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.

grabbing my phone and heading towards the bathroom. “We can’t exactly

with a smile. “But maybe we can squeeze in

the sound was cut short by a loud, insistent shout from

answer.

break” ended up being a hurried exchange 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 was a comforting normalcy to it, a

Chapter 112

colorful confetti across the living room floor, the remnants of a half–eaten snack smeared across the coffee table. The twins, fueled by boundless energy, chased each other around the house, their

day wore on, a strange sense of exhaustion settled over me. It wasn’t just the physical fatigue of chasing after toddlers, but an emotional weariness as well. The events of the past week had taken their toll, leaving

ivy, settling her comfortably against his shoulder. I cradled Nate in my arms, the weight of his tiny body a familiar comfort. We ascended the stairs to

simmered beneath the

ป

of a nightlight, casting dancing shadows on the walls. Ms. Rodriguez, a small

packing up

warm and reassuring. “Just a bit tired now,

Nate over to her for a final cuddle. “We

flickering between us. “You two take care of yourselves. And remember,

she exited the room, leaving us alone with the soft sighs of the sleeping twins.

laden with unspoken words.

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

happens now that they are asleep?” I murmured my body responding instantly to the

way inside my mouth and then his hands were taking off my clothes the next instant. We both landed on the bed and I

face.

the edge of the bed, “What… what

in between my legs. I gasped

up at me, lust shining from his gaze. He leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on my pussy. I squirmed when he licked my folds and then plunged his tongue inside

wide open.

did it again. This time he stopped and stood, and I watched as he undressed himself. Oh, God, he was beautiful! His muscles were taut, defined and smooth. The sight of him sent a wave of desire coursing through my body. He came closer to me, his eyes