mattress. “I’m spending the night, or what’s left of it.”
“Not safe. I don’t know how you got in but you can’t stay here.” She burrowed into the pillow and curled into a tight ball.
“I have my ways. For a military installation it was surprisingly easy to get on the grounds and I have no doubt it will be equally easy getting out of here.” He padded back and forth. Darkness engulfed the room and she sighed. The bed dipped and his large palm settled on her hip as he spooned her backside with his front. She realized he was naked. Unsure what to do she went still; having a man in her bed was another new experience he was introducing her to. Colin yanked the heavy duvet up around them.
He kissed her neck and his cock brushed her ass. She swallowed. Suddenly she was hot as heat rolled off his body. “Wherever we settle I hope it’s cold.”
“Finally accepted your fate, luv.”
“I accepted I wouldn’t be able to get rid of you moments after our meeting,” she whispered. “Long before you declared we were fated to be mates.”
“At least you’re a smart woman.” He snorted and slid her closer, completely flush with his body. “You had doubts? Cheeky lass.” Colin splayed his hand across her emerging baby bump, “Have you thought about what you want to name the baby?”
“Mildred, after my mother,” she murmured sleepily. “Actually I was thinking of giving her up for adoption.”
“Could you do that after carrying her for nine months?” Colin’s question was the same one that had been circling in her head for weeks. He rubbed her belly.
“This wasn’t a child create from love,” she muttered, tears leaked from the corner of her eyes. “I keep asking why I’m being punished. I didn’t ask for this and this baby didn’t ask to be here. It’s not her fault she got stuck with me as a mother and I won’t punish her by keeping her, knowing I will only resent her as time goes by. She deserves better than that.”
“When the time comes I know you will make the right decision.” Colin hugged her tighter. “Get some rest; you look like you haven’t had a good night’s sleep in days.”
“Is there a problem with my appearance?” She twisted to glance over her shoulder into the dark. “You’re supposed to be nice to pregnant women.”
He rose up and leaned over her. “Your hormones are all over the place. I am here to make sure you finally get rest. Now go to sleep.” He brushed his lips across hers and lifted his head. “I never thought I would find you, and come hell or high water I am not letting you go.”
She settled into his embrace. Weariness clawed at her; she wasn’t sure she could love a baby born from violence. Was she even ready to be a mother? So many questions with no easy answers. Finally, she let sleep claim her.
* * * *
It was becoming practically impossible to stay away from Robbie. To mark her and possess her was becoming a distraction he couldn’t afford. Strands of her hair caught in his burgeoning beard when he smiled; like any one could actually control Robbie. She was a force in her own right and didn’t even realize it.
Her breathing settled into an even pattern and he knew she was sound asleep. Colin took a deep breath, holding her honeysuckle scent in his lungs before exhaling. She did a sort of wiggle, rubbing her ass against his cock that made his erection hard enough to crack concrete. A painful groan erupted through his lips. Gently he pulled his arm from beneath her head and sat up. Her needs superseded his and the tired line surrounding her eyes indicated that she wasn’t sleeping well. She trusted him enough to tell him she was pregnant, yet she wouldn’t open up beyond that, which was becoming a point of contention for him. Mates relied on each other and if there was one thing that was certain in his life, it was that Roberta Carlyle was the other half of his being.
He set his feet on the floor and leaned on his knees. Plans
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