Page 42 of Not Ready

Apparently, I need to do a little checking around town.

Chapter Sixteen

Vale

Bishop climbs onto the mattress as Holt leaves as quickly as possible.

“I think he thought I might cry if he didn’t let me smell him.” I grin, wiggling back to make room for Bishop’s massive frame. “A pregnant woman crying must be one step scarier than just a crying woman.”

He chuckles, planting a hand on my lower back and pulling me closer. “Well, I can see that. What happened?”

My cheeks feel hot.

It felt a little like I had a random wave of heat, which makes no sense, because I’m pregnant. “I think I had a reaction to his pheromones?”

“Hmm.” Bishop gets close, nuzzling his cheek to mine. “That makes sense, considering what Dr. Garza said.” His scratchy beard tickles over my skin as he pushes his mouth to mine. I smile into the kiss, wrapping a hand around his neck. His smoky campfire scent floods my nose, making my entire body feel tingly. He nips at my lower lip as he pulls back, but I want more of those sensual kisses. “Don’t try to find that asshole. He was obviously up to no good. If you tell him about the baby, then…” He sighs. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

“No, I get it.” I really freaking get it. If I find Cooper and he wants to be in Aurora’s life, then I’m stuck with him for the rest of mine. I barely know him, and the little I did know feels questionable after the way he handled things. “I’m kinda afraid he’d be furious with me, but I’m equally worried that he’d want nothing to do with her. I know it’s irrational, but I think it would hurt my feelings.”

“Trust me when I say the two of you do not need him. You’ve got me.”

“I know.” My heart races at his words because I can feel his sincerity. “And it means the world to me.”

“You just have to let me take care of you. I won’t let you down.” His expression is so earnest. “I already think of the two of you as mine.”

I nod, trying to get my emotions under control.

Being rejected by an alpha really made my self-worth take a hit, especially because I’ve always heard that alphas covet and protect omegas. When Cooper disappeared, my impulses didn’t like it one bit, or maybe that was my pride. I don’t know.

The fact that he didn’t just disappear on me, but also the child he helped create made it all worse. Yet, he got to walk away free and clear. He didn’t have to agonize about whether or not he could afford to keep her. He didn’t have to wrestle with the ramifications on his conscience.

It’s a whole bundle of twisted emotions that I don’t like to think about.

Bishop clears his throat, drawing my attention. “Part of taking care of the two of you is making sure your system has what it needs to be healthy.”

“Right,” I agree, focusing back on the here and now.

“You heard what Dr. Garza said. I don’t want to overstep, but I do want you to know that we have a health check after each assignment. I’m not trying to rush anything between us, but in case something did happen, you can rest easy. They test us for everything, but more than that, I haven’t been with anyone in close to five years?—”

“What?” I gasp, pushing up a little, so I can better study his face.

“It’s not like women are knocking down my door in general, but I’ve always needed a deep emotional connection to feel sexual attraction. Even then, it hasn’t always been an easy process…”

“Feeling attracted to someone?” I ask.

His beard covers some of it, but the apples of his cheeks are quite pink. “No, well, that too. Mostly sex, in general. I’m… God, is it hot in here?”

“Nope, that’s just you.” I stretch forward and kiss his nose. “You’re a big guy. I think I get what you’re saying.”

“Yeah,” he agrees. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t do other things at first to make sure you can soak up those pheromones you need.”

“I’m very intrigued by those things,” I admit as my body pulses with interest. I’ve fantasized about him far too many times to count.

“God, gorgeous. Me too,” he rasps out. “I’ve got my last three STI panel results on my phone, ready to show you. They’re all negative.”

“I trust you. I was checked when I found out I was pregnant. It was also negative.”

“Perfect. I grabbed the necessary paperwork for the pack commitment today. We also have a notary on site, so we can wrap that up pretty quickly.”

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