by Lylah James
My emotions clogged up my heart and throat. “I don’t hate you. It’s not your fault. It’s not mine. We can’t blame ourselves for something that wasn’t in our hands.”
“You sound so much like your mother, Ayla,” he said softly.
“Am I like her?” I asked curiously, my heart beating just a little faster.
“You look so much like her. The first time I saw you, I thought it was a dream. I thought I was being haunted,” Isaak replied, slightly pulling away so he could look at my face.
“And you have her wisdom too. So gentle. Just like my Leila. I don’t think I will ever forgive myself for not being able to keep my promise to her. But having you here, safe and loved now, I think I can live and breathe a little better,” he finished, his eyes holding unshed tears.
My chin wobbled, and I nodded. Taking a deep breath, I uttered the most important question.
“Can I still be your daughter?”
I felt like a child, hoping and looking for a scrape of love.
My mind went back to when I was just a few years old. I always waited for my father to come see me. I wanted him to play with me, put me to bed, read me stories.
Anything…I just wanted a small bit of his time and attention. Maybe just a few minutes. One soft and loving look.
But I got none of that.
In this moment, I got all of that. In just mere seconds, Isaak Ivanshov gave me years of love that I was yearning for from a father.
“You were my daughter and still are. Always will be, Ayla.”
I sniffled and closed my eyes. Isaak pulled me into his arms again. “Thank you,” I murmured through my tears.
“You were always meant to be an Ivanshov. From the very beginning,” he replied as we pulled away.
I felt Alessio standing behind me, his heat warming my back, and I moved slightly back. Our bodies molded together, and his arms went around me. I felt his face in my neck as he placed a kiss there.
Isaak smiled and shook his head, muttering something under his breath. “I will see you both downstairs for lunch.”
He gave me a final look and smiled, a huge warm smile that lit up his whole face. I smiled back, feeling my heart flutter with absolute happiness.
Isaak walked away, and I turned around in Alessio’s arms, facing him. “Thank you for giving me this. It was meant to be, you know. Me finding my way into your car.”
He chuckled. His lips turned up in a small sexy smirk. “Thank God I parked my car there.”
We laughed, and then he kissed me, our laughter falling silent.
We broke apart when we felt a kick. A hard kick.
“Already a cockblocker.” He huffed, sending my stomach a mock glare.
I sighed, pulling at his arm. “Time for lunch. She’s hungry, which makes me double hungry.”
***
We settled at the table, Alessio and I taking the head. I no longer worked as a maid. That was out of the question.
Alessio would probably blow a fuse if I ever brought that up.
I sat to his right as the others started to take their seats. Including Maddie.
She no longer worked as a maid either. We both found it very weird that she would serve me, so that was out of question too. Anyway, she was more a sister than a maid. Maddie only worked as a maid because she didn’t have anything else to do.
Not that she did much anyway as a maid. She only helped Lena cook.
Alessio made sure I had my food first before himself. He always did that.
The guys talked while eating. I just ate, content that my stomach had food. I was starving. Maddie was strangely silent, but she kept looking at Alessio every now and then.
Alessio listened to Viktor, but his left hand was over my bare thigh. Like always. He ate with his right hand while holding my thigh possessively under the table.
I didn’t know why he did that, and I didn’t question him.
Only because I loved it.
His thumb drew circles over my skin, and I shivered as his fingers hitched my dress higher, his thumb moving closer to my crotch.
My eyes widened, and I gripped his wrist, stopping his movement. I caught his smirk.
He was impossible.
Alessio continued his torturous touching, leaving my skin warm and burning. He left me wanting more.
He leaned closer. “Are you wet for me right now?”
The words were only for me, yet I almost choked on my chicken.
I coughed, holding my chest. Everyone stopped eating, looking at me, worried. Alessio held my glass to my lips, waiting for me to sip.
After my coughing fit ended, I nodded at everyone and sent Alessio a glare.
“No,” I hissed under my breath.
He smirked. He freaking smirked at me!
His gaze grew fierce, his blue eyes turning molten with desire. I bit on my lips and looked down at my plate.
His hot breath touched my ear, and goosebumps raised over my skin. “Hmm. Shall I check, kitten?”
My breath hitched when his wrist moved upward, closer and closer toward my crotch. He pushed my thighs apart under the table, his hand moving between my spread legs.
I tried to stop him, but my grip on his wrist was nothing compared to his strength.
“Alessio, stop it,” I begged under my breath.
“I just want to check if you’re lying or not, kitten.”
He continued to tease me and turned his attention back to Viktor. His hand paused but stayed between my thighs.
When he didn’t make any move, I breathed out a relieved sigh. My spoon made its way to my mouth but stopped in mid-air.
Without warning, Alessio pressed this thumb right over my core.
The thin barrier of my lingerie didn’t stop the electrifying shock I felt course through me.
I jumped slightly at the sudden contact and bit on my lips, placing my spoon down again. Alessio continued talking like he didn’t do anything.
I sat there, trying to keep a straight face.
And then his thumb started moving, light touches, drawing circles over my wet core.
No. No. No. Damn him!
