Page 72 of The Pakhan's Arranged Bride

“Do you want me to go with you?” he asks, running his hand up and down my back.

I smile and shake my head. “No, it’s just a check in for me to hear what to expect. It’s not one of the special appointments. I know you have meetings today.”

“I want to be there for you.”

I nod, rubbing my hand over his chest. “And you will be. I’ll get a calendar of appointments today, book the dates for the first scan and when we can find out if it’s a boy or a girl—you’ll come to all of those.”

He smiles, dimples appearing in his cheeks.

Benedikt leans over to kiss me and my heart races as his lips touch mine. Immediately I want more, but he’s playing it safe, being polite. Not pushing me.

“Okay, but if you change your mind, you only have to call me, and I’ll be anywhere, whenever.”

He sits up in bed and stretches again, groaning, throwing the blanket off. He swings his legs over the side of the bed and stands up.

“I’ll get breakfast ready. Come down and eat with me.”

I watch him walk towards the closet to grab a T-shirt. Shirtless, the muscles ripple over his back as he moves, and I can’t tear my eyes away. Damn. He’s freaking gorgeous. And I heard that during pregnancy your hormones go wild. I hope he’s prepared for what’s going to happen. I giggle to myself, picturing him as my slave and me making constant demands on him.

“What are you laughing about?” he asks, one brow raised towards me as he turns to look at me.

My cheeks flush pink and I bite my lip.

“Just—nothing,” I say quickly, climbing out of bed too. “What are you making for breakfast?”

He smirks at me but doesn’t ask again. “Well, seeing as you are the one with the temperamental stomach at the moment, what would you like for breakfast?”

“Mm. What are my options?”

“Toast, with almost anything on it. A bagel? Salmon? Bacon and avocado? Scrambled egg. A waffle—"

“Froot Loops,” I say excitedly, realizing exactly what I’m in the mood for.

“You can’t be serious.” He chuckles. “That’s not even real food. You’re supposed to be eating healthy for the—"

“Froot Loops.” I say again, folding my arms over my chest.

He presses his lips together to hide the smirk. “Is this how it’s going to be? You not listening to any advice, making ridiculous demands, being sassy….” He steps close to me and slips his arms around my waist.

“Do you have a problem with that?” I ask, raising my brows at him.

He shakes his head. “No, no problem, just making sure I know what I’m in for.” He rolls his eyes. “I don’t think we have Froot Loops. I’ll send someone out to get them. They’ll be here by the time you get out the shower.”

“They better me,” I tease, enjoying this moment with him. A lighthearted, playful moment that sets my mind at ease.

He puts his finger beneath my chin and tilts my face higher.

His kiss his gentle, tender and sweet.

My entire body lights with need again and I moan softly against his lips.

He steps away. “Stop trying to distract me, Ulyana, I have important things to do,” he grins.

“Like getting Froot Loops,” I say.

“Exactly.”

***