by Ruby Dixon
“Jo-see,” Haeden murmurs again. There’s exasperation in his eyes, but also love. He leans in and kisses my mouth, ever so lightly, and I want to just melt against him. “I am not your human family. I will never abandon you. You must put those fears away once and for all.”
“It’s just…hard.” I know I have baggage that pops up every now and then. All I’ve ever wanted is to have someone that loves me, and now that I have it, I worry I’m going to lose it.
“If you wish for me to grab your ass in front of others, I will.”
“It’s not that I want that. I just want…I don’t know. For you to be overpowered with lust for me! Like we were before!”
His mouth quirks, his warm breath playing over my face as he gently strokes a thumb along my jaw. “You think I am no longer overpowered with lust for you?”
“We haven’t had sex in a month,” I feel the need to tactfully point out again.
“That does not mean my feelings have changed. Shall I grab at you every time I have a lustful thought about my beautiful, fragile mate? You will not be able to walk because my hands will be on you, constantly.”
I like the sound of that. Heck, just picturing that makes me wet. I cling to him. “Go on.”
“We are not all over each other constantly because there are two kits to be taken care of and one on the way. That does change things, but not in a bad way.” He slides his knuckles gently down to my collarbone and then over to the strap of my nightie, easing it down my shoulder. “It just means I must learn to be patient even if my cock aches with need, because it is important to me that you are happy and whole.”
“I’m happy when we touch, too,” I whisper, entranced at his tenderness. This is what I’ve been aching for. I’ve been craving intimacy with my Haeden, and I’m so glad I spoke up.
He chuckles. “I am, as well, but I also watch out for my sweet mate, who would run herself ragged trying to be the best mother to my son, who is exhausting enough for three mothers, and my daughter, who is easier but still needs much attention.”
“Do I?”
“You do,” he says firmly. “But if it means so much to you, I will tell you all the times in a day I think about mating you. How often I think about getting to our furs and touching your soft skin, or tasting the sweetness of your cunt on my tongue.”
My breath hitches in my throat. “Oh, I’d like that. I don’t feel very pretty lately. Just…pregnant.”
“You are beautiful.” His hand skims down to the rounded bulge of my belly, bigger than ever. “This is beautiful. And it fills me with fierce pride and joy to see you and know you are mine.” He eases the other strap down, and my cleavage threatens to spill free. With a careful touch, Haeden brushes his knuckle over the valley of my breasts. “I love the changes in your body, and I like the belly because it is full of my kit. Do you know what I like best?”
“What?” I’m entranced by Haeden’s seductive whispers.
“I love when you look over at me and smile, because you are happy with me and I with you.”
That is so achingly sweet that I can’t help but beam at him. I remember he has baggage of his own—that he resonated to someone before me who wanted nothing to do with him, and who died before they could fulfill resonance. Haeden almost died, too, and got a new cootie. I’m glad this one chose me, because I can’t imagine my life without him. “You’re making me feel a lot better about all the doubts I’ve had lately.”
My big alien grins down at me. “That is my job. I am your mate. You have my heart. Why should we not talk about all of the things that bother us?”
“Because nothing bothers you!”
“It is because I am happy. I have my mate. I have two wonderful kits. My life is better than I have ever dreamed.” He smiles, and then admits, “Though I would be happier if Joden slept in his own bed more often so I can mate with my female.”
“That’s my fault,” I admit. I’m a noodle when it comes to the kids, and I suck at putting up boundaries. “I’ll work on it with him. I want us to have our bed to ourselves, too.”
“I like that idea. I also like how quiet it is with him visiting Suh-mer and Warrek. You are clever, my mate. We should do this more often.” He tugs at the bow between my breasts, pulling the knot free and then the leather falls about my belly, my breasts exposed to the air.
“I like that idea, too,” I admit. Sleepovers are definitely the way to go.
“Your new tunic is interesting,” he murmurs, gazing at my exposed breasts. “Is this why you were hiding away with Mah-dee for the last few days? You were making this impractical bit of leather?”
