Her mouth hung open. Her eyes were wide and her skin pale. “Are you just saying that because of the baby?”
“No! Fuck!” He ran a hand over his scalp. “I came to tell you this before I found out you were pregnant. I was hoping you would admit that you love me too. I know you fucking love me.”
“That’s a bold statement.” Her freckles were pronounced against her milky white skin. He noticed how her shoulders lifted a bit, how the corners of her mouth turned up just a bit.
“We’re mated, Louise. We’re already mated. I can’t even look at another female. I don’t want anyone else. I know you love me. I love you so damned much.” He cupped her cheeks. A few tears had fallen and her silky lashes clung to the moisture. “Don’t cry, please.”
“I’m happy.” She didn’t look fucking happy. He used his thumbs to wipe them away. Louise smiled. “I do love you, that’s why I left. I couldn’t stand to be near you and not have you,” she paused, smiling through her tears. “Are you sure we’re, mated? We can’t be.”
“There is no other way you would be pregnant. Our bodies have been so in tune with one another from the start. When I bit you … it had to be then. I couldn’t have impregnated you otherwise. We must have mated in that moment. Our bodies knew before we did.”
“Speak for yourself,” she whispered.
“I’m sorry I didn’t see it sooner, that I put you through all of this. I love you and you love me. You’re having my babies and you’re moving in with me today. It’s simple.”
“I have a job.”
He shook his head. “I don’t give a fuck. Your place is with me. My place is at your side. We belong together. You know it and I know it. We were both idiots to try to deny it. Let’s not waste any more time.”
“I thought it was purely physical for you. I thought that I was the only one falling in love. That’s why I had to leave, to try to protect myself.”
“You’re right, it was mostly physical.”
Her mouth gaped and he could see her mind working at about a mile a second. “No, sweetness,” he murmured. “You don’t understand. Was is the operative word here. I just realized that I don’t know anything about you. Well, that’s about to change, I want to know more about you. We can spend quality time together … not just fucking. Although we will make plenty of time for that. I have so many questions. Do you have brothers and sisters? What is your favorite color? There are so many things I am desperate to know about you ... about my mate.”
“Hold up.” She was frowning deeply. “I just realized something.”
“What?”
“You said babies. Not baby. It was a mistake right? A slip of the tongue?”
Granite shook his head.
“Why are you shaking your head?”
He had to smile at her. She was adorable when she panicked. She was adorable no matter what she did. “Earth dragons always father twins.”
“Always?” Her eyes lifted in thought. She mouthed ‘Oh my god!’ “You and Volcano – that’s why you look so alike. Breeze’s babies. Then there’s Rock and his look-alike,” she gasped. “There are more examples. Loads of them.” She clapped a hand over her mouth. “Why didn’t I realize? Wait … your sister isn’t a twin.”
“We lost our twin sister at birth.”
“I’m so sorry,” she mumbled. “Oh god!” Her hands went to her belly. “Twins. Seriously?”
Granite put his arms around her. “We’ll get through it. I’m here.” It felt like his heart was too big for his chest.
Her arms went around him as well and she squeezed him tight. “Please tell me this means you agree to go back with me. You agree that the four of us can be a family?” His voice was thick with emotion.
“Yes,” there was a quiver in her voice.
“Thank fuck!” he growled.
“Twins. We’re having two,” Louise was crying.
His own eyes felt damp so he buried his face deep into her neck.
Chapter 32
Five days later …
“Put that down.” He pointed at the vase in her hands. “Sit down right this minute.” Granite scowled at her.
“I’m pregnant, I’m not an invalid.” She put the flowers on the center of the coffee table. Orange tulips, her favorite. Granite had bought them for her after finding that out about her. All he did was ask her questions. They’d talked for hours and hours over the last few days.
He took a step towards her. “You’ve worked hard all morning decorating our new chamber. You shouldn’t overdo it.”
Louise gave him a dirty look. “You and Rock moved the furniture. I told you where to put everything. That’s not hard work.”
