Bonds

Chapter 112

-Maya’s POV-

Two days had melted away, like ice cubes in a forgotten glass of soda. Ivan was back. Not just back in the house, but back in our bed, his arm draped casually across my waist. Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, painting stripes across his bare chest and the tangled mess of sheets that clung to us both.

The morning felt thick with a comfortable silence, broken only by the soft snores coming from the nursery down the hall. The twins were finally asleep after a whirlwind reunion with Natalia yesterday. They’d tackled her like tiny tornadoes, demanding cuddles, playtime, and endless snacks in rapid succession. Thankfully, new the nanny I’d hired a kind, no–nonsense woman named Ms. Rodriguez – had arrived just in time. Now, with the house quiet and the city outside just beginning to stir, a sense of peace settled over me that I hadn’t realized I was missing.

“Morning, sleepyhead,” Ivan murmured, his voice husky with sleep. He nudged me gently with his nose, a playful smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

I stretched, the kinks in my muscles protesting after a night of restless sleep. The events of the past few days still felt raw, a tender wound beneath the surface. But curled up next to Ivan, the warmth of his body radiating beside me, a sliver of hope flickered within me.

“Technically, it’s past morning,” I teased, glancing at the clock on the nightstand. The harsh red digits screamed 10:13 AM. “We’re supposed to be at work”

He chuckled, a low rumble that sent shivers down my spine. “Work can wait,” he declared, rolling over to face me. His eyes, usually so serious, held a playful glint. “Besides, I called in sick for both of us. Told them I had a… family emergency.”

My cheeks flushed. “Ivan!” I protested, a smile tugging at my lips despite myself. “They’ll know it’s a lie.”

“Let them think what they want,” he smiled, his gaze flickering down to my lips. “Right now, all I care about is you.”

He leaned in, his lips brushing mine in a soft, lingering kiss. The familiar spark ignited within me, chasing away the lingering shadows of doubt. We melted into each other, the tension from the past few days dissolving with each touch.

Just then, a loud clatter came from the nursery, followed by a chorus of excited babbling. The twins were awake.

We disentangled ourselves reluctantly, both reaching for our phones to check for any updates from the security team. Still nothing. Tiso days

of relentless searching had yielded zilch. It was frustrating, unsettling, but at least the house felt more secure now, Ivan had tripled the security detail, much to Natalia’s amusement.

“Looks like another day of playing house huh?” Ivan sighed, stretching his arms over his head.

and office,” I corrected, grabbing my phone and heading towards the bathroom.

maybe we can

to reply, but the sound was cut short by a loud, insistent shout from the nursery. The twins weren’t waiting

answer.

of sandwiches in the kitchen, punctuated by Ms. Rodriguez’s patient attempts to entertain Ivy and Nate’s whirlwinds. It wasn’t exactly romantic, but there

Chapter 112

across the living room floor, the remnants of a half–eaten snack smeared across

physical fatigue of chasing after toddlers, but an

Nate in my arms, the weight of his tiny body a familiar comfort. We ascended the stairs to the their room, a silent promise hanging in the air – a

simmered beneath

ป

dancing shadows on the walls.

up

voice warm and

over to her for a final

replied, her gaze flickering between us. “You two take care of yourselves. And remember, a happy

room, leaving us alone with the soft sighs of the

laden with unspoken words.

began, with that charming smile on his face as soon as we got back to our room, “Now that they are

I leaned up planting my lips on his, “What happens now that they are asleep?” I murmured my body responding instantly to the touch

moaned when his tongue found its way inside my mouth and then his hands were taking off my clothes the next instant.

face.

to the edge of the bed, “What… what

my legs. I gasped when I felt his lips on

on my pussy. I squirmed when he licked my folds and then plunged his tongue inside me. I moaned and I couldn’t help it when

wide open.

were taut, defined and