Page 84 of Unexpected Delivery

“Oh, sweetheart.” He wipes a fat tear from my cheek. “That’s not how it works in a pack. I’m content to follow our own path in our time. It gives me comfort knowing you’re bonded to the twins—at least, that’s what my nose is telling me from the change in your scent.” He pulls my hair away to look at the other side of my neck. “It’s a game of hide-and-seek to find the bite.”

I laugh and sniffle when snot threatens to fly out. Pulling the neck of my pajama dress out of the way, I show him Hael’s bite.

Morris nods. “I’m not upset, so no more tears, okay?”

I bite my lip to try to keep the rest from spilling out, but it does. And I ramble out everything from my guilt about being away from Gracie so much the last few days to my concerns about Adam, then I’m crying again. “And I know I have more patience when I can get a small break here or there, but she’s also not your responsibility.”

Morris’s head tilts. “I’m going to be gentle saying it this time because you’re anxious, but you’ve got to stop saying that. You spent nine months growing her, and I respect that bond. None of us will ever be able to compare to the way she loves you because you’re her mom. But, sweet girl, hear me when I say this—Gracie has been with us since she came into the world. Every cell in my body knows she’s mine.” He runs his thumb over my cheek. “And I’ll keep reminding you when your nerves get the better of you, but Arbor, you bonded Hayes and Hael. You’re stuck with us, and we want to be with you.”

Here he is saying the perfect things all over again. And every time he reassures me, I believe him, so I don’t even know why I said that.

It might be leftover trauma from Adam, but shouldn’t I be over that by now?

It could also be the whirlwind postpartum hormone fluctuations. The doctor did make a big deal about stressing how unpredictable they can be.

Morris leans over Gracie, nuzzling his cheek to mine.

I’m not sure why I just freaked out, but I do know one thing…

I grab his T-shirt before he can escape and tug him back to me.

It’s a quick kiss, because of the awkward angle, but once he pulls away to breathe, I whisper, “I love you. You make me feel safe and cared for in a way no one else has. I think that’s why it’s always you I seem to find when I’m panicking. You’re my safe place.”

“And I love you, sweetheart. Gracie too. Although, I’m pretty sure she’s ready to be burped.” He chuckles fondly. “She’s sleeping, and you need rest.”

“Yeah,” I agree. “But I want to stay in here with the two of you tonight.”

“I think it’s about time we all consider moving into the pack bedroom, but I’ll never turn you away.”

I stay home the next few days, and the guys are extremely understanding. I get a little bored while Gracie is sleeping, but now that I’m feeling more like myself, I spend a fair amount of time cleaning and even cook dinner twice.

Only, Hayes specifically told me not to bother cooking tonight. He’s got a five p.m. client, and when I talked to him at lunch, he said he was going to bring home takeout.

Hael got in the first set of parts for Darren’s bike, so he’s been staying later than Morris.

Having a bond is a unique experience. I’m still not sure I fully comprehend how it works, but it’s fun being able to sense the twins’ emotions and sending little tidbits to them. Although it’s harder the farther away they are, there’s a certain comfort in being able to always sense that they’re okay.

Gracie is asleep on my chest when the front door opens. It’s not even six, meaning it has to be Morris. He comes around the corner with his hair up in a messy bun, and my heart flutters.

God, he’s sexy.

A lazy smile crosses his face as he points toward the stairs. “I’m covered in grease. Wanna put her down in the bassinet in the pack bedroom and shower with me?”

Yes, I most definitely do.

I’d also like to smell him all greasy and sweaty from a long day of work.

I showered this morning during Gracie’s first nap, so I have no need to wash my hair again. It’s piled up on top of my head while Morris’s long locks hang around his shoulders.

He growls as I wrap a soapy fist around his thick length. “And to think, I thought you were my sweet girl, but you’re a naughty little thing.”

My head bobbles up and down, and I bring my other hand to work his knot. Feeling how hard he is only succeeds in making my core ache.

Even though these quick after-work showers have become one of my favorite parts of the day, I’m ready to take things to the next level.

Morris is bigger than the twins, but I’ve worked up to the point there’s no pain with them. That means I can handle him too.

Twisting to the side, I let the water cascade over his front and jerk him under the guise of making sure we get rid of all the soap. I have to release his shaft to cup my hands, but I catch water to splash on his side where he has a pocket of bubbles.

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