“Thank you,” he answered, taking it slow and easy, afraid of spooking her. He wanted her to love it there, too. To choose to stay with him.
The stables were state of the art, large and roomy and clean. There were eight stalls, but only three of them were housing horses. He wanted more, but didn’t have enough time to spend with them. She walked straight toward his favorite stallion and stroked its long white-streaked nose. “Hey there, big guy.”
The horse immediately pushed against her hand.
“That’s Comet. He likes you.”
“He’s beautiful.”
“Do you ride?” he asked, walking forward to give Comet a carrot.
“I learned when I was a kid, for the short time my mother was around. Once she took off, the lessons stopped, along with everything else.”
“I’m sorry.” He gave carrots to the other two horses that were anxious for attention.
“Don’t be. At least my stepfather kept me. He could have tossed me out along with all her stuff.”
He heard the pain in her voice, and took the chance of stepping up next to her in front of Comet’s stall. Shoulder to shoulder, he, too, stroked the horse.
“After she left with the horse trainer?”
“Yep. And then she died. Car accident. Both of them, not six months later.”
His eyes narrowed. “You don’t think…”
“That my rich and powerful stepfather had something to do with it? I don’t know and frankly, I don’t care. She left me. She left us both.”
Her pain and bitterness, still close to the surface, trembled in her voice.
She turned to him then. “It’s why I could never leave my baby. You understand that, don’t you?”
“Yes.” Taking a chance, he encircled her waist with his arms. “And I would never want you to.”
“Promise?”
Fear swam in her eyes; he felt it in her touch. She was terrified he was going to take the baby from her, that he was going to destroy her life. He leaned forward and touched his forehead to hers. “I absolutely promise, with every fiber of my being. Every child needs its mother. Even a controlling Nazi-mom like mine. She drives me nuts, but I wouldn’t want to lose her. You will always be the most important person in this child’s life, and I know you’ll make a wonderful mother.”
Unshed tears glistened in her eyes.
He took her hands in his. “I’d really like to start over. To spend time and really get to know each other. I can do that now that Deirdre has taken over my duties at the company. Perhaps you’d like to just stay here and visit for a while, see how you like it.”
“What about my foundation?”
“Let the lawyer’s handle it. You have enough to concentrate on right now.”
She looked up at Comet, who lifted his nose in a long mournful whinny.
“See, I think he wants you to stay, too.”
She laughed, and wrapped her arms around his neck, drawing him to her and kissing his lips. She’d never tasted so sweet. Her warmth stole into him, and he swept his tongue into her mouth. Absorbing her. Loving her.
She responded with an ardor that surprised him. It was all the invitation he needed. He picked her up, carried her into the nearest empty stall, and deposited her in the clean hay.
His kiss deepened, as his hands slipped under her shirt, beneath her bra, to feel the sweet tips of her breasts. He fondled them until her nipples tightened and she moaned her pleasure.
“Derek,” she whispered, her voice husky with her need.
He slipped first his shirt up over his head, and then hers. As her hands moved up his chest, he removed her bra. He loved the way she touched him like she couldn’t keep her hands off him, that no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t stop herself from giving in to the temptation to feel him. The way he was feeling her now.
His lips found her breasts, and he sucked eagerly, his tongue sweeping across her nipples. Loving the way she hardened beneath his touch, loving the little sounds she made as she gave in to him. His hand moved down her belly to slip beneath the waistband of her skirt, and down beneath her panties. Moist heat greeted him as he reached for her clitoris, rubbing the little nub, twisting it between his fingers and enjoying the way her breath caught.
He continued to kiss her nipples, sucking them the way he wanted to be sucking her sweet spot. He was about to move, to run his tongue down her tight belly, when she grabbed hold of his erection, cupping it through his pants. But he couldn’t have that. He pulled back and yanked off his pants then moved up over her so she could take him in her exquisite mouth.