“You’ve fluffed pillows and made the bed.” He pointed to their extra-length, extra-width king-size. “You hung up the curtains in the nursery.” She could see his whole demeanor soften as his mind turned to the babies.
“Fluffing pillows isn’t heavy labor.” Her back did hurt a bit and she was feeling a little tired. Not that she would admit that to him. Growing two babies in a matter of months was taking its toll on her. Granite was overprotective though. If he could wrap her in cotton wool and keep her on bedrest he would.
“I went to see Blaze yesterday,” Granite blurted, looking at the opposite wall and then back at her.
“Oh, I wondered where you had gone to.” It was the first time he had disappeared for so long ‒ the whole day to be precise.
“Yeah, well, it had to be done. We broke a couple of lores,” he gave her a tight smile.
Louise gasped. “What happened? Don’t tell me he plans on having you whipped. That’s so juvenile. It’s not like we planned—”
“We snuck around. I rutted you on dragon soil. What we did was forbidden,” he smiled.
Louise couldn’t believe he was smiling at a time like this. “What are you saying?” she could hear the panic in her voice. “When does he plan on doing it? I’m totally against this.”
“Shhhh, my love.” Granite cupped her chin. “I’m not sorry. I would do it all again in a heartbeat.” He brushed a tender kiss across her lips and released her.
Louise gripped her belly. The babies were squirming inside her. There wasn’t much room left for kicking, although once in a while one of them got it right. “When then?” she asked with a tremble in her voice.
“I accepted my punishment yesterday. No use putting it off.”
She felt herself frown. “That can’t be. He couldn’t have used a silver-barbed whip.”
“It’s working,” his smile widened. “The Resistance Therapy is working. It only took a few hours to recover. The silver didn’t affect me too badly.”
“You told me it normally takes days. You didn’t have a scar. At least, I didn’t notice one.” She walked around and touched the smooth, unblemished skin of his back. “It must have hurt though.” She looked him in the eyes and touched the side of his arm.
“I told you it was worth it. Besides, I only got ten lashes ‒ although I would have taken a hundred to be with you.”
“I’m glad all of the pain and effort has been worth it. The new doctor seems to be really good.” She couldn’t remember the woman’s name and had only met her once. “Not that I’m complaining, but why only ten lashes. I thought you said the punishment was twenty.”
Granite nodded. “Yeah, it is normally twenty. And the new doctor is good, although, not as good as you.” He kissed her forehead before going on. “Blaze felt guilty.” Granite clenched his jaw for a few seconds. “He did get the letter from the vampires but decided not to give it to me. It was sitting in his desk drawer all along.”
“Why didn’t he give it to you?” her voice was shrill. “I don’t understand. I went through so much effort.”
“He told me he’s not an idiot. He suspected that something was going on between us. His males told him that we spent Stag Run together; and then there was my unplanned trip to the mines.”
The mines.
The reason humans
would take a keen interest in the dragons if they ever found out what the dragon shifters were sitting on. Louise shoved the thought aside. So, the therapy was working. Really working. She sucked in a deep breath. “I told you it was bound to come out.”
“Yeah, you did and as usual you were right. Blaze planned on speaking with me about it but then you resigned and left,” Granite paused. “He said that despite you being a good doctor, it was a relief when you went. He knew where things were headed.” Granite narrowed his eyes. “Then a month or two later, he received a letter addressed to me, from you. He decided not to give it to me, not to say a damned thing about it. He didn’t read it, just put it in his drawer. He was highly apologetic.”
“The asshole! He had no right to interfere.”
“He thought he was doing the right thing at the time. The road to hell is paved with good intentions,” Granite chuckled. “Probably why he only gave me ten lashes.”
Louise had to smile. “I’m still pissed off but I’m glad it saved you more pain and suffering.” She put her hands around his waist. Her belly knocked against his abs.
