by Sadie Carter
“I am sorry, my own. This is all my fault.” Dex gave her a pained look.
“Damn right it is.” She gripped his hand. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean any of this. Really. Ahh, it’s starting again. I hate this. I hate this. Crap. Crap. Crap. Please, Thor. I need to push.”
Thor moved between her legs. She was lying on a masic in the medical center. She groaned in pain. Dex ran his hand over her forehead. “You are doing so well, my own. So well.”
She whimpered.
Thor straightened. “All right. We’re ready. Next contraction, Zoey, you push.”
Thank fuck.
Another contraction hit. “Push!”
With a roar, she pushed.
***
Dex held his tiny baby daughter in his arms. He could not believe that this small, perfect being was his. His and Zoey’s.
He glanced over at his tired mate. Thor was making her more comfortable.
“She is beautiful, my own.” He moved back towards her as Thor gave him a nod. He sat on the bed next to her before handing over their child.
Zoey held the baby, staring down at her. Suddenly she burst into tears. Sharp, raw sobs that sliced him to the bone.
“What is it? What’s wrong?” Was she in pain? Dex scowled at Thor.
“She’s beautiful,” Zoey sobbed.
“She takes after you.”
Her cries grew louder.
“Help her,” he demanded.
“Zoey, are you hurting?” Thor asked.
She stared at him incredulously. “Ahh, yeah, just slightly. Look at the size of her head, I pushed that out of me. By the way, you can now forget everything you saw, got me? You. Saw. Nothing.”
Thor nodded then glanced over at him helplessly. Human women were so different to Zerconian females. Birth hardly pained them and was over with very quickly.
“Zoey? What is it?” he asked.
“I don’t know. I’m just overwhelmed. I waited for her to come for so long. Now she’s here, and she’s beautiful, and I have no idea what I’m doing.”
“That is what worries you? How to care for her?”
Zoey nodded. “What if I get it wrong? What if I hurt her? What if I do the wrong thing?”
He turned so he faced her. “Look at me.”
She sniffled, keeping her face averted.
“Zoey.” He injected a note of command into his voice and placed a finger under her chin to tip her face up. “You are going to be a wonderful mother.”
How had he not told her this? How had he not seen her doubts?
“How do you know?”
“Because you are kind and loving. You are funny and sweet. Most of all, you look after those you care about.”
She sniffled, and he wiped her tears away. “I am sorry if I have been smothering you lately. If I have made you feel invisible.”
She gave him a suspicious look. “What makes you say that?”
“Ahh, a friend may have pointed out a few truths.”
“A friend, huh? Maybe a female one? Named Willa or Mila? Ignore them. I’m fine.”
He grasped hold of her chin gently. “No. You are not. And pretending that you are stops now. I do not want to hear what you think I want to hear. I want the truth. Tell me.”
She bit her lip. Then stared down at their baby. “She is so beautiful. I feel terrible for all the times I resented her now.”
Dex glanced behind him, but as he suspected, Thor had left.
“Resented?”
“It makes me sound so awful.”
“Nothing could make me believe you are awful. I have let you down, my own.”
“What?” She gave him a surprised look. “No, you haven’t.”
He nodded solemnly. “I have not given you the attention you needed. Everything has been about the baby. I was so worried about protecting the baby and you, I forgot to ensure that you knew just how much I love you.”
“I’ve been silly, haven’t I?”
“No, my own. I am the one at fault.”
She smiled at him and this time, the smile reached her eyes. “We should really get our acts together. We’re parents now. We’re supposed to be mature and wise and know what we’re doing.”
Dex ran his finger down his daughter’s forehead and nose. “I am certain she will forgive us if we get things wrong. But you do not have to know everything. I do not. There are many people who will give us advice and guide us. You are not alone, Zoey.”
“I know. She’s just so important to me. I want to be a great mom.”
“You will be. How could you not be?”
“Sweet-talker.” She gave him a nudge with her elbow. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Chapter Eight
“She’s so beautiful.” Mila gazed down at the tiny baby, instantly in love.
“I know,” Zoey replied, voice filled with pride. “She’s the most beautiful baby in the universe. Not that I’ve seen that many. I really have no idea what I’m doing.” Panic flashed across Zoey’s face before she took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “But Dex reckons we can learn together. He’s so besotted by her.”
Dex had barely left his mate’s side since she gave birth three days ago. Anyone could see by the way he gazed at his daughter how much he loved her. He practically melted.
“I wish we weren’t leaving,” Mila told her with a sigh.
“So do I. But this is an important meeting.”
Mila nodded. “I know.”
“I’m sorry the old bat insisted on going.” Dex’s parents were going to Newsdale to meet with the Earth Council with Mila.
Good for Zoey. Not so good for Mila. She wasn’t all that fond of the old bat, either.
“Are you nervous?” Zoey asked.
“Oh yeah. But I’m excited, too. This could be the beginning of a new era. I don’t want anyone else to die because they didn’t find their mate.”
Zoey squeezed her hand then took back the baby when she cried. “Come on, little one. Time for a feed.”
