Marriage with my daughter's father: Darling please be gentle - Chapter 182

Chapter 182: Chapter 182: Think he has a chance
Winter lay in bed, her eyes absently tracing the ceiling above. Her mind was still tangled in Gina’s words from earlier—the sharp promise to get back at Agnes.

Agnes being pregnant wasn’t exactly surprising. What intrigued Winter was how desperately she was trying to hide it. That secrecy hinted at something deeper… a motive she hadn’t uncovered yet.

Dorothy and Agnes were both masters at deception. Winter had learned that the hard way. When she discovered Agnes was the one Eric had cheated with, it had stunned her—not just because of the betrayal, but because she had never once suspected Agnes would strike so low. So personal.

She had always known they didn’t like her. That much had been obvious in the passive jabs and the cold smiles. But to seduce the man she was involved with? Without a hint of remorse or warning?

It still stung. Even now.

As her thoughts drifted back to those painful memories, a sudden warmth brushed her neck, drawing a soft moan from her lips.

Kalix had slipped into bed without making a sound. Now, his mouth was at her throat, nibbling gently like she was the sweetest thing he’d ever tasted.

“You’re getting naughtier by the day, Kalix,” Winter murmured, pulling back just enough to meet his mischievous smile. “How am I supposed to sit still in front of you?”

“You made me like this, Angel,” he said, his voice husky with need. “That confession from you… it only made me crave you more.”

He leaned in and captured her lips with his, slow and deliberate. His kiss wasn’t hurried—it was claiming, like he was branding her soul with every movement.

His hand slid over her waist, traveling up the curve of her body until it cupped her breast. She gasped, and he responded by gently squeezing, drawing another moan from deep within her.

Winter opened her mouth, inviting his tongue, their kiss deepening until it was a battle of breath and desire. They moved in sync, tasting each other, devouring every trace of restraint until there was nothing left but heat and hunger.

She broke the kiss with a soft gasp. “I’m still sore, you know.”

Kalix stilled.

Guilt flickered in his eyes as he pulled back slightly, brushing his thumb along her cheek.

He’d gotten lost in her the night before—more than five times—and still hadn’t been satisfied. Not with her lips, her voice, or her body. Not when she’d finally confessed the truth that had haunted them both.

But the moment he’d seen her wince in pain that morning, reality had hit him like a brick. He had to be gentler. He had to remember that loving her didn’t mean breaking her.

“I’m sorry,” he said, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “I just… I can’t seem to stop wanting you.”

She smiled softly, brushing her fingers through his hair. “Want me… Just don’t ruin me, Kalix.”

His gaze darkened with emotion as he nodded. “Never, Angel. I’d rather ruin myself first.”

Winter propped herself up on one elbow, her gaze settling on Kalix. The flicker of remorse in his eyes hadn’t gone unnoticed. She hadn’t meant to make him feel guilty—not really—but watching that rare vulnerability surface in him only made her fall harder.

“You’re way too cute, Kalix,” she said with a teasing glint in her eyes. “How does this ruthless Mafia don turn into a kitten in front of me?”

His head tilted slightly, eyes narrowing—not in anger, but with a sharp, curious edge. “Cute? Did you just call me that?”

Winter laughed, the sound light and genuine. “Yes, I did. Because you’re not this obedient or soft with anyone else. I consider myself lucky to be the one who gets to see this side of you… this cute little kitten act.”

Kalix raised an eyebrow, his gaze sharpening as it locked onto her. “Kitten, huh?” he echoed, voice low, laced with amusement and something darker.

She grinned wider, clearly enjoying the effect her words had on him. “Don’t look at me like that. I’m just speaking the truth.”

His eyes roamed over her face, taking in the curve of her smile, the sparkle in her eyes, and the way she was clearly relishing the tease. She was relaxed, playful—glowing in the aftermath of everything they’d been through.

And damn, if that didn’t make his pulse thrum with want.

“You know,” he said, his voice dropping to a husky murmur, “every time you smile like that, it makes me want to ruin the whole kitten image and remind you exactly who I am.”

Winter’s heart gave a little skip, but she held her ground, smirking. “Is that a threat or a promise?”