“Not everything has to be practical,” I tell him, sliding my arms around his neck. “Maybe I just wanted you to look at me and say ‘Damn, my mate is one sexy beast’.”
“‘Beast’ is never a word I would use when thinking about my mate. Maybe ‘soft’ or ‘fragile’ or ‘desirable.’”
“I like all those words better.”
Haeden leans in and gives me another kiss, this one deeper and more intense than the last one. My hands curl against his neck and heat flutters low in my belly. Oh, god, a month is definitely far too long to wait between intense, toe-curling kisses that make me feel like liquid inside. He nips at my mouth, and then gently lowers me down to the furs.
I lie back against the pillows and furs, and as I do, he watches me with hungry eyes, devouring my half-naked body with a look. “Shall I show you all the parts that I find arousing on you, my Jo-see?”
“Go for it,” I say, breathless.
My gorgeous Haeden leans over me and kisses me everywhere. He kisses my neck, my cheek, my ear, each milk-swollen breast, and the bump of my belly over and over again. “I love all of you,” he tells me. “I love our kits. I love our family. I love that we resonate to each other, over and over, because it means we are meant to be.”
My throat aches with love for this man. “I love you so much, Haeden. I don’t know how I got so lucky as to have you in my life, but I’m so grateful you’re mine.”
“My beautiful Jo-see,” he murmurs, and keeps kissing, moving lower. I moan when his hand nudges my knees apart in a familiar touch. It’s his “I’m about to go down on you for hours” touch and it makes me positively wet. With a shuddering breath, I spread my legs. I can’t see what’s happening because his face is hidden—all I see are his horns rising above the crest of my belly.
And then he gives me a long, slow, forceful lick that drags over me from core to clit, and I come unglued. I whimper, twisting my hands in the furs as my gorgeous Haeden tongues me up and down, murmuring words of pleasure. He loves my taste, he tells me. He loves my scent. He loves the way my clit teases the tip of his tongue. He loves how hot I am and how soft my folds are and and and and…
And it seems like forever since I’ve come so hard, but I do, shuddering and brutal. My hips jerk against his mouth as he continues to lick me, whispering sweet words that barely register in my passion-glazed brain.
Then, he sits up, and I can see the fire in his eyes. He’s hungry for more, my gloriously sexy mate, and when he moves to lie next to me, I roll onto my side. Pregnant sex usually involves the same positions over and over, but I don’t mind, because it’s still incredibly good sex. Haeden spoons me from behind, lifting one of my legs and then his cock presses into me. We mate side to side, his spur pressing against my backside with every stroke, and his fingers teasing my nipples as he nips at my neck and tells me how much he loves me.
I love his groan as he comes, love the flood of his hot release between my thighs. He’ll bathe me tenderly later since I’m having trouble reaching that region, and I curl up against him, utterly content with the feel of his panting breath against my neck.
“You did not come again,” he murmurs, his hand sliding between my thighs to rub against my clit. “Shall I help?”
“I’m in no rush,” I say, closing my eyes and leaning back against him. I feel cuddled and loved and so, so good. My stupid
lingerie is bunched around my waist and I probably look ridiculous, but I don’t care. “We have all night. The slumber party was definitely a great idea.”
“Mmm, we should have thought of it sooner.” He nips at my shoulder, then presses a kiss there. “But do you know what we forgot?”
“What’s that?”
“Tickling.” His hand moves to my side, and then he’s tickling me. I have to bite back my squeal so I don’t wake Joha. Haeden’s laughter brushes against my ears and I squirm against him. Turns out you can orgasm pretty quickly when your mate’s cock is still inside you and you’re being tickled.
I come so hard my brain feels as if it’s a firecracker, and this time when I sag back against Haeden, I sigh with contentment. “That was not fair.”
“No,” he admits. “But it was enjoyable.”
Epilogue
HAEDEN
I mate with my blushing Jo-see all night long. She naps while I hold her, and when she stirs between feedings, I let her nurse Joha and then claim her for myself all over again. By the time the dawn comes, she is yawning but goes to sleep with a smile on her face.
