by Lia Davis
Anna’s eyes grew huge, “But I need you.”
“I plan to be back in a week, so we’ll have plenty of time before the baby is born,” Emma reassured her with a hug.
She let out a relieved breath. “You had me worried for a minute.”
“Isaac wants to look over the property and Lucas’s plans. We won’t be gone long.” Emma hugged her one last time and left to mingle.
Anna sighed wistfully. “Sounds like fun. I wish I was going, too.”
“You’ll be back on your feet in no time,” Rose insisted.
“I know. It’s just the combination of being as big as a house and restricted to a chair or bed. I’m restless, and it helps to move around.”
Simon frowned. “Have you told Cade that?”
“It wouldn’t matter. The doctor wants me to rest. Tim sent my blood pressure through the roof, and we’re trying to get it back down.”
Simon’s wolf came into his eyes and he growled. “I could kill him all over again.”
Anna had known shifter law would demand Tim’s death. Simon’s comment didn’t surprise her. “You and me both.”
“Did anyone fill you in on what happened after you and Cade left?” Rose asked.
“Not yet, but we have been rather housebound.”
Simon searched the crowd for Cade. He wanted them both to hear the story together in case Anna needed his support. “Cade, come over here.”
“What’s up guys?” he asked as he slipped an arm around his mate.
“We were about to tell Anna what happened at Julia’s after you left.”
“Yeah, Dad was supposed to tell me, but we haven’t been around. So what did you do with Tim?”
“Thomas was raging mad. Etienne tried to take over Tim’s punishment, for not only returning, but also attacking the women. Thomas refused,” Simon said with a raised brow. Not many men had the balls to refuse Etienne.
“Tim actually told Thomas he shot Julia to kill her,” Rose said wide eyed.
“Here’s the difficult part,” Simon said, looking at Cade and nodding toward Anna.
He took the hint and wrapped both arms around her.
“Thomas asked John for permission to finish Tim off. To be rid of him for good,” Simon said meaningfully. “John gave it to him. He didn’t even hesitate. No one argued. It was his right to carry out the execution. There wasn’t anyone more deserving of retribution than Thomas.”
Rose put a hand on Anna’s arm to comfort her. “Thomas made it quick. Tim will never bother you or anyone else ever again.”
Anna didn’t speak. She was too shocked to form words. It didn’t surprise her that Tim was dead. What surprised her was that Thomas had carried out the sentence.
Anna had only enjoyed the party for an hour when Cade declared it was time to go and got her started on her goodbyes. He wanted her off her feet.
Anna hugged Emma and Isaac last. “Goodbye, and safe travels to Texas.”
“You be safe yourself. Call me if you need anything,” Emma insisted.
Before Anna could start her goodbyes over again, Cade hustled her home, or at least as fast as he could waddle her there. The pace they moved could never be considered a hustle.
Two days later, Anna woke from her nap to an empty house. Where had Cade gone?
Baby, where are you?
Putting the last few things into the boat. I’ll be at the house to get you in a few minutes.
Anna busied herself with finding her flip-flops and running a brush through her hair. It didn’t matter if she slept five minutes or five hours, her hair was always a riotous mess.
By the time they were headed to the dock, she had fetched the food Emma had made and was ready to go.
Cade beamed when she gasped. “I made a soft place for you to sit using blankets and a pillow.”
“I’m going to feel like Cleopatra on the Nile.”
“I’m glad you approve. Let me help you get settled.”
In minutes, they were floating gently toward the island. Anna dangled her fingers in the water until she saw an alligator surface. That was enough of that. She had a personal attachment to all ten of her fingers and planned to keep them.
“What the heck did you pack? The boat is busting at the seams.” Anna laughed as she looked around her.
“Everything we need as well as my baby books and such.” He smiled brightly. “I’m not done studying for the big test. You’ve done this before, but I haven’t, and I want to be ready.”
“The big test?” She laughed.
“When the baby is born. There couldn’t be a more important test to pass, and I plan to ace it.”
“Were you like this in school, too?”
“I guess I’ve always been an overachiever. Don’t look at me like it’s a bad thing,” he chuckled.
“It’s not bad. It’s sweet,” she giggled.
“That’s right. I’m sweet and don’t you forget it when you want to kill me during labor.”
Anna grinned playfully. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
About twenty minutes later he docked the boat and helped her out. “I’ll get this unpacked. Why don’t you check to see if the groceries were delivered?”
Anna shook her head as she closed the refrigerator. The kitchen was stocked with enough food for a month. She had no idea how they would eat it all.
When Cade dropped the last load, she handed him a bottle of water. “Your mother did it again. There’s enough food to feed an army.”
“Good,” he took another gulp, “then I’ll have a variety to choose from when you have a craving.”
She rolled her eyes, laughing at his goofy grin and lowered her huge belly into a chair. “Do you get TV reception out here?”
“Yeah, we have a satellite dish. Why don’t you see what’s on?”
“That’s great. At least I’ll be able to watch movies and stuff this week.”
Cade was heading for the bedroom to unpack suitcases when he stopped and looked out the window. “See if you can find a weather report. I don’t like the look of the sky.”
