“Alexei.” She breathed into my mouth, and I sucked down her cinnamon-scented breath like it was the only thing to keep me alive.
“We shouldn’t.”
“Sssh.” I kissed her again. If I had my way, I would never stop kissing her. “We want this. You want this.” Swiping my tongue against the seam of her lips, I felt her tremble.
This was the moment where she either pulled away or—Amy’s lips parted for me. Instantly, I swiped my tongue against hers, clutching at her like a madman. Only her stomach was in the way. Not that I minded. Our child was growing big and strong in there.
“I need you.”
“Stop.” She struggled out of my arms, pushing at my chest roughly.
I tore my lips away from hers. Had I heard her right? I had been sure she had kissed me back, or was it just wishful thinking?
“I’m right here.” Catching her hand, I pressed her palm against my lips. “I’m right here, and I’m not going anywhere ever again. Never again. Do you hear me, Amy Petrovov?” Wildly, I let my hands slide down her body and under the hem of her little pink waitress uniform, sliding it up her body.
She stiffened when my fingers brushed her cotton panties. “Alexei, stop. Just stop”
Instantly, I froze. “Is something wrong?”
Chewing on her lip, she shook her head, but she stepped away from me. “You said you wanted to talk, and this isn’t talking. This is,” she sighed. “This is wrong, we can’t.”
“Is it because of the baby? Because I’ve never been more attracted to you than I am right now,” I said honestly because damn, she looked hot. Maybe it was because I hadn’t seen her for so long, but being pregnant suited her. Even the ancient-style uniform was hot.
I ran my hand down her spine and arched her into me.
“That’s not it.” Roughly, she smoothed out her clothes and stepped away.
“Oh.” My hand dropped to my side. “Could it hurt the baby?”
“I don’t know. It’s not something I had to worry about, so I didn’t ask the doctor.” She chewed on her lip some more.
“Does that mean you have stayed faithful to your wedding vows, Amy?” I pulled her lip out from beneath her teeth and rubbed my thumb against it.
Now that I had her here in front of me, I couldn’t stop touching her. Her eyes flashed angrily. “I was never the one who strayed, Alexei, and I didn’t run to punish you. I ran to save myself.”
“I’ve never once been unfaithful to you, Amy. I know you think me and Violet—”
Not giving me a chance to explain, she tore herself out of my grip and turned away. “I don’t want to talk about Violet, Alexei.”
“Neither do I. I want to talk about us.”
“Then talk.”
Catching her around the middle, I brought her flush to my back, resting my chin on the top of her head. “Would you believe me if I told you that I missed you?”
Her lack of response told me she didn’t. Sighing heavily. I tried again. “I have, and I never stopped looking for you. I know I messed up, but I want you to come home. Especially now.”
“Because I’m having a baby?”
“Because you are having my baby,” I corrected. “But I didn’t know that until just now, Amy, and I still came looking for you. I have wanted you home since the second you left.”
“I don’t need your support or your money, Alexei. I’m doing just fine on my own.”
I twisted her in my arms. “I’m not offering you money, Amy. I know you can look after yourself. You have always been a survivor. I’m offering you, me.”
In shock, she tilted her head back, her eyes quizzical.
“More specifically, my heart. It only beats for you anyway.”
