His.
The little guy kicked and both he and Kerry shared a laugh. Her eyes were bright, her smile wide. Her hand warm in his. It felt good. It felt real, even though it wasn’t. In a few weeks ‒ if he could help it ‒ Magnar would be gone and Kerry’s life could get back to normal.
There might be a female in his future, but that female was not going to be this particular one. Leukos would never allow it. This wasn’t real! None of it! He needed to keep that at the very forefront of his mind.
With one final squeeze, he let go of her hand.
“Would you like to hear his heartbeat?” the healer asked.
“Yes, please.” Kerry nodded. A galloping noise filled the room. The sound powerful and bold. He watched as a tear rolled down one of Kerry’s cheeks. To hell with it! He took back her hand. She smiled and sniffed as a few more tears escaped. “That’s probably the most beautiful thing I have ever heard.”
“He is doing great,” the healer announced. “I’m happy with all his measurements.” She removed the device from Kerry’s stomach and handed her a wad of tissue paper so that she could clean her belly.
“How is the nausea? I know you were feeling a lot better when you came to see me a month ago.”
“Yes.” Kerry nodded. “That’s one hundred percent now. Aside from having to use the bathroom about twenty times a day, I feel fine.”
The healer took out a device and she put it around Kerry’s arm. It expanded slowly and then nothing happened for a good few seconds. There was a beeping sound. The healer made a note. “Your blood pressure is normal.” She removed the device from Kerry’s arm. “I’d like to weigh you.” She gestured to a piece of equipment in the corner of the room.
Kerry fixed her pants and pulled her clothing back down. He was still blown away by how soft her skin had looked. Kerry got off the bed and stepped onto the device. There was another notation made. “Otherwise, you’re feeling fine?”
“Feeling great. My energy levels are back up. My appetite is back to normal.”
“That’s great,” the healer said. “Do you have any questions for me?” She raised her brows.
“No.” Kerry shook her head. “I’m just glad he’s okay.” After being beaten by this Jeff asshole, he could understand why she would feel that way.
“What about you?” The female turned her gaze to Cadon, momentarily surprising him. “There must be something you want to know or are unsure about? Especially since this is your first time at an appointment.”
Cadon lifted his eyes in thought. “When do we need to return for another appointment?” He didn’t want Kerry to miss any because of money.
“Ah!” The female smiled. “Eager to come back and do this again?”
“Yes, definitely. I’m sorry I missed the other appointments.” Anger burned in him. Magnar was right, that male deserved death.
“In four weeks’ time. My receptionist, Maud, will help you with that when you leave. Anything else?” She paused. “There has to be something. At this stage I know most dads to be are keen to start having sex with their partners again.” She gave him a knowing smile, like she’d hit the nail on the head.
Cadon nodded and smiled, not sure what to say. What could he say? Sex would be great. He’d love to have sex with Kerry and often. Sleeping with her every night was like torture. Holding her hand, kissing her very sweet lips, even more so. Kerry looked uncomfortable. It was that or her nails had suddenly become interesting.
“Expectant dads also worry about how long sexual relations will be possible. To the eighth month? Or right up to the end? If certain positions will hurt the baby?”
“Will they?” The question just fell from his lips.
“No.” She shook her head. “As long as Kerry is comfortable and enjoying herself.” She turned to Kerry. “If anything hurts, or strains in any way, then stop. You need to listen to your body.”
“Okay.” She nodded. “That makes sense.” Her cheeks were pink. He noticed they turned that color easily.
“You should enjoy yourselves as a couple. Many women have an increased libido during pregnancy due to all the hormones.”
Cadon felt himself frown. That’s not what Kerry had told him. In fact, she’d told him the opposite. Kerry’s cheeks turned red and she looked at the floor and then the far wall before reluctantly looking at the healer.
“You have increased blood flow to your pelvic region, so very often the reproductive organs become swollen and way more sensitive.” The female winked at Kerry. “You have my full permission to go a little crazy. Have plenty of sex and often.”
