by Lynn Hagen
He treated Jude like a fragile egg, and that drove Jude insane. He might’ve been feeling dizzy lately, but that didn’t mean he would break.
Jude tried to take the kiss deeper, more passionately, but Reese was holding back. He cupped Jude’s jaw and held his head still, restraining him.
He sighed into Reese’s mouth when his mate cupped his ass, bringing him closer. Well, as close as they could get since there was a beach ball between them.
If Reese moved any slower, touched Jude any softer, it would take a year for the fire burning between them to ignite. Jude decided to take matters into his own hands.
Literally.
He curled his hand around Reese’s cock, squeezing the hard flesh with a tight grip. “Do you want me?”
Reese’s brows creased. “What kind of question is that? Of course I want you.”
“Then show me,” Jude said. “Unleash yourself on me.”
“Not until after the baby is born.”
God, Reese was so stubborn that Jude wanted to punch him in his head. Using his inhuman speed had drained Jude over the past six weeks, so he normally took things slow. But he was frustrated and didn’t care if he slept for the next forty-eight hours.
Using his speed, he shoved Reese onto his back and straddled his waist while pinning his hands to the bed. He took the kiss deeper, growling into Reese’s mouth.
“Jude.” Reese lay there but didn’t try to break the hold.
“No, damn it. We’re going to have down and dirty sex, and you’re not gonna treat me like I have brittle bones or some shit. Now fuck me, or shut up and let me do all the work.”
In truth, that quick move to pin Reese exhausted Jude. But he wasn’t going to admit to that. If he did, Reese would put a stop to this, and Jude was wound too tight to be set aside.
Reese pressed his lips together as his green eyes glowed with lust. Jude could tell his mate was interested in seeing what he would do. Jude released Reese’s hands and kissed his way down his mate’s chest, teasing his hard nipples and eating up the moans falling from the guy’s lips. His mate’s fingers glided through Jude’s hair, his hands curling into fists and tugging at the strands as he rocked his head back and forth.
The intense passion gleaming in Reese’s eyes when he looked at Jude made Jude moved farther down his mate’s body, placing kisses along the way. Jude would’ve liked to have said he’d been graceful, that he’d glided down his mate with ease.
In truth, he’d had to grunt and wiggle most of the way, but Reese neither made fun of him nor had he stopped Jude. He just kept staring with those penetrating eyes.
When Jude reached Reese’s cock, he licked the head, drawing the pre-cum from the slit. A long, hard hiss escaped Reese’s lips. Jude could tell that his mate was fighting his natural instinct to thrust his hips upward. Jude wasn’t going to let his mate leash himself.
So he sucked the head into his mouth, moaning, sending the vibrations of the sound down Reese’s hard length.
“Shit.” Reese panted as his hips shot upward. It had also been weeks since Jude had sucked Reese’s cock, and his mate was fighting for control.
There would be none of that.
He tugged on Reese’s balls and rolled them in his hand while taking Reese’s cock all the way down his throat and using his throat muscles to squeeze the shit out of his dick.
“Damn!” Reese bucked two or three times as his cum shot out in spurts, and Jude drank every last drop. Jude milked Reese’s cock for all that it was worth before he pulled back and licked his lips.
His mate was still hard.
With a snarl, Reese jackknifed and grabbed Jude under his arms, dragging him up the bed. “Ride me, sweetheart.”
Jude wasn’t sure when Reese had grabbed the lube, but the bottle lay by his head. Reese wet his fingers as Jude straddled his mate and leaned as far forward as he could.
Jude’s lips parted and his jaw hung loose as Reese drove two fingers deep into Jude’s ass.
“You want down and dirty, baby?”
“God…god yes.” Jude was barely able to string two words together as Reese stretched him. He didn’t even care about the burn. It was a welcomed sensation as Reese added a third finger.
“Then that’s exactly what you’re gonna get.” Reese pulled his fingers free and grabbed the base of his cock. “Ride my dick, beautiful.”
Jude eased back and felt the head of Reese’s cock wedge against his hole. After taking a deep breath, he impaled himself. Jude curled his fingers into Reese’s chest, breaking skin as he worked his way down the length.
