Page 81 of Serpent & Saviors

I stood, having made up my mind that whatever she asked me for, if it was within my power to give it to her, I would. I had become a completely different person. So much of my life was compartmentalized, counselor and therapist, brother, friend, and grandson. It was as if the part of me that was just simply Andrew, a man like any other, had been waiting for her all these years.

Stripping off my clothes, I spoke, “Move forward.”

Nodding, she did as I asked. I slowly got in behind her and brought her back against me. My cock roared to life at the feel of her warm flesh. I tried to ignore it and kept my focus on her. She lay against my chest. I moved her hair to the side and kissed her neck softly, as if I could somehow kiss the pain and bruises away.

“So I hear you met Ivan,” I teased.

“I did. He’s huge. You should have warned me. I don’t think he likes me very much. Who were the others?”

“The one dressed for the gym was Sebastian. Ivan’s bark is worse than his bite. Trust me on that one. You’ll meet everyone else tomorrow.”

She moved my hands to her breasts. My brows raised, but I’d be a fucking fool not to follow her lead. My fingers moved without hesitation to her nipples. I rubbed them between my fingers lazily, and she moaned. Fuck, I needed to keep it together, but once more she had me feeling feral.

“Umm, yes, we should probably talk about that,” she moaned as I pinched and pulled at her now hardened buds.

“Is that what you want to do? Talk?”

“Yes, Sir, please. I think it’s important, don’t you?”

I moved my fingers away from her nipples and laid them flat against her stomach. “Talking is always important in my book, angel. So let’s see, shall we discuss the miniature cherub lying in the bed out there first?” I asked.

Her breath caught in her throat. “Surprise?” she said hesitantly.

I chuckled. “That’s an understatement. Just so you know, I’m not mad. Although I have a thousand questions for you about that night.”

“That’s fair. I’ll try not to be too offended that you don’t remember it. I was hoping, though, we could save that conversation for later. I was thinking we could keep it a bit more simple. More like, what are you going to tell your little pixie about us? And when I say us, I mean Declan and me, not you and me.”

“And what makes you think that conversation is going to be any simpler?”

“Andrew,” she warned.

I was so lost in memorizing the way her stretch marks felt under my fingertips and the fact I had a son, I didn’t respond. Still couldn’t quite grasp it all. A son. Me. I frowned, realizing I didn’t get the privilege of seeing her belly round and full with him. Her fingers stopped my exploration, and she huffed.

“Andrew, your relationship with Kinsley?” she prompted, this time louder.

“Kinsley?” I said her name softly.

“Do you…do you love her?” Her tone shifted from confused to scared.

“I do—love her. And there is something you should know.” I purposefully kept it vague. My mind, despite being consumed with Victoria’s belly, flipped to counselor mode at the mention of the little shit.

“Kinsley is foremost, my patient. With that being said, I’ll need to tread carefully here. My relationship with her differs slightly from the one I have with Isabella, whom I can say is solidly your typical brother-sister relationship. You’ll meet her, too. She lives here as well. Her and Kinsley are two peas in a pod nowadays.”

Victoria shifted in my arms, the movement small but unmistakable. Almost like a nervous tick. Her fingers grazed my forearm where I held her, as if debating whether to say something or let it go. I exhaled, my chin resting lightly against the top of her head.

“I’ve known Isabella since she was probably Declan’s age, give or take. She is Sebastian’s little sister,” I said, my fondness for her laced in my voice. “She has an incredible place in my heart, and I’d do anything in the world for her.”

“She sounds sweet.”

I chuckled ruefully. Isabella was sweet under the sour. For most people, she was a prickly pear. A playful smile tugged at the corner of my lips as I leaned down and kissed her neck.

“I should warn you, it may take her some time to warm up to you. But I think she’ll love Declan.”

“Kinsley? I doubt very seriously if she would. I know if I were in her shoes, I wouldn’t.”

Jealousy coated Victoria’s tone, and I had to bite my cheek to keep from laughing.

“I meant Isabella. She loves drawing. Her and Declan will have that in common along with his Uncle Alek.”