I pressed my thighs together, but his hand stopped me. I gritted my teeth, pinching his wrist hard.
Nothing fazed him.
He talked and laughed while he masterfully played me under the table.
I brought my glass to my lips with a shaky hand and tried to sip. Alessio being the devil himself, pressed his thumb harder against my clit.
Clenching my eyes shut, I breathed through this torture.
My lingerie was already soaked, my legs shaking. My heart fluttered and drummed like the wings of a bird.
And then he paused.
Alessio’s eyes met mine, and he winked before taking his hand away.
He brought his hand up…the finger that was soaked with my juices…and licked it clean. Right there at the table.
Yup. I was about to have a heart attack.
“That was good.” He nodded.
“Huh?” Viktor asked.
“The sauce. It tastes really good. I should try more later,” Alessio explained, that devilish smirk present on his face.
Maddie was staring at me, and she looked like she was about to choke.
Oh God. How mortifying.
Everyone else was eating, completely oblivious to what just happened. I just sat there, looking at my plate, contemplating what I was going to do with the impossible, annoying man sitting beside me.
“I was right. You are dripping for me, kitten. I had your juices all over my finger. Do you want me inside you right now? My finger or my cock?” he whispered in my ears.
I was going to kill him.
“Stop it!” I hissed, pinching his thigh hard.
He finally flinched and then smiled. “Okay. I’ll stop.”
And he did. Surprisingly.
I knew what he wanted. We both wanted it, yet we resisted.
I didn’t know if I was ready, and Alessio never
pushed. We made out, kissed a lot, but never went further than that.
That was the first time he took such a step. And at the dining table. I shook my head.
Alessio was just being Alessio.
I looked at him, and my heart overflowed with love. Could I give him what he wanted? What we both wanted?
Alessio’s eyes moved back to me as if he sensed my stressful thoughts. He brought his lips to my ear and whispered so softly that it made my heart ache with his gentleness.
“Don’t push yourself. I will wait for you. Whenever you are ready.”
My heart settled as his hand came back to my thigh. He didn’t try anything mischievous. No, he just held my thigh firmly. Showing me that I belonged to him.
I liked that. Actually, I loved that.
“Sooo…”
Maddie’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts, and I turned my attention to her. She had an eyebrow raised, regarding Alessio curiously.
“Have you proposed yet?”
Thank God, I wasn’t eating or I would have choked. My heart stuttered to a stop and then started again. Faster and harder against my ribcage.
What was she doing?
I sent her a warning glare before my gaze moved to Alessio.
His spoon was paused in mid-air.
He was frozen in his seat. My throat went dry, and I wanted to smack my head on the table.
Maddie! This girl!
Alessio placed his spoon down slowly and cleared his throat. “What?”
“I was just wondering if you’ve proposed yet?” Maddie asked again.
“Why do I have to propose?” Alessio asked, his eyebrows furrowed.
Viktor and Phoenix looked like they were hiding their laughter behind their fists. Even Nikolay looked like he was smiling.
Lyov and Isaak just shook their heads and carried on eating.
“You said so yourself a few days ago. Ayla was an Ivanshov. But did you propose?”
Alessio spared me a glance before looking at Maddie again. “Was I supposed to propose?”
Maddie’s face turned red, her eyes bulging out. She held her fork and knife tighter and speared Alessio with a glare.
I had a feeling she was plotting his murder.
“Did you even ask her if she wanted to marry you?” Maddie hissed.
Alessio looked completely confused and oblivious.
I could feel my cheeks heating up, and I looked down at my plate.
“Ayla, do you want to get married?”
What? WHAT?
Alessio’s questioned was imprinted in my brain. Did he really just ask that? In front of everyone?
I looked at Maddie again. She was about to have a heart attack. But she was going to kill Alessio first.
I turned to Alessio. “Emm…”
He looked at me expectantly, waiting for my answer. Actually, everyone was waiting for my answer.
Feeling flustered, I played with the hem of my dress nervously.
“Yes?” I answered hesitantly.
No wasn’t an option. It was never an option.
Alessio nodded, looking proud of himself. “Okay. We’re getting married then.”
If it wasn’t for Phoenix holding her down, Maddie would have leaped over the table. “That was hardly a proposal,” she hissed with a tight smile.
Alessio looked confused again. “I asked, and she said yes. We’re getting married.”
My shoulders sagged. That was it?
Alessio went back to eating. Viktor chuckled and coughed, hiding his amusement. Phoenix did the same before they continued eating too.
A few seconds later, I picked up my fork too. Maddie was still glaring holes in Alessio’s forehead, but her shoulders went down in defeat.
When our plates were almost cleared, Alessio leaned closer. “I love you, Angel. I don’t care about getting married. It doesn’t change anything. But I will give you my name. You will be Ayla Ivanshov. That’s my promise to you.”
His words were low enough for only me to hear, and they made their way straight to my heart. I turned to him, my lips stretched in a smile. It was impossible not to smile.
Alessio smiled back, his eyes filled with so much love for me.
“Okay,” I agreed.
I guessed I didn’t need a proposal after all. Just being with Alessio…it was enough to make me the happiest woman alive.
