by Haley Weir
They made their way down to the truck and headed towards Castle Black. Rina texted Casey to let her know she was on her way and put her phone away. "I've been waiting for this baby to show up since I got here."
"Maybe this is a sign."
"What?" she asked.
"Maybe this happened to keep us from making a mistake by sleeping together."
Rina felt sick to her stomach. "Stop the truck. I'll walk to my car from here."
"Rina—”
"I'm not mad, Caleb. I'd just rather go on my own." The truck slowed to a stop and she climbed down from her seat. "Next time you want to make a mistake, proposition someone else." Rina closed her door and got into her car. Her phone rang three times, but she ignored it. She tried not to feel offended as she drove away. Never in her life had anyone thought of being with her as a mistake.
She drove up to the front gate and turned off the car. Rina knocked on the door and waited for someone to answer. A big burly man smiled at her a moment later. "I hope you're here to see me."
"Actually, I'm here to see Casey. She's a friend of mine, and she's about to have her baby." Rina waited for the man to step aside and followed him to the entrance of the castle. Giddeon met her in the grand hallway.
"I can't believe you made it here. We were worried your rental wouldn't be able to handle the roads." He pulled her in for a hug, and they walked into a room where the others waited. Rina walked past Caleb and sat with Diana and Olivia.
"How's Casey?"
"She's with the midwife," Diana answered. "Damien is flying a doctor up tomorrow to check her and the baby out to make sure both of them are healthy."
"Where is Balor?"
"With Damien."
"Damien?" Rina asked. "Why would Damien be with Balor?"
Olivia opened her mouth to answer, but Caleb gripped Rina's arm and lifted her from the couch. He steered her into the hallway. She jerked her arm out of his grasp. "What's your problem?"
"You're Damien's girl."
"What? I'm not anyone's girl. Damien and I mess around sometimes, but it's nothing serious." She folded her arms and cocked her hip. "Why are you upset, anyway?"
"Damien is a family friend."
"That explains why he's with your brother right now, but not why you dragged me over here," she whispered harshly.
"We almost slept together. If anything would have happened between us, that would have been a betrayal—”
"Woah! Like I said, Damien and I aren't together."
"He's in love with you."
Rina paused. It was different hearing it from Caleb than it was listening to Olivia's ranting. When Caleb said it, she knew it was true. "I...I'm not responsible for Damien. He knew what I wanted from him when we agreed to our arrangement. It's not my fault he caught feelings for me."
"That's it, then? You're going to give him the 'Thanks but no thanks' treatment and toss him aside?"
"How is that any of your business?" Rina threw her arms up into the air. She felt anger boiling beneath a thin layer of lust that sparked each time he stepped towards her. "I'm single and just having fun."
"You're complicated, Rina. Sooner or later, that's going to hurt someone."
"You're such a hypocrite," she sneered. "I'm a model, Caleb; you've been with plenty of my friends. I hear about the girls you sleep with, and I know you don't even walk them to the door the next morning. Just send a kiss emoji and you're on the next flight out of town. Real smooth."
Giddeon popped his head into the corridor. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine. Thank you," she answered. "We just finished with our conversation."
Rina spun on her heels and returned to her friends. She sat beside Olivia, heart thundering in her chest. Caleb's reaction had been just as extreme as hers had been in the truck. Neither of them seemed in control of their emotions around each other, and that didn't sit right with Rina. Her heart was in a steel trap buried beneath a fortress of bitterness and resentment. Rina's mother taught her how to build up walls between her and the rest of the world, to wear a smile as a suit of armor.
"What are you going to do about Damien?" Diana asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Are you breaking things off with him or letting it carry on until one of you gets hurt."
Rina rolled her eyes. "Listen, I don't know why this is such a big deal for everyone. If I was a man having casual sex with someone, it wouldn't be a big deal. Why is it that, because I'm a woman, there's something wrong with just having fun? Damien's a big boy. He can decide what he wants for himself."
