Chapter 31
Laurel
A Month Later
I wake slowly, morning light filtering through the half-open curtains in soft golden streaks across the bed. My hand reaches instinctively for Leonid’s side, but it comes up empty.
The sheet’s still warm, he hasn’t been gone long. I burrow my face into his pillow, inhaling deeply the dark, masculine warmth that’s become home to me. A small, sleepy smile tugs at my lips.
It’s been over a month since I came back from the hospital. The first few nights were brutal; nightmares that jerked me awake gasping, convinced something had happened to the baby.
Every single time, Leonid was there, arms around me before I could even fully surface, voice low and steady in my ear: “I’ve got you. Nothing’s happening to you or the baby. I’m right here.”
The nightmares have stopped now. The constant knot of anxiety in my chest has eased. I still worry, but it’s manageable.
This morning is the first time in weeks I’ve woken up without him right beside me, watching me like a hawk, like if he blinks, I might disappear.
I push the covers back and sit up slowly, hand automatically smoothing over the gentle curve of my belly.
Six months now. We still don’t know the sex.
I told Leonid I wanted to wait until the baby is born, and he agreed without argument.
I don’t care either way. Boy, girl, it doesn’t matter. I just want a healthy baby.
I head to the bathroom, brush my teeth, strip out of the oversized T-shirt I slept in, and step into the shower.
After a shower, I wrap myself in the thick white bathrobe hanging on the hook and pad back into the bedroom.
The bedroom door opens at the same moment.
Leonid walks in carrying a breakfast tray. He’s in gray sweatpants and a fitted black T-shirt, hair still unruly from sleep, looking unfairly beautiful in the morning light.
He smiles the second he sees me. “You’re up.”
Before I can answer, he sets the tray on the dresser and crosses to me in three strides. His arms wrap around me, pulling me gently against his chest. His hands settle over my belly, cradling the bump like it’s the most precious thing he’s ever held.
“Good morning,” he murmurs against my temple, lips brushing my skin.
“Morning,” I sigh, melting into him.
He kisses the side of my neck. “Sleep well?”
“Hmm,” I hum, tilting my head to give him better access. “Missed you when I woke up.”
He chuckles softly. “I was only gone twenty minutes. Had to make sure my girl is fed.”
I laugh quietly. “So thoughtful.”
“Breakfast is ready,” he says.
I smile softly at the sight of the breakfast tray, scrambled eggs, fresh fruit arranged in a little heart, toast with butter and jam, a small pitcher of orange juice, and coffee steaming in my favorite mug.
“That looks nice.”
I get back in bed, and Leonid sets the tray on the small fold-out table that fits perfectly over the bed. A small knock sounds at the door.
Leonid glances over with a fond smile. “Alexei. I told him to wait until you were awake. He’s been pacing the hallway like a puppy.”
My heart swells. “Come in, sweetheart.”
The door creaks open, and Alexei peeks around the edge, still in his dinosaur pajamas, hair sticking up in every direction. His face lights up when he sees me, and he darts across the room, climbing onto the bed with zero hesitation.
“Good morning, Laurel!”
I laugh, reaching over to ruffle his messy hair. “Morning, buddy. How’d you sleep?”
“Very well!” He settles between us, legs crossed, eyes bright. “I dreamed you had a boy.”
I glance at Leonid, who’s watching us both with quiet amusement. “Really?”
“Yeah!” Alexei nods enthusiastically. “Is it a boy? Am I getting a brother?”
I smile, rubbing my bump gently. “We don’t know yet. We haven’t found out the gender. We’re going to wait until the baby is born, keep it a surprise.”
I tilt my head. “Would you be excited if you had a little brother?”
“Yes!” He bounces a little. “I’m gonna teach him about superheroes. And I’ll share all my toys with him.”
Leonid raises an eyebrow. “And what if it’s a girl?”
Alexei doesn’t miss a beat. “Then I’ll protect her. Like Daddy keeps Laurel safe. I’ll be her big brother and keep her safe, too.”
Leonid reaches over and ruffles Alexei’s hair, eyes soft. “That’s my boy. But remember, it’s my job to keep all of you safe.”
Alexei grins up at him. “I want to assist you.”
We all laugh, and the baby flutters in response, a tiny kick against my palm, as if happy to be part of the moment.
When the plates are mostly empty, Leonid calls for the staff to take the tray away. “Alexei, go wash up and get dressed, okay? We’ve got a big day.”
Alexei bounces off the bed, already halfway to the door. “Okay, Dad! Bye, Laurel!”
The door clicks shut behind him.
“He’s so excited today.”
Leonid turns back to me, gaze softening. “He really is.”
He shifts closer, sliding one hand over my belly, fingers splaying wide. “How are you doing?”
I cover his hand with mine. “We’re okay. Feeling good.”
