Page 140 of Immortal Bastard

He stepped back. “I see.”

“Christian…” She hadn’t meant to insult him, but it was impossible to filter her private thoughts.

“I can read your body. I’ll know when you’re most fertile and take the necessary preventative precautions.”

“Please don’t be offended. Becoming a mother is a huge decision.” She considered her own mother and how unprepared she’d been to raise a child. “I’m just not ready to be a mom. That should imply nothing about my feelings for you or the sort of father you might be.”

He caressed her cheek and tucked a hair behind her ear. “I know. Just as you should know, I’ll only want children if we have several. I never want our kids to be alone.”

She unintentionally recoiled at his use of our. “Can you teach me how to read my body so I know when I’m fertile?”

He frowned. “You’re my mate. It’s instinct. I can scent the hormones in your pheromones when your body is fertile.”

That didn’t give her any sense of security. “I think I need a little more science than your sense of smell and Jedi mind tricks for my own piece of mind.”

He placed his hands over her arms and looked into her eyes. “There is no science. Only nature. Trust me on this.”

“Trust you? Christian, I’m saying I don’t want to get pregnant, and your response is that you’ve got it all handled.”

“I do have it handled.”

He was asking for a lot of trust and control over her body. “There’s no other way?”

“I’m afraid science has never been our species’ strong suit.”

Because the more records they kept the higher the risk. She understood the need for secrecy and why they were limited by any chance of exposure.

She had no choice but to trust him. “I don’t want to get pregnant, Christian. Tell me you understand my wishes.”

“I understand.”

“Promise me you’ll take precautions.”

“I can’t.”

Not expecting him to deny her, she gaped at him. “Why not?”

“Because the only precaution is abstinence. When an immortal female is fertile, she has needs. As your mate—”

“You must meet my needs. I get it. But consider this permission to ignore my needs in that instance.”

“I couldn’t if I tried. Your craving for my seed will be too strong. You’ll be in agony without the proper care.”

“You’re making it sound like I’ll be an animal in heat.”

“We are animals. And it’s very similar to what smaller creatures experience, but much more intense.”

“Well, this is just great.” She scoffed and paced into the den. “I have no control over anything.” Dropping into the chair where Christian liked to sit and read, she scowled. “There has to be another option. What about condoms or an IUD?”

“Your body is more of a medical marvel than mortal science could ever comprehend. Those methods won’t work for immortals.”

“So, it’s just sex or nothing.”

“I’d prefer it wasn’t nothing.”

“This is bullshit.”

“That’s two.”

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