She walked over to Giddeon and placed her hand on his arm. "How are you?"
"I want to be in there."
"Then you should be."
He shook his head. "Casey is afraid that I may hurt the midwife. Sometimes I can't control my anger when it comes to my wife's safety."
~*~
Castle Black
Destiny, Alaska
Caleb couldn't stand being in the same room as Rina. He needed to talk to her, but there were far too many people around, and he wasn't sure he would be capable of maintaining a civilized volume level. Caleb paced a few more times and then headed outside. He needed the fresh air to break through the haze of emotion that she summoned within him. Sleeping with Rina would have been a terrible idea—there was no doubt in his mind about that.
"Mind telling me what that was all about?"
He turned around and saw Olivia frowning just inside the doorway. It was as if she knew instinctively not to go near any of the people in the courtyard. "It won't happen again."
"Damn right, it won't," she snapped. "None of that he-man bullshit. I don't know what your problem is, but you don't own Rina. I give her shit for what she does with Damien, but you don't get a say in how she lives her life. You don't even know her."
"She told you what happened?"
"She didn't have to!" Olivia grabbed him by the sleeve and tugged him into a corner. "Either tell her you're interested or back off."
"You don't understand. There's nothing between us. Rina and I aren't even friends. Our date tonight was a mistake. The agency screwed up. I'm sure everything will go back to normal tomorrow."
Olivia collapsed against the wall, laughing until tears glistened in her eyes. She looked like a madwoman. "Yeah? Giddeon and Casey told me they were just figuring things out and now they're about to have a baby. You telling me that things will go back to normal is the lie of the century."
"You don't know me."
"But I know Rina," she argued. "That girl is going to stick in your mind until you can't take it anymore. You'll burn up at the thought of another man having her. There might be more fish in the sea, but there's not a catch better than her. She's the prize. At least Damien doesn't lie to himself about it."
"Mind your own business."
"Fine. You two can tell me to sod off if you want, but don't come crying to me when this blows up in your faces." Olivia turned to walk back inside, but Caleb held her back by the arm.
"Rina overreacted, and so did I, all right? It's normal. We got our pride hurt but we'll move on." He released her and held the door open so she could pass by. Giddeon stood beside Rina near the blazing hearth. The firelight flickered across their serious expressions. Caleb caught himself lingering on Rina for too long and made his way into the birthing room.
Casey threw a vase at the wall. The glass shattered as the midwife shook her head in disappointment. Caleb had to give the woman credit. There was no other indication that Casey's behavior bothered her at all. "Please sit still, Madam?"
"Do you have any idea how this feels?"
"Yes," the midwife replied. "I've given birth to four cubs. Trust me, this is far easier."
That took some of the steam out of Casey's anger, but Giddeon's spunky little mate screamed at the top of her lungs as the next wave of contractions came. Caleb sat beside her and kept his eyes trained on the wall. The sounds of horror and gore filled his mind with scenes from t
he Alien franchise. He gagged a little as he imagined a little Xenomorph child running around the castle. At least until a sad hiccup broke through his thoughts.
Caleb’s eyes darted to the infant in the midwife’s arms. The door opened and Giddeon stepped inside of the room to see his child for the first time. Casey squeezed Caleb’s hand, and he felt as if he were part of something much larger than himself, for he had witnessed the start of a new era. He watched as Giddeon held his son and marveled at the new heir to the throne. "What are you going to name him?" Caleb asked. The bloodline was now both stronger and weaker. Though Giddeon, Caleb, Seth, and Balor were descendants of gods and great kings, the child had a human mother. Caleb didn't know what that meant for the future of their people.
"We will name him after our father," Giddeon announced with a smile. "Samael Heleir Black. Sam for short, of course."
"It is a strong name."
"The strength of a future king, no less," Casey said with a sigh of exhaustion. She held her hands out, and Giddeon passed the child to his mate. The infant's eyes opened for a second, and Caleb was struck by the vibrant yellow around his irises. Caleb's own eyes were green with a golden-yellow ring when he shifted into his bear form.
