by Layla Silver
“Maia,” I whispered raggedly. “Maia.”
I felt the last of my strength give out, my body pitching forward like a puppet with its strings cut. There was a rush of air against my skin as I fell. Then there was nothing.
Chapter 13 – Will
Awareness came back in a single, sharp moment. In the blink of an eye, I went from swimming in deep, black nothingness to lying on my back, surrounded by warmth, softness, and the undiluted scent of Maia. I took a deep breath, pulling the aroma of her into myself. That was when I registered that it was saturated with fear and anger. My stomach rolled, and my hackles went up. At the same moment, my hearing caught up with my other senses, and I distinctly identified the sound of someone crying. Maia. Maia was crying.
Memories rushed back, and new adrenaline rushed through my veins. Attempts to move didn’t go well. My body was sluggish, and my eyelids felt like they were coated in lead. I dragged them open anyway and blinked my vision clear.
The room was dim, lit only by weak moonlight and a small lamp off to one side, but I recognized the cozy disorder of Maia’s bedroom instantly. Maia was curled up in a chair, the pile of clothes that usually occupied it shoved off onto to the floor on one side. She was wear pajamas, fleece pants and a thin tank top in bright colors, her feet bare. Her knees were pulled up against her chest, and her face was streaked with tears. Dread seeped through me, icy and slick.
“Maia,” I croaked. Pain screeched up my back as I twisted, rolling onto my side and upright, swinging my legs over the side of the bed with sheer force of will. Everything still hurt, but that didn’t matter. Only Maia mattered. Maia and our babies. If they’d been hurt … “Are you —” I didn’t get to finish.
Maia’s head snapped up, and she threw herself out of the chair. “Will!”
I caught her as she flew at me, my still groggy body giving at the impact. We fell back onto the bed together, and I closed my arms around her, offering myself as protection and comfort. The feel of her pressed against me was more reassuring than any words, and I rolled us so that we were lying side by side, her head pillowed on my arm. Maia buried her face in my shoulder and tangled her legs with mine, pressing as close as she could get, as if she wanted to burrow in under my ribs and take shelter there.
“I thought I was going to lose you,” she sobbed, her words muffled. “There was so much blood.”
“It’s all right. I’m all right,” I soothed, tucking her head beneath my chin and smoothing her hair back with one hand. “I’m right here.” I stroked her hair, my own chest tight as my earlier worries returned. She still smelled like herself, and like me. But that wasn’t a guarantee. “Maia …” I asked, cradling the back of her head in one hand. “Are you all right? Did something happen to the babies?”
“What?” She sniffled and snuck a hand between us to swipe at her nose.
“You weren’t at work,” I said, my voice steadying and my arm tightening underneath her. “They said there was an emergency.”
She made an angry, disgusted noise. “Family meeting,” she spat.
Pushing out of my arms, she rolled off the other side of the bed and found a box of tissues. Her tears dried as she blew her nose and wiped her face, her skin flushing with anger as she turned around and started speaking again.
“You remember I told you once that my mother’s sister and her husband were murdered?”
Inching onto my back with a wince, I nodded. As it happened, I had very clear memories of that conversation. Ignoring the slight pull in my side, I stretched a little, carefully testing my body as I tried to get more comfortable. “You said rumor had it they were killed by dragons,” I recalled warily. “That’s why your family is so wary about dragon shifters.”
Maia nodded, tossing the tissues in the trash. “Stone and Ford have been talking for years about how they were going to find out who it was.” She waved a hand, her expression pinching in irritation. “They’re always going on about how they’re searching and getting close and whatever. I never believed them, though.” She shook her head. “I thought it was just talk. What do my brothers know about tracking people? About investigating old crimes?”
“Seems like maybe they knew more than you thought,” I said, carefully.
Maia nodded tiredly. Blowing out a breath, she sank back down onto the edge of the bed. Her hands twisted together in her lap. “They called an emergency family meeting today to announce that they figured it out.” She bit her lip and met my eyes. “They said it was Neils and Chelsea Kent.”
