Page 45 of Three of a Kind

My entire body sizzles as he slows his movements and pecks a soft kiss on my lips. I’m still so blissed out that I barely comprehend what’s happening when he removes his hand from my sex and lifts me.

He carries me into my bedroom as I try to figure out if there’s a sexy way to undress when I’m almost seven months pregnant.

Noble lays me down on the mattress and moves to stretch out at my side.

I roll to face him, and my hand moves down to cradle his thick cock. It pulses in my grip, and he growls.

The sound makes my neck snap to the side as goose bumps break out over my skin.

“I’m legitimately going to want to punch myself in the face for saying this, but…” He gently pries my hand off his cock. “Tonight isn’t about me. I’m here so you can soak up my pheromones, and maybe a little because I want to fall asleep next to your fine ass.”

“What?” I choke.

“Yeah, I know. I’m surprised, too, but I was serious about courting the fuck out of you. Whenever we do take that step, I want you to know we’re good. I haven’t been with anyone since my last checkup. Everything was negative. And I’ve always used condoms.”

My face heats.

We probably should have had this talk in the living room. “They tested me for everything at my first appointment because it’s even more important to know that stuff during pregnancy, but all the results came back negative for me too.”

“I wasn’t concerned, but thank you for telling me. Now, hush and get some rest.” He slides his arm behind me, tugging me closer until I have to lift my face to rest it on his chest or end up with my nose buried in his side. He teases his fingers down my hip and sighs. “It’s been so many years since I purred, but I’m trying.”

My hand moves to rub over his pec. “I really don’t want to assume anything?—”

“I’m into you,” he says. “There’s a gift in that bag for Libby. It’s my first courting gift for the shortstack.”

My heart drops as my fear pulses in the air. “There’s a good chance I’ll have to leave soon…”

“Leave New York?”

“Yeah, the only reason I haven’t already is because I didn’t want to leave Lennox all on her own, but if it comes down to it…” I sigh. “I can’t keep the new baby a secret forever.”

“You shouldn’t have to,” he growls, moving his hand from my hip to cradle my stomach. “But I’m not picky. I came to New York for a job. Once that’s up, I’m good to go wherever your persnickety omega instincts desire.”

My God, I don’t think he could possibly comprehend how much hearing something like that means to me…

There’s also a lot he doesn’t know.

“It’s complicated.” My head shakes as I try to find the words to describe the mess that is my life. “There’s a good chance that Libby and I will need to leave with very little advance notice.”

“Yeah, and I imagine you might need to pick up a new name too.” He soothes his hand over my stomach, and the baby moves.

It’s still pretty light, in comparison to what I remember from Libby in the last couple of months.

I doubt he’ll even be able to feel it.

He slides his hand up the bottom of my T-shirt and feels around my bare skin. “Is that…”

“Yep, I didn’t know if you’d be able to feel it.”

“That’s crazy,” he whispers.

Neither of us says anything for a few long minutes while his fingers follow the movements.

“Listen, Brooklyn. I get that you don’t fully trust me yet.” His chest begins to vibrate with a ragged, underused purr. “I even understand why. There’s a fair amount that you don’t know about me in return. That’s why we need to put a little effort into getting to know each other.”

“You don’t understand. I’m not running from an abusive relationship. Avan never put his hands on me. Not like that?—”

Noble growls. “There are all different kinds of abuse. The fact you’re terrified to tell him about the baby tells me all I need to know.”

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