“When did your feelings change?” He felt shell-shocked. Like a bomb had been dropped on his fucking head.
“I realized it after you came back. I knew that this female had messed with your head. I could see you couldn’t stop thinking about her. I was jealous…I still am. You were mine first. I’ve known you for so damned long. We grew up together, Kai. The thought of losing you to her.”
“You wouldn’t lose me. I’m still here. I’m still your friend…Jordy…”
“I want more. I want you…” She closed the distance between them and cupped his face with both her hands. “I want there to be an us.”
He closed his own hands over hers. “There is an us…just not that kind of us.”
She made a noise of frustration and pulled her hands away. “You know what I mean.” She sniffed. The tears still fell.
“Please, Jordan. You’re right, I don’t feel that way about you. I do love you but not like that.”
Her eyes widened, they locked with his. “Give me a chance to prove w—”
“No,” he growled. Kai didn’t need proof of anything. He didn’t see her like that. Jordan was the most important person in his life right now. Once his baby was born that would change. His son or daughter would become the most important.
For a very long time it had been just him and Jordan against the world. At least, it had felt like that. She was important to him. He huffed out a breath. “No,” he whispered. “We would regret it.”
“Don’t tell me how I would feel. It’s her isn’t it? If it weren’t for her you would have agreed to us. We wouldn’t be fighting. It’s killing me, Kai.”
Would he have taken her up on her offer? “No, Jordan. You’re wrong. I would never have put our friendship in jeopardy. You deserve happiness. There is a male out there for you. Hell, I’ve punched plenty of males over the years for disrespecting. I think Jenson has an enormous crush on—”
“Don’t try and set me up with—”
“I’m not. Not at all.” He paused for a moment. There was only one way and that was to be straight with her. “We’re friends, Jordy. You’re important to me but there will never be more.” He kept his voice even. “Ruby and I…” he grabbed the back of his neck and squeezed.
“You’re so going there and don’t even deny it.” She sounded defeated.
“I’m not denying it.”
“Bastard,” she growled. “You seriously need to have your head examined. She’s bad news. You don’t have to mate her to be able to be a father to this child.”
“I know that.”
“Do you?” She shook her head. “I don’t think you do. I’m sorry, I can’t give you blood anymore. I think we need to…give each other some space.”
Kai nodded. “I don’t want to lose our friendship but if that’s what you really want.”
“It’s what you want too. I noticed how you called me your friend, just now, instead of your best friend.”
“You know what I mean.”
Jordan nodded. “Take care of yourself. Don’t trust that female…please…just don’t. You’ll be sorry. Whatever you do don’t fall for her, she’ll chew you up and spit you out.” Jordan left.
Ruby had lied to him but she had her reasons. It was all understandable. He still wished that she had been honest with him, although, again, he understood why she hadn’t been. Most males would not have helped her. He wasn’t most males.
They were attracted to each other and compatible. It was her brother that was pushing the whole mating thing. That fucker king had Kai’s back to the wall. There was no fucking way he was mating Ruby because Blaze held a proverbial gun to his head. Could he fall for Ruby? He wasn’t sure. One thing was for sure though, he was not going to be forced into mating her.
Not a fuck.
****
Becky frowned. There was a squelching noise. Ruby grimaced. By the movement of her shoulder, he could see that she had retracted her hand. Becky lifted it and pulled the glove off, but not before he noticed a red smudge on the tip of one of her fingers.
Blood.
The coppery scent hit him. Only a few drops. His mouth watered as he remembered how good she had tasted. He also cringed as he recalled the pain he had felt when he took blood from her. Drinking from Ruby had been sweet torture. Agony and pleasure all rolled into one. He must be completely certifiable because he would drink from her again in a heartbeat. He was seriously hungry right now. His gums ached, his nail beds tingled. His eyes might even have been glowing.
Coppery, sweet, fiery hot. Such a tempting combination. His fangs erupted. Kai grit his teeth and tried to concentrate on what Becky was saying.
