Page 6 of Dragon Daddy Protector

My hand instinctively flew to my belly, where that new life had sparked. I blinked rapidly, stunned by the intensity of the emotion. I had never felt jealous before. Not when it came to Sofia and Evan. What the hell was that about?

I shook my head, but when Evan brought Sofia close to his chest and softly kissed her cheek, whispering in her hair, it flared up just as strongly once again.

It was ridiculous to be jealous of my own stepdaughter—no, my own daughter—but I couldn't help it. My mind shifted to our baby, and my fists clenched as I wondered if Evan’s heart would have enough room for both.

My eyes widened as the thought drifted past. Evan would never treat our child any differently. I knew that.

“Mariah?” Evan, frowning, turned back to me.

I tried to compose myself, plastering on a fake smile I hoped looked convincing while my mind continued to reel from the unwelcome sensations in my body.

“I'm fine,” I managed to say. I left the stroller where it was and climbed the steps of the back porch, turning my back to him while I kept my emotions in check, hoping he wouldn’t press the issue. How could I explain what I was feeling when I didn’t even understand it myself?

Evan was right behind me when I opened the back door and walked inside. He gently gripped my arm. “You sure about that? Are you still mad?”

I shook my head. “I'm okay. Promise.” I reached out to stroke Sofia's soft, auburn hair. It was getting longer and starting to curl at her neck. “Just thinking about how lucky we are to have each other.”

As if he sensed what was going on, he said, “And we'll make sure our new baby knows just how loved and cherished they are, too.”

My heart swelled as I looked at Evan. My jealousy had been foolish.

“Thank you," I said, reaching up to touch his cheek. “I needed to hear that.”

“I’m always here for you, Mariah,” he said, his voice soft yet strong. Then he leaned down, capturing my lips in a gentle kiss.

Once we pulled apart, I glanced at Sofia, who was watching us with wide, curious eyes. She babbled something incomprehensible before giggling and burying her face in Evan's shoulder. I laughed along with her, feeling the last of my irrational jealousy fade away.

“Come on.” I took Evan's free hand in mine. “Let's go start dinner together. As a family.”

The following morning, I stood in the doorway of Jax's old room, with the sunlight filtering through the curtains as I glanced over his few remaining belongings. Jax had accumulated extraordinarily little in his short time with us, but I got to work cleaning up the dust that’d gathered in his absence, changing the sheets, and freshening everything up, wanting him to feel like he belonged when he returned. We’d been through so much together. He’d lost his last connections to his family, if you could call them that. It was important to me that he knew he had a place here.

“Do you need any help?" Evan called from the hallway.

I turned to find him watching me with a soft expression.

“No, I've got this.” I gave him a smile and held up the duster. “I just want to make sure everything is clean for Jax.”

Evan gave me a smile. Gone was any hint of the jealousy he’d exhibited before claiming me as his mate. Things had gotten a bit hairy between him and Jax for a while there, but that was all behind us.

He stepped into the room, his hand coming to my stomach as he pressed a soft kiss to my lips. “I’ll be up in my office if you need anything.”

My heart beat faster at the sweet gesture, and I grinned as he walked away. While I tidied up the room, my thoughts drifted back to our unborn child. A small smile remained on my lips when I imagined Evan holding our baby, showering him or her with the same love and devotion he showed Sofia. I shook my head, chiding myself for my jealousy and allowing such irrational thoughts to cloud my mind.

A few hours later, with fresh linens on the bed, and the room looking more inviting than ever, I stepped back to admire my handiwork. Plump pillows adorned the large bed, and a soft rug, newly vacuumed, sat at its feet, beckoning one to sink their toes in. I hoped he felt this was a homecoming as much as I did.

“I think someone deserves a break.” Evan slipped his arms around me from behind, nuzzling my neck. “You hungry? It’s lunchtime.”

I leaned back into him, settling my hands over his where he’d rested them on my lower belly. Warmth pulsed within me, and in that moment, everything felt perfect. I could almost forget what we were facing.

“I’ve been snacking while I worked,” I told him. “But I have to admit, my feet kill.”

In the next heartbeat, Evan had swept me up into his arms and was carrying me down the hall toward our room. “Say no more.”

I wrapped my arms around his neck. “Shouldn’t you be working?”

“Maybe I’m the one who needs a break.” Evan put me down gently on the bed, then moved to the end before taking my feet in his hands. “But you need to take it easy.”

I settled back against the pillows while Evan’s fingers kneaded my sore toes. “Because I’m pregnant?”

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