And enjoyed it.
I pour a glass of milk and set it in front of her then lean on the counter, watching her eat. She polishes off three perogies and drinks her milk.
When she looks up, she holds my gaze. “I’m sorry I didn’t try to contact you, Ravil.” I sense the sincerity in her voice, and I almost believe her, until I hear her pitch. “But you’ve found me now. I won’t try to keep our baby from you. Just let me go. We’ll work out a custody arrangement. Fifty-fifty if that’s what you want.”
I know it’s a huge concession. She doesn’t want me in our child’s life at all. But I’m not biting. I shake my head. “We’re not negotiating, Counselor. You missed the window for that. I’m driving now, and you’re going to be a good girl and do everything I ask.”
Her eyes narrow. “You can’t—”
“Ah, but I can. I am, kitten. Get used to it.”
She gets up from the stool and stalks away, straight to the front door.
Cute.
She reaches for the handle.
She wouldn’t make it out. Even if I let her walk through this door, I have a man at the elevator and another street-level. She’d never get out of the building unless I let her. Still, I snap, “Don’t” with every ounce of authority I have.
She freezes, hand wrapped around the knob.
“This is your only warning.”
I see the shiver run through her.
To help her save face, I go and collect her, grasping her elbow and guiding her back to my room. She doesn’t say anything, but I sense a storm brewing inside her.
Not good for the baby.
Or her.
I don’t mind her frustrated, but I can’t have her stressed. Kidnapping a woman pregnant with my child might not have been my smartest move.
I close the door softly behind us, and she shakes free of my grasp. “Calm yourself, kitten. It’s not so bad. What’s making you panic?”
I flip on a lamp to see her face. It’s flushed with anger, and she’s breathing quickly.
“My life!” she throws her arms up in the air.
“You will work remotely.”
She shakes her head. “My parents.”
I nod. “You visit them on Saturdays.”
She goes still. “You’ve done your homework.”
I shrug. “I like to be prepared. Your father is a partner at the firm where you work. He had a stroke recently.”
“Yes,” she whispers. “If I don’t go to see him Saturday, my mom will know something is wrong. If I tell her I’m on bed rest, she’ll come to the apartment.”
I give my head a small shake. “You’re a very smart woman. I’m sure you’ll figure out something to tell her.”
Lucy’s lips thin. “You don’t strike me as insane, Ravil. You strike me as a very reasonable, perceptive man. Why are you doing this?”
I climb in the bed. “You’re a perceptive woman, yourself. Figure it out.” I flick off the light.
She stands still in the darkness for several seconds then pads to the bathroom.
I gaze at the ceiling or where I’d see the ceiling if it wasn’t dark.
Funny. I want her to figure it out when I’m not even sure myself.
Chapter 7
Lucy
I don’t think I’ll fall back asleep because I’m upset, but I do. My dreams are sensual and lush. Like many of the dreams since I’ve been pregnant, they feature Ravil and Black Light. This time, Gretchen and I arrive at the elite BDSM club. It’s my first time back since Valentine’s. I’m looking for Ravil—he’s the only one I want to play with. I’m not pregnant in the dream. Ravil finds me, but he’s angry.
I never called.
He takes me to the big cross structure to tie me up and whip me. I’m scared but also totally excited. He attaches cuffs to my wrists and ankles…
And then I wake up.
Horny.
Disappointed I didn’t get to finish the dream.
And furious that I’m a captive in this man’s domain.
I blink at the clock. It’s much later than I usually sleep. If I were going into my office, I’d be rushing out the door already. Good thing I’m calling in.
Strike that from the record. It’s not a good thing. I’m a prisoner who’s being kept from going in.
Ravil steps out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist. He’s solid muscle. Golden skin with a light dusting of hair, tattoos across his chest, down his arms even onto his knuckles. Tattoos are part of the bratva. Markings for crimes, prison time, cells. They were how I recognized what he was when I partnered with him. Why I didn’t want to be paired with a man like him, even though he’d turned out to be an attentive and thoughtful partner.
Too bad he’s still a criminal who thinks he can do whatever he wants.
Correction—who probably can do whatever he wants.
He steps into the walk-in closet and drops the towel, so I have the full view of his naked body. I’m not the type who ogles men’s physiques, but even I know he’s a perfect specimen. Tight glutes that flex when he pulls on his boxer briefs. Muscles that ripple across his broad back when he pulls on a white undershirt.
He’s sexy. Everything about him is sexy, from the accent to the cool, confident demeanor to the ice-blue eyes. I wish I weren’t so affected by his presence. Maybe I’d be able to think my way out of this. Then again, maybe it would make this situation a million times worse. Because the only thing that makes it even remotely palatable is the sexual satisfaction.
“You will call into work this morning,” he says without turning, knowing I’m watching.
I don’t answer.
“Tell them you have preeclampsia. I can get you a doctor’s note if you need it.”
I guess he’s thought of everything.
“A desk will be delivered in an hour.”
I frown but pick up my phone, which I find charging beside the bed. I call into the office.
God, this sucks.
Understatement of the year.
I start with Dick because he’s the asshole who will make the most trouble for me. I put on my most brusque, business-like voice. Nothing like calling the good old boys boss with female problems. “Hi Dick, it’s Lucy. I will call HR next, but I wanted to start with you. My doctor’s put me on bedrest. I will be working from home and fully available via video or teleconferencing. I don’t require any reduction in load and can handle all my cases.”
“Bed rest?” he snorts. “What happened?”
“That, of course, is personal. I’ll be happy to provide my medical records to HR if required.”
“What about when you’re needed in court?”
“I don’t know yet, but I’ll be working on a plan and will keep you in the loop. All you need to know is that none of my cases will suffer as a result of this change. In fact, they will probably all benefit, since I’ll be saving time on the commute.”
“I see. Well, I hope everything’s okay. You know, with the baby.” He drags out the last syllable like he’s hoping for more information, but I’m not going to give it to the bastard.
“I will be just as available as always,” I say firmly. It’s illegal to discriminate against me for this situation, but I’m certain they will all try.