“There has been some ripening of the cervix,” the human said.
“What does that mean?” Ruby sounded excited but there was also an edge of panic to her voice.
Eleanor was beaming. “It seems your womb has begun opening in preparation for labor.”
Ruby gasped, she covered her mouth with both her hands. Her eyes were wide.
“Don’t get too excited,” Becky cautioned. “In my experience, it can still take weeks before the onset of labor once the cervix starts to ripen.”
Ruby dropped her hands to the bed with an audible plop as they hit the mattress.
“It can also take much less time. Normally a couple of days…a week but don’t get your hopes up,” she quickly added and Ruby smiled.
Kai could feel that he was also grinning. From ear to fucking ear. He moved closer to the bed and gripped Ruby’s hand. “It won’t be long now. The only questions are, when will it happen and are you going to birth an egg or a baby?” He put his hand on the curve of her belly. Her skin was soft and warm. “Our baby.” His voice was filled with awe. His chest swelled with pride.
Her hand covered his. It was much smaller. “Our little one. I can’t wait to meet him. Even if he is behind a shell at first.”
Kai choked out a laugh. “Do dragons have two birthdays? The day they were…released? And the day they hatched? How does it even work?” He pulled her gown back down.
Ruby laughed. “We only have one birthday…silly. The day we were hatched of course.”
Both Eleanor and Becky laughed as well.
Becky threw the glove in the trash. “I think it’s probably safe to say, at this point, that you are carrying an egg, otherwise, I’m sure the pregnancy would have lasted longer. There is no way to tell for sure until…the time comes.”
“Although it could still take a couple of weeks as Becky pointed out, chances are good you’re going to go into labor within the next couple of days.” Eleanor looked concerned. “You”—he was looking at Ruby— “need a cell phone. You need to call Kai…to call for help. I know there is a phone in your room but it’s not enough.”
Kai nodded. “Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. Better yet, maybe I should take some leave from work. I need to be able to be there for you…for him, when the time comes.” He looked down at her belly. He hated feeling so helpless. The reality was that there was nothing he could do. Maybe he would be useless for the labor and the release…birth…whatever it ended up being but he sure as hell would make sure he was there.
“Don’t be in such a hurry.” Becky narrowed her eyes on him. “This could still take weeks. I’ve known of women whose cervix ripen months before the baby was due. They ended up being three or four centimeters by the time nine months rolled around. They carried perfectly normally, right until the end. It happens. That’s the thing with pregnancy…even when we have all the facts, it still doesn’t always go according to plan.” She paused, looking at each of them in turn. “The thing is, we have no facts when it comes to this particular pregnancy. We have no idea what’s going to happen, we can only guess. Although chances are good Ruby will go into labor fairly soon, it might not happen that way. I agree with Eleanor, you need to have a cell phone, Ruby.”
Becky picked up a file that was on the desk next to her. “Don’t make any drastic changes to your life
at this point.” She looked pointedly at Kai. “I wouldn’t go any extended trips outside of vampire territory but keep working…for now at least. Things could change, we’ll have to take it day by day.”
Everything the healer had said made sense. There was a driving need to take control of the situation somehow. He wanted to move in with Ruby so that he could be with her. At least then he would be at her side to protect her, help her. It was on the tip of his tongue to suggest it. Instead, he nodded. “You are right. I will make sure my superiors are aware of the situation.”
Ruby squeezed his hand. He hadn’t realized he was still holding it. “It’s going to be okay. I know it is.”
Fuck! He hoped she was right. Kai nodded.
Becky wrote something inside the file before closing it and putting it back on her desk. “Fine. I’m happy with your progress.”
Eleanor folded her arms. “Yes, things are progressing nicely, child.” She smiled warmly at Ruby.
“Great,” Becky said. “We’ll see you in…three days.”
“There was one thing we wanted to ask.” Ruby got up off the bed.