“That’s odd. There wasn’t a storm predicted when I watched the news this morning.”
“Maybe not, but it looks like we may be in for a doozy.”
“You’re right,” she called toward the bedroom. “A huge system is headed right for us. Will we be safe here?”
Before he could answer, huge raindrops pelted the window. “I guess we better be,” she murmured to herself.
He walked back into the living room and pulled her into his arms. “We’ll be fine.”
Snuggled on the couch like litter mates, they watched the weather channel praying for a break in the storm. After two hours, Cade checked the premium movie channels listing. “Would you like to watch a comedy?”
“Okay. I haven’t seen most of those, so pick one.”
The movie ended and the credits were rolling. “Look at the time. What would you like for dinner? Burgers or pizza?”
“Burgers, please.”
Cade pulled out the George Foreman grill. In a few minutes, he placed juicy burgers, potato salad, and a bowl of chips on the table. Pride came off him in waves. He looked every bit the alpha male providing for his mate.
Anna's stomach growled loudly as she took her seat at the table. “That smells amazing, babe.”
“Thank you, cher.” He filled her glass with milk and joined her.
Neither had realized how hungry they were until they took their first bite. It was a quiet meal, silence broken only by raindrops and moans of pleasure.
“I’ll clean up while you get in your nightgown,” Cade said as he cleared the table.
“Are you sure? I could always lose the nightgown,” Anna hinted with a heated gaze. When he didn’t take the bait, her smile faded. “Come on, Cade. How many times do I have to tell you, women can have sex throughout the entire pregnancy?”
“I’ll make a deal with you. If the pregnancy book says it’s safe, I’ll ravage you,” Cad
e growled. Every inch of his body was strung as tightly as a guitar string. He hadn't had his mate in too long. Concern for both her and the baby had held his libido in check. Sure, they teased and petted. How could he not? But he’d been too afraid of harming the baby to make love to her since she hit her seventh month.
Anna laughed as she waddled to the bedroom. By the time she returned, he was earnestly reading the largest pregnancy book he had brought with them.
“What’s my prognosis, Dr. Le Beau?”
“I don't know yet. I'm still reading.” He wrapped an arm around her without taking his eyes from the page.
Bingo! He had his answer and was ready to thoroughly love on his mate. Glancing down, he pulled up short. She was nestled against him, sleeping peacefully. His entire body protested having to wait, but she needed rest more than he needed relief.
Grimacing, he pressed the heel of his hand against his raging hard on, telling himself tomorrow would come soon enough, and by Goddess, he would be stripping her naked.
Anna yawned and pried one eye open. As much as she hated leaving the comfortable bed, her bladder had other things in mind.
She flicked the switch – nothing. She flicked it down and up again. Still nothing. The bulb must have burned out. But then she noticed there was a light bar with three cold dark bulbs. What were the odds they all burned out at the same time? Nil.
“Cade?” she called toward his snoring form.
He made a snort of protest. “What, cher?”
“I think the power is out.”
That brought him fully awake.
“Are you sure?”
“Pretty sure, yeah. The bathroom light is out, and the clock next to your head is off too. Is it safe to use the toilet?”
“Go ahead. We keep barrels of water out back for emergencies, so I’ll be able to refill the tank.” Still groggy, he rolled out of bed to dress.
A short time later, Anna sighed and put an arm around Cade in the kitchen.
“What’s wrong, mon amour?”
“Nothing. I was just really looking forward to a shower.”
“If you would like, I can heat up some rainwater and fill the bath? The gas range should still work with matches.”
She kissed him, happiness shining in her eyes. “Would you? That sounds heavenly.”
It took about ten minutes to haul and heat the water, but Anna’s bath was ready. He leaned over and tested the temperature in the tub one last time. As he straightened to call her, she walked in deliciously naked. A low, anguished groan tore from his throat.
When she turned toward the vanity and bent slightly, he was gone. He had to have her, or he would surely die.
He was sure when she had stripped in the bedroom, she hadn’t considered the effect she would have on him. By the heat in his glowing eyes and intense need racking his body. She didn’t know it yet, but she had a hungry wolf on her hands.
His hands slid over her body, savoring every soft curve. Slowly he turned her and lifted her onto the vanity. Their bodies lined up perfectly. Holding her gaze, he spread her legs and went to his knees.
A moan rose from her throat as he played her body like a finely tuned instrument. He knew all her triggers and how to drive her crazy. Cade wanted her wild with passion.
He knew she thought she had a huge, unattractive belly. She said it all the time. She was wrong. He had never wanted her more. Here she was, legs over his shoulders, head thrown back screaming his name. His wolf howled in satisfaction.
Cade licked his lips as he stood between her now noodlefied legs. He was slowly stroking in and out with two fingers as her orgasm flowed over her. When she could breathe again, he eased into her hot, slick channel. Carefully he lifted her legs to wrap them around his lean hips. He watched every expression on her face. He wanted her more than air, but he would die if he hurt her.
