Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
Kirill
“Oh, my,” Annika breathes, looking up at the Pavlovich Estate.
While her gaze is set intently upon my home, mine is set solely on her.
Satisfaction roils through me as I see the utter marvel in Annika’s eyes.
I want her to like my- our home. Even if we aren’t in love, I want her comfortable.
According to the massive amount of books on parenting I’ve been reading the last month, it is very important to the baby’s health that the mother stays as happy and comfortable as possible during the pregnancy.
“You like it?” I ask, needing confirmation.
“It’s incredible,” Annika replies, “But I thought you lived in the city? Doesn’t being out here make it difficult?”
I shrug, and place my hand on her lower back to lead her up the pristine white stone walk. As happened during our dance, tremors of arousal pass through my hands the moment I touch her. I’m thankful for my tight designer briefs, otherwise my erection would be on display for our guests to see.
“I own a few apartments and a couple of townhouses throughout the city for when my business needs me,” I explain, opening the white double front doors for her, “But when I have my free time, I prefer to spend it out here. This is the Pavlovich home. It’s where my father grew up, where I grew up. Where our child will grow up.”
Annika’s eyes are marveling up at the chandelier in the foyer as I speak, but then they suddenly flick to me.
“But not Pyotr?” she asks.
Damn, I think, my new wife is perceptive.
“Pyotr chose a different life,” I answer gruffly, then lead her through the foyer to continue his tour.
I point out the expensive paintings, antique vases and miniature sculptures were millions.
I know that Yulian is a wealthy man as well, but Annika’s eyes are wide and full of fascination as she takes it all in, as if she’s seeing such finery for the very first time.
“We have a massive kitchen and pantry beyond the dining room to your left, and a Michelin star chef who will make you anything you like whenever you want. If there’s anything specific you want constantly kept on hand, tell our personal shopper and they will make sure it’s always here.
“To the right is the wing of living rooms, I suppose you’d call it.
There’s the great room, the sitting room, in-home theater, smoking room, and library.
If you go straight underneath the stairs here it will lead you to the solarium, the indoor pool, sauna and home gym.
You are of course free to use any of them whenever you’d like.
“The next two floors are all bedrooms, baths, and closets. Our master suite is situated on the top floor and takes up the entire left side of the house. You can take the stairs here or there is an elevator between the indoor pool and the gym that will take you directly up there. You’ll need a key card for it, but I’ll have one made for you to by tomorrow morning. ”
Annika’s eyes shoot back to me, a glimmer of surprise in her blue orbs.
“Our master suite?” she asks. “We’re sharing a room? A bed?”
I raise an amused brow, taking her into my arms. I love how she simply comes into them, as if she actually wants to be there. It’s certainly where I want her.
“We’re married now, aren’t we?” I ask. “Is that not what married people do?”
“I-” Annika stammers.
God, she’s adorable when she’s flustered like this.
“I mean, yes, they do. But I thought our marriage was more of a business transaction than anything,” she finally gets out.
“Our marriage certainly represents a very powerful deal,” I agree, “But from what I remember, you and I have a very intense sexual connection, devochka. I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t take full advantage of that.”
I slide a hand to the back of her neck, moving her long blonde tendrils to her shoulder with care, and trail my fingertips down her back. I smirk as she shivers, reveling in the way her breath catches at my touch.
“Or did I misread that?” I ask, tugging her to my chest.
“No,” Annika breathes, her eyes dilating with pleasure. “You didn’t.”
I trail my fingertips further down to her voluptuous backside, over her hip, and up the bodice of her gown until I reach her throat.
The urge to wrap my hands there and kiss her until she’s breathless is heavy and insistent- but I’ll wait for that; knowing it’s coming soon.
Instead I let my touch travel up to her cheek, where I caress her with the back of my knuckles until Annika’s lashes flutter and she leans into my touch like a kitten wanting to be petted.
“We can make this marriage whatever we want,” I whisper over her lips. “And what I want right now is my wife.”
Pleasure surges through me as her brows tense and a whimper escapes her plump, slightly parted lips.
“What do you want, devochka?” I ask, placing a feather light kiss on her lips.
She sways toward the kiss as if wanting more, and it looks as if she’s putting great effort into opening her pleasure-filled eyes.
“You,” she whispers, sliding her hands up the front of my tuxedo. “I want you.”