How the hell had he forgotten? His whole focus had been on the pregnancy, the labor, all of it…he hadn’t even thought about the question he needed to ask.
“Yeah,” he blurted. For some reason it didn’t feel right letting Ruby ask it. He was the male, it was up to him to make sure the mother of his unborn child was safe. “We were wondering if it would still be okay to have sex?”
Becky pursed her lips. Kai could see that the doctor was trying to hold back a smile. Her eyes said it all.
Eleanor’s expression remained completely deadpan. “Rutting would be good for the mother and therefore excellent for the child. I would recommend twice a day. Don’t allow yourself to become too tired, child. Although…” She smiled. “Nothing helps one sleep more than a good rutting.”
Kai had to hold back a laugh.
“I couldn’t have said it better myself.” Becky’s lips twitched. “Since we don’t know exactly what we’re dealing with, take it very easy.” She looked pointedly at Kai. “Nothing too rough but I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that. I know that as a vampire and as the father of this child, your instincts are to protect.” She paused, looking thoughtful. “Sperm…seed is known to speed up the ripening of the cervix and to help bring on labor. Although our appointment is in three days, don’t hesitate to call if you have any questions or if you experience anything out of the ordinary. For example, spotting…blood in your underwear…” She quickly added. “Or during sex for that matter. Any fluids, even if you appear to wet your pants or the bed. Any pains. Anything unusual, even if it seems stupid. I won’t keep you any longer…I’m sure you guys can’t wait to get out of here.” She grinned and gave him a wink.
Damn, this doctor was too fucking much. She was also right on the money. Kai had to suppress his own smile. “Yeah, go and change. Let’s get out of here.” Ruby gave him the sweetest damn smile.
Something tightened inside him. He swallowed hard. The things he was about to do to this female…pregnant or not…he would take it slow and easy. There was no way he was going to hurt her or his unborn child but Ruby was going to scream. Loudly and more than once. That was a fucking given.
Chapter 17
Kai put a hand to her back as they turned the final corner that led to her room. There was an urgency to his step that matched her own. They hadn’t spoken since leaving the clinic. Not a word. There was no need to speak. The tension between them was thick. Palpable. She could hear his heart beating in his chest. Could hear him breathing. In and out. There was a friction of material against her skin as her elbow touched his arm. Her heart just about beat out of her chest every time his hand touched her back.
Kai was so sure they were compatible. She prayed he was right. Her whole analogy about the chair leg was unfair of her, it was also true to a degree because a female in heat was easy to please. A male under the influence of heat pheromones was just as easy to satisfy. Long story short, the two days they had spent together was an orgasmic haze. It could have been a lie.
Hear hand fumbled on the doorknob. She stifled a giggle as the door finally opened. He was directly behind her as they moved into the room. His chest, flush against her back. His hips, and…oh god…up against her lower back. She could barely breath as he nuzzled into her neck. His breath against her ear. She leaned back for a moment and sighed.
The door slammed behind them as he put his hands on her hips and picked her up. By the way his breathing changed, she could hear it took some effort. Kai stopped at the foot of her bed where he put her down. “Thank fuck we didn’t move you to a much larger suite.”
As in, he would have struggled to carry her from the door all the way to the bed. She giggled. It sounded nervous. It couldn’t be helped. “Good thing,” her voice was husky.
“Forget I said anything.” He turned her around. “I would carry you for miles, just as long as there was a bed at the end of the journey.” Although he was smiling, it was tight. His gaze was heated.
“Good to know.”
“I want you.” He rubbed his hands up and down her arms. “It’s been a long time for me.”
She shook her head. “It’s been way longer for me so you can…”
His eyes moved to her mouth before moving back up. He gave a small shake of the head.
Wait a minute. Was he saying what she thought he was saying? No way. “I was your last?” She felt the skin of her forehead pull together.