“Sounds good to me.” His voice was too deep. His pants suddenly a little tight. He told himself that he was playing along, but there was a part of him that wanted to test Kerry. To prod her a little for lying to him. “You hear that, honey?” She had used the endearment on him. Hopefully it was correct to use it back.
She glanced his way and nodded. “Yes, sounds good.” Her eyes were a little wide, her chest moving up and down in a rhythm that was faster than normal. She stood up, her chair scraping on the tiles. Yup, she’d definitely lied to him. That much was clear. “Um…thank you, Doctor Jenkins. I appreciate your time.”
“Wait.” The healer stood up as well. “I took a few pictures of your son. For the fridge at home.”
Fridge? What did the refrigerator have to do with anything? “Do we need to keep the pictures in the refrigerator?” He frowned.
The healer cracked up laughing.
“You do tell the lamest jokes.” Kerry was smiling broadly but it looked forced.
“Oh, my word.” The healer laughed some more. “For a second there I thought you were serious.”
Cadon chuckled. “Of course not.”
Smiling, the female walked towards the machine that had shown them inside Kerry’s belly. She walked back, handing him a strip of black and white pictures. “The third one is irrefutable proof that your son is a he.” She winked.
It looked like a black and white blur. The silhouette of an infant he could do, but this…he held up the picture, looking at the third one, turning it so that he could view it from a different angle.
“Here.” The healer laughed. “Those are his thighs and that…”
“Oh!” Cadon chuckled as he finally realized what he was looking at. Balls and a prick. “I see. Yup, definitely a male.”
“Without a doubt! I’ll see you in a couple of weeks.” She walked them to the door.
“Yes.” Kerry nodded.
Cadon folded the strip of pictures, carefully tucking them into his pocket. He couldn’t have Magnar seeing them. The male might just figure out what they were of. He was no fool. He would question why there was a single child. He would question the lack of eggs even more. Couldn’t take that risk. If Magnar found out they weren’t together, he would take Kerry for himself in an instant. He might not let her keep a human child either. He wouldn’t put it past a bastard like Magnar. He needed to get the male a mate and soon.
Chapter 18
Kerry pulled, hard. Closer, closer. She very nearly managed to put the hook in the eye. Nearly wasn’t good enough. “Arghh!” Why oh, why had she washed her bra without trying on the only other one she had first? Why?
She was an idiot! That was why. A total idiot. Stupid! Stupid! She stood for a few seconds, looking at herself in the mirror. Her boobs had gone up at least a cup size. She’d gone from someone who straddled the line between a B and C cup to a definite full C. That was for sure. Her boobs were huge. Gi-freaking-normous. At least, to her they were. She might be a little taller than average, but she had a small frame. Despite her baby bump, she seemed to be all chest at the moment. At least, it felt that way. Kerry made a face. Gone were her perky little numbers. Her nipples were this dark color as well, and even they were much bigger. She didn’t mind these changes to her body. She just wished she was in a better position to accommodate them.
There was a knock on the bathroom door. “Are you nearly
done in there?” Cadon asked.
“No!” she yelled.
“Oh, sorry! Take your time.”
Kerry felt instantly bad. It wasn’t fair taking it out on Cadon. She sucked in a few gulps of air before throwing on a loose-fitting t-shirt and opening the door.
Cadon frowned. “Don’t get me wrong, you look great, but we are supposed to be dressed up. I don’t think t-shirts are allowed, even for females. I instructed—”
“I can’t go.” She shook her head. “You can leave me here.”
“You have to come with us. I can’t just leave you and I can’t not go either. The human warriors…” he looked like he was reaching to find the right word, “police …would be called for sure if Magnar and his males went out alone.” Cadon walked a few steps away before turning. Flip! He looked good in a navy blue button-down shirt and dark blue jeans. The buttons on the shirt were white. The cotton material fit him just so. His hair was styled. Those biceps… This was so not the time to be checking him out.
“I don’t have anything to wear,” she blurted.
