Page 82 of Little Mate

“That’s where you’re wrong.” I try to drop to his level, but he doesn't allow me to. Instead, I’m picked up and placed to straddle his body that now sits on the ground. We’re chest to chest. Stomachs touching. “You also ruined my surprise, you know.”

“Did I?”

“You did, but we’ll get back to your punishment after.” Under me, his cock swells and I bite my lip. News first. Ride him after.

“My apologies, pretty girl. I’m yours to do with as you please.”

Leaning a little forward, I nip his lip, piercing the skin just a little. The cut is shallow, but the taste of blood—the drop I steal—is like an aphrodisiac. Tastes like mana, and I cherish how we can still do this for the other, because just like him, blood runs through my veins.

He’s part god. I’m a hybrid.

Yet our blood has the same consistency. Same taste as before.

And after I’ve fed, nothing is sexier than giving sustenance to the man I love.

“Now, I want you to get up and walk us back to the tree and to the left side.” His grin is amused, a little questioning emotion in his eyes, but Theo does as I ask. We stop beside the huge base. The hand-sized red bow I taped to it before leaving with the girls is still there, and I point to it. “Please remove.” Again, no hesitation, and when he does, a small cavern within the tree’s trunk is more visible. This hole is just large enough for a hand to slip inside and I tilt my head, nodding at him to get a move on. I’m dying here.

“Baby?” he asks, but I just point and after shaking his head, slips his hand inside. I hear the rattle the moment he grips the small box, and I bite my lower lip to keep it in. The silver paper glints in the sunlight filtering through the branches and leaves: it says CONGRATS in a bright and cheery font, but to my husband it means nothing, and he rips it clean off without my suggestion. And I’m clinging to him as he does, keeping the constant contact between my abdomen and his, my arms around his neck.

However, the moment he sees the contents inside, I know everything I did for this miracle is worth it. He swallows hard and for the second time in his life, Theo’s infallible control shatters. Ruby eyes meet mine and the look of wonder in them brings tears to my eyes, the red drop slide down my cheek as I nod, confirming what we both know to be true.

One of his hands grips the small onesie in a tight fist while the other wraps around my hair. The hold is tight, but I love it. The way his entire body shivers is sweet agony, and I want him. Now. Always.

“Do you remember when we saw this tiny outfit a year ago?” Our lips hover, and when my back meets the tree’s bark, I arch to get closer. Kiss him; once—three times in quick little pecks. “We were in Barcelona and wanted to buy Tero’s son something for the travels home. You couldn’t stop looking at this one, love. I knew your yearning was as heavy as mine, but those moments cemented it for me.”

“How?” Voice hoarse, he reaches over and places the small outfit back in the hole carefully, the rattle on top. It’s a black cotton onesie with the words My Daddy Bites and two fangs right below in bright red lettering from a Gothic store the locals seem to love; I went back and bought it the next day while he spoke to Tero. It’s perfect for us. For our little vamp. “To bring you back, I had to—”

“Your father owed me.” At his perplexed expression, I giggle. “He’s loved just like you and suffered just the same, but her soul belongs to the Lord of the Underworld. So, I bargained.”

“What did you do?”

“I brought her back with the condition that he give to me what he stole as payment.”

“And when was this?” There’s a touch of accusation there, but awe overrides it. Yes, what I did could’ve had bad repercussions, but I’d pay anything to give him this. To start our family. “Did he come here?”

My look is sheepish. “Two weeks ago, and no. I went to him in a dream.”

“You…” Theo trails off before his nails slice through my top and then shorts. The destroyed scraps of fabric fall to the ground, and I’m left in nothing but a pair of black lace cheekies he picked out on our last shopping trip. No bra, as he tore that one off with the top. My breasts bounce with my gasp at the act, my skin burning hot with need. “You sneaky, devious, and glorious little demon.”

“But you love me like this.”

“I do. Always have.” That growl causes my thighs to clench, and he smirks while lifting his T-shirt off and tossing it aside. “But you know this and like to play dangerous games.”

The gusset of my panties is no longer there, but the head of his cock is.

I look down and find his pants are ripped, the area where the zipper and button were completely shredded into useless scraps. “The payoff was worth it.”

“It is.” Then he’s buried inside to the hilt. One smooth stroke, and I’m lost to him. Can’t say anything else as he pulls out and slams back in, taking me hard and fast against my favorite tree. The place where he learned he’d become a father in a few months.

My hips move against his, chasing more of the feelings only Theo can evoke.

“I love you,” I say against his mouth, undulating to meet his next thrust. This is fast and dirty, not the way most would celebrate becoming parents, but it’s us. Later he’ll cuddle me and spoil and spend some time nuzzling my stomach, but right now, we need this.

To reconnect. To feel.

“And I’ll live for you both, beautiful. Love you harder every day.” Releasing my hair, he brings a hand between our bodies and down to where we are joined. He presses two fingers against my clit and holds it there, his heavy cock flexing—dragging against my walls on each thrust. “You are my world, Gabriella. I’m a blessed man to walk this life with you by my side. Humbled that you accept me.”

“By blood and pact.” It leaves me on a moan as his hips pick up the pace, almost a blur, and my ass bounces, the smack of skin loud in the open air. On the next upward stroke, though, a rush of pleasure strikes me as his mental walls lower and I see through his eyes. Feel the love he has for me. For our child. “Oh, God. Baby, I—”

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