The orgasm crashed into her, dragging her under until she was gasping for air. Max’s cry split the night as he pulsed inside her, his seed spilling out between her legs. Ten sharp pricks pierced her ass as she rode out her release.
Spots danced at the edge of her vision as wave after wave of pleasure assailed her. Finally, she collapsed against him, his hands soothing the aches on her butt.
“Why do you call me so many random nicknames?” she asked after a moment, the memory of him calling her a baked potato floating through her mind.
“I call you everything because that’s what you are. My everything.” Warmth filled her chest. With a sigh, she cuddled against him, content to remain in his arms.
“You’re my everything too.”
*****
The house was silent as Haley stuffed an extra pair of jeans, some underwear, and two sweaters into the diaper bag. Everything Charlie needed was inside, and she’d pick up anything else along the way.
Slinging the bag over her shoulder, she made her way silently to the nursery next door. Charlie stood at the edge of the crib, watching her, his wide eyes filled with too much knowledge for a baby his age.
“Hey, big boy. You want to go on a little trip?” she whispered as she pulled him out of the crib. As if knowing the importance of what she intended, he didn’t utter a peep. His chubby arms wrapped around her neck, and he settled his head in the crook of her neck. She felt his fingers wrap themselves in her hair.
A surge of tenderness filled her. She twisted and placed a kiss against the blond ringlets covering his head. The fresh scent of baby powder surrounded her.
No matter what her parents thought, Charlie was the best thing to ever happen to her. And she wasn’t crazy. She knew what she saw three weeks ago when she’d gone to get him out of his crib. She didn’t know how, and she didn’t know why, but she knew that her son had somehow changed into a tiger cub.
Praying he stayed quiet, she crept down the hallway toward the stairs. A floorboard creaked under her weight, freezing her. She glanced toward her parents’ bedroom door, relieved to hear her father’s loud chainsaw snoring. Hopefully it would mask her departure.
Rubbing her hand over Charlie’s back, she continued her escape. She held her breath as she descended the stairs. Almost there. The door stood before her, a few feet away.
She had to succeed. Another day would have been too late. Last night, she’d overheard her parents discussing sending her away. For help. Because sane people didn’t see their babies turn into wild animals. How much longer would it have been before they sent Charlie away too? Or worse.
No matter what anyone thought, she knew she wasn’t crazy. Terrified, yes. But not crazy.
She couldn’t totally blame them for not believing her. At first, she hadn’t believed her own eyes. Had chalked it up to lack of sleep, or post pregnancy craziness, despite it being months too late for that. But what else was she supposed to think? The third time she’d seen him change, she’d been shocked, frightened, and a bit hysterical, but also sure that what she saw was real.
She’d stupidly thought her parents would have the answers and had sought their guidance. They’d seemed supportive, moving her and her baby into her childhood home, offering to help raise Charlie. She’d been so naïve to think everything was going to be just fine. Only to learn exactly what kind of help they meant to give.
She wasn’t crazy, she reassured herself again. She knew what she’d seen. So before they could separate her from her baby, she needed to get away. Where, she wasn’t sure, but there must be someone out there who knew what was happening to her son. One who could understand and help. There must be a sanctuary somewhere.
Briefly, she considered trying to track down Charlie’s father, but the faceless one-night stand left little for her to go on. All she had was the name, Rick, and the name of the bar they’d met in. She didn’t even know his last name. Certainly not enough to find him. And a private eye cost more money than she had to spend.
Foolish.
Charlie yawned and cuddled deeper against her as she silently closed the front door behind them. Foolish maybe, but out of that one night she’d gained something incredible.
Nothing, she vowed, would take him away from her.
About Sondrae Bennett
I love romance. I love reading romance, living romance (who doesn’t), but I especially love writing romance. There’s no greater feeling than watching my characters come alive in each other’s arms. Most of all, I love giving my character’s the happily ever afters they deserve.
My love of reading developed at a very young age. When other girls went to the mall to buy clothes in high school, I headed straight for the bookstore. Reading a good book still gives me such a rush, transporting me time and again into a different world. By far my favorite world to escape to is romance.
One of my favorite things is picking up a new book and sinking into the story, immersing myself in the emotions between the characters. To put myself in the place of the heroine, and fall in love with the hero, cursing the day I reach the last page because it means the end of my adventure. At least until I pick up the next book and fall in love all over again. I hope someday to inspire readers the way my favorite authors have inspired me.
When not writing. I can usually be found curled up on the couch with a good book, taking my dogs for a walk, working on one crafting project or another, or spending time with my family.
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Table of Contents
Cover
Cover Copy
Other Books by Sondrae Bennett
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Epilogue
About Sondrae Bennett
Want More?
Brink Of Passion (Alpine Woods Shifters) Page 21
