Cruel Paradise - A Mafia Romance Chapter 150

I laugh as the salty spray over the bow kisses her cheeks. “I wasn’t as confident when I was younger. I certainly wasn’t charismatic. And I never had a reason to be protective.”

“I don’t believe you. But even if I did, I’d say it sounds like you became the person you admired most. That’s beautiful, you know. He’s still alive in you. You’re a memorial to him.”

That catches me by surprise. I look down at her and think for the millionth time how beautiful she is to me. She’s pure from the roots of her soul to the surface of her sun-kissed skin. I never want to leave this boat, this moment. Her gazing up at me like I made the world for her with my own two hands… It’s everything I never knew I needed.

“Aunt Emma! Ruslan!” The kids launch themselves out of the cabin in their swimsuits, excitement pouring off their wide, toothy smiles. Even Josh is grinning from ear to ear. “Let’s get in the water! Come on. Come on. Come on!”

I strip off my shirt and gesture for Fyodor and Vadim to join us. The ship sways gently in the deep ocean current, though the anchor keeps us held in position.

“I want to jump in,” Caro insists when I start to unspool the rope ladder to toss it over the side.

Reagan nods emphatically. “Me, too!”

I pause and regard them. Josh already looks resigned to doing things the safe way, the proper way. Which is why it makes me laugh so much to scowl as seriously as I can, right up to the point that they’re sure I’m going to insist on following the protocols…

Then turn and haul ass toward the bow.

“You’ll have to beat me to it then!” I call over my shoulder. I catch just a glimpse of their shocked, delighted smiles before I launch myself over the edge.

The ocean beckons as I fall, blue and beautiful. Their laughter follows me as I knife down and through the surface. I plummet down, then reverse course and float up to the top. Six smiling faces look down at me. Emma, the kids, my father, my uncle, all slightly confused to see me so carefree.

I don’t blame them; I’m a little confused myself.

But the sun is shining and the water is clear and life has never seemed more perfect.

My grin spreads. “Who’s next?”

Josh jumps in first with a crackling yowl, then Caroline, then Reagan. Vadim begs off a swim, opting for another cocktail on the deck, but Fyodor surprises me by quickly changing into a bathing suit and jumping in after the kids. When was the last time I’d seen him this enthusiastic? This participatory?

“Your turn,” I say to Emma once we’re all bobbing happily in the current. She’s leaning far over the stanchion looking down at us.

She gives me an apologetic smile. “Oh, that’s okay. I think I’m gonna sit this one out.”

I frown. Since when has Emma turned down a chance to swim? The woman is always by the pool in highly distracting swimsuits and bikinis.

“How can you say no to this?” I demand, spreading my arms wide as all of us tread in place. “Just take that dress off and jump in.”

She shakes her head. It’s hard to say from down here with the glare of the sun in my eyes, but I think I see the shadowy furrow of her forehead vein working overtime.

“I think I’m just gonna go inside and rest for a bit.” She disappears before I can ask any further questions.

So much for perfect. Something’s definitely off.

I spend another fifteen minutes with the kids. Then, when Kirill jumps in with them after finishing up some work below deck, I climb up the rope ladder and make my way towards the cabin. I pass Vadim on the outer deck, sipping his cocktail and talking to someone on the phone. Judging by the look on his face, it’s not a pleasant conversation.

I find Emma in her cabin. She’s sitting on the bed in her flowy dress, the slit putting her creamy thigh on full display.

“Ruslan!” she says in surprise, sitting up a little straighter when I walk in. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m here to try and figure out why you aren’t out there.”

She blushes and tries to avoid my eyes. “It’s nothing.”

“I suggest you tell me now before I carry you back outside and rip that dress right off you myself.”

Her eyes go wide. “You wouldn’t.”

“I would.”

“I’m pregnant.”

“I’ll be gentle when I throw you overboard.”

She throws me a little scowl and gets off the bed in a huff. Unfortunately, her thigh disappears underneath her skirt.

Easily remedied.

“I’m embarrassed, okay?” She stands there with her arms wrapped around her body. “I know it’s silly and superficial but I’m embarrassed.”

“What the hell are you embarrassed about?”

Now, she’s the one who looks confused. She gestures to her body. “About this.”

“I still have no idea what you’re talking about.”

She groans. “I just don’t like the way I look in my bikini anymore. I put it on underneath this dress and… let’s just say it’s not exactly flattering. So I’m just feeling a little insecure and I’d rather not prance around in a bikini with my stomach on display.”

A scowl twists my lips. I grab her arm and drag her towards the full-length mirror in the corner of the room. Then I rip apart the tie-up that’s holding her dress together.

“Ruslan!” she yelps.

But it’s too late. I’ve already got the damn thing off her. She tries to cover herself up with her arms, but I peel them off and pin them down to her sides. She’s wearing a black string bikini that highlights her breasts and puts her tiny little bump on display. Every curve is there to touch, to taste.

“See?” she moans. “I look like a whale.”

This woman…

“Fucking hell, Emma. Are we looking at the same damn mirror? Look at yourself. You’re gorgeous.”

Her eyes actually go wide with disbelief, then suspicion. Both piss me off. Does she really think I would lie to her about this?

“What exactly do you find so offensive?” I ask, standing right behind her. “Is it here?” I trail my fingers over the swell of her arms. “Here?” I cup each breast tenderly. “Here? Or here? Or here?” In turn, I press a kiss to each shoulder, palm each hip, and grind myself against her ass.

She shudders every time I touch her but I can see that my words are getting through to her. Even if she’s not convinced by her own beauty, she’s convinced that I’m convinced of it.

“You are so goddamn beautiful,” I growl, nipping at her earlobe.. “If you need physical proof, just feel that.”

I grab her around the waist and pull her tight against me so that she can feel my erection pushing between her ass cheeks. She sighs, her skin turning pink with desire. “Ruslan…”

I keep her in front of the mirror and make her watch as I slip my hand into her bikini bottoms. She gasps when my fingers make contact with the warm wetness of her pussy.

“How could you think you’re anything less than perfect?” I growl in her ear. “Look how you glow with my child growing inside you. Look how beautiful you are, full of the life we made together.”

I kiss her neck as she moans, her eyes fluttering open, then closed, then open again. “R-Ruslan…”