“Hey, little guy or girl,” Tatsuya said against my skin. “I promise that I’m going to be the best dad there ever was. I swear to you. I’m going to break the cycle that I went through. I’m going to be there for you. I love you already.”
I fought off tears that were collecting at the sides of my eyes. I never once thought I’d find a man that I wanted a child with, and yet I had done it all in a few months. It must have been fate after all.
? ? ?
KARINA
Tatsuya cleaned up good. He looked like a natural gentleman in the sleek Armani suit he was wearing. He straightened his cuffs to cover the irezumi that peeked out on his wrists.
We had flown to Moscow to introduce him to my family. His gang had been against it, but Tatsuya had assured them it would be wise to continue making allies. The culture shock had been manageable so far, but tonight he would be formally introduced to my father. He was on edge.
“Don’t be nervous,” I said, catching his eye in the mirror.
“Who’s nervous?” Tatsuya shot me a cocky grin that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
“It’s ok to be nervous sometimes,” I laughed.
“Oh, just cause the love of my life’s father is the leader of one of the most powerful families in the Bratva?” Tatsuya shrugged. “No big deal.” He went back to fixing his suit, finding imperfections that weren’t there.
“You look fine,” I said and put my hands on his shoulders. “Better than fine. You look amazing. Like a real gentleman.”
Tatsuya let out a long breath. “Alright, if you say so.” His eyes wandered on me for a moment and he rubbed his hand along my belly, which was just starting to show at four months.
“I know so,” I said and kissed his cheek.
My heart fluttered every time he touched me. I could see the love in his eyes for his unborn child and it made me love him even more. Not only was Tatsuya meeting my family for the first time, we would also announce the pregnancy. If there was anything that could make my father’s heart melt, it was a new baby. He had a weakness for my oldest brother’s son and daughter. I knew that my child would be loved as much as my niece and nephew.
Tatsuya turned to me and kissed me hard. It only took a moment for us to get lost in each other; he was kissing and nipping at my lips.
Heat rose in me immediately and I clung to him. He pushed his body against mine and lay me down on the king-size bed in the middle of the room. I could feel his hardness against me. I groaned. “Tatsuya, we shouldn’t be doing this right now. We have to meet my father for dinner.”
Tatsuya chuckled softly and kissed my neck. “Just a taste. I need an appetizer.”
A shiver ran through my body. He knew how to touch me in all the right places. I was helpless. I wanted him. I needed him. I couldn’t wait until after the meeting. I needed him. Now.
Tatsuya ran his hands down my body, stopped at the hem of my dress, and lifted it up over my hips. He looked down at his prize. “A lace thong? My, my, I don’t know if that’s appropriate for a family dinner.”
Heat rushed to my cheeks. Before I could protest, he pulled them from my body and kissed my inner thigh. His lips moved expertly against me. He licked up my sweetness and teased with his tongue.
I shivered again and moaned.
There was a knock at the door. “Excuse me, Miss Karina. Dinner will be served momentarily. You and your guest are expected immediately.”
I looked down at Tatsuya.
He grinned, kissed my slit once last time and stood. “Well, my lady,” He sighed. “I suppose we will have to continue this later tonight.” He straightened his collar. “I hope that little tease will be enough to hold you over until then.”
I glanced at the bulge in his pants. “I was going to say the same thing to you,” I teased.
As I reached for my thong, Tatsuya plucked it off the bed and tucked it into his pocket. “Now, now, didn’t I say these were not approved for tonight’s dress code?” He grinned devilishly. “Besides, once I get you back in this room we won’t have time for undressing.”
-
The dining room was long and narrow with a long wooden table at the center. Covered trays of food were laid out and an arrangement of red and white pillar candles served as the centerpiece.
The last time I had been here, I had been dreading it. Now, I was proud to be introducing my first and only love to my family.
My father was waiting for us at the head of the dinner table.
My brother was sitting on his right side. He gave me a discrete wink, letting me know everything was going well so far.
Father stood and clasped his hands behind his back. He looked Tatsuya up and down. ‘So you’re the young man that has stolen my daughter’s heart, hm?”
Tatsuya stood a little straighter under my father’s inspection. “Yes, apparently so. I am honored to have won her affection.”
My father’s eyes warmed. He smiled, and he shook Tatsuya’s hand.
I breathed a quiet sigh of relief, watching Tatsuya take the seat on the left of my father and be officially welcomed into my family.