“It was so worth it.” He rubbed her back. “Now, you go and lie down, I’m going to take a quick shower and then I’ll make us lunch.”
“How about you go shower, I’ll make us lunch and ...” It would take five minutes to fix them some sandwiches or a steak. Her mouth watered at the thought of meat. “Then we could go to bed together. We need to christen our new place.” They needed to have sex … period.
His whole demeanor changed. Granite tensed up. He looked to the far wall for a few beats before looking back at her. “You need rest,” deep and husky. “Go and lie down. I’ll organize lunch.” He turned and disappeared into the bathroom before she could argue the matter.
What was wrong with him?
He hadn’t touched her once since coming back. Not once. Sure, he held her close every night. He couldn’t tell her enough how much he loved her. He gave her back and foot massages. He held her hand and kept his arm around her but nothing sexual. In fact, it was so bad that he turned away when she was naked or made excuses to leave the room.
It was starting to worry her. They had a healthy sex life before. Yet, now that they were free to go at it like rabbits he didn’t seem interested. She was worried that he might not be attracted to her. She’d heard of men losing interest in their wives during pregnancy.
Well, it was time to find out what the hell was going on. Louise pulled the maternity dress over her head. Her panties and bra quickly followed suit. Her belly was well-rounded but neat. Okay, it was just plain old well-rounded. Her boobs were huge. Good god! Nothing neat about those either.
She wasn’t sure how she looked there. On account that she couldn’t see down there anymore. It would be a bit of a mess but she didn’t care. She was pregnant with his babies.
She could hear the shower running and entered the bathroom. Although the glass shower door was already a bit steamed up she could still see in easily. Granite hadn’t been in the bathroom for very long.
She stopped in her tracks. He had one arm braced on the wall and the other wrapped around his cock which he pumped furiously. A zing of need coursed through her. He was magnificent. Her clit gave a throb, letting her know it was still there and that it still worked. Her girl parts turned wet in an instant. Her body didn’t seem to care that she was pissed off. Her boobs suddenly felt swollen. Her nipples puckered up.
What the hell!
His head whipped up and his dark eyes locked with hers. Okay, so maybe she’d said that out loud.
“I just offered you sex and you turned me down,” she put her hands on her hips.
“Fuck!” Granite’s voice was thick with lust. “I … um … I …” He took his hand off of his cock, which jutted between his thighs.
The man was something to behold. Water cascaded down his chest. His short hair was wet. There were drops on the end of his lashes. Wet from head to toe. He was nowhere near as wet as she was right now. She’d heard that pregnant women generally tended to be hornier than normal. It was true for her. Big time!
“It’s not what it looks like.” He turned off the water and stepped out of the shower.
“I’m pretty sure it’s exactly what it looks like. Is my belly too big?” She rubbed the heavy curve. “Look, I know I’ve put on a few pounds. My ass jiggles and my boobs bounce.”
Granite groaned. His dick twitched. It honest to god twitched. He gripped his cock, squeezing the tip. “You’re killing me here.”
“I don’t understand,” she frowned.
“I want you really fucking badly.” He looked her up and down and groaned again. His eyes were heated. “All I can think about is sinking into your heat. It’s what I picture every time I get myself off.” He walked towards her, stopping just short. Water still dripped down every muscled inch of him.
“I thought you were turned off by …” She stopped talking when he shook his head.
“The opposite is true.” His face had this pinched look. “I want you, Louise. I want inside you so badly, I—”
“Let’s go have sex then. Hard, hot sex,” her own voice was husky now. Her own skin felt too tight. She was sure she felt something trickle down her leg, she was that turned on, that wet.
Granite went down onto his knees, he kissed her belly. “I’m afraid of hurting you, of hurting them.”
“That’s silly!” She stopped when she saw the worry on his face, etched into his frown lines, it was also reflected in his eyes. It would be wrong of her to make light of his fear.
