“I wanted to tell you, but you…you…you distracted me.”
He nuzzled her neck, starting the slow, gentle thrusting of his body into hers. He made love to her tenderly, increasing the tempo slowly, making the crescendo last longer, but it was no less powerful.
Afterwards, when he collapsed against her, he pulled her into his arms, gently cradling her as they brought their breathing back under control.
“I wanted to be the one to tell you, Dimitri,” she said and he felt her body tense. “I wasn’t trying to hide it from you.”
“I know,” he said, kissing her shoulder since she’d turned away from him. His hand moved over her body, resting on her stomach as he thought about their child growing deep inside her. “I know, agape mou.”
“Are you angry?” she asked, peering warily over her shoulder at him.
He lifted up, pushing onto his elbow to look down at her. “Angry?” He waited, trying to understand, but she seemed to be too nervous to speak. “No, Pepper. I’m not angry. In fact, I’m…thrilled.” He kissed her again, her lips frozen for a long moment until he coaxed a reaction out of her. “We will marry immediately.”
She shifted, turning so that she was facing him and he rolled them so that she was on top. This position freed up his hands, allowing him to smooth over her back and her bottom while her breasts pressed against his chest. He couldn’t think of a better position to be in than this.
“We don’t have to get married, Dimitri. This was unplanned. And if you don’t…”
He kissed her again, stopping her protests. “We will be married, Pepper.” He shifted, moving her so that she was on the mattress and he stood up.
Pepper watched as he walked away from the bed. For a brief moment, she was confused, but then she simply lay there, enjoying the view of his strong muscles rippling underneath his skin. He had a mighty fine butt, she thought.
When he reached into his jacket, she wasn’t sure what he was looking for. She wiggled, turning so that her back was against the headboard with several pillows behind her. This gave her a better view for when he turned and came back to her.
She smiled, noticing that he was already semi-aroused again. Dimitri was an amazing lover, with the stamina to make love to her several times a night. She’d heard that men could go once, maybe twice a night. Not Dimitri. He was a machine!
And she loved him! Goodness, she loved him so much!
“What’s that?” she asked, staring at his hands. He was holding a small box as he turned and walked back to the bed and Pepper felt her heart pound against her ribs.
He didn’t reply, but instead, sat down next to her and…
…opened a small, black box. Inside was the largest, most beautiful diamond ring she’d ever seen. There was a big diamond surrounded by several smaller diamonds, all set in what she suspected was a platinum band.
“Dimitri?” she squeaked, tearing her eyes from the diamond to look at him. “What’s this?”
“Marry me, Pepper,” he said. Again, it wasn’t a request. But this time, Pepper didn’t correct him and demand that he ask more politely. This time, she was too stunned to say anything.
He lifted her hand, taking the diamond ring out of the box and tossing the box aside. With a deft movement, he slid the ring down her finger, then curled her fingers into a fist and lifted her hand to his mouth, kissing it gently. “It looks perfect on you. But if you’d like something different…?”
“No!” she gasped, staring at the ring. It was huge, but she loved it at once. She’d had the same reaction to the man and the ring. The rush of happiness was like a tidal wave, and Pepper launched herself into his arms, kissing his lips and cheeks, his neck, everywhere she could reach.
“Is that a yes?” he teased.
Pepper laughed joyously as she looked down at her hand. “Yes!” she yelled, happier than she could remember ever being. “Are you sure? We don’t have to marry just because of the baby, Dimitri.”
He looked at her with hard determination. “Pepper, this child will not be born without my name.” And he kissed her hard, not allowing any argument.
When he pulled back, he lifted her into his arms, carrying her into the bathroom. “You need food. You’re eating for two now.”
Pepper laughed, throwing her arms around his neck once again, all the love she felt for him shining from her eyes. “I love it. And yes, I’m hungry, but I have to eat healthier foods now.”
“Broccoli,” he teased.
Pepper grimaced. “Yes, I’ll even eat broccoli if it will help this little lady to be healthy.”
Dimitri grunted as he set her down by the shower door. “It will be a boy,” he announced, turning on the faucet. “And you need to move into my place, Pepper.”
That surprised her and she pulled back. “Move in with you?”
He tested the water, and grunted when it was warm enough, lifting her into his arms as he stepped into the warm water. “Yes. My place is bigger.”
She grabbed the soap and started lathering his chest. “Yes, but your place is uglier.”
He grabbed her hands, startled by her words. “You don’t like my penthouse?”
She shrugged, her fingers tightening around the soap. “Sorry. I could have been a bit more diplomatic than that.”
“Explain.” With that command, he took the soap and started lathering her body, his hands gentle, but very thorough.
“Um…”
“My penthouse doesn’t suit you,” he prompted.
She nodded.