In that instant, something changed within him. It was a deep yearning to sire his own heir, to build a legacy for his people. Caleb retreated from the room with his heart lodged in his throat. Rina stood at the end of the hall. She hesitated when Caleb stepped into the light.
"I'm sorry," she huffed. "Olivia had no right to corner you. She's a good friend, but she should stay out of your business. And...I'd like to apologize for my mood swings earlier. I acted like a heartbroken teen, and I should have explained myself to you."
"I'm the one who should apologize." Caleb moved to stand before her. He glanced around before he placed his hands on her hips. "I...was jealous when I heard about you and Damien. If you acted childishly, then I acted out of spite."
"So, what happens now? We can't just keep fighting and apologizing. Sooner or later, one of us is going to say something we can't take back."
Chapter Five
Castle Black
Destiny, Alaska
An infant's cries carried through the halls of the castle. Rina sat upon the railing of the terrace that overlooked the mountain. Caleb placed his arms on either side of her, pressing his warmth against her back as if it were second nature to him. He breathed hotly on her neck, and it chased away the chill that had settled in her bones. "Aren't we going to talk?"
"Let me keep you warm for a moment longer," he whispered. "After watching you nearly freeze to death...I just need to do this, okay?"
Rina didn't understand, but she allowed him to remain close. "All right. Why don't we start by removing expectations? Neither of us is looking for a relationship and we don't want to complicate things more than we already have."
"But?"
"But we should at least admit there's some attraction between us," she added. "Lying will only make things worse."
"You said there's nothing between you and Damien. Does he know that? Have you told him?"
"I made myself clear the day I met him. We weren't friends or lovers and we had no intention of bringing emotion into the equation." Rina leaned back and rested her head against Caleb's shoulder. Lips ghosted across her skin. "I don't know what you want me to say about all of this."
"I want you to end your arrangement with him."
Rina jerked out of his hold and climbed back over the railing. "And why would I do that?"
"Because I can offer you something better. I may not want a relationship, but if we start this...I want to know I'm the only one you're sharing your bed with."
She scoffed and shook her head. "You've got some nerve, Caleb Black. I thought you said us sleeping together would be a mistake."
"It still might be a mistake, but I can't deny that I'm drawn to you. The important thing is communication, Rina. We have to stay honest and only take what we're willing to give."
Rina's eyes flickered over to watch as Caleb unbuttoned his shirt. She didn't bother hiding the desire in her gaze. Rina followed him inside and closed the terrace doors behind her. Caleb tossed his shirt over a chair and kicked off his boots. "You seem pretty sure of yourself. I'm not even convinced I want to start something with you. We barely know each other, but we've already been at one another's throats since we met."
"You want this, Rina," he stated with a smile. "I haven't even kissed you yet and I can already sense your arousal. I can practically smell it in the air...so sweet. It might be my new addiction if I'm not careful."
"I'm not going to give in so easily." She stepped out of her heels and pulled her dress over her head. Caleb's eyes fell to her breasts. Rina smiled victoriously as she trumped his attempt to seduce her. Her hand brushed along her side, dragging his gaze lower. She walked towards him with a switch of her hips and climbed onto the large bed.
Caleb reached out for her as he followed. Rina shook her head and crawled beneath the covers. "You wanted to keep me warm." She patted the bed beside her. "This is what I'm willing to give for now."
"Minx. Why tease me?"
"Because I like watching your ears twitch when you get excited," she snickered. Rina held his gaze as Caleb dropped his trousers and joined her in the bed. His long arms wrapped around her once more, large palms splayed across her belly as he seemed to breathe her in.
"I want to be close to you, but I don't know why. This...holding you like this brings me peace. It's like something inside of me is calm after so long of being restless." Caleb nuzzled into her neck and kissed her shoulder.
Rina shifted uncomfortably. "I'm not used to this much intimacy."
"Do you want me to stop?" he asked, moving away slightly. Rina grabbed his hand to keep him near and turned onto her side so that she faced him.
