Chapter 4
Waking in the morning with Ty wrapped in my arms is almost better than the sex we had last night. It’s also a revelation, because until this moment, I didn’t even realize just how much I wanted this. I feel like something’s changed, and I’m not referring to the fact that we’re now engaged. No. There’s a deeper connection between us somehow. One that makes me even more protective of him than I was before.
I leave Ty to sleep and pull on a pair of gym shorts before making my way to the kitchen. Coffee is a must. I grab a mug and fill it then take a careful sip. I let out a content sigh, tipping my head back and to each side to stretch my neck.
“Mornin’”
I turn at my dad’s voice. “Good morning.”
“Someone looks happy, and refreshed.” My dad gives me a wry grin. He steps past me to refill his coffee cup. “Sleep well?”
I can’t help the stupid smile on my face. “You could say that.”
Fast footfalls on the stairs draw my attention. I look toward the doorway just as Tyler rounds the corner wearing nothing but his Star Wars pajama pants and those damn glasses.
“Oh, hey, Dad.”
“Mornin’, Tyler.” A wide grin lights Dad’s face.
Tyler beelines it to the coffee. As he fills his mug, I grab the creamer from the fridge. Ty turns toward me and as I pass him the bottle of creamer, my eyes go a little wide.
Tyler’s brows draw together. “What?”
“Nothing.” I set my mug down on the counter and move stand behind him, pressing my body against his and my lips to his ear. “Just that I think I bit you harder than I’d thought.”
“Oh.” Ty reaches his hand up to touch the mark I left on him. “Well, it doesn’t hurt.”
“I think Dad may have seen it,” I whisper.
Ty glances behind us before saying, “You really think Mom and Ben don’t know we slept together last night?”
“Well, no, but.”
“It’s fine, Alex.” Tyler stirs in two heaping spoonfuls of sugar, turning sideways to face me as I lean against the countertop. “We’re all adults here, and I’m not embarrassed by it. Shifters do it when they mate, so having your mark on me kind of gives me a bit of the fantasy that that’s what we did, even if it’s not the real thing.”
Ty’s voice softens a little with his last words, making my heart ache.
“I know how much you want it, Ty. I’d give you the real thing if I could. All of it.”
Ty’s green eyes meet mine. “Even a baby?”
“Absolutely.”
“You don’t think it’s weird.”
“It’s perfectly normal for shifters and believe it or not, the idea of you pregnant with my child is actually a fantasy of mine. I’m just sorry I can’t give you that.”
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For coming out to Mom and Ben about us. I may not be able to have everything I want, but at least now I know I have you.”
“Always, Ty. Always.”
Ty settles back against my chest and I wrap my arms around his waist. He sips his coffee as we both stare out the kitchen window. My hand slips down to his stomach and I allow myself to imagine what it might be like if he had a little life growing inside him. To rub his belly. To feel the baby move and kick.
I hold in my sigh. Why do some dreams have to be impossible?