When he bottomed out, Reese grabbed his hips and pounded into Jude’s ass. It felt as though Jude’s brain was being rattled. He held on for dear life, realizing that maybe riding on top hadn’t been such a bright idea. His arms wobbled before he collapsed against Reese’s chest.
“Damn it,” Reese snarled. He slowed then flipped them over, placing Jude on his back. “I can see how exhausted you are. Why’d you have to push me so hard?”
“Because…” Jude turned his head to the side. “What man waits weeks to get some ass?”
Reese stopped moving and stared incredulously down at Jude. “Are you afraid I’ll find someone else to blow off steam with? Is that what you’re worried about?”
Jude shrugged, hating that his emotions were out of whack. He couldn’t help the fear that gripped him every time Reese walked out the door, although he knew in his heart that Reese wasn’t cheating on him.
“Look at me,” Jude said. “I’m as big as a whale, and—”
“Shut up.” Reese cupped Jude’s face. “You’re the most beautiful creature on the planet. You’re carrying my child, and to me, that’s the sexiest goddamn thing. If I have to decide between sex and your health, your health wins every time. I can hold out, Jude. I promise you.”
Reese started moving again, only this time slower.
“When you have the baby and are ready, I’m gonna fuck you so hard you won’t be able to walk for a week.”
Those words thrilled Jude. He slid his arms around Reese’s neck and smiled. “Promise?”
“You have no idea.” Reese moved a little faster, his hips punching forward. He reared back and lifted Jude’s legs, tossing them over his arms. “So beautiful.”
Jude arched his back and cried out as he came. His body convulsed as his orgasm swept him away. Reese wasn’t too far behind. He threw his head back and shouted as his cock pulsed deep in Jude’s ass.
Jude stood corrected. He loved soft and slow, loved watching as his mate fell apart. But he also couldn’t wait for Reese to make good on his promise, either.
Chapter Ten
“I’ll be right back. You better not get up,” Reese warned as he set Jude on the side of the tub. “Let me warm you some blood, then I’ll draw you a bath.”
“I’m too tired to go anywhere,” Jude replied. He couldn’t wait to sink down into the water and rest against his mate.
Reese placed his hand under Jude’s chin and smiled. “I love you.”
Jude nearly tumbled to the floor at Reese’s declaration of love. “But…but…you…”
Reese chuckled. “I’ll let that sink in while I get your dinner.”
Jude sat there stunned as Reese walked out, humming to himself. It seemed his mate had gotten over his hatred of vampires or, at the very least, his reservations about Jude. A smile swept across Jude’s face. Reese loved him.
Jude’s eyes widened, and he opened his mouth to scream when Viktor emerged from the linen closet. But Viktor moved fast, clamping a hand over Jude’s mouth.
“Scream and I’ll make you watch me as I gut your mate.” Viktor pulled Jude over to the window and eased it open. With one hand still over Jude’s mouth, his cousin pulled him through the window.
Jude backed away in quick, jerky steps when Viktor placed him on his feet. He screamed for Reese just as the evil bastard scooped Jude into his arms and took off, using his inhuman speed to get away.
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Jude slammed his eyes closed as bile worked its way up his throat. The momentum was gonna make him puke. Worse, Jude had to curl his arms around Viktor’s neck so he wouldn’t fall. At this rate of speed, any fall would kill the baby.
He cracked his eyes open when Viktor stopped. Jude gasped and fought to get out of his arms.
“Only befitting, don’t you think?” Viktor set Jude down, and Jude stared at the very same barn he’d killed Merk in.
Jude spun and ran, but he got only so far before Viktor caught him and marched Jude to the access door.
Too bad Jude didn’t have any clothes on. He felt vulnerable being naked as they stepped through the doorway.
“Ingmar didn’t tell me you were with child,” Viktor said from behind him. “Neither did your mother when she ponied up half the payment for your death.”
Jude backed away, holding his stomach, and fought back the need to throw up at the mention of his mother. He knew she was evil, that she’d been livid that Jude had killed Merk. And a part of him knew she might’ve been the one to come after him. But hearing Viktor say out loud that his mother had chipped in on his death made Jude queasy.
