Page 136 of Sinful Betrayal

“I will say, this is the part I’ve been looking forward to the most.” I Iean back on my elbows.

“Oh yeah?” Anton smirks as he shrugs out of his jacket.

His white shirt clings to his muscular body, and I take a moment to admire my new husband, the man that I get to legally callmine.

“Not that.” I laugh, and Anton’s smile falters. “Taking off these damn heels.”

I groan as I kick off my offending shoes. “I thought I could cope with all the aches and pains after almost two decades of ballet, but pregnancy is something else.”

Anton laughs. “You don’t have much longer to go,”

Anton kneels in front of me and reaches beneath my dress to start rubbing my swollen ankles.

“Thank goodness,” I groan.

“Are you excited?”

I catch something like worry flash in his eyes and instantly feel bad for groaning all the time.

I don’t want him to think I’m not looking forward to the prospect of motherhood.

“Of course, I am.” I reach out to stroke his cheek. “This baby is a blessing, and so are you. But I do miss seeing my own feet.”

“And ballet.” He turns his head to kiss my palm.

Despite assuring him that this baby doesn’t mean the end of my ballet career, I know that Anton still feels guilty for the fact that I had to stop dancing after the winter showcase last year.

“I do miss ballet, but my spot is still waiting for me to begin back next spring. And the IOD has a great daycare…”

“We’ll hire a nanny,” Anton says, and I roll my eyes.

“I don’t want to push this baby out and then just go back to my old life as if nothing’s changed, Anton. I want to be present, toraise this baby with you while also dancing. It will be hard, I know, but I’m no stranger to hard work.”

“I’m so proud of you, Nina.”

He moves to place his hands on either side of me and leans in to kiss me softly. But I’m in no mood to take things slowly.

I take Anton’s face in my hands and force my tongue into his mouth, moaning at the first taste of him.

“I need you,” I gasp just as someone knocks at the door.

“So does someone else, apparently.” He chuckles as I let out a groan.

“Not funny.”

“I’ll be right back.” He flashes me a wink, before going to answer the door.

My eyes roam over his body, my pulse quickening as I think of all the ways I’m going to show Anton just how much I love him.

I become so lost in my own fantasy that I jump at the sound of the door closing.

“Someone was thinking dirty thoughts.” Anton laughs as he sets a huge bouquet of white roses down on the table.

I don’t bother to deny it as I get to my feet and shuffle over to him.

“Oh wow, these are beautiful.” I bend down to inhale their sweet floral scent. “I wonder who they’re from.”

Anton opens up the card, and we both read the handwritten message inside.

Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Koslov

May today mark the beginning of a long and happy life together…

I place a hand on the swell of my stomach, my heart racing.

Anton turns the card over. “They didn’t sign it. And I don’t recognize the handwriting…”

“I-I do.” I don’t need a name to know exactly who they’re from. “They’re from my father.”