Kalix leaned in slowly, his nose brushing against hers. “With you, Angel? Always a promise.”

“Then that’s fine,” Winter said softly, “because you going around pointing guns at people makes my heart race… and not in a good way.”

Kalix let out a quiet breath. He knew Winter wasn’t used to the level of violence he was capable of. And he had gone to great lengths to shield her—and Seren—from that brutal side of his world.

“I know,” he said, his voice low and steady, “but when it comes to you and my family, there’s no line I won’t cross, Angel. I can be the most ruthless, most shrewd mafia boss you’ve ever seen… and worse.”

Winter didn’t respond right away. She just looked at him, taking in the weight of his words. He wasn’t sugarcoating it—he never did. This was the man she’d married. A man carved from shadows and fire. There was no changing him… only choosing to accept all of him, darkness included.

She didn’t fear who he was—she feared what the world might do to him. What he might have to become to protect them.

Kalix, sensing her silence, gently reached for her hand.

“So…” he said, his voice softer now, “what were you thinking about earlier?”

His words tugged her from her thoughts, and she blinked, realizing he was watching her carefully.

It took her a moment to answer. “Agnes is pregnant,” she said, her tone cautious. “Gina saw her coming out of a gynecologist’s clinic a few days ago and did a little digging.”

Kalix’s brow lifted slightly. “And that upsets you?”

Winter blinked, surprised by the question. “No, not really. I always knew it was possible. But what bothers me is the way she’s hiding it from Eric. If he’s the father, why not tell him? What’s she trying to gain by keeping it quiet?”

Kalix didn’t speak right away. Instead, he shifted closer, lying beside her and pulling her into his arms with quiet ease.

Winter let out a small breath of surprise, then melted into him, draping her arm across his torso and resting her head on his chest. His heartbeat, steady and calm, soothed the unease building inside her.

“You really do know everything about us, don’t you?” she asked, her voice muffled against him.

Kalix smirked, his fingers gently tracing patterns along her back. “I make it my business to know everything that matters to you.”

And just like that, Winter realized what he’d meant all along.

He wasn’t just protecting her from the world—he was watching over her world like it was his own. Because it was.

“And what about Gina?” Winter asked, lifting her head slightly to look at him. “How come you ended up monitoring her too?”

Kalix chuckled, the sound low in his chest. “I didn’t. Sean did. And that’s how—somehow—he ended up falling for her.”

Winter’s brows lifted in surprise. “Seriously?”

Kalix nodded, the faintest trace of amusement tugging at his lips. “Yeah. I trusted Sean with your surveillance back when I couldn’t be close to you. He kept a close eye on your life… and that included Gina. It didn’t take long before I noticed his reports started sounding a little too detailed when it came to her.”

Winter laughed softly. “You mean he got caught slipping?”

“Oh, he thought he was being discreet,” Kalix said with a smirk. “But I saw it. Gina intimidates him—throws him off his game. And for a guy like Sean, that’s saying something. He’s usually confident, smooth-talking… especially with women at the office. But with her? He practically turns into a nervous wreck.”

Winter couldn’t help but grin. That explained a lot.

She’d seen the way Sean blushed furiously whenever Gina tossed a sharp remark his way or called him out on something. At first, she’d thought he was just awkward around outspoken women. But now… it all made sense.

“He really has it bad, doesn’t he?” She mused, resting her chin gently on Kalix’s chest.

“Completely whipped,” Kalix confirmed with a grin. “And he hasn’t even realized it yet.”

Winter smiled to herself, imagining the ever-composed Sean fumbling through his feelings while Gina casually drove him crazy.

“You know,” she said, thoughtful now, “Gina could use someone steady. Someone who sees past her sarcasm and isn’t scared off by it.”

Kalix tilted his head slightly, studying her. “Think he has a chance?”

She smirked. “If he mans up and makes a move? Maybe. But knowing Gina… he’ll have to earn every inch of her affection.”

Kalix chuckled. “Then let the poor bastard suffer a little. Builds character.”

Winter swatted his chest playfully, laughing as she sank back into his arms. “You really enjoy watching everyone squirm, don’t you?”

“Only the ones who need a little push,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to her temple.