"You want me to end things with Damien. What about you? Who do you spend your nights with?" She swallowed past the bitter tang of jealousy that lingered on the back of her tongue. Rina traced the lines on his hand with the tip of her finger.
"No. Just me and my right hand," Caleb chuckled. "I haven't been with anyone in three months. There was someone that kept me company, but it wasn’t worth the trouble."
"Show me." Rina glanced down to where his erection strained against the fabric of his black briefs. It twitched beneath her gaze, and Caleb groaned. His eyes danced over her body before they held her stare, meeting the challenge in her gaze brazenly. Her breath caught as he slid his hand down his torso and cupped himself.
"Are you sure?"
Rina nodded. "Show me," she repeated. Her eyes never left the movement of his hand. Caleb rolled onto his back and slipped his thumbs into the elastic band of his briefs. The slow push of the fabric down his thighs caused Rina's nerves to tingle. She leaned a bit closer and licked her lips as the thick length of his member sprang free and fell heavily against his lower abdomen. Long fingers wrapped around the shaft, and Rina felt herself begin to salivate.
Muscular hips bucked into the tight circle of his fist. Rina sat up in the bed and unbuckled her bra. Her bountiful breasts spilled from the scrap of lace and Caleb moaned in the back of his throat. "Fuck...Rina!"
~*~
His hand stilled. Caleb squeezed the base of his shaft to keep himself from spilling too soon. The beauty of her lush curves caused him to throb harder as he stroked himself. Rina straddled his knees and watched him intensely. Her scent grew stronger. It was sweet and musky, like ripe peaches and honey. Caleb arched his back and thrust faster between his fingers. He squeezed his eyes shut for just a moment, and a wet kiss touched the tip.
Rina hovered over him like an erotic dream. Caleb felt the wet slide of her tongue before she pulled back. "I just needed a taste," she said somewhat breathlessly.
Caleb's eyes squinted as seed splashed against his bare chest. She swatted his hand aside and took him in her grasp until his body trembled. "Rina!" His hips stuttered as he grew se
nsitive to her touch. Caleb breathed a sigh of relief when she released him. He cleaned up with the tissues beside his bed and kicked his underwear off entirely, no longer seeing the point of modesty. “You’re amazing...”
"That was...hot."
He tumbled her onto her back and kissed along the crease of her hip bone. His fingers caressed the soft flesh of her belly and thighs, worshipping every inch with nothing but care and gratitude. Caleb tugged her thong down the curve of her hips and pulled it free before he tossed the cloth across the room. Rina giggled as he pushed her thighs apart. The velvet heat between her legs flowered beautifully before his gaze. "Show me."
Rina moaned and hissed through her teeth. Manicured fingers spread her plump lips as she traced the folds of her femininity. Caleb's jaw dropped as he watched her pleasure herself. Rina rocked her hips as her fingers drew circles along her slit. Slick coated her hand and dripped tantalizingly down her folds. Caleb wanted nothing more than to taste her. As if she had read his mind, Rina swiped a finger along his bottom lip and he chased down her flavor with his tongue. Caleb growled and pushed her hand out of the way. He covered her with his mouth and sucked until she arched off the bed.
Her juices flooded his tongue as she writhed in pleasure. Rina pushed his head away and she scrambled up the bed. Delicious beads of moisture clung to his lips and he licked them away. Caleb sat back on his haunches, looking down at her shivering form as she breathed through the waves of her orgasm. He adjusted the blankets and pressed a kiss to the top of her thigh.
They reclined against the pillows, and Caleb burst into laughter. It wasn't long before Rina let out a few chuckles of her own. "Why are you laughing?"
"Because we were supposed to be talking," he replied. "But I guess I'm the one to blame. I started undressing."
"I was the one who took it a little too far." She stood up in all of her naked glory. Rina walked over to her bag and pulled her phone from one of the front pockets. After a moment of typing, she returned to his side and curled up against him.
