by Lynne, Donya
This was what every mated male wanted. This was why they endured the brutal pain-pleasure of the calling. The sole purpose of their freaked out mated biological servitude was to reach this end. To produce offspring. To create a child.
And whether she understood the how and why, it was clear Malek had succeeded.
"I'm pregnant?" She placed her hand over his again, beginning to believe him. "Really?"
Malek nodded and smiled. "Yes." Then he pulled his hand away, reached behind him, picked up a piece of steak, and lifted it to her mouth. "Now, what was it you were saying about me needing to eat more than you do?" He waggled the piece of meat against her lips as if encouraging her to open up. "Because it seems you're now eating for two, baby." The steak pressed against the seam of her mouth. "Come on. Open up."
She sighed. "You're going to be cocky about this, aren't you?"
He arched an eyebrow. "Who? Me?"
Taking the bite of steak, she rolled her eyes at him, and he rested his chin on her chest and watched her eat.
"You're far too proud of yourself." She combed her fingers into his long, soft hair.
"Yep."
The way he said it, as if he should be wearing a cowboy hat, made her laugh.
"I'm going to feed you," he said, and then kissed her. "And I'm going to take care of you." Another kiss. "And I'm never going to let anything bad happen to you ever again." He lifted himself and settled on top of her.
"Right back at you." She pulled him down, held him close, and whispered. "But don't you fucking dare dote on me, or we'll have a problem."
He chuckled and eased himself inside her. "I can't make you any promises on that, piccolina. I am a mated male with a baby on the way, after all. It's my job to dote."
"You're going to be trouble, aren't you?" She wrapped her legs around his hips as he rocked into her.
"No more trouble than you'll be." He nipped her shoulder. "You're trouble with a capital T."
"Mmm." Gina was where she belonged, right where she wanted to be, and with the male she wanted to be with for the rest of her life. "And don't you forget it, baby."
He grinned against her neck. "Don't you forget it."
"Now you're just being bossy."
"Absolutely."
God, she was so in love. "Shut up and make love to me." She gave his ass a gentle slap.
"Now who's being bossy?" But he gave her what she asked for and drove into her again.
"I love you," she said, holding on to his shoulders.
"I love you more."
In so many ways, her life was just beginning. Right now. With Malek. What more of a beginning could she ask for than to have a new mate and a child? In a way, the idea scared her, but in another, more powerful way, the thought of having Malek's child thrilled her beyond words. He was hers, and she was his, and together they were perfect…evenly matched in every way. And together they would raise their child to be the best of them both. Malek would make an excellent father. In her heart, she knew without question that he would. And even though she had no idea how to be a mother, as with everything else in her life, she would figure it out and get through. Now that she had found Malek, anything was within reach.
"Gabe," she whispered. "Or Gabby."
Malek murmured against her neck as he made love to her. "What, love?"
"I want to name our baby Gabe or Gabby."
He lifted on his elbows and looked into her eyes, already breathless. "Gabe or Gabby is perfect. I love it."
Tears bloomed in her eyes and she smiled, but all she could was nod, unable to speak. She pulled him down and kissed him, holding him close, relishing the feel of his body inside hers.
As he lifted her once more into the heights of pleasure, she finally believed she could be happy. Malek had taught her that. And he had taught her that even a badass assassin like her could find love and not be weakened by it. If anything, she was stronger. And anyone who messed with him or her future child would have to answer to her. Because as fiercely as Malek promised to protect her, she was just as fierce about returning the favor.
Theirs might not have been the most perfect courtship, but their union was and always would be perfect.
Gina had finally found a mate worth living for. And she was stronger because of him. And when Malek growled and sank his fangs into her neck as he came, she knew he was stronger because of her, too.
Through each other, they had found their way back from despair to become who they were born to be—who they were meant to be. An assassin and a warrior. And now mates and future parents. Forever in love, forever one soul, and for an eternity.
From the author: Thank you for reading Return of the Assassin. If you enjoyed Malek's and Gina's story, please take a moment and post a review. Reviews are a valuable means for authors to spread the word about their stories to other readers. Also, if you're interested, on the following pages, you will find links to other books I've written in this series, as well as my contact and reader group information. I look forward to connecting with you.
About the Author
Donya Lynne is an award-winning author of paranormal, erotic, and contemporary romance. Making her home in a wooded suburb north of Indianapolis with her husband, Donya has lived in Indiana most of her life and knew at a young age that she was destined to be a writer. She started writing poetry in grade school and won her first writing contest in fourth grade. In junior high, she began writing romantic tales for her friends, and by her sophomore year, they had dubbed her Most Likely to Become a Romance Novelist. In 2012, she made that dream come true by publishing her first three books in the All the King's Men Series. She has several more stories planned for the series, as well as two sister series that are in development. She also has several stand-alone novels, novellas, and short stories, as well as more series planned for the future. Look for more from Donya in the years to come.
BOOKS BY DONYA LYNNE
All the King's Men Series
Rise of the Fallen (Book One)
Heart of the Warrior (Book Two)
Micah's Calling (Novella Supplement to Rise of the Fallen)
Rebel Obsession (Book Four)
Return of the Assassin (Book Five)
Non-Series Related Work
The Arms of Winter
Novella Published by Silver Publishing
Anthologies
Evernight – Romance in a World of Darkness
Published by XOXO Publishing
Short Story: Moonlit Hearts
Next Up
Bound Guardian Angel (AKM Book Six - Trace's story)
Good Karma (Book One in the much-anticipated Mark Strong Chronicles)
Connect With Donya Lynne Online
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorDonyaLynne
Fan Page: www.facebook.com/DonyaLynne
AKM Fan/Reader Group: All the King's Men Reader Group
Twitter: @DonyaLynne
If you'd like to email me: [email protected]
Website: www.donyalynne.com