He leans in and kisses me, slow, deep, tasting of coffee. I melt into it, hands sliding under his shirt, wanting more.
I tug at the hem of his T-shirt as we kiss, needy. These pregnancy hormones have turned me into someone I barely recognize: insatiable, bold, always wanting more of him. Leonid doesn’t complain. He rises to the occasion every single time.
He breaks the kiss just long enough to yank the shirt over his head, tossing it somewhere across the room. I shrug out of the robe next, then help him shed the rest of his clothes.
He leans back against the headboard, legs spread, cock thick and erect. His hands settle on my hips, guiding me slowly down until I’m straddling him. The head nudges my entrance, then sinks in, stretching me open inch by inch.
“Leonid…” I moan as he fills me.
“Move,” he rasps, voice gravel-rough. “Take what you need, baby.”
I brace my hands behind me on his knees, arching back, and start to ride him. Slow at first, rolling my hips, savoring every drag of him inside me. Then faster, harder.
My head falls back, hair spilling over my shoulders. I bounce on his cock, breasts swaying, moans spilling out loud and unrestrained. His name tumbles from my lips again and again.
His hands roam, gripping my hips, sliding up to cup my breasts, thumbs brushing my nipples, then one slips between us, fingers finding my clit. He rubs tight, perfect circles, matching the rhythm of my movements.
“You’re so fucking beautiful like this,” he growls. “Riding me. Taking what’s yours. Come for me, solnyshko. Let me feel it.”
I come hard, crying out his name, walls pulsing around him, thighs shaking. Leonid follows right after, growling low in his throat, hips snapping up as he spills deep inside me, grinding against me like he wants to stay buried forever.
We stay like that for long seconds, panting, trembling, foreheads pressed together. I lean forward, burying my face in his neck, breathing him in, sweat, sex, safety.
“Sex after breakfast,” I murmur against his skin. “My favorite combo.”
He chuckles, then delivers a light smack to my ass cheek. “Mine too.”
I giggle, then yawn, suddenly exhausted.
Leonid shifts gently, still buried deep, and kisses my temple. “I have a surprise for you.”
I lift my head. “Really? What is it?”
He smiles, then lifts me by the waist, easing me off him and laying me back against the pillows. He slides down beside me, pulling the covers up over us both.
“Rest first,” he murmurs, kissing my forehead. “When you wake up, it’ll be waiting.”
I pout, already half-asleep. “Can’t you just show me now?”
“No rush,” he whispers, brushing hair from my face. “I’ll show you when you wake up.”
I want to argue, but my eyelids are too heavy.
When I get downstairs, Alexei is in the living room, sprawled on the couch, watching some animated show. When he hears my footsteps, he twists around, face lighting up.
“Laurel!”
I smile, lowering myself carefully onto the couch beside where he’s sitting. “Hey, buddy. Where’s Daddy?”
“In his office,” Alexei says, scooting closer so he can lean against my side. “He said he has a surprise for you.”
My brows lift. “What is it?”
Alexei grins, pressing a finger to his lips. “I can’t say. It’s a secret.”
I laugh softly, ruffling his hair. “Okay, I won’t make you spill.”
Footsteps on the stairs make me look up. Leonid appears at the bottom, casual in dark jeans and a fitted gray T-shirt.
“Ready for your surprise?”
I glance at Alexei, who’s already bouncing on his toes. “I think we both are.”
Leonid offers me his hand. I take it, letting him help me up. His palm settles on my lower back as we follow Alexei out the front door and around the side of the house toward the garage.
Alexei is practically vibrating with excitement, skipping ahead. When we reach the wide-open bay doors, I see it immediately: among the rows of vehicles is something new, a glossy black Mercedes GLE, red bow tied across the hood.
I stop dead.
Leonid steps up beside me, pulling a set of keys from his pocket. “It’s yours.”
I stare at the car, then at him. “But… I have a car.”
He raises one brow. “No offense, but that thing you used to drive around in isn’t a car. You’re never going back to driving that.”
I roll my eyes, fighting a smile. “You’ve never liked my car.” Not that I’ve driven it in months anyway. Since I moved in here, I haven’t been behind the wheel.
“Correct.” He places the keys in my palm, closing my fingers around them. “This one is safer. More space for the car seat. And it’s armored.”
Alexei bounces beside me. “Do you like it, Laurel? Can we ride in it?”
I laugh. “Yeah. I love it.”
I open the driver’s door, slide in, inhaling the new-leather smell. Alexei scrambles into the back seat. I start the engine, and ease it out of the garage, circling the fountain in the driveway. Leonid stands at the edge, arms crossed, watching us with a satisfied smile.
A while ago, Leonid asked, what kind of car I’d buy if money weren’t an issue. I’d said Mercedes, offhand, never thinking he’d actually do it.