“Yeah. It’s been a long fucking time.” He cupped her jaw. “It’s complicated. I don’t want to talk about it right now…I…” He was shaking. It was barely noticeable but there was a definite vibration against her cheek. “I didn’t drink from Jordan yesterday. We had a fight. I don’t want to talk about that either.” He let his hands fall away. “I thought it would be okay but it won’t be. I can’t rut you feeling as strung out as I do. I…”
“I won’t break. I’m strong.” She wanted to tell him that she was stronger than him but she couldn’t do it. No male liked to hear that. She was a royal dragon shifter, stronger than some of the lesser males in her tribe.
“The baby…” He shook his head. “I need to find blood. I’m not sure where. Vampire females consider it rude if a male drinks from them without…” He shrugged.
Ruby could fill in the blanks. She didn’t like the thought of him drinking from someone else. “If we’re going to rut, you may as well drink from me, although the last time you did…” She could recall how his whole body had tensed up. He’d made the most horrible noise, like he was being tortured or something and then…
“Don’t remind me.” He rolled his eyes. “I passed out cold.”
“You were out for a while.” Ruby smiled. “I’m not sure how true it is but according to our ancestors, our ability to breath fire stems from our blood. Fire dragons have fire in our veins.” She cocked her head. “Not literal fire but whatever it is that allows us to have the ability to breathe flames, is in our blood.”
“Oh it’s true alright.” Kai raised his brows. “Your ancestors were right on the money. Your blood was heaven but it was also hot as hell. As in…the deepest, darkest fire pits of hell. It was like my whole body was burning up.”
“Okay then…you won’t want to experience that again. I understand. Find a female and come back when you are ready.” Her heart sank like a rock. She could handle it. It wasn’t a big deal. She tried not to dwell on the disappointment. He’d been taking blood from Jordan. She had been okay with that, hadn’t she?
“Are you kidding? Didn’t you hear the part about your blood being heaven? You might need to wait though”—he smiled—“for me to wake up if I pass out again.”
“Good. It’s settled.” She pulled her top over her head. The clothing was on loan from the vampire queen. Maternity wear. She hadn’t been able to bring herself to actually wear the breast coverings. They were stifling.
Hi
s jaw tightened but his eyes stayed locked with hers. “Yeah. Looks that way.” He moved closer, stopping only when his rock hard abs touched her belly. “I’m glad you’re okay with this, I don’t want anyone else’s blood…right now.” He quickly added.
Right now.
Don’t think about it. Don’t.
“I don’t want anyone else period.” The right now went unspoken but she heard it nonetheless. “Sit down on the edge of the bed.”
She did as he said.
Kai moved onto his knees. He gripped the elastic at the top of her leggings. “Tilt your hips up.”
She did as he said and he slid the garment from her body.
“You’re so fucking beautiful.” His gaze was still on her face.
She knew she was considered attractive amongst her own species. She was very different from vampire females though. Just as tall and muscular but not nearly as lean. Ruby had thicker thighs and her backside was rounded. Her mammary glands were filled out. More than most of the vampires she had encountered and it was only getting worse.
They were much fuller than before. Fuller than when she had first arrived here. Heavy, cumbersome and in the way. They bounced when she tried walked too fast, or tried to climb more than one step at a time. It was why she had tried the human coverings in the first place. The queen had told her she needed the support. Her breasts were irritating. In the way.
Although, by the way Kai was staring at them, she would swear he liked them. His chest heaved as he breathed harder. His heat filled gaze turned scorching. He swallowed thickly. “So damned beautiful.” Using both his hands, he cupped her heavy breasts, squeezing them softly.
He liked them alright.
Maybe she could live with them.
Another soft squeeze. It felt good and when his thumbs raked over her nipples which tightened in response, it felt more than good. Those deft fingers continued to rub back and forth across her turgid flesh and she let her head fall back. A few more strokes and she moaned. Her hips thrust forward.
A Mate for Kai (The Program #6) Page 17