I trace her jaw gently, watching her as she sleeps. I am a fool, I decide. I am so busy trying to be a good father and a provider, setting extra traps and hunting twice as much to make up for the families with mates in the other village that I have forgotten that my Jo-see has a fragile heart and needs to be reminded that she is everything to me. Even though she smiles, she worries I will abandon her like everyone else in her past. It will never, ever do such a thing, but I am glad she spoke of her fears. After all, I am nothing if I do not have my Jo-see. Her love has saved me from my misery, and I vow I will do my best to never make her feel as if she is not wanted ever again.
It could not be further from the truth, after all.
So I let her sleep, and I wake her up a short time later by clutching at her buttocks, just as she demanded.
“Mm, what is it?” She blinks sleepy eyes at me.
“You wished to know when I needed you. I am showing you.” I consider the feel of her backside against my hand and admit, “This is rather pleasurable.”
Jo-see chuckles and wiggles against my hand, and I growl low in my throat. Does she wish to be taken again? But then Joha hiccups and begins to burble her nonsense sounds, indicating she is awake and the day must start.
We share a disappointed look.
I kiss my mate quickly. “You stay in bed. I will bring her to you.”
Her eyes show her appreciation, and Joha nurses as I move around the hut, preparing for the day. When our daughter is done, she slides out of my mate’s grip, toddling to my side with her arms open wide. “Pah-pah-pah!”
I love it when she says my name. I grab her and swing her into the air, her delighted shrieks filling the hut. “That is right! Pah-pah. And you are going to spend the day with Pah-pah, my little one.”
“She is?” Jo-see fights back a yawn, sitting up in the bed. “You’re taking her with you today?”
“I am. I will get Joden, too. We will go hunt some herbs to re-supply your tea stash, and check my traps. We will not go far.” I pick up my daughter and immediately the smell of her wraps hits me. My lip curls. “But first, you must be changed, Joha.”
“Pah-pah!” she shrieks happily.
It is a good thing I am only checking traps. When Joha is happy, she is almost as loud as Joden. I grin and roll out her changing mat, setting her down so I can put new clothes on my wriggling daughter. Once she is clean and changed, I dig out the harness I used for carrying Joden around until he grew too big, and strap it onto my chest and then slide my daughter into the pouch. Her little legs dangle from two leg-holes and she flails and kicks with excitement.
“Are you sure?” Jo-see asks, getting to her feet. She moves to my side and adjusts Joha’s clothing, then puts protective fur boot-wraps over my daughter’s legs to cover from the cold. “Both kits can be a handful.”
“I am sure,” I tell her, and lean forward for a kiss. “You get some rest. We will be up late tonight.”
“Oh?”
My eyes gleam with promise. “Tickling.”
She giggles, and then Joha giggles too, and the hut is filled with happiness.
Suh-mer is thrilled when I arrive to retrieve Joden. Her eyes light up and she helps him dress quickly, even as Warrek looks on with amusement.
“My mate is not quite ready to be a mother to three energetic boys,” he admits, looking fondly at Suh-mer.
“Joden is enough for anyone, much less two other boys.” I move to my son’s side and help him put on his boots, and then take his hand. “Come. We are going hunting.”
“Yay!” he screams, and poor Suh-mer winces. We will have to think of others that will watch our son for us, because I intend on having alone time with my Jo-see regularly once more. I did not realize how badly she needed it.
Joden is full of energy as he races down the path toward the lift. He chatters non-stop, telling me about his evening and how he and Masan and Rollan roasted seeds and stayed up late telling stories with Suh-mer and Warrek. He tells me how Masan has a pet dirtbeak and he has taught it to fetch things and to come when he calls it. I do not know if that is true, but my son is impressed. He continues to talk and talk and talk as we go up the lift and then head out on the trails. I can see the crusted footsteps of others who have come down this path earlier this morning, and watch as Joden bounces from footprint to footprint.
