Page 44 of Accidentally a Dragon Daddy

“But that’s going to change, too,” he said. The emphasis in his statement wasn’t for me, however. That much was clear.

He was trying to convince himself.

“After all,” he continued, “I’ve only got seven months or so to learn how to be a father. That’s not a long time to practice or to learn how to think like one. Not after always knowing I was never going to be one.”

“You don’t really practice being a parent,” I said, laughing. “It just sort of happens, and then you figure it out as you go. Or so I’ve been told. You aren’t exactly the only one who has to adjust their thought process.”

He waved my thoughts off. “You’re going to be an amazing mother. You walked in here, and your only thoughts were about the baby.”

“Thanks,” I said. “But I’m not sure I share the same confidence.”

Damon’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Are you having second thoughts?”

“No!” I said hurriedly. “Not that. I just mean I spent so long after the doctors told me this was an impossibility lamenting what I would never experience. I knew I might have had a child if I were extremely lucky and the IVF worked, but my body would never naturally get pregnant. Supposedly. So, I just assumed it wasn’t meant to be. That if I ever truly tried, things would go badly. I guess some of that is leaking through.”

He came over to me and took my hands in his, the size difference stark as his fingers closed over both my hands with ease. Reinforcing just how big he was compared to me. My head barely topped his shoulder.

“You are going to do fantastic,” he said, squeezing. “I know it.”

“How can you be so sure?” I asked. “What if I’m not supposed to do this? What if I screw it up because of that?”

“You won’t.” He shook his head. “I just know this. You wear your heart on your sleeve, Elanya, and you care so much. Our child will never doubt their mother loves them. The desire to love them, to have that family, it’s obvious in every facet of you. At least from what I can see.”

“I guess,” I said, heat radiating up my arms from where he gripped my hands. “I have three siblings. A few nieces and nephews now, too. Lots of cousins. It was always a busy, busy household growing up. I knew for a long time that was what I wanted. Then to be told I couldn’t have that. Now …”

“I have no qualms against a large family,” he said.

I looked up just as panic started to play across his face as he realized what he’d said.

“Uh, I mean. Not that I’m assuming anything. I just, uh, what I meant was, you know, the idea of it. If it happens. It’s probably a good idea for you to know that about me, is all. Part of getting to know me. Yeah. Uhhhhh.”

“Shut up,” I said, leaning against his chest.

“Yes, ma’am,” he said, holding me tight.

I rested there, listening to his heartbeat as it thundered in his chest.

“Damon?”

“Yes?”

“Why are you so nervous?”

His shoulders rose and fell. “I don’t want to screw this up. Isn’t that obvious?”

“Why not?” I asked, my head still on his pec.

“You’re carrying my child. Because my dragon thinks you’re its mate. I like you.” He paused. “Take your pick, really.”

I tilted my head back, so I could see at least one of his eyes. “You like me? We barely know each other.”

His lip quirked up. “When you’ve already slept with someone, and then you discover they’re carrying your child, you learn a lot about the serious nature of someone very quickly, I’m finding. There’s no time to pretend to be someone you think the other person will like until you’ve roped them in far enough to reveal all the little flaws and idiosyncrasies we have to put up with to make a relationship work. We’re in the trenches from the start. And I’m liking what I see. I can’t shy away from that, so I won’t.”

The pounding in my ear slowed as he spoke, giving voice to his feelings. That one little detail confirmed everything he said was the truth.

“You’re okay, too,” I said.

“I’m okay?” he replied in a teasing tone. “Wow, thanks, I—”

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