Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 62077 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 207(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62077 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 207(@300wpm)
Her pulse went frantic at her throat, and she abruptly tried to roll away again, but I caught her and dragged her back against my front, my arm wrapped snugly around her waist. I cupped her breast. “You didn’t think I’d notice the changes in your beautiful body?”
I felt her heart pound under my palm and through her back, pressed against my chest. I thumbed her nipple which went instantly hard. She sucked in a breath. Fuck, she was sensitive to my touch.
“Aren’t you going to ask if it’s yours?” she asked in a strangled voice. Her shoulders were tense, like she was bracing for my anger.
“I know it’s mine,” I said.
I couldn’t say for sure, but it didn’t matter. If that pup was mine or some other guy’s, I’d bitten her last night. I’d be protecting her and the pup until the day I died. Once a male wolf claimed a she-wolf—or in this case, a human female—there was no stopping him from the need to protect and provide for his mate.
That was going to be a huge fucking problem, considering my role with the council. It was why I’d walked away twice in the past few days. What was done was done, and there wasn’t any going back. If I hadn’t bitten her, the baby bound me to her just the same. I hadn’t meant to mark her, but my wolf had driven me to it. It had been just too good between us, especially knowing about the baby. He couldn’t stand for our pregnant mate to remain unmarked. He’d lasted all of ten minutes.
We had a lot to figure out.
She rolled over, her gaze searching my face. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell—”
I cut her off with a shake of my head. “I forgive you.” I gently pinched her nipple between my thumb and forefinger, applying a little pressure and watching her to see what she liked these days. When I added a little tug, she gasped. “Sensitive?”
She nodded as I continued to play.
“Might have to punish you later for keeping it a secret, though.” I gave her a wicked grin to let her know it would be the kind of punishment she would enjoy. “I bet we can be… inventive.”
Her hips rolled against mine and pupils dilated.
Good. That turned her on. Noted.
“Were you ever going to tell me?” I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear the answer to this question. I probably shouldn’t have asked it.
The way her gaze slid sideways told me enough.
“Never mind,” I said. I definitely didn’t want to know.
She drew a breath. “Clint, my life is really complicated right now. I mean, you saw what happened last night with Todd, and you don’t even know half of it. I like you—I really do—but we barely know each other. I don’t want to, I mean, I can’t be stuck with you just because we made a baby. My parents did that with me. I was an accident, and they married because of me. They pretty much hate each other.”
She raised a good point. A good human point. Humans didn’t know their life partners just by scent. Hell, I couldn’t imagine how much of a pain straight up dating would be to find compatibility. It hadn’t worked out for Becky so far, so I couldn’t blame her for being skittish now. Especially if she’d had shitty parents to model.
“You aren’t an accident,” I told her. “Fuck, sugar.”
But I was sure. Completely positive we were lifemates. My wolf had scented her and knew. I knew. I’d bitten her and claimed her. I doubted any of that would be good to share right about now. She didn’t want to be forced into a relationship because of a baby. I doubted she’d want to know when I bit her last night, she’d become mine, permanently.
She didn’t have a shifter mindset, and I definitely needed to keep what I was a secret. For now. I wanted her in my arms, not running away screaming.
I’d done it the shifter way last night. She was bound to me. My wolf was happy, and I was confident she was mine. I’d play it human for her.
“Your ex is an asshole. I’m keeping you safe. No arguments. That doesn’t mean we can’t get to know each other at the same time. What do you say we get some breakfast and then head to the ranch? There’s a new foal you’ll probably like.”
Her stomach rumbled. Loudly. We laughed.
“It’s better than being nauseated,” she said.
“Have you been sick much?” I wondered.
She rolled her eyes. “Pretty much from the very beginning.”
“I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you,” I murmured, caressing her tiny bump. I couldn’t believe the curve meant my child was in there. “I’ve been away for work. I’d have come back if I’d known.”
She shook her head. “I know. I see that now. Got any avocados?”