The Russian's Secret Baby (The Tonov Triplets Series Book 3) (3 page)

Any resolve Dimitri had about keeping himself distant from Carmine crumbled immediately as soon as he came home after a long day of work. Exhausted, he found Carmine in his living room, drinking tea and watching James trying to do a somersault on the floor.

He was crunched up in a ball and rocking back and forth, “talking” as loud as he could. He would stop suddenly and then try to flip himself over and end up flopping on his side, giggling. Carmine smiled as she watched him. Dimitri loved watching her smile and laugh. It lit up her whole face and it was such a change from her usually rough exterior. 

But her smile faded as soon as she saw him. “James, come on. Let’s go upstairs.”

“You can stay down here,” Dimitri said, dipping a hand into his pocket. “I’ll be in my room. I won’t disturb you.”

James looked up when he heard Dimitri’s voice and he grinned at him. “Dim!” he said. “Dim dim.”

Dimitri smiled despite himself, and this time he didn’t try to stifle it. He had worse nicknames. “I’ll see you later,” he said to them before turning to leave. But just then, James grabbed his hand.

“Dim dim, play.” 

Dimitri looked at Carmine for consent. Hoping for consent. Carmine looked at him skeptically. “I’m sure he has a lot of work he needs to do, honey. Let him be.”

“I don’t,” Dimitri said. “I’m free for the rest of the evening.”

“Dim dim play,” James repeated. 

Dimitri looked at Carmine. “Is it all right if I play with your son?” he asked cautiously.

Carmine sighed. “One hour.” 

It took less time than that for Dimitri to tire him out. James got too excited from having another person to play with and was soon fast asleep with his head in Carmine’s lap. Dimitri picked up the toys and put them in the duffel bag that Carmine used as a temporary toy box before sitting on the floor. “Thank you,” he said. “For letting me play with him. That had to be the most fun I’ve had in a long time.”

“Don’t think it’s going to become a habit. I meant what I said about you staying away from him.”

“I know. Carmine, the paternity tests haven’t arrived yet, but I’ll give you the money no matter what it says.”

“Thank you,” she said, looking down at James. “Thank you so much.” She blinked rapidly and Dimitri was scared she was going to cry. Even tears of gratitude were painful to watch. He looked down. 

“I know why you left me,” he said. 

“Why’s that?” 

“You figured that any guy who can give you that many orgasms in a row must be trouble.”

She rolled her eyes but the tears were gone. “Don’t be ridiculous,” she said. “I’m a prosecutor. You’re a mafia boss. We don’t mix.”

“Alleged mafia boss,” Dimitri said. “I’ve never been sentenced. And we mixed well together in bed.”

“Yeah, look how good that turned out. Me mooching off you for money and running myself ragged trying to entertain a twoyear old.”

“You could have always come to me earlier for money. And even if you don’t want me around James, I can support him financially. Perhaps you could hire a babysitter or a day care service. I can just give you my account number”

“Dimitri, I can’t. “I don’t want to become connected to you in any way and I certainly don’t want to become dependent on you. This is only a onetime thing. As soon as you give me the money, you’ll never see me again.”

“Why do you hate me so much? I’m not evil, Carmine. I remember every second that we spent together and I still don’t understand what I did to make you leave me. I was always kind to you. I gave you the distance you wanted and I never asked you for anything. Was it really just my profession that made you hate me?”

“Isn’t that enough? I put guys like you in jail. I became a lawyer because of how much I want to see all of you in jail.”

“Why?” he asked. “This isn’t about me at all, is it?”

She looked down at her son. “No. My father… he was a good man, but he was bad with money. When I was eight he borrowed money from the wrong people.”

“Loan sharks?” 

“Yeah. They came for him when we were at the grocery store. They grabbed the back of his shirt and dragged him to the back entrance, leaving me in the middle of the cereal aisle. I was there alone for five hours before one of the store attendants called my mom. Who knows how long I would have been there if I didn’t have her number memorized?” 

“I’m sorry. That must have been terrible.” He had learned to take care of himself at a very young age because his parents weren’t going to help him but he was always with his brothers. He couldn’t imagine being alone for such a long time at that age. That seemed like the worst thing that could ever happen. “What happened after that? Was you father okay?”

“He survived. I didn’t see him until about a week later, in the hospital. For about a month after that, men showed up at our house every day, demanding more money. We were constantly broke. As soon as any money came in from either of my parent’s jobs, it was gone. One day, my mother picked me up from school while my dad was working and drove me home. Told me to pack my things. I never saw him again after that.”

“I’m so sorry,” Dimitri said. “I didn’t know.”

