Page 21 of Coerced Wife
I turn for the exit, understanding how a life with Saverio will be like. The good and honest people will shun me. They’ll fear me. I’ll end up having to cut out everything that’s good and embrace the darkness. I’ll have to teach my baby about values and principles while sleeping with the monster.
I’ll have to find a way of forgiving myself for falling for a killer.
CHAPTER
SIX
Saverio
The sun peeks through the gap in the curtains. It’s Saturday. Bird song sounds outside. I should’ve gotten out of bed and gone for my run and morning workout hours ago, but Anya lies cozily against me, the curve of her back fitting against my stomach and chest, and I loathe to disturb her.
I sweep a hand over her stomach and cup the little bump that’s steadily growing day after day. She’s perfect from her head to her toes, but this is still my favorite part of her. I can never grow tired of watching her body change. She looks so fucking beautiful I wish I could give her six more kids and keep her pregnant forever. But that’s just my fanciful thinking going off the rails again.
Because things are what they are.
Even if I had a choice, I’d never put her through the pain and possible complications of giving birth again.
This is the first and the last baby she’s having.
I intend on making the most of every moment. I want to burn each second into my brain. If I could, I’d stay in bed with her all day, but there’s much to be done—doctor’s visits, prenatal classes, baby shopping, and Livy sent me a text message to ask who’s organizing Anya’s baby shower. I told her to go ahead and knock herself out. Anya’s mother sure as hell isn’t going to lift a finger. And all of those items on my checklist are just the tip of the iceberg.
Anya needs to get her driver’s license before she’s seven months pregnant. The baby can come early. I want it to be done before. She needs her own piece. I already ordered the handgun from my supplier. When it arrives, she has to practice target shooting to familiarize herself with the new weapon. She’ll be busy enough being a mother once the baby is there.
The object of my thoughts stirs.
I push up on one elbow to look at her. I love how relaxed and innocent she looks before reality and weariness set in to eradicate the softness of her sleepy expression.
Her long, golden lashes lift.
Nuzzling her neck, I inhale the sweet summer scent of her skin and hair. “How did you sleep?”
I’m worried that she’s not getting enough quality rest. I make sure she’s in bed for at least eight hours per night, but she has dark rings under her eyes. My treasure is tired.
It’s not just the toll the pregnancy is taking on her body. She’s been quiet and secretive since the wedding. I know her well enough by now to know she’s keeping something from me. Not surprising, seeing what the nature of our relationship is. All the same, I want her and the baby to be healthy.
“I was thinking of inviting Livy for dinner,” I say on the spur of the moment. Maybe it will cheer her up.
She turns onto her back, staring at the ceiling.
I study her face. “Would you like that?”
“You know why I don’t want to bring Livy here.”
“We can go to a restaurant.”
She searches my eyes for a moment before saying, “Okay.”
I want her. Badly. However, she’s exhausted, and I’ve played my part in it by wearing her out with sex. The more I have her, the more I want her. It’s never enough. I still find it miraculous. I’ve never been this desperate for anyone every minute of the day without fail.
I will my hardening cock down, ignoring the hot wave of need to taste her that builds inside me.
Instead, I kiss her forehead. “What would you like to do today? We can stay at home and watch a movie.”
Her lush lips curve with a tentative smile. “I have to meet Tersia in town. We’re going baby shopping.”
“That sounds like fun.”
“Spending time with Tersia is always fun.” She reaches out as if to touch me, but pulls back her hand. “When she has an exhibition again, we should go. I’d like to see her work.”