terrified me. I’m used to keeping people away, to never letting anyone close enough to hurt me or to... love me. It’s easier that way, safer. But with you, it’s different. You came into my life and just shattered all my rules.” He paused, his voice softening. “I never thought I could let anyone in. But you, you made me want to.”

I felt a warmth in my chest at his words. “And I thought you hated me so much back then. You even said you did.”

“I hated myself, I think. I was pushing that hate onto you.”

“I love you, Anna,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. He held my gaze, as though waiting for me to pull away, afraid I might. “I’ve never said that to anyone before, not like this. But it’s true. I love you.”

Hearing it again still felt like an earthquake in her chest.

“I love you too, Gleb Romanov.”

He smiled, and for the first time in a long time, I felt like everything was right.

I slid down the bed, my fingers deftly unzipping his trousers. His cock sprang free, already hard, pulsing in my hand. I took him into my mouth, starting with the tip, swirling my tongue over it, before sliding down his full length. He groaned, deep and guttural, as I sucked with a fervor that surprised even me.

“Babe...” His voice was rough, strained. “I thought we had to wait longer?”

I pulled back just enough to speak, my lips brushing him. “I didn’t have our baby through vaginal delivery, remember?”

“Right.”

Though it's still a little sore down there, I still wanted him desperately.

His hands tangled in my hair, gripping tight as I worked him, gagging slightly when he hit the back of my throat. “Damn, Anna...” Hearing him unravel filled me with a wild, inexplicable joy. He thrust his hips up, urging me deeper. “You’re driving me fucking crazy.”

I hummed around him, unable to form words, his cock sliding faster now. His growls grew louder, primal, until he came, hot and thick, spilling down my throat. It was sweet, almost like caramel, and I swallowed every drop, sucking until he shuddered. Then I rose, breathless.

He flipped me onto my back, tearing off his shirt and tossing it aside. His hands parted my thighs wide, and he slid into me, slow at first, eyes locked on mine. I moaned, loud and unrestrained. There was no gentleness now, just raw, rough need, and I craved it. He’d been so careful during my pregnancy, but this, this was us unleashed.

He slammed into me, relentless, then hooked my legs over his shoulders. “Oh God...” His depth stole my breath, hitting so deep I swore I felt him in my stomach.

Our moans mingled, a chaotic symphony, until he stood, lifting me with him. I straddled him, his hands cupping my ass as I rode him, slamming down again and again.

“Fuck me, Gleb...” I gasped, arms around his neck.