Viktor curled his upper lip, although his gaze kept dropping to Jude’s extended belly. “Show me where you killed my father.”
Jude was too terrified to move, let alone speak. He stood there frozen, keeping his arms around his stomach. He had to protect his and Reese’s unborn child, no matter the cost.
Viktor advanced toward him, a murderous gleam in his eyes. He pulled out a long blade from…where had he hidden that thing?
“Do you think I’m playing games with you?” Viktor snarled. “Tell me where you killed him. I want the exact spot, or I swear I’ll cut your head off!”
Jude stared at the space where he’d ripped Merk’s heart out. The memory was still fresh, as if it had happened only yesterday. “He tried to kill me,” he whispered. “What was I supposed to have done?”
“Let him kill you,” Viktor snarled. “You had no business interfering. What should you care if he was after some mangy shifter?”
“But he drained fae, killed a lot of them!” Jude shook, cold from the breeze that blew through the open access door. He wished he had some clothes on or at least some damn underwear.
Viktor pressed his fists against his temples then shot his arms out. “Why do you care?” he shouted. “You shouldn’t give two shits about fairies. They’re ambrosia to our kind. They’re food, Jude. That’s all.”
His cousin sped to Jude, pinning him against the wall. Jude cried out, trying his best to shove Viktor off him.
“You had no idea that our family descends from Prince Christian’s lineage, did you?” He placed the side of the blade against Jude’s stomach. “I bet your mother never told you that. You know why? Because she betrayed Christian, and he banished her. How do you think she ended up with Ingmar’s pathetic coven? They’re all a bunch of misfits, castaways. My father was ready to overthrow Ingmar until you killed him.”
Jude kept his breathing shallow, praying Viktor didn’t slice him with his knife.
His cousin backed away from him, pacing as he kept talking. But Jude wasn’t listening. He was fighting not to shout from the intense cramp that knotted up his belly. The pain started at his back and worked its way around to the front.
Jude blew out a low breath, cupping his stomach as he winced.
“Your father.” Viktor huffed out a laugh. “What a joke. He was too goddamn soft and gentle for his own good. Killing him was too damn easy.”
Jude’s head jerked up, his pain momentarily forgotten. “You killed my father?”
Viktor stopped pacing, his gaze once again falling to Jude’s stomach. “Me and Merk killed him. It was nothing personal. We accepted the contract from Ingmar. Although the pay was nothing compared to the bounty on your head.”
Jude slapped a hand over his mouth and let out a high-pitched cry. “You heartless bastard. My father was the best of all of you!”
Viktor cocked his head to the side. “It’s a matter of opinion.”
If Jude wasn’t in so much pain, wasn’t pregnant, he would’ve charged Viktor and killed the guy. He’d opened his mouth to tear into his cousin when a second wave of cramps brought Jude to his knees. He dropped to his left hand, using his right arm to curl around his stomach.
When he looked up, Viktor had a curious look in his eyes. “You’re in labor.”
Was that why Jude was in so much pain? The baby was coming? Full-blown panic set in. He wasn’t supposed to give birth for another two weeks.
And Reese wasn’t there with him.
“Please,” Jude said between hard pants. “Whatever you were paid, I’ll double the amount. Just get me back to Reese.”
Jude fell to his side, crying out. Viktor just stood there observing him. Finally, he shook his head. “Even if I accepted your offer, Ingmar and your mother would send someone else. It’s better this way. I’ll make sure to kill you swiftly. I promise you won’t suffer.” His gaze dropped to Jude’s midsection. “And I’ll make sure your child goes to a good home.”
Oh my god! Viktor really was psychotic. In his twisted mind, he thought he was doing Jude a favor. He thought he was being kind and caring when he was really just a monster.
He hunched down next to Jude. If Jude had thought Viktor had a soul, he would swear that was sympathy in his cousin’s eyes. But psychopaths couldn’t feel that emotion. Did he honesty think he was helping Jude? “I’ll wait until the baby is born before I end you, okay?”