“I’m sure you do. It doesn’t have to be anything too—”
“Nothing fits anymore.” She still had a couple of things, but she needed a bra, dammit. She wasn’t about to admit that to him though.
Cadon scrubbed a hand over his face. “Why didn’t you tell me? We’ve done nothing but shop over the last few days.”
“Men’s stores,” she sighed. “Besides, I …” She didn’t have money to buy anything right then, but she didn’t want to tell him that. It was bad enough that he had paid in cash for her doctor’s appointment. “I’ll hang with Worth, Andy and the gang. They’ll keep me safe.”
“No!” He shook his head. “I don’t trust the Fallen males around you without their leader. There are only three of them going. That means my males are outnumbered two or three to one. There is no chance. If one of those males decided they… No!” he growled.
“Magnar told them not to touch me.”
“I don’t trust any of them.” Cadon’s jaw tightened. “We may be uncivilized but the Fallen are without honor. Without code or a moral compass to guide them. I can’t take that risk.”
Fear caused her mouth to become a little dry and her hands a bit clammy. They walked around naked any chance they could get and ate like pigs, but things had started to feel fairly normal around there. She’d allowed herself to let her guard down a bit. At least they weren’t undressing her with their eyes anymore, but that didn’t mean they weren’t thinking dirty thoughts. Maybe she was becoming complacent in her thinking. Even Magnar was laying off them. What if she was wrong to have dropped her guard some? Cadon was right, that meant she had to go. “I guess I…I like to be self-sufficient. That means I didn’t want to tell you about my wardrobe problems. I was hoping I could hold out till my first paycheck. I’ve worked hard at standing on my own two feet. I won’t borrow money. Not for anything, I even bought my car outright.”
“You have a car?”
“Had.” She hadn’t planned on going down this path. Too late now. “I agreed to sell it and to put the money into getting me a new, shiny one, which Jeff paid the balance of. I didn’t think anything of it when he put it into his name. He mostly paid for it so…” She shrugged. “Turns out it was a bad idea. I can’t believe I made such a colossal mistake when it came to him.”
“We all make mistakes. You’re a sweet, trusting person.”
“I don’t know. I think I was just stupid.”
“Don’t say that. You trusted him and he let you down…let you both down.” Cadon glanced at her belly. “That’s on him, not you.”
“I should have seen it sooner, though.” She shook her head. “I guess if I was to analyze the whole thing, I’d say I was looking for a father-figure perhaps. I told you about my dad dying. I was with my mom when we found him…brains everywhere.” She made this squeaking noise in the back of her throat. Why was she telling him this? It was those eyes. Probing, disarming and yet warm and comforting. He was easy to talk to.
Cadon gripped her upper arms. “I’m sorry,” he said in a soothing voice. It made her feel better. It made her feel… He rubbed up and down.
“It happened a long time ago. He was in a lot of debt…my dad…credit card debt up to his eyeballs. He would use one to pay off the other. My mom didn’t know anything about it. She only found out after…after he…”
“He died.” Cadon’s eyes were locked with hers. They were tender. “I’ll tell Magnar we can’t make it tonight. We can—”
“Magnar would be pissed off. He and the other two guys have been so happy ever since you told them we would be heading out. That he could begin learning how to go about finding a mate.” She widened her eyes. “I think it’s the first time I’ve seen him smile about something other than when he’s being a dick.”
Cadon chuckled softly and let her go. “Yes, he would be upset, but he’ll get over it. You aren’t up to it, so…”
“It’s fine…I’m sure I’ll find something to wear.” She might look like a pregnant slut but she’d find something. The slacks were fine, she just needed a top that worked without a bra. It couldn’t be something big and baggy either.
“Are you sure? You don’t look sure.” He took her hand in his. It was weird, all this touching when they didn’t have to. It was like they were becoming accustomed to doing it. It was also Cadon being nice and nothing more.
“Yes, I’m very sure. I was just having a moment.” It wasn’t like they had a choice. “It’s fine.” She’d do it for Cadon. So he didn’t get into shit.
