Page 23 of Dubious Secrets

“Okay, now you’re insulting our pet. Get up, we’re moving to your room.” He pulls me up by my armpits, and I yelp when Archibald swipes his paw at me as we pass him. Ryker chuckles under his breath and sets me on my bed as he turns on my machines.

“He started it,” I groan, grabbing my pillow and hugging it to my chest.

“The cat insulted you first?” Ryker asks, amused.

I nod, lying on my side to face him as he waits for my answer.

“He broke my diffuser that night. That’s why I was in your room. Mary said I could borrow hers.”

Ryker’s jaw opens and he glances out at the living room. “Huh. So really the cat should be our child’s godparent.”

I gasp, sitting up straight. “Under no circumstances is Archibald II our child’s godparent. I’m not even sure he won’t try to get rid of the child if it annoys him enough.”

He laughs loudly. I bask in the warmth of it, letting it settle over my skin like a cozy blanket. With a smile on my face, I kneel and swing my pillow at him.

“Don’t laugh at me. You can’t tell me that cat couldn’t manage it. I swear he's a human shifter or something.”

Ryker laughs harder, grabbing the pillow out of my hand on my next swing and tackling me onto the mattress. I let out a squeal when he starts hitting me with my own pillow.

“Stop, stop. You can’t attack me with my own stuff,” I say between laughs. I put my arms up, trying to dodge him as I turn on my back, and he straddles my thighs.

“Beg for mercy, and perhaps I’ll concede the battle.” He holds the pillow above his head with a prideful smirk.

I tilt my chin up, unable to stifle my grin. “Never.”

He tosses the pillow, balancing his weight above me as he leans down and kisses me. I groan into his mouth, wrapping my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist. I cling to him like I’m afraid if I let go, he’ll disappear. He rocks into me, moaning as he flips us over so I’m straddling him.

“You’re fucking insatiable. You’re going to ride my cock raw.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Are you complaining?”

“Never,” he sputters out and laughs. “In fact, I think you could up the ante.”

A giggle bubbles out of me, and I shake my head. “My poor pussy. It’s going to be sore.”

His phone rings and both our moods darken. We stare at each other before he slowly climbs off the bed and walks into the living room. I lie there, my heart beating wildly and my stomach turning as I hear him answer.

“Hey, you land already? Yeah, yeah. Okay. We’ll start heading over there.”

I turn onto my side, curl into a ball, and stare at nothing. Our bubble has burst, and I’m not sure I’ll be okay.

Ryker clears his throat. “Mary’s plane landed. She said they’re a little backed up at luggage. We should start heading over.”

Squeezing my eyes shut, I shake my head. “I don’t want to go.”

My bed shifts as he climbs on and his hand rests on my hip. “Why not?”

“I’m not ready to face her yet.”

He sighs. “So you’re just going to stay in your room? For how long?”

“I don’t know, Ryker,” I snap, glaring at him over my shoulder. “I just don’t want to go to the damn airport.”

He watches me for a second, pushing me to turn until I’m facing him. He cups my cheek and pushes my hair out of my face. “Hey, it’s okay. Don’t forget what we discussed. No matter what happens, it’s me, you, and the baby.”

My stomach twists again. “At the expense of my sister. I know it’s too late, but I don’t want to hurt her.”

Ryker lays down, pulling me into his arms. “We’re all going to hurt, but I need you to be a little selfish, okay? I need you to not worry about anything but you and the baby. Can you do that for me?”

---