“Pah-pah!” Joha says, reaching up to pat my chin happily. “Pah-pah!”
“That’s right,” I tell her, smiling. She smiles back up at me, revealing one little tooth on her bottom gums, and my heart clenches because that smile is Jo-see’s smile. I look up at my son, who is racing ahead. “Joden, come here.”
“I’m checking the traps, Papa!” he calls.
I point at the spot beside me. “Come.”
He makes a frustrated sound and stomps back to my side, all childish frustration. “But I want to see what we caught!”
“And we will. But first we must talk about important hunter things.”
That gets his attention. He comes to my side, open curiosity in his eyes. “What sorts of hunter things?”
I take his gloved hand in mine and we walk. “You need to be careful of the things you say to Mama. She worries a lot about you and the kits. Both your sister Joha and the kit in her belly. It makes her anxious.”
“Anxious like Miss Ariana?”
I clear my throat, because my mate’s worries are not quite the same as Zolaya’s fragile mate. “In a different way.”
“Why is she anxious?”
“She worries she is not enough for us. That we are not happy.”
“You haven’t tickled Mommy lately,” he tells me. “Does that mean you’re not happy?”
I decide to be tactful. “Mama and I tickle, but we are just very quiet about it. And you should not be listening in. It is adult time when we are behind our screen and in the furs. Do you understand?”
He looks up at me with solemn eyes. “I heard Maddie and Hassen tickling yesterday and they weren’t even in their furs.”
I grunt and make a mental note to talk to Hassen. “Your mama and I are much quieter than them. But we are still happy.” I squeeze his hand. “There is nothing that brings me more joy than your mother. Without her, I am but half a hunter. Do you understand? I need your mother like I need breath in my lungs.”
Joden nods. “Mommy is special.”
I smile down at him. “Very, very special.”
“I think she’s the best mommy in the village,” he says, his voice dropping to a whisper.
“I think so, too, but we should keep that a secret between us.” I put a finger to my lips, and Joha immediately reaches for my hand. I give her one of my braids instead, so she can tug on it to her heart’s content.
Joden likes the idea of a secret. He is full of smiles, his little tail flicking back and forth. He is pleased with the know
ledge that he has the best mother, and I can practically see his young mind weighing whether or not he should announce such a thing to the others. After a long pause, he looks up at me again. “What herbs are we hunting today? The ones with the red flowers from last time?”
I am surprised that my son remembered. “You are getting to be a big hunter if you can recall such things, Joden. I am pleased.” He beams up at me, and I think of our problem with Joden crawling into bed with us every night. “Did you wet the bed last night at Suh-mer and Warrek’s hut?”
“Nope!” He looks pleased with himself.
Mmm. That is interesting. I wonder if he does it so he has an excuse to sleep with us. I will have to tell Jo-see about this. “That is very good,” I tell him, and an idea occurs to me. “You have grown into a strong hunter. Perhaps…perhaps it is time that you have a hunter’s bed instead of a kit’s bed.”
His eyes go wide. “So I can be a hunter?”
“So you can train to be one,” I correct. He is still little, my son, no matter how much he wants to grow up quickly. “If we make you a big hunter bed, will you sleep in it? That means you cannot sleep with Mommy and Papa. Big hunters do not do such things.”
Joden is beside himself with excitement. “I want a big hunter bed!”
“Good.” I am very pleased at this turn of events. “Very good.”
MADDIE
I snuggle happily against my big barbarian’s wide chest and give a sigh of pure pleasure. That was an amazing night, and one I’m not going to forget any time soon. “We should probably get up. It’s morning.”
“Mmm.” Hassen caresses my butt. “I think I have fur stuck to my tail.”
I giggle. The hraku syrup I made was fun, but the aftermath is…sticky. We’ve been sticking to the blankets all night long, not that it’s really slowed us down much. I pull a white tuft of fur off of Hassen’s blue hip. “It’s definitely everywhere. I guess I’ll have to wash all these furs.”