“Shit.” I closed my eyes, old anger flaring. “I’m sorry.” Opening my eyes again, I set my jaw. “I didn’t know, Mai.”
“I know that.” She reached for me, and I met her halfway, our fingers twining together. “I know you didn’t, and it’s not your fault. You told me your father’s family was wiped out by other dragons—that you and your father stood against them.” She pursed her lips. “Besides, Aunt Lorna and Uncle Joe chose to get involved in shady business. If they’d stayed on the up-and-up, they’d never have ended up in contact with your father’s crazy family to begin with.” Her expression pinched again. “I wanted to warn you, but I wasn’t fast enough. I was upstairs when I saw your car—I’d left my phone here.”
That explained why she hadn’t answered my calls or texts.
“I'm sorry about my brothers.” She sounded pained. “I never imagined they’d completely lose it like that.” She swallowed hard. “I was so scared, Will. So scared that I’d lose you.”
“Hey.” My heart clenched at her pain, and I pulled her toward me. She came willingly and let me tuck her back into my side. “I’m a dragon, remember? We’re tough to kill, and we heal fast.” Shifting onto my side, I snuck one hand down between us and pressed it against her still-flat belly. “I won’t leave you, Maia. You or our babies. I’ll always be here to protect you. I—” I hesitated over the words, glaringly aware that we hadn’t had time to talk yet. That she might not be ready to hear them. But if the day’s events had made one thing clear, it was that I couldn’t take for granted that I’d get another chance to say important things before something else happened. “I love you, Maia. I have since we first met. And I have wanted to be with you ever since, too. I just didn’t think you wanted me like I wanted you.”
“Will.” Maia sighed my name and pressed her lips against my shoulder. “I was so afraid,” she whispered, “that you would think last night was a mistake.”
“Never.” Nuzzling her throat, I mouthed a kiss beneath her ear. “Never, Angel.”
She huffed a laugh, arching her back and tilting her head so I could trail kisses down her throat. “We’ve been over this,” she teased lightly, the words turning to a moan as I nibbled along her collarbone. “I’m not—oh—an angel.”
“The Maia were angels in Middle Earth,” I countered, my lips against her skin. “Tolkien knew what he was talking about.”
She harrumphed then gasped, her hands gripping my arms as I nudged the strap of her pajama top aside and nosed the fabric away to lick across the tip of one breast. She’d protested in the past that her mother didn’t read science fiction and would never have named her after an angelic creature if she’d known that was one interpretation of the name. I’d always liked it, though, and now saw my chance to take up calling my angel for what she was.
“Maia,” I murmured, suckling softly at her breast and making her whine. “My angel.”
“Will.” She hooked a leg over my hip, then quickly pulled back when I gave an involuntary hiss of pain.
“Shit! I’m sorry.” She started to squirm back, but I rolled over and pinned her in place, pressing my hips to hers.
“It’s fine,” I said firmly, lowering my mouth back to her skin.
“You’re hurt,” she protested reluctantly.
“Already healing,” I promised, dipping my head back to her breasts. “Dragons heal fast, remember?”
“Mmmm,” she groaned, tipping her head back in surrender. “I shou
ld say no. Make you sleep.” She sighed again, one hand stroking over my shoulder. “But I need you, Will.”
I lifted my head, meeting her shadowed eyes. I could see lingering fear and uncertainty in them, and it roused all my instincts to protect and reassure. Maia was mine, and the thought of her being unhappy was intolerable.
Ignoring the pull in my muscles from healing injuries, I sat up. I made short work of peeling Maia’s clothes off, baring her beautiful body to my gaze. Dampness already glistened between her legs, beckoning my attention. As much as I wanted to bury my face between her thighs and feast on her again, I could tell that wasn’t what she needed.
“Maia?” I asked, stretching out alongside her again. “Are your doors locked?” I didn’t want to have to get up, much less go downstairs, but I would if I had to.
“Yes.” Her face twisted with petulant anger. “I brought the shotgun, too. It’s at the head of the stairs. I warned my brothers I’d shoot them again if they set foot in this house.”
I grinned at my spunky, resourceful angel. “Good girl. I guess that means they’re all still alive to be threatened?”
