She'd actually laughed at him when he'd handed her the test but a few minutes later she'd emerged from their bathroom with a shocked expression. He'd been concerned that she wasn't ready but then she'd smiled at him. The same love and excitement he felt had been reflected in her eyes.
"Do you feel all right?" He rubbed her back. "If you get tired and want to leave your party early, tell me and we'll go."
"I'm fine." She rose on tiptoes to kiss him. "Don't worry so much."
Now that she carried his child, he was more worried about her than ever. He'd allowed her to shed Sergei's constant guard but had second thoughts. Perhaps Danny wouldn’t mind taking on the role of her driver and guard…
"What are you thinking about?"
"That we're going to be late for your graduation," he said and tugged the tape from her hand. "We can finish this tomorrow."
"We still haven't gotten Erin and Ivan a gift. Their wedding is in two weeks."
"I have something in mind for them."
"Oh?" On her way out of the library, she stopped to rub the wooden frame of the painting Niels had given her as a wedding gift. She considered the café scene under a starry night her good luck charm. "Wish me luck, Vincent!"
Nikolai shook his head at her silliness and escorted her into the hallway. "The thing I have in mind for Ivan and Erin isn't quite that expensive."
She shot him a knowing smile as she grabbed her purse. "I asked Niels to have dinner with us when he's in town in early June."
Nikolai grunted softly but didn't say anything. He still didn't like the billionaire art collector and investor but he tolerated him. Despite the obscenely expensive wedding gift, Niels didn't seem the least bit interested in truly trying to seduce Vivian. It was all a game to him—and one Vivian refused to play.
As they headed down the sidewalk toward Kostya and the idling car waiting for them, Nikolai enjoyed the relaxed sensation of knowing everything was all right. Since January, things had quieted down around Houston. There were still the occasional squabbles and tiffs but nothing like the hell they'd all survived in the winter.
Sliding into the backseat with Vivian, he clutched her hand and dragged it onto his lap. He toyed with her wedding band as Kostya drove them toward the university. He'd never shed those old anxieties that arose when things were good but he wasn’t going to dwell on them.
He had Vivian by his side and his child growing in her womb. Life would never be normal for them—but it would be filled with laughter and love.
And that was enough for him.
Author's Note
Thank you so much for sticking with me through these first four installments of the Her Russian Protector series. I hope you enjoyed Vivian and Nikolai's story as much as I enjoyed writing it.
I'm often asked if there will be more books in this series—and the answer is yes! Sergei, Kostya, Danny—they'll have books in the near future. I also write the occasional short story featuring the couples from the first books and offer them for free at my website.
Kelly Connolly, the former Marine and bodyguard/bouncer who made a few appearances in YURI and NIKOLAI, will be kicking off the Fighting Connollys series in the fall.
You can find me online at RoxieRiver.com or on Facebook. I also have a newsletter that I use to send out new release information, links to free reads and offers of swag.
Roxie's Backlist
Her Russian Protector Series
IVAN
DIMITRI
YURI
NIKOLAI
Seduced By… Series
Seduced by the Congressman 1
Seduced by the Congressman 2
Seduced by the Loan Shark
Erotica
Chance's Bad, Bad Girl
Halftime With Craig
Tease
Eddie's Cuffs 1
Eddie's Cuffs 2
Eddie's Cuffs 3
Search and Seizure (Cops & Hotties #1)
Disturbing the Peace (Cops & Hotties #2)
Quid Pro Quo (Cops & Hotties #3)
Roxie Rivera, Nikolai
(Series: Her Russian Protector # 4)
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