She took him all in, sucking him hard, making sweet little moaning sounds as she pulled him in and out of her mouth, licking him with the same relish as the hot fudge sundae she’d had at Serendipity’s that first night. He almost came right there in her mouth, but he quickly pulled away. “Not yet, darlin’,” he whispered and reached between her legs, inserting a finger into her moistness.
“You want me?” he asked.
She pulled him down and kissed his mouth, drawing him close and moaning her agreement.
“Are you sure?” he teased.
“Yes,” she breathed, her voice hot and husky.
He dropped his face to her belly and kissed her gently.
“How much?”
“Enough that if you don’t give it to me now, I’m going to scream.”
He grinned. “But I want to hear you scream.” He leaned up, rocking forward and running his tongue up the column of her neck, drawing her sweet earlobe into his mouth and flicking it with his tongue.
“Oh, what game are you playing now?” she cried.
“I just love the way you want me,” he confessed.
“Yes, I want you.”
“Say it again. Where do you want me?”
“Here!” she grabbed hold of him then, circling her fingers around his hot shaft, and pulled him to her.
He slipped inside her heat, burying himself to the hilt, and then he started to move. He bucked his hips, matching her thrust for thrust, feeling her move and tighten around him. Shifting, she took him in as deeply as he could go, and then he’d pull out with agonizing slowness until she was practically pawing at him to get him back inside. He smiled, giving her what she wanted and driving it home over and over, relishing in her deep throaty sighs.
She finally screamed her passion, grabbing hold of him as she lifted her back up off the ground, and keeping him right where she wanted him as she climaxed, her internal muscles clenching around him, pulsating and sending him with her straight over the edge.
Overcome with his own passion, he stiffened, then exploded inside her, riding wave upon wave of ecstasy until finally he collapsed on top of her. She held him tight and close, and he wanted nothing more than to hold her back and not let go. He loved the feel of her beneath him, her musky scent and sweet softness. But most of all, he loved the way she clung to him. As if he were everything, the very air she breathed. How had she managed to burrow so completely under his skin? He didn’t know, except this was where he wanted her to be. In his life, his house, his bed.
Now if only he could convince her she wanted that as badly as he did. Before she discovered he wasn’t human, because once that happened she’d run as far and as fast as she could, and he’d never see her again.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Derek and Jaclyn walked hand in hand back to the house. He felt closer to her than ever before, and knew she felt the same. Progress. As they approached the house, Derek saw the car in front and stiffened. Dr. Miles has arrived early and was sitting on the front porch. He’d hoped for a little more time before Jaclyn discovered the truth about him and the baby.
“Here’s the young mother,” Dr. Miles greeted as they joined him. “I am so happy to meet you.” He grabbed both her hands with his.
“Thank you,” Jaclyn said, clearly surprised. Her eyes briefly met his, and he gave her an apologetic smile.
“Jaclyn, this is Dr. Miles. He’s been our f
amily doctor for, well, for as long as I can remember. I’ve asked him to stop by today and take a look at you, if that’s all right.”
“A doctor that makes house calls?” she said, clearly out-of-sorts.
“Only for my favorite patients,” Dr. Miles said with a smile. “How have you been feeling, Jaclyn?”
“Nauseous, most of the time. But I was just able to eat quite a bit and keep it down, too.”
“Wonderful.”
Monique stepped out onto the porch. “I had the ultrasound machine moved up to her suite,” she said. “I figured you’d be more comfortable there.” She beamed at Jaclyn.
“Thank you, Monique,” Derek said, as Jaclyn shifted uncomfortably beside him.
“Let’s get a look at that baby,” Dr. Miles said and followed Monique through the door.
They walked into the house and up the grand staircase. “My suite?” she asked under her breath. “How is it I already have a suite?”
“My staff is very good,” he grinned at her, hoping to elicit a smile from her lips. No such luck.
“I think you are very good at getting exactly what you want.”
He placed a hand on her back as they walked up the stairs. “It’s a gift. I must admit.”