“They’re fine. Banged up but nothing that won’t heal.” Her fingers ran over my chest, igniting fresh heat inside me. “I don’t want to talk about them now.”
“Me either,” I agreed, nudging her, so she was flat on her back. “You’ll tell me if something isn’t comfortable?” I prodded, skating my hand over her abdomen.
Maia rolled her eyes at me. “I’m barely pregnant, Will.” Despite her exasperated tone, a smile played about her lips. “You don’t have to treat me like I’m going to break.”
I gave her a reproving look as my hand skimmed over her thighs. “I listened to everything they said at the agency,” I reminded her. “As soon as you started the hormones to prepare your body for our babies, things started changing. It makes a difference.” I stroked my hand up, and she spread her legs, eager for my touch. “You’re a treasure, Maia.” I grazed my lips across her forehead, then over her eyes as she closed them with a contented sound when my fingers brushed between her legs. “My treasure, and I never want you to feel anything but pleasure with me.”
“Mmm,” she said, pushing herself against my hand, mutely demanding more. “Then stop talking and touch me, Will.”
Unable to stop myself from chuckling, I did as my angel demanded. Dipping my fingers between her folds, I stroked her firmly, savoring the silken slide of her slick skin against my fingertips. I was already thoroughly hard against her hip, but I took my time. I applied everything I’d learned about what she liked last night and explored variations, mapping the erotic topography of her body and memorizing the sweet sounds she made as I pleasured her. Slowly, I worked her up, chasing away all of her fears and distress, her body melting under my touch until she writhed endlessly, murmuring strings of incoherent words of approval and pleas for more. Her body was an inferno beside me, and I savored it, relishing her response.
“Maia, my treasure,” I whispered in her ear, circling her clit with the pad of a finger. It was a heady feeling to have the one woman I’d always wanted in bed with me, her body open and eager for my touch.
“Will,” she pleaded. “Please.” Her blue eyes opened to stare into mine, her pupils blown wide. “Please. I want you inside me.”
My body throbbed in response, and I could deny either of us any longer. Easing over her, I propped myself on my elbows as I settled between her legs. She wrapped her arms around my neck, pulling me closer, and I complied, letting a little more of my weight rest on her. She crooned happily, my weight reassuring somehow, and I kissed her long and slowly as I slid inside her.
She felt divine, all wet heat and desire. I could smell her arousal, and it was intoxicating. Rocking into her slowly, I set a lazy pace, determined to draw things out. Maia hooked her heels behind my thighs and matched my pace, her hands stroking my skin as we moved together, every sweet thrust making her body clench around mine.
When she started to shake, I knew she was close. I dipped my head, kissing her again, regulating my breathing to hold back my own climax. Changing the angle of my hips, I thrust again. This time Maia keened, her whole body quivering. The pressure at the base of my spine built, and I knew I wouldn’t last much longer.
“Come for me, angel,” I whispered, my voice gravelly with the effort of control. I wanted to thrust into her ruthlessly, but I wouldn’t—I wouldn’t hurt her, wouldn’t risk it, ever.
Maia mewled, and I thrust again. My angel threw back her head and howled, her entire body convulsing with the power of her climax. She clamped down on me, and my own control shattered. Gasping her name, I emptied myself inside her in hot spurts, my vision washing starry white.
After, I all but collapsed beside her, exhausted and elated. I’d had many women in my near-century of life and none compared to Maia. Not even close. Rolling onto my side, I curled myself around my treasure. Gathering her to me, I slept.
Chapter 14 – Maia
For the second day in a row, I woke up in Will’s arms. This time, it was my bladder dragging me out of bed rather than an alarm.
“Maia?” Will rumbled my name, his beautiful eyes cracking open and his grip tightening as I moved.
“Bathroom,” I mumbled, crawling out of bed.
He grunted and let me go. By the time I relieved myself, I was fully awake and aware that I was parched. I grimaced a little, remembering all the reminders in the agency’s paperwork and my appointments emphasizing the importance of staying hydrated. Between throwing up yesterday and then sobbing for hours, I had definitely let myself get dehydrated. I felt a stab of guilt. I’d promised myself I’d take good care of my babies, and here I was, less than a week officially confirmed pregnant and already breaking my promise.
