Page 120 of I Replaced His Husband
"I want to adopt Kay’s son. To raise him as my own."
My comment made all heads turn toward me, so I made sure my posture projected confidence, even though I was wearing that damn tight cardigan.
The Sanderses didn’t look impressed.
"But he’s not yours! He’s ours, he’s a Sanders!" Danny shot back defensively, a flicker of concern in his voice.
"Rainwill behis father," Kay said firmly, standing. "That doesn’t mean you can’t visit, but my son will call Rain his father. He owes him his life." He walked over to me and looked into my eyes. "If it weren’t for Rain, this pregnancy wouldn’t have survived. It’s almost like he gave my child a new life."
Then he moved his hands over my chest, softly smoothing out the wrinkles on the cardigan. "As an alpha, he provides the potent energy that sustains both the placenta and the baby. We’re all bonded."
He placed his palms on my neck glands in a gesture that had always been considered extremely intimate in the ABO community, possible only between close partners, clearly establishing me publicly as his chosen mate.
The Sanderses watched the scene with visible distaste. But to be fair, the cardigan was probably partially to blame for it.
They both stood too.
"We hope there won’t be any issues," Danny said curtly, then glared at me. "And I hope you won’t let the child feel thathe’s not your own, that you won’t treat him worse than your future children. We all know how territorial alphas can get, how jealous of—"
"He’ll be Kay’s son, my True Mate’s son. That makes him part of him, and I’ll love and care for the baby as my own. You have my word."
Kay’s eyes lifted to meet mine, filled with warmth, gratitude, and something fierce, almost reverent.
The Sanderses gave us both skeptical, unpleasant looks, then turned toward the door without even saying goodbye. Marco followed them out.
Kay looked a bit shaken, though not nearly as much as after their last visit, which honestly made me glad.
Gently, I touched his chin and tilted it up.
"It’s almost ten, and you still haven’t eaten. Come on, while it’s still warm," I said softly, guiding him to the table.
But Kay suddenly pressed himself against me, resting his black-haired head against my chest, and that gesture spoke volumes without a single word.
Then he sighed, taking a seat. I placed a plate in front of him and poured him some tea.
I settled across from him, watching as he ate with a big appetite. Somehow, I always knew exactly what Kay liked, even what he was craving on any particular day. I loved the quiet little sounds he made when something especially tasty delighted him, those low ‘mmm’ noises under his breath.
Adam stood by the window, leaning against the sill, watching us in silence, a strange kind of curiosity, almost esteem, in his expression.
When Kay finished, I loaded the dishes into the dishwasher.
Then, I noticed a small crumb on his cheek. I leaned over and wiped it off gently with a napkin.
He blushed hard, then suddenly grabbed my hand and pulled me close. He kissed me, fierce and hungry, wrapping his arms around my neck.
Adam was still watching us, so Kay finally pulled away a little and whispered,
"Thank you… for what you said. About my son."
"Our son," I corrected him.
Kay nodded solemnly. "Our son."
I smiled. "I have to go wrap up a few things for Nathaniel. I’ll see you in a couple of hours, okay?"
"Okay."
I leaned down and kissed Kay’s cherry-red lips, then, sending Adam a vague, ambiguous wave, I left, feeling his gaze follow me.