Shaking herself mentally, “I’ve never told anyone that story before but it’s because of my father that I became a lawyer. To protect people like him from people like you. And that’s why you woke up to an empty bed three years ago.”

That night, after Carmine put James to bed, Dimitri found her out in the hall and wrapped his arms around her waist.

“Dimitri…” she said. 

“I’m not one of those loan sharks, Carmine. I didn’t hurt you. I’ve never hurt you.”

“It doesn’t matter. You still hurt people every day.” But Dimitri could feel her resolve weakening and he pulled her tighter. 

“One night, Carmine. That’s all I’m asking. I only want to take what you will give me but its torture having you so close and not being able to touch you.” He kissed her neck as gently as possible and she gasped. 

“You’re not making it easy to say no…”

“Good,” he said, before spinning her around and crushing his mouth against hers. Carmine groaned and wrapped her arms around his neck. He had always been a damn good kisser. It was impossible not to respond to him. As soon as she surrendered, he eased up, kissing her more gently, his arms encircling her waist. “You’re beautiful, Carmine,” he said, his lips leaving trails of fire on her as he made his way down to her neck. “You’ve always been so beautiful.”

“So have you,” she said, barely able to get the words out as his lips sent another wave of pleasure down her spine. “But we really shouldn’t do this right outside my son’s room.”

“You’re right,” he said. “Let’s go to your room.” He grabbed her hand and started to lead her there and then abruptly turned to go downstairs. “On second thought, my room.”

“Why your room?”

“Just trust me on this,” he said. As soon as they were downstairs, he started kissing her again. “You drive me wild, Carmine. Absolutely wild. You taste so good, and you’re so sexy, I just can’t get enough of you.”

Carmine pulled his mouth to hers and kissed him as hard as she could. His groan sent a rush of pleasure through her. She had so much power over him it scared her and thrilled her. She opened the door to his room and pulled him inside, any doubts left inside of her gone. 

Clutching at his shirt, she held on to him as he ravaged her mouth. And she gave back as much as she received. All the anger over falling for a criminal mixed with the constant worry about whether James will survive a common cold let alone run around outside like a normal child came pouring out as she kissed him. Her hands found the buttons on his shirt as she yanked them apart, unconcerned about the damage.

Surprised at her behavior, Dmitri grabbed the hem on her nightgown, dragging it over her head as she managed to pull his shirt off. He grabbed her wrists before she could reach for the clasp on his pants and pushed her onto the bed as she stared up at him. Not wanting to give her the chance to come to her senses, he followed her down as his lips came crashing down on hers.

His tongue plundered her mouth as he swept his way around. Moaning, Carmine sucked hard against it as he growled in response. Repositioning himself, he pressed his erection against her mound as she squirmed beneath him.

Breaking the kiss, they both panted as he kissed his way down her body. Cupping her breasts, he flicked at her nipples as she rubbed her foot along the back of his thigh. Licking first one and then the other, he remembered how much she enjoyed it when he sucked on them as he begin to suck harder and harder, constantly alternating between the two not allowing her arousal to get too high.

Growling in frustration, she pushed at his head as she kissed his chest. Her tongue quickly found some of the scars left by an over-dominating father as she licked at them. Sucking in his breath, Dmitri cradled her head to his chest as she nipped and licked along his chest. Working her way down his body, she yanked at the clasp on his pants and he quickly slid the zipper down worried that in her haste, she might damage an important part of him. Tugging his pants over his hips, he tilted to the side to take them off before rolling back on top of her.

Grasping her chin, he looked into her eyes and almost faltered. Her eyes were heavy with arousal and anger, as he briefly remembered how much he enjoyed make-up sex with her, but beneath that was something he hadn’t seen before. Vulnerability. Lifting her head, she bit his lower lip before kissing him. Realizing that she needed this as much as he did, he pushed her legs apart as he pressed between them.

Carmine lifted her hips, as he positioned himself not even bothering to see if she was ready as the smell of her arousal permeated the room. With a single thrust, he slammed into her, burying himself to the hilt as they both moaned in approval. Clutching at his arms, she held tight as he took up a punishing pace thrusting in and out, her own vaginal muscles clutching desperately at his cock as they continued to kiss. Balancing himself over her, he leaned on one arm as his hand freely roamed over her body.

Moaning, she thrust against him lifting her hips faster and faster as he plunged in and out. Pleasure coursed through her body like a growing tidal wave as she wrapped her legs around his waist and dug her heels into his thighs. Her hands found their way to his back as she raked her nails up and down his spine as he groaned in approval. Speeding up, Dmitri continued his maddening pace as she cried out. Arching up, she clutched tightly to his cock as he easily slid in and out. Carmine dug her nails into his back as he hissed that extra sensation pushing him over the edge as he slammed against her pelvis and came hard.