“Have you decided what to call her?” Mila asked as Zoey finished feeding the baby and held her against her shoulder, rubbing her back to burp her.
“The old bat wants me to call her Helgar or Anuus.”
“Anus? Seriously? She wants you to name your baby after a butt?”
Zoey giggled, and Mila nearly sighed in relief to see Zoey looking so happy. She’d been scared for her friend. Although she still saw glimpses of sadness, she was much happier than she had been.
“That’s not the worst suggestion. Her favorite is Liulanbeth. She wants me to name my gorgeous girl after her.”
“I know you’re not going to call her any of those names.”
“No. But we have chosen a name. Elodie Simone.”
“Elodie. That’s beautiful. A beautiful name for a beautiful baby.” Longing filled her and she glanced up at Koran, wondering why she hadn’t fallen pregnant. It certainly wasn’t for lack of trying. She blushed at the thought. Koran could barely keep his hands off her when they were alone.
She caught his gaze where he stood talking to Dex across the room. When Koran met her gaze, heat smoldered in his eyes. He moved towards her, gazing down at the baby.
“Would you like to hold her?” Zoey asked him.
He held his hands up, a look of sheer terror on his face. “No.”
Mila giggled. “Are you scared? Of a baby?”
“Of course not,” he replied arrogantly, crossing his arms over his chest.
“He’s probably worried he will hurt her. But my little warrior princess is tougher than she looks,” Dex said proudly as he picked his daughter up and held her close.
Mila melted as she watched the strong, huge warrior holding his tiny daughter so carefully.
“We must go, Mila. We leave in two hours.”
“I know.” She hugged Zoey then gave baby Elodie a kiss. “Goodbye little one. See you soon.”
Chapter Nine
“Yo
u did wonderfully, Mila.” Koran closed the door to their suite of rooms. They were staying in a hotel on Newsdale.
The solemn, calm look slipped from her face, and she laughed, dancing around the room.
He smiled at her foolishness. She tripped, falling to her knees and he rushed towards her, helping her up. “Are you well? Did you hurt yourself?”
She smiled, shaking her head. “I’m fine. I can’t believe it. They agreed! We did it!”
“You did it. I know you were nervous.”
“Nervous? I nearly peed my pants. I cannot believe I pulled that off.”
His mate had been calm, collected, and confident in her negotiations. No one could have seen her nerves. She had negotiated an alliance with Earth, which included a trade agreement. And most importantly, more humans would be visiting Zerconia in the near future.
“But you are not wearing pants.”
“I wasn’t being literal. That would be embarrassing. Now, we can go home.” She sat on the sofa and laid her head back. Her breasts pushed against her top and his shaft stirred. They had not joined since they had arrived on Newsdale. She had been busy in negotiations that started early in the morning and went late into the night, and she needed her rest.
But now that was over.
“Strip for me.”
Her gaze dropped to his shaft which twitched. He needed her.
“Strip.”
Mila stood and without argument, stripped her clothes off until she stood before him completely naked. Koran’s balls ached, the heat racing through his body impossible to ignore.
Not that he wanted to.
“Turn.”
A blush covered her cheeks, but she slowly turned. His Mila had issues about her looks. But he had taken it on as his personal challenge to show her how beautiful she was.
“Sit back down. Spread your legs wide.”
“Oh, dear Lord. This is so dirty.”
“The seat is dirty?” He would need to speak to the cleaner.
“No, I mean you’re being dirty. Your words. Your commands. It’s a good thing.” She sat, spreading her legs.
“Ahh.” Understanding her had become much easier, and her Zerconian was now very good. But occasionally she still managed to confuse him with her human sayings.
“You have been a good girl. You have worked hard. I believe you are owed a reward.”
“Really?”
Her nipples hardened into tight rosy nubs, topping her plump, pale breasts. Her breath quickened. Waiting was impossible. Need tore at him, nearly tearing his insides to shreds. He quickly stripped, enjoying the way her gaze narrowed, heat filling her eyes as she studied his naked body.
They were made for each other.
“Cup your breasts, hold them up for me.”
He strode towards her. Kneeling between her spread legs, he ran his hands up her thighs, ignoring her centre for the moment. Leaning forward, he breathed over one taut nipple, teasing her.
“Koran!” she cried out, shifting around on the sofa.
Taking pity on her, he ran his tongue over her nipple, then flicked it.
“Stop teasing!”
A smile threatened at the mix of pleading and demand in her voice. He moved to her other nipple, doing the same. Then he took her nipple into his mouth, sucking strongly. He moved back and forth between each nipple, feasting, simply taking his time.
“Clasp your hands together behind your head. Your body is mine to do as I please with. Do you agree?”
“Yes. Always.”
He pushed her legs further apart, staring down at her pussy. He never imagined his mate would be so perfect for him. His need for her was high, but she matched him at every step. She was intelligent, kind, and sweet. Light to his darkness. He knew he could be abrupt and abrasive, but she balanced him out.
Koran would do anything for her. Anything. There was only one thing he feared. Losing her. He only hoped that he got to spend years loving her. Even though he knew forever would never be enough.