He nuzzled her belly. “I love you so much. I don’t know what I would do if something …”
“I’m fine,” she smiled at him. “I’m great! The babies are fine. You heard the healer.” They’d gone to see one of the local doctors a few days ago. “I specifically asked if it was okay for us to have sex and she said that it would be good for me.” She gave a sigh when she saw she wasn’t really getting through to him. “I’m a doctor. You can’t hurt me or them. Your cock is really huge but it’s not that big. You can take it easy. I know you can be gentle with me. You don’t have to be though, I won’t break but we can take it slow if you are worried.”
“I don’t think I can be gentle.” He parted her thighs, his nostrils flaring with every deep breath. “Look how wet you are.” He slid a finger over her clit. “So damned swollen.”
Louise cried out. “That feels so good. I need you, Granite.”
He gave a nod. His gaze was feral. “I want you so damned badly. Are you sure …?”
“Yes …” It came out sounding like more of a moan. “You won’t hurt us. Endorphins are released every time I come. It is good for the babies. I need this so badly.” He rubbed against her clit again and another deep moan was torn from her. “I want you inside me.”
Granite licked his lips. “Let’s go to our bed,” he murmured. He was up in an instant, she was in his arms before she could blink.
He walked quickly, putting her down at the foot of the bed. Louise crawled onto her hands and knees. Her clit throbbed. Her channel felt slick and so empty. She’d never been so turned on before. She doubted she ever would be again. It had been too long since she’d had sex with her man. Granite was hers and she was his. Not just some dirty little secret but his for real and for always.
“You are so damned beautiful.” The bed dipped as he crawled up behind her. He palmed her ass. “I love the extra pounds.” Next his hands slid over her belly. “Every part of your pregnant form excites me.” He clasped her breasts. “So goddamn lush.” He gently tweaked her nipples and she gave a moan. Her boobs were so sensitive. He gave another squeeze. She could feel his cock against her ass. Big and hard. He was still damp from the shower but she didn’t mind.
Next, he closed his hand over her slit and she moaned again. “Your pussy is swollen and dripping for me.”
“Please.” She couldn’t wait. She pushed back against his hand.
She heard him
swallow hard. “I will try and be gentle. I might need to bite you though.”
Louise looked over her shoulder. “I loved it when you bit me before.” She rubbed herself against his hand. She moaned and whimpered. His fingers felt good but it wasn’t what she needed. Nowhere close.
“Here, my love,” he reached over and grabbed a pillow which he used to support her belly. “You promise to tell me if anything hurts?”
“Yes,” a moan.
“I mean it,” his voice was thick with need. His cock did that twitch thing against her. Every time she rubbed against his hand she also rubbed along his dick. He moaned, the sound heavy with lust. “Stop that or I’ll come before I’m even inside you.”
“Take me already.”
He pulled back, putting one hand on her hip. He used the other to line himself up with her opening. Then he was pushing inside her. His breathing immediately became labored. “Even tighter,” he growled. “Swollen.”
Louise immediately made soft noises in the back of her throat. It was so good, she couldn’t help it. He felt amazing. So thick, hitting every nerve-ending inside her.
Granite grunted as he pulled out, pushing in further with each stroke. “So good!” he rasped, squeezing her hips a little tighter.
His hips finally collided with her ass as he seated himself fully inside her. Her boobs gave a wobble. Granite shook. His body vibrated. “All good?” His voice was choked.
She glanced back. His face was red. Veins stood out on his forehead. There were deep frown lines between his eyes.
Louise took her bottom lip between her teeth. She was breathing heavily as well. She gave a nod.
His abs were ripped. His biceps bulged. Those muscles on the sides of his neck were roped. Her pussy gave a flutter and squeezed him. Granite made a grunting noise. His jaw clenched.
God but he was beautiful. She still couldn’t believe that he was hers. The desire in his eyes amazed her. It meant that he felt the same, even now, in her heavily pregnant state. Louise gave another nod. There was no way she could get a word out right now.
Forbidden Dragon (The Bride Hunt Book 5) Page 25