Later that night, after playing the piano, I settled on Alessio’s lap. We stayed like that for some time, both of us refusing to move.
He played with my hair, my head laid against his shoulder. I placed a kiss there, and he held me tighter.
“What do you need, Ayla? What do you need from me? I want to be the man you deserve,” he said, breaking the silence.
I brought my head up and looked at him. He looked a little lost.
Holding his face in my hands, I brought our lips together. I kissed him softly, pouring all my love into the kiss.
“Only you. I just need you,” I whispered against his lips.
Alessio’s eyes held mine. Blue to green.
He kissed the tip of my nose and hugged me to him.
Chapter 28
1 week later
Maddie held my arms as we descended the stairs. “I can’t wait for you to meet her!” she said excitedly.
I laughed. She was so cute. “I can’t wait to meet her either.”
Maddie’s friend was coming over. More than a friend, actually. They’d been best friends since they were kids. It was almost like they were sisters. She used to live here too, in the estate, until she moved away four years ago.
Maddie didn’t have a chance to tell me a lot. She only got a call an hour ago and came banging at my door.
When we reached the bottom, Maddie was practically bouncing on her toes. She was glowing. “I have missed her so much,” she pouted. “That little bitch. I hate that she moved away.”
We walked toward the door, getting ready to meet her friend. I was excited too.
“Is she like you?” I teased with a wink.
Maddie laughed. “Ha. She’s worse!”
My eyes widened. “You mean crazier than you?”
She nodded. “She is insane! But you’re going to love her, Ayla.”
Oh dear. I looked at the door both impatiently and excitedly, Maddie doing the same.
I heard a loud squeal.
“Maddie!”
Then a flash of blonde hair.
Next thing I knew, Maddie was on the floor.
I gasped, moving away, my eyes wide in shock.
She tackled her. She freaking tackled Maddie to the floor.
I stood, agape and staring at Maddie and the new woman. They were laughing, getting up and hugging each other tightly.
“I missed you!” Maddie exclaimed.
“Missed you too. Damn it! I’m going to cry,” she replied.
They pulled apart, and their eyes went to me.
“Hi?” I gave her a tiny wave.
She smiled a breathtaking smile. She glided over to me, and before I could move, I was in her arms.
“I have finally met you,” she murmured in my ears. Pulling away, she held on to my hands. “Do you know how desperate I have been? I couldn’t wait to see you. Maddie and Viktor have told me so much about you.”
“Thank you. I was pretty excited to meet you too,” I replied. Her smile was infectious. My cheeks were hurting from smiling too hard.
She was such a bubble of joy. A breathtaking beauty too. Her blonde hair stopped in the middle of her back. She was smaller than Maddie but taller than me. Her hazel eyes practically glowed with happiness.
“I’m Evaline.” She gave me her hand to shake.
“Ayla,” I replied, shaking her hand. I already knew her name, but I guessed introductions were a must.
“I know.” She winked. Her eyes moved to my rounded belly. “May I?”
Without answering, I brought her hand to my stomach. We waited for Princess to make her presence known. A
nd being herself, the attention seeker, she immediately kicked.
Evaline laughed. “Oh my. That was a hard kick. Finally, Alessio did something right.”
But when her eyes moved back to Maddie, they sombered. A wave of pain passed across her face, and she moved away from me.
Maddie shook her head. “Don’t.”
“I can’t believe no one told me, Maddie. Do you realize how pissed I am? I only found out two days ago. It’s been weeks!” Evaline hissed, angrily. “Nobody called and thought I needed to know? Not even Viktor. He didn’t say anything.”
“Because I told them not to say anything. I didn’t want you to worry. We’ve been over this, Evaline,” Maddie shot back.
“You were hurt and you—” Evaline broke off, her eyes moving to Maddie’s stomach. My heart fell too.
“I should have been there for you, but nobody said anything. I would have been there for you, Maddie. If only…”
Maddie wrapped her arms around Evaline. “I wanted to do this on my own, babe. It’s over and done with. Can we not talk about this now, please?”
Evaline nodded, swiping her tears away. “Phoenix—”
Maddie’s face turned furious. “Don’t even.”
Evaline’s shoulders sagged in defeat, but she didn’t say anything else.
I knew something was going on between Phoenix and Maddie, but I stayed silent. Only because of Maddie’s reaction.
We were silent for a few seconds, and then Evaline jumped in. “Why are we just standing here looking like lost puppies? I need a drink, and I need to get laid. Tonight.”
I busted out laughing at that. So did Maddie. “I need to get laid too.”
Evaline turned to me. “You?”
Wh-at?
“I know we can have sex while pregnant. Have you tried it yet?” she continued.
Did she just ask that?
I caught Maddie’s eyes. Told you, she mouthed.
She didn’t have a filter. “Like, does it feel better? I heard that we get hornier and want sex all the time. And our sensations are heightened during pregnancy.”
“I don’t know.”
Both of them paused. Maddie looked at me, confused. “Are you saying…?”
I just shrugged.
Evaline and Maddie looked at each other and nodded. Like they just mentally made a plan together. I didn’t like the look they were giving me.