He ran his finger up her slick folds, and she whimpered, closing her eyes. Then he swirled his finger around her clit. She gasped, her breath catching as he flicked her clit back and forth. He thrust one finger deep inside her, she was slick with need.
“You are wet for me.”
She opened her eyes to stare at him. “Ahh, yeah, course I am. I want you, Koran. Inside me.”
“Soon. I have something for you.”
“A present?” Her face lit up.
Picking her up, he carried her to the masic and set her down. “Lie back. Hands above your head.”
Koran reached over to the drawers next to the masic and pulled out the vibrator he’d purchased earlier.
Mila’s eyes widened as she stared up at him. “Is that what I think it is?”
“A vibrator,” he told her with satisfaction.
“How did you get it? Where?”
“There is an interesting store here at our hotel. The Newans are very open with their enjoyment of joining.”
“You don’t need to tell me,” she muttered, blushing.
The Newans were exhibitionists. The more people watching, the wilder they grew. While he and Mila had spent most of their time in the hotel, the times they had left had been very eye-opening.
“You can’t use that on me, Koran.” Her gaze flicked nervously between his face and the vibrator. But he saw the heat in her gaze, the way she licked her lips. She was aroused.
He raised an eyebrow.
“Oh hell,” she muttered. “Nothing I say will stop you, will it?”
“You are afraid?” He would never do anything to frighten her. That went against his driving need to protect her.
She sighed. “No. I’m not scared. Do your worst.”
He frowned at her words. “I will do my very best by you. You are my mate.”
She smiled, her gaze warm and full of love. “I know.”
Koran pulled her lower lips apart, rubbing the vibrator up and down until her juices coated the thick shaft. Then he drew it down to her entrance, pushing it slowly inside her.
“Oh God. I can’t believe you’re doing this to me.”
“I bought this vibrator because it understands voice commands. I programmed it earlier.”
She muttered something under her breath as Koran seated the vibrator deep inside her.
“Keep that inside. Do not let it slip out,” he warned.
A whimper was his only reply.
“Vibrate half-strength.”
“Oh shit. Oh shit.” She arched up then groaned. “Koran!”
Pleased with himself, Koran leaned down and circled her clit with his tongue. Around and around. Up and down. She was so slick. So ready for him. He knew she was close. Her body shuddered, her cries filling the room.
“Stop,” he commanded.
Mila let out a loud cry as the vibrator stilled. “I was so close.”
He smiled. “Roll over. Hands and knees. Do not lose the vibrator.”
As she moved, the vibrator slipped out onto the mattress.
“Crap.”
He tsked. “Naughty girl. You’re going to have to be punished for that. Head down, forehead touching the masic.”
For a long moment, he simply drunk her in. The sight of her, naked and waiting for him, filled him with a deep sense of satisfaction. Her ass was high in the air as she knelt on the masic.
“Spread your legs.” He slid the vibrator deep once more, loving her sigh of satisfaction. He had hoped his Mila would enjoy her present.
He certainly did.
Koran ran his hand over her ass then gave it a sharp tap. She jolted then moaned as he rubbed the heat in. He didn’t intend to actually punish her. This spanking was all about adding to her pleasure. Her willingness to try new things constantly surprised him.
He smacked her other cheek. His cock throbbed. He couldn’t hold back much longer. His need for her demanded release.
“Rotate head.”
“What?
Oh, oh, oh.” She shuddered as the vibrator rotated. “Koran, please.”
He gave each of her cheeks a final smack. Then he pulled her lower lips apart, staring at the vibrator tucked between her folds.
“Stop.” As the vibrator quieted, he grasped the end and pulled it out. Before she could complain, he drove it back inside her. He stilled, his body shaking with the need for release. Her warmth surrounded him, massaging his shaft and very nearly sending him over.
“Koran! Koran!”
He moved, drawing back before pushing himself in deep. It was a test of his control. Jaw clenched, sweat coated his skin as he attempted to hold himself back. Reaching around, he circled her clit with his finger then flicked it steadily.
“Come, my mate. Come!”
He would not come before her. He would not. Mila arched her back, crying out as she came, rippling around him. It was too much. Too intense.
He was lost. Koran roared as he followed her over into bliss.
Mila snuggled up against Koran’s chest. “Wow.”
“You enjoyed your present?”
“Ahh, yes. Just a little bit.” She sat up, giving him a smile. She would never have guessed he’d buy her a vibrator for a present. “I love you, you know.”
Reaching up, he brushed her hair back from her face. “And I love you, my beautiful mate.”
Mila refrained from arguing. It was still hard to believe that he found her beautiful. She’d always been the plain sister. The one no one noticed. But Koran noticed her. This sexy, gorgeous man was hers.
Sometimes she still pinched herself. Well, she had until Koran made her stop. Something about not being allowed to hurt herself.
“I wonder how much Elodie will have grown by the time we get back.” It would take them at least a week to return home, more if they stopped along the way. She would be nearly a month old by the time they returned. “She is so beautiful.”
“I hope our daughter takes after her beautiful mother.”
Mila bit her lip, turning away so he didn’t see the worry on her face. But she should have known better. She couldn’t hide anything from his sharp gaze.
