“I’m here.” I lean down. Kiss her forehead. Soft. Gentle. “And I’m not leaving.”
My lips trail down to her temple. Her cheekbone. The corner of her mouth.
She turns her head, catches my lips with hers. Kisses me like she’s been starving for it.
I kiss her back. Slow this time. Thorough. Tasting every inch of her mouth. Memorizing the way she sighs against me.
When I pull back, we’re both breathing hard.
“I missed you,” she whispers.
“Da,malyshka.” I trace her jawline with my finger. “I missed you too. Every second.”
My hand slides down. Over her collarbone. Between her breasts. To her stomach.
I stop there. Spread my fingers wide. Feel the small curve beneath the fabric of her dress.
“Our baby,” I say.
“Our baby girl.”
I look up at her. “You’re sure it’s a girl?”
“I don’t know how. But yes.” She covers my hand with hers. “What do you think?”
“I think—” I pause. Consider. “I think you’re right. It feels right. A girl.”
“You’re not disappointed?”
“Disappointed?” I almost laugh. “Malyshka, I’m terrified. A daughter means I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure noman ever looks at her the way I look at you. But disappointed? Never.”
She laughs. Actually laughs. The sound breaks something open in my chest.
“I love you,” she says.
“Ya lyublyu tebya.” I lean down. Press my lips to her stomach. Right where our baby is growing. “Both of you.”
Her fingers thread through my hair. Gentle. Reverent.
I kiss her stomach again. Then move up. Kissing my way along her body. Over her dress. Up to her breasts. Her collarbone. Her neck.
She tilts her head back. Gives me access. Sighs when my mouth finds that spot beneath her ear.
“Anton—”
“Tell me what you need.”
She pulls me up. Makes me look at her. Those hazel eyes dark. Certain.
“You,” she says. “I need you.”
“You have me.”
“No.” She cups my face. Thumbs brushing my cheekbones. “I mean Ineedyou. All of you. I’ve been waiting two weeks, and I can’t… I don’t want to wait anymore.”
Understanding hits me. Heat floods through my veins.
“Mary—”