She rolled her eyes and preceded him to the room at the end of the hall. They walked through a sitting area, past a row of opened French doors with long sheer curtains that were fluttering in the breeze, and the bedroom.
Next to the bed Dr. Miles was standing by the sonogram machine. “Just lie on the bed, and we’ll take a look at the little bundle of joy of yours.”
“Isn’t it too early?” she asked, looking skeptical.
Dr. Miles glanced at Derek before giving a small shake of his head. “Not at all. Our equipment is top of the line.”
“Of course, it would be.” She lay on the bed. Derek sat next to her on the opposite side so he, too, could get a good look at the machine. He took her hand and gave it a squeeze.
“May I?” Dr. Miles gestured toward her belly.
She nodded, and he lifted her shirt to expose the slightest little bump. The doctor squeezed some gel onto her belly then rubbed it in with the wand of the machine. A 3D picture of the baby came to life on the screen. Derek’s breath caught in his throat.
“It looks so big,” Jaclyn said. “How is that possible?”
“The amazements of technology,” Derek said quickly and looked back at the screen. He should have told her something before now, but how could he explain she’d be having the baby in just a few months?
Dr. Miles took some quick measurements. “Nope, looks just about right. Any thoughts on the sex? Perhaps a bet?”
“A bet? On the baby’s sex?”
“Why not? I always find it highly amusing to see how close parents can hit the mark. And look at your odds, how much better can they be?”
Derek could feel the tension building in Jaclyn.
“But how could you possibly tell the sex already? I just got pregnant days ago.”
“Maybe we should hold that for another day,” Derek suggested, and stood.
The doctor moved the wand, and suddenly the baby shifted. “Why does it look like it has a tail?” Jaclyn asked, concern ringing in her voice.
“Because it’s a boy. A very healthy boy!” Dr. Miles said laughing and pulled the wand off her belly.
“A boy?” Jaclyn’s voice trembled. “But how…”
The machine clicked off. Derek was sorry to see the image go. Just looking at that tiny image of his son filled him with a feeling he couldn’t quite comprehend. Something between elation and acute terror. The doctor handed Jaclyn a wipe to clean off her belly. Derek took it. He wanted to do it, to lay his hands on her stomach and feel his child. To lean his cheek against her smooth skin and speak to it.
Whatever it took, he had to find a way to win her over, to make her understand they could live together here as a family. They could be happy. More than happy. They could be perfect.
“You are the picture of health, my dear, and the baby is doing fine. I’m thinking three months, tops.”
“Until what?” Confusion rang heavy in her tone as she pulled her shirt down and sat up.
“Until the baby’s here. Eat a diet heavy in protein and make sure to move around. Walk a bit every day.”
“Three months? That can’t be right. I told you, I just got pregnant. I mean just.”
“Thank you, Doctor Miles. I really appreciate your stopping by.” Derek shook his hand. “Jaclyn and I still have a lot to talk about.”
Dr. Miles frowned, and pushed his glasses up on his nose. “Yes, I can see that. I’ll be by next week at the same time to examine you again, Jaclyn.”
“Monique will see you out,” Derek said.
Dr. Miles nodded and stepped out of the room to where Monique was waiting for him. Derek walked over to the sofa and chairs in front of a large fireplace and took a seat, patting the space beside him for Jaclyn to join him. There was no putting it off. Not any longer. It was time she knew the truth about him and her child. And how her life was about to significantly change.
Jaclyn took a seat next to Derek on the sofa trying to wrap her mind around everything she’d heard and seen. She’d just met Derek. There was no way she was six months pregnant. She wasn’t even showing. “I think you need to explain. And quick, before I fall into an all out panic attack. That doctor of yours can’t be right.” And yet she’d seen the baby herself.
“Remember when I told you my family was different?”
She looked at him, trying to fathom what he was getting at. “Yes.”
“We are very different. Our kind. Our babies are usually born in about two months. Given that you’re human, it will take a little longer.”
Our kind. Had she heard him right? “Given that I’m human? What are you talking about?”