“What?” Jude said incredulously before he curled into a ball, screaming as the pain came faster and faster.
Viktor brushed his fingers over Jude’s sweaty hair. “I’ll even help bring my cousin into the world.”
“Keep your damn hands off me, you deranged asshole,” Jude gritted out. “I don’t want or need your help. Go to hell!”
Viktor sat on his ass and crossed his legs. “Your contractions are a minute apart. Soon your belly will open up and I’ll help the babe from the womb.”
Jude burst out crying. This couldn’t be happening. Where was Reese? Jude needed his mate. He didn’t want to give birth without him.
He also needed Reese to end Viktor’s life.
Jude looked past Viktor’s shoulder. Someone had stepped through the access door. Jude was too out of it to make out who it was.
“Have you been learning how to breathe through your contractions?” Viktor asked.
“Fuck you,” Jude spat. “Stop acting like you care. This is just some screwed-up experience for you. As soon as the baby is born, you’re gonna gut me.”
With a blood-curdling shout, Jude rolled to his back. He felt the birthing canal opening in his stomach. Soon the dark line on his abdomen would part, and that was when Reese was supposed to help the baby out.
But Reese wasn’t here, and there was no way Jude could do this on his own. Jude slammed his eyes closed and prayed his mate made it here in time.
Or had Reese been the person who’d come through the door? Jude wanted to shout for his mate, but he didn’t want Viktor to know they weren’t alone.
The barn had grown quiet, except for Jude’s labored breathing. He stared up at the rafters, trying to put Viktor out of his mind. Jude imagined that Reese was seated next to him, encouraging him along.
Then all hell broke loose. Reese tackled Viktor and slung him away. Jude wanted to get up and help, but he was in no condition.
More men filled the barn, and Jude recognized Moose, as well as Aiden. A stranger stood between them. He was slim, with black-rimmed glasses perched on his nose. The guy rushed to Jude and dropped to his knees.
“I’m Dr. Bjord, but no time for introductions. I see you’re already close to giving birth.”
Jude’s gaze swung to Reese. His mate was landing repeated blows into Viktor’s body, and on the last one, he plunged his hand into Viktor’s chest and ripped out his heart.
Jude looked away
, feeling sick at the sight. Not that he’d held any love for his cousin but because the gruesome sight made him nauseous. He’d also thought about the irony that Viktor had died in the same spot as his father.
Talk about twisted fate.
“Let’s get you someplace more comfortable.” Dr. Bjord tried to lift Jude from the ground. “Oops. Nope. That’s not gonna work.” He set Jude back down.
“I’m not that heavy,” Jude snapped.
The human patted his own back. “Old football injury. Maybe we should wait for your mate to get you.”
Jude glared at the skinny guy. “And I’m supposed to put my trust in your hands?”
Dr. Bjord blushed. “My capabilities as a doctor have nothing to do with my physical strength.”
Jude sure hoped not, or he was in serious trouble.
Reese rushed over to Jude and dropped to his knees. “Are you hurt?”
Jude shook his head seconds before he screamed again.
“What’s wrong with him?” Reese asked the doctor.
“He’s in labor,” Dr. Bjord answered. “Get ready because your baby is on his or her way.”
If Jude wasn’t in so much pain, he would’ve laughed at how pale Reese appeared. The guy looked as though he’d pass out at any second.
“Here.” Moose ripped his shirt over his head and handed it to Reese. “Clean the blood off of you first.”
Aiden moved closer, but he looked as though he’d faint, too. “Is he really gonna have the baby now? Can’t this wait until we get him to the clinic?”
“Sure,” Jude snapped. “I’ll put this on hold until it’s more convenient for you.”
The birthing canal opened, and Reese, along with Dr. Bjord, helped the baby come into the world. Neither Reese nor Jude had wanted to know the gender until the baby was born, and now Jude was dying to find out.
Reese smiled down at Jude, unshed tears in his eyes. “Say hi to our son.”
Jude burst out crying as he held his arms out and the doctor did whatever he was doing. They hadn’t even discussed names.