“Okay, but we are go shopping for you tomorrow. You’re getting whatever you need.”
“You’re really kind, but you can’t just buy stuff for me. Back to the part about me liking my independence.”
“Fine,” he growled. “I’m giving you an advance on your wages and we’re going.”
“Okay, that’s acceptable. I would appreciate it.”
“Any medical expenses while you’re here will be covered by our species. This whole thing isn’t your fault.”
Kerry nodded even though she wanted to argue. She didn’t have a choice here though. Not when it came to something so important. Her baby needed the care. “Thank you.”
Cadon sucked in a deep breath. “I know how it feels to lose someone.”
Kerry didn’t say anything. She was too afraid that if she spoke she would break the moment. She didn’t even want to breathe right then.
His eyes clouded, with a memory perhaps. He started to say something and stopped. His expression changed and she knew she’d lost him. “Mind if I use the bathroom for a few minutes?” he asked.
“Sure, go right ahead.” Who had he lost? When? A whole lot more of that type of question ran through her head but she wasn’t about to ask him. She knew how it felt when people pushed for answers to things she didn’t want to discuss. It didn’t matter that she burned to stop him as he walked away.
It was busy. People were standing around the bar and around little raised tables. They drank and laughed. It was a mixed bag, from groups of men and women, to couples, as well as singles out on the prowl. Those were easy to spot. Dressed to the nines and trying so hard to stand out. People were definitely here to have fun and to meet other people.
Kerry stood next to Cadon, who turned to her. “It’s quite warm in here, are you sure you want that on?” He gestured to her coat.
Kerry nodded. Even though it was killer hot in there, she’d try to keep the thing on. She’d even left it buttoned almost all the way up. On account of her nipples being all over the place. The top was a dark grey and made from a thicker fabric so at least it wasn’t see-through, but you could still see her nipples. You couldn’t miss them at the moment. She supposed, in a place like this, that it wasn’t the end of the world. Ladies wore tight dresses and short skirts. She felt weird though.
Magnar took a sip of his drink, ice cubes chinking. He grimaced.
“You
picked whiskey.” Kerry shook her head. “I can’t believe you went with hard tack. Then again, I shouldn’t be surprised.”
“I quite like it.” He smiled. “Burns on the way down.”
“Yeah and tastes like…diesel fuel. Just terrible,” Kerry added.
Magnar shrugged. “I’ve tasted worse.”
“Hard to believe,” she muttered.
“I quite like it as well.” Maximus held up his glass before taking a healthy swig.
“This isn’t bad.” Hagan held up a half-full beer bottle.
“A much better choice,” she said.
Cadon sipped a drink of his own. A soda. Kerry took a sip of her juice. It cooled her down a little.
When she turned her gaze to Cadon, she noticed him looking at her funny. “What is it?”
Kerry had left her hair loose and had worn lip gloss, eye shadow and some mascara to, hopefully, make her eyes pop. It was the first time she had worn make-up. Maybe that was it.
“Nothing. I was just wondering why human females wear paint on their faces, and sometimes even on their nails?” Bingo!
“Why? Is it bad?” Before he could answer, she continued. “It’s called make-up. I don’t wear it very often and I don’t wear very much.” She shrugged. “Just not my thing, I guess. To answer your question, women wear it because it makes them feel good. It gives them confidence.”
“Oh! Okay, well then it’s a good thing.” He cocked his head. “You look very beautiful tonight. Not that you don’t normally look beautiful,” he added. “Is that cherry on your lips? I can scent cherry.” His nostrils flared.
He was looking at her mouth. Like really looking.
“Um…yes, it’s cherry lip gloss.” She smiled.
“Your hair looks good loose like that, and that shimmery golden stuff makes your eyes even more blue.”
“Oh, thanks.” He was just playing his role and doing a convincing job, if you asked her.
He tried to step in a little closer, preparing to say something else, but Magnar shoved himself between them. “You need to show us how to do it.” He was looking Cadon head-on.
Power Awakened (The Feral Book 2) Page 15