Slowly he slid home, amazed she could still take him deep. He paced his thrusting slow and steady, gauging her pleasure before thrusting faster. Her moans grew with each slap of skin on skin. He knew he would never last—she felt too good. Reaching between them and under her baby belly, he stroked her clit, and she shattered.
She gripped him like a fist and sent him over the edge.
They breathed together for long minutes as they regained their legs.
Laughing, incredibly happy, and satisfied, she laid her head on his chest panting.
His breath sawed in and out of his heaving chest. “Wow, I can’t move.”
“Neither can I. I guess we’re stuck here for the duration.”
“Don’t tempt me, woman, or I’ll call your bluff and keep you naked and satisfied for the next five days.”
Anna giggled. “You realize that’s not an effective threat, don’t you?”
He moaned as her inner walls tightened on him again. As the pressure grew, and his stomach muscles tightened, he started to panic. After a minute the contraction eased, and he slipped free.
Cade’s eyes were huge. “That was freaky,”
“Welcome to my freaky pregnant world,” she joked. “Please help me down and to the tub.”
Anna sighed blissfully as she lowered her tired body into the warm water. Thankfully, the tub was larger than normal, or she may not have fit.
She had just leaned back and closed her eyes when a contraction gripped her stomach again. It wasn’t any stronger than the last, so she ignored it and enjoyed her bath.
Thirty minutes later she was dressed and back on the couch. A beeping sound caught her attention. “Cade? Where’s your phone?”
“Next to you on the end table.”
“Perfect. Just perfect,” she scowled as the battery blinked one red bar, then gave up the ghost.
“What is it?”
“Your phone just died. We will have to remember to charge it when the power comes back on.”
“I’ll plug it in now, so we don’t have to think about it.” He took the phone to the kitchen and plugged it in.
Without power to watch a movie, all there was to do was watch it rain or read. Cade was leafing through Sports Illustrated while Anna used her Kindle. At least that still had power. She was on the third chapter of the novel she was reading when another pain struck. This one was stronger than the last and felt different. She tried to ignore it and not panic.
“Anna? What the hell is that?”
“Don’t worry. It should pass. Sex can trigger contractions, but it usually doesn’t induce labor.”
“Usually!”
“Just give me a minute and remain calm,” she said as she tried to breathe through it.
She could feel Cade’s worried gaze like a tangible touch as she concentrated on breathing slow, steady breaths. Finally, the contraction subsided.
“See?” She grinned unconvincingly. “All gone.”
“I should never have lost control in the bathroom,” he growled as he raked his hair angrily. “This is my fault.”
“I seem to remember being a full participant in the bathroom sexcapades. Personally, I enjoyed every minute and wouldn’t change a thing.”
Cade was still frowning. “That was stronger than the others. How do we know if it is a fake one?”
Chapter 9
“When they start coming at regular intervals, for example, twenty minutes apart instead of random, then we will worry,” Anna assured him smoothing the worry line between his brows.
Crap! That one hurt, Anna groaned silently in her mind. Another pain so soon?
“Anna? Are you okay? That felt like more than false labor.”
“I'm fine. I'm pretty sure it's still Braxton Hicks.”
Cade warily searched her face. He wasn't sure if she was telling the truth or lying to spare him the worry.
When a few minutes passed, and she hadn't had another one, he breathed easier. False labor, that's all it was. Nothing to worry about.
Just when he was sure they were in the clear, her expression turned to uncertainty. “What is it?”
Her hesitation had his gut tightening. He could feel her indecision. She was holding something back. He was sure of it. “Spit it out, cher.”
Anna sighed, “I noticed during my bath that the baby looked like she was sitting lower. I think she dropped.”
Cade gaped at her like she had hit him over the head with a bat. “The baby dropped! And you’re just now telling me? What the hell, Anna?”
Tears welled in her eyes. She hadn’t meant to deceive him. She just hadn’t thought about it at the time. “I didn’t do it on purpose. I only noticed that the pressure was less on my ribs, and the baby didn’t feel like she was kicking them to pieces. Just now, I was looking at my stomach and noticed it looked lower, and I put two and two together.”
Cade wrapped an arm around her. He’d yelled at her without knowing the whole story, and now he felt like shit. His wolf was none too happy with him either. Suddenly his stomach cramped until it was tight as a drum. “Are you sure it's false labor? With her dropped an’ all?
“Pretty sure,” she managed through gritted teeth.
He watched her closely for signs of stress. “What do real contractions feel like?”
“It’s been a long time, but the best way I can describe it to you is a charley horse times a thousand.”
He sat back and breathed easier, the pain he’d felt wasn’t anything close to that.
They were both quietly reading again when another one hit. This one was harder and longer than any he had experienced.
Anna saw and smelled his alarm. “Okay, before you panic, I’m going to time them. If they are sporadic, it’s nothing. If there is a pattern, we’re in trouble.”
Cade stared at her, barely blinking, his wolf on high alert for the next twenty minutes. She felt like a pot he was waiting to boil. When no pain came, he started to relax. Too soon. Another contraction gripped their bodies.
He didn’t trust his voice to not shake so he waited for her to offer the verdict. Impatiently, he ran both hands through his hair until it was utterly wild.