When they were both breathing normally again, he rolled to his side, taking her with him. Holding her tightly against him, he stroked her back as she continued to twitch against him. He kissed the top of her head, surprised at the intensity of her behavior. While their lovemaking had gotten out of a hand a time or three, Carmine was acting as though she were attempting to purge herself of a demon. This was definitely not an act of love, but he was willing to take what he could get if it meant having her in his arms again.

As he held her, he could feel her body begin to relax and soon her breathing evened out. Not wanting to disturb her and surprised that she didn’t flee the bed, he pulled a blanket up over her as she nestled her head against his chest. Looking down at her, he gently moved her hair off her face as he smiled down at her peaceful face.

The next morning, Dimitri woke up with Carmine in his arms. He smiled and kissed the top of head, enjoying the feel of her delicate yet strong body up against his and her silky curls splayed out over his chest.

He hadn’t felt this good since… well, since their last night together. He stroked her hair, debating whether it would be a good idea to wake her up for another round before he had to get up to start his day. Just then, his cell phone on his nightstand vibrated.

Dimitri grabbed it quickly and answered. “Tonov,” he said quietly. 

“Hi, Dimitri, I got your test results,” his contact, Greg, said. He was one of the owners of the lab that Dimitri had sent the DNA samples to. He had told Greg not to tamper with the samples but put a rush on the test. “Long story short, the test is positive.”

“Yeah,” Dimitri said. “I figured that. Thank you, Greg.” He put his phone down just as Carmine stirred. 

“Do you have to go?” she asked, her voice still full of sleep.

“No,” he said. “That was the just the lab. It was positive of course.”

“Of course,” Carmine said. “How did you get it so quickly?”

“I’m friends with the owner so I had him put a rush on it.” He kissed the top of her head. “This means you’ll be leaving again, doesn’t it?” He hated the fact that his voice cracked when he said it. 

Carmine rested her head against his chest again. “I don’t want to anymore,” she said. “I tried to forget how good we were together and being here with you now brought it all back.” She smiled but it quickly faded. “But James is my son. He’s my top priority.”

“I know.” Dimitri closed his eyes and looked away; hoping Carmine wouldn’t see how much it hurt. “I can’t wire all fifty thousand in one transaction; my bank doesn’t allow it. I can give you twentyfive today and twentyfive tomorrow. Is that okay?”

Carmine nodded. “That will work. Thank you.”

Dimitri knew he should let her go. He assumed that she would want to check on James, but he couldn’t. Not just yet. Not when he knew that he would probably never see her again. He held her even tighter and stroked her hair as she rubbed her hand against his chest. She seemed as reluctant to break the bubble they had around them as he was.
Just enjoy it. It won’t happe
n
again,so enjoy it for as long as she lets you
.
He sighed and pressed his lips to the top of her head. “I know you don’t want me around James and I don’t blame you but if you ever want him to know his father… I’ll be here. Whatever you want I’ll do it.”

Carmine sighed. “I know but you know that it will never work. I can’t be with someone like you.”

Dimitri swallowed. “If I could change who I was, I would. But this life is all I know.”

“I’m not going to try to change who you are but I’m also not going to make James grow up around a father who kills people for a living and might be shot dead by one of his rivals any day of the week.” 

***

When Dimitri reluctantly let Carmine go, she grabbed her gown and pulled it over her head, unable to make eye contact with him. Dimitri grabbed a pair of sweats and a tshirt and dressed as quickly as possible, feeling too exposed naked.

“I would still feel better if you took my account number. You don’t have to use it, but I would feel better if you had it. Just in case you need it.”

“Thank you,” Carmine said absentmindedly. “That is very kind of you.”

Anything for you
.
He was barely able to keep the words back, but he managed. 

“I’m going to take a shower,” Carmine said. “So… I guess I’ll see you later?”

“Yeah, I’ll see you around.”

After Carmine left to shower, Dimitri went up to James’ room. It might be the last time he ever saw his son, and he wanted to say goodbye properly in case he didn’t get a chance to later. 

James was still sleeping when he came in. He looked at the kid and smiled. Not wanting to disturb him, he just looked at him, trying to memorize every detail of his face. James turned over and snored slightly, making Dimitri smile even more.

He couldn’t believe that he would never see him again. “Goodbye, James,” he whispered.
Maybe the name James isn’t so bad afte
r
all. At least for an English name
.
As he started to turn to leave, Dimitri saw a small container on the nightstand, one with a childproof lid.

He picked it up. His eyes went wide when he realized what it was, just as James woke up, coughing.