Page 22 of Pregnant With Their Babes

And the intimacy of lovers.

Searching the room, he found the men he yearned to be the latter. Near the back of the tavern, sharing a table in the shadows. His stare met Dagr’s first… and a shiver raced down his spine from the longing in the man’s eyes. Slanting his gaze to the left, he caught Oz’s fiery regard. Was it anger or longing, he wondered. Llyr had broken their rules… he refused to stay alone in the room upstairs… but he’d waited long enough for their return, he thought.

Plus the promised dinner and drink had never appeared—which had been another reason he’d come down. Besides the fact he was starving, Dagr and Oz had apparently forgotten about him… and he refused to let them forget about him.

Not for an instant.

The scent of food passing on a tray seized his notice. His belly growled painfully. Llyr had no idea if he could stomach their food, but he was hungry enough to try. Lifting a hand, he attempted to get the attention of one of the servants, but no one seemed to notice him. Llyr chuckled to himself. At home, he barely had to lift a finger before a servant raced to his side. While he rather liked being a nobody, it also had its disadvantages.

But the good already seemed to outweigh the bad. He sensed Dagr and Oz were that good.

There was most definitely a connection to the pair. He could sense it. He could also sense them watching him. Their desire raged against his skin. A delightful tingling raced all over, his skin radiating warmth. His body responded to the men without a single touch—and would respond all the more with a caress or two. Slick coated him in preparation. He only had to convince the two he could warm their bed.

Glancing their way, he was breathless… both of them scrutinizing him with ravenousness in their stares.

He locked gazes with Oz…

Then Dagr…

He gasped at the thought of being between their big, powerful bodies. Their strong hands and lips touching himeverywhere… their cocks driving into him. Slick dripped between his cheeks. He shuddered, his womb clenching.

Yet Llyr knew nothing of seduction. For all his bluster, he worried he would be unable to draw them into his bed. He froze where he sat, fearful to move an inch. They’d already been able to walk away from him twice now, even as he saw the hunger in their eyes. What if mating and flirtation were different in the human world? It was a thought he neglected to consider. Were there rules to their mating rituals,—rules to which he was unaware? Doubt flooded his heart and mind, making him wonder if he was brave enough to ask them for what he desired.

Needed.

He drew in a shuddering breath, realizing it was no game. While the end result would benefit him, it was more than a means to an end. He wished for their touch with a desperation he’d never experienced. In their hands, he find freedom—in more ways than one.

He wanted the pair to unchain him—from his duty and his body’s need. It had to be them.Hadto be…

Another song began, the chorus of voices loud… yet muted, too. The lust driving in his veins and the pounding of his heart overrode the sounds of the tavern. When he saw Oz stand and stride nearer, he stiffened. His heartbeat grew considerably louder, and he whispered a silent plea over and over again…

Make them crave me…

* * *

“Da oth’r mornin'… I was walkin' by tha seashore… Whilst I spied a young maid ramblin'…Wiff her sails all a-quiver…”Oz hoisted his refilled pint high into the air as he belted out the old shanty, his voice one of many. Droplets of ale trickled out from the side and down his hand before he brought it to lips to drain some. He sought not to gaze at Llyr as he sang, but knew full well the merman was staring intently as he grew nearer. Oz felt the heat of the man’s stare. The impetus to inch closer was a heavy burden on his body, traitorous as it was.

He’d a moment ago agreed with Dagr that they had to deny their desire. That they must stay away. Yet there he was, being drawn in like a horny stallion to a breeding mare, sniffing and prancing like the base animal he was. Casting a glance toward Dagr, he could sense the scorn coming in waves. After catching his partner’s scathing glare, he shrugged and offered a wry smile. He reverted to his singing and drinking, ignoring both the men he coveted fiercely.

By the time he’d emptied his mug, the song was over and they’d begun another one—one he’d sadly forgotten many of the words for. He smiled at his men, knowing they were happy to be at port and to have a day off before they’d replenish and return to sea. Searching for a barmaid, he spied Llyr from the corner of his eye.

He’d long ago mastered thelooking, but not lookingskill. He searched the man over—wearinghisclothing. His gut clenched so see his finest shirt and breeches covering the man’s soft, beautiful skin. His long hair was mostly held in a thick braid that fell over one shoulder. Oz sucked in a breath as he spied the man’s handsome elven-like face. Llyr’s skin glowed with health… and his lips were shell pink, and full.

Lips Oz desperately wanted to kiss.

Llyr seemed completely recuperated from his recent drowning. As if it had never happened.

A wave of need washed over Oz like a siren’s call. His heartbeat juddered in his chest. Licking his lips, he wondered what it would feel like to have the man between him and Dagr.

Concentrating on Llyr, he closed the gap.

Llyr stared up at him, appearing remorseful.

“I thought you were going to remain upstairs?”

“I was unable to sleep. Not with all the merrymaking down here.” He smiled guiltily. “And I was hungry. I never got anything to eat.”

“I asked for a meal to be sent up.” Oz sighed. “You might as well join us for ours.”

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