“I wish there was a better way to say this, but there just isn’t. I’m not like you. I’m not human.”
Her eyes widened, taking in the brilliant blue of his eyes, his sculptured cheeks, his beautiful sensuous mouth. Not human? She’d seen every part of him, hell, she’d tasted every part of him. If he wasn’t human to perfection, she didn’t know who was. “Shut up.”
“It’s true.”
“No, it’s not.” She stood and paced back and forth across the room before giving out a short laugh. “Well at least now I know you aren’t perfect after all. You’re freaking crazy.”
He smiled. “No, not crazy. Just different.”
Why couldn’t she ever fall for the nice, straight, boring guys? “Okay, I’ll bite. If you’re not human, what exactly are you? An alien?”
“A god, if you will.”
“A god.” Oh, this took the cake.
“Not just any god. A prince.”
Not just crazy, but with delusions of grandeur. “A prince,” she repeated, shaking her head back and forth even as her gaze flew to the door, contemplating her escape.
“I’m the ruler of the eight circles of Hell.”
“A prince of Hell,” she said, deciding to grasp onto the charming part rather than the hell word. “Like in the devil?”
He laughed. “No, not the devil. Though the stories have been exaggerated to make me quite evil. I’m not. But, I do rule the eighth level of the Underworld. In the Hell dimension where we are now.”
She shook her head as she walked out onto the verandah. She looked out at the beauty before her, the pond, the stables, the green, green grass. She took a deep breath of the fresh, humid-free air and, for a second, wondered.
There was no way! He was pulling her into his delusion. She’d gotten herself knocked up by a completely nutso person. A person who was so rich he could create his own fantasies, and she didn’t have a shot in Hell of proving it.
She turned back to him. “We are not in Hell. Look out there.” She jabbed a hand toward the horses grazing in the pasture, the water surrounded by live oaks. “It’s beautiful. I can feel the wind o
n my cheeks, the sun on my shoulders. There’s no freaking way we’re down in Hell.”
“This is my domain, my home. It can be anything I want it to be. This is how I choose to live. There are other parts, other realms, other areas where it looks different.”
She was getting nowhere.
“I know it sounds crazy.”
“Sounds crazy? It sounds completely mental. Totally insane.”
He took a deep breath. “I punish sinners. You know that.”
“No, I don’t know that. I don’t know any such thing. I know your company goes after white-collar criminals. That’s what I know.”
She rubbed her hair back from her head, clutched it for a moment, and then headed for the door. “I need to get away from here. Far away. I’ve fallen for a crazy person. What the hell is wrong with me?”
“You’ve fallen?” he asked, a grin lifting his lips.
“No. Shut up. I have to get away from you.” She pulled open the door.
He followed. “We have to work this out. You can deal with this. It isn’t what you think.”
“Really? And what is it I think?”
“Oh, you know. Fire and brimstone. Evil incarnate. Spinning heads and green pea vomit.”
“Oh, please.”
“Exactly. Please stay.”
“I can’t.”
“You have to come to terms with this.”
She spun back to him. “Do I?”
“Yes. We are going to have a baby. A future prince of the Underworld. I am going to be a part of his life. Of your life. There is no getting around that.”
Her stomach clenched. “Like hell there isn’t. Just because I’m pregnant doesn’t mean I have to keep it. Or that I have to spend any time with you.” Or be connected to a crazy person for the rest of her life?
“You would get rid of our child?”
He looked horrified. She didn’t answer him. She couldn’t. No, of course she would never consider that option. “Listen, you’re obviously crazy, and I can no longer stay here and talk all this crazy shit. Don’t you get that?”
“After seeing that sweet little face, you would kill our baby?” Derek looked horrified, and completely gutted.
She thought back to the image on the machine. He did have the sweetest little face. And nose. And fingers. And tail? Her hands went immediately to her stomach. “No, I wouldn’t kill it. But that doesn’t mean I have to keep you in my life.”
All Bets Are On Page 16