Iarched a brow. “Areyou provoking a predator to hunt?”
Shegiggled. “Ooh,I’dlike to see you in action, wolf.”
WhenIleaped out of bed and pounced on her, she squealed.Icarried her back to the bed, without her protesting—much.
“Caughtyou,”Isaid and climbed over her.
“Impressive.”Shestared up at me with a flirtatious challenge in her eyes. “Nowthat you have me, what are you going to do with me?”
Ikissed down from her jawline down, over the front of her body. “Youmentioned breakfast.Andcome to think of it,I’mvery hungry,”Idrawled in a low tone asImoved lower along her torso.
Herbreath hitched. “Breakfastin bed sounds gooood…”
* * *
Whenwe crawledout of bed an hour later for some real food, she pulled out a carton of eggs and bacon from the fridge.Icooked them both while she brewed coffee.
“See?”Ideclared with a broad grin. “Icancook eggs without burning them or setting things on fire.”
Shegiggled. “You’veredeemed yourself.”Aftershe grabbed a couple of bananas from a hanging stand, she froze and turned pale.
“Everythingokay?”Iasked.
Cassandracovered her mouth. “IthinkI’mgoing to be sick.”
Shedashed into the bathroom and closed the door.Thesound of heaving followed.
Iturned off the burners and listened to see if she sounded okay.Itwas quiet.Iknocked on the door. “Cassandra, are you okay?”
Therewas no answer, soIslowly pushed the door open to find her hunched over the toilet.
“Goaway,Valen,” she begged without looking at me.
Irubbed her back and held her hair back as she continued to retch but nothing came out.Afew minutes later, she stopped.Ihelped her stand.
“Ican’t believe you saw me like that.I’mhorrified.”Sheavoided my gaze.
“Don’tbe.”Ifilled a glass with water and offered it to her.
Shetook a sip and then rinsed her mouth.
“Areyou feeling better?”Iasked.
“Yeah.”Shenudged her head toward the door. “I’llbe right out.”
Itook the hint and gave her some privacy, returning to the kitchen.Thescent of the eggs, bacon, and coffee still permeated the kitchen.Breakfastwas still salvageable, butIdoubted she wanted to eat yet.
Whenshe stepped into the kitchen, she scrunched her nose. “Thecoffee smells off.”
Iturned to the coffee pot.Itsmelled like regular coffee to me. “Itsmells fine to me.”
“Areyou kidding?Itsmells like burned almonds or something.It’sso bad, it set me off.”
Slowly, the realization dawned on me—why her scent was different.Istared at her and took a deep breath before continuing. “Cassandra—is it—is it possible that you’re—”Iheaved a deep breath. “Pregnant?”
Mywolf clamored forward inside, rapt with attention.Pups?
Ofcourse he’d be all over that.Wedon’t know that.