Gripping the railing tightly, I went downstairs and straight to the fridge. Pulling out a bottle of mineral water, I leaned back against the counter and downed half of it almost in one go. It was cool on my throat, and I almost immediately felt better. I lifted the bottle again and drank some more. As I did, the stairs began to creak. I emptied the bottle as Will appeared, gloriously naked but his expression one of open concern.
“Maia?”
“I’m fine,” I assured him, my heart warming at his attentiveness. Turning to the fridge, I retrieved two more bottles of water. Turning back, I tossed one to him. He caught it easily and twisted the top off. I lifted mine slightly with a chagrined expression. “I didn’t mean to worry you, not coming back to bed. I just needed a drink.” I made a face. “I didn’t drink enough yesterday. I promised myself I was going to take care of our babies, and I screwed up already.”
Will crossed the room, and I leaned into him gladly when he planted one hand on the counter behind me and pressed in. His other hand abandoned his bottle of water on the counter and lifted to cup my face. “You’re adjusting,” he said calmly, the certainty in his voice chasing away my guilt. “And yesterday was extreme circumstances. You’re going to be a great mother, Maia.”
Going up on my tip-toes, I kissed him. He still tasted like wine, and I very much wanted to take him back to my bed and not get out of it for the rest of the day. But appealing as that was, there were responsibilities that could not be ignored.
“I am,” I agreed, resolve forming in my chest. “And I’m going to start by putting a stop to all of this nonsense. Come with me to my parents’?”
“Of course,” he answered immediately, his eyes flashing protectively. Then he looked down and raised an eyebrow at me, a smirk touching his lips. “Like this?”
“No.” I shoved at him playfully. “I pulled the extra clothes out of your car.” Most shifters carried extra clothes as theirs were guaranteed to be a loss if they had to shift, and Will was no different. “We’ll get cleaned up and dressed and then go over.”
“Do you need to text and tell them it’s a family meeting so they’re all there?” he asked as we headed upstairs.
I snorted. “No, I�
�m sure they’re all camped out over there waiting for me to come out. They were horrified when I took your side and told them to stay the hell away from me and my house last night.”
“Maia.” Will caught my hand, making me half-turn to look at him. “I never wanted to cause strife between you and your family.”
“I know.” I squeezed his hand. “This isn’t your fault. It’s theirs, and it ends here.”
I sent Will through my shower first, regretting that it wasn’t big enough to accommodate us both. While he showered, I set out his clothes and then fished out clothing for myself. The things I’d been wearing yesterday were a total loss, stained with his blood and my brothers’, and I decided I was going to make Stone buy me a new shirt. The jeans didn’t matter, but I’d liked that halter top.
Making quick work of my own shower, I scraped my hair back into a messy bun and headed for my bedroom. Will lounged in the chair I’d cleared off for myself last night while I dressed and raised an eyebrow at the matching blue bra and panties I’d picked to go under my t-shirt and jeans. I gave him a shrug, enjoying the way his eyes twinkled suggestively. Pulling everything on, I made a mental note to go through my underthings and toss anything too ratty to have Will see me in. Dressed, I found some flats and slipped them on, and Will followed me down to the kitchen. When I headed for the door, he stopped me.
“You need to eat, Maia. Something small, at least.”
He had a point, and I decided that I could get used to letting him take care of me as I fished granola bars out of the cabinet. “I want a real breakfast when this is over with,” I told him. “You need proper food, too, to finish healing.”
I had to admit he was already impressively healed. I hoped our children inherited advanced draconic healing since it clearly outstripped coyotes’ already impressive abilities. Will’s dark jeans and gray t-shirt that read if engineering were easy, everyone would do it neatly hid most of his remaining injuries, further enhancing his all-healed-up impression. Despite all of that, I knew he wasn’t one hundred percent yet. He would need food and rest to finish healing. Hopefully, we could eat and rest together.