“It has…” That was true. He nuzzled in, the scent of Liam sharp and good in his nose.
“I need a shower.”
“Mmmhmm.” What was the question? He wanted Liam. Now.
“Baby. I am not going to make love to you at the woodpile.” Liam lifted him up, holding him easily while he picked up the axe with his other hand to take it to the woodshed.
Always store your tools was a basic tenet of rural living, and he giggled.
“Oh, hush, you.” Liam carried him inside, right past a bunch of giggling kids and a blinking LuAnn, back to the room they were sharing.
Liam laid him out on the bed, then started stripping him, but he grabbed Liam’s wrists. “We could take a shower.”
That got him a laugh. “I told you I stink.”
“No! No, that’s not it. I just thought it might be fun. I’ve never done that before.”
“Ah. Me either. Like, with someone.” So Liam helped him back up. “I would love that.”
Tears stung his eyes for a good reason this time, because not only was Liam listening to him, he got the feeling that Liam also understood that somewhere between the woodpile and the bed he’d decided he was not so heated anymore, and that he needed more tenderness and touching than knotting.
Liam got him undressed once they were locked in the smaller bathroom, the one with the walk-in shower, and thenhe stripped out of his jeans. The warm water was perfect, so soothing, and he leaned into Liam.
“I’m sorry.”
“What for, sweetheart?” Liam ran one hand down his back, like he was being petted.
“I’m not sure. I just don’t want you to be upset.”
Liam chuckled, shook his head. “I’m not upset. We have a lot to figure out. Absolutely. But I’m one hundred percent not upset.”
“Your world’s changed a lot in, what? A month.” Personally, he couldn’t believe that it was happening like this. And he knew he was a wolf. He knew he could get pregnant.
Liam had to be reeling, but he seemed to be pretty calm. Theo hoped it was real and that Liam wasn’t about to run off, screaming.
“Not leaving you.” The water kept rushing, steam pouring out.
Theo had to admit that they had a way better water heating system here than there was up at the mountain house.
“I don’t want you to. Are you going to be lonely in the mountain house?”
“No.” Liam chuckled, leaning back into the water, showing off that amazing belly. “I’ll have you. I’ll have Gael, and I think my brother is going to come up. He’s chafing a bit, now that he is the youngest one. He wants to have some space of his own.”
“Well, there is space.” In fact, it was kind of cavernous for just one wolf and his baby. “What are we going to do about food?”
“Now there’s an easy question. That’s what my brothers are for. We’re suppliers.”
“Oh.” He brightened. “Right. You said there was a trading post.”
“Yep. And there’s a huge greenhouse and cistern system up there at the dragon home. Oops. Our place. So we can grow stuff and have chickens and goats.”
“I like goats. Chickens are a little challenging.” He had this wild prey drive when they ran. He knew it would be a thing, but he would learn. He could totally learn not to chase the chickens.
Liam looked at him, one eyebrow arched. “No chasing birds. It’s mean. That’s how the feathers get everywhere and make you sneeze.”
“Ah-choo!” He played right back, and then he grabbed the soap. He needed to get his hands on that hard body. “Is it weird to think that we’re pregnant?”
“Yes.” Liam’s immediate answer made him laugh. “But it’s also wonderful.” Liam ran both hands through Theo’s hair, getting it good and wet.
