“Kian, I didn’t even know you were pregnant when I ran up in front of your car,” I admitted. “I didn’t know when I chose to tell you. I want you. I love you. And our baby will be a great blessing, but I never want you to doubt you’re my everything.”
I felt his body slowly begin to unclench.
“I will always choose you, Kian. In every life, I’ll choose you.” I prayed to the Gods he’d believe me because my mate was everything to me.
“You didn’t?” Kian whispered.
“I swear, Kian. I had no idea. Besides, I just want you for your body,” I teased, sucking at his mating bite.
Kian giggled. “Well, good, because that’s the only reason I want you too, for your really big—”
I laughed and kissed him before he could finish his sentence. I pulled back and looked into those gorgeous blue eyes. “I love you, Kian. I know you may not be ready—”
He covered my mouth with his hand. “It’s crazy, but I am… I mean I do too. I love you, Gabe.” He leaned against my chest and wrapped his hand around my neck.
For the first time in a very, very long time, I was truly content.
17
Kian
I tiltedmy head to the side, trying to figure out what was bugging me about the design I was working on.
“Hmm.” I tweaked it a little. “That works.” I hoped the author thought so. Making book covers was a good, constant income. Plus, it was pretty cool reading a book and knowing I was the one that made the cover.
I sighed and exported the file from Photoshop. I would send it to the author, and if there were any changes, they would let me know.
I was waiting for everything to compile and munching on my popcorn, plantain chips, cheerios, chocolate chips, chocolate-covered raisins, and M&Ms—yum—when there was a knock on the door. I didn’t bother moving. I knew they would come in. I really liked the fact that Gabe’s family was so close to each other. I really hoped he was right and they liked me. For him.
“Kian.” Rhys was apparently my visitor today.
“In the office.” I was borrowing Gabe’s until the furniture for mine came. We’d spent Saturday shopping, and my furniture should be here any day now.
There were times I thought I should pinch myself to see if this was for real, but then I would look at Gabe and find him already looking at me. Or I’d be waking up snuggled in his arms. Even just making dinner together. It was three days, and I’d never been happier. I cupped my belly, and we were having a little one.
I looked up. “Papa, Daddy, I wish you were here. I wish I could share this life with you.” My throat tightened. “I wish you could meet Gabe and your grandbaby.”
When the door opened, I looked up and sniffed.
Rhys hurried over to my side of the desk. “Are you okay? Is the baby okay?”
I chuckled. “I’m fine. I guess Gabe told you.”
Rhys chuckled and shook his head. “Nope, I could kind of smell it on you,” he admitted.
I shook my head and smiled. “That is soo weird.”
Rhys laughed and walked over, lowering himself to one of the wingback chairs on the other side of the desk.
“But at least I can tell you now.” I saw how happy that made my friend. Again, I couldn’t imagine how much it must have eaten him up keeping something like that from me, especially when we shared everything. I noticed him tapping nervously on the arm of the chair.
“I’m not mad, you know,” I said. “I can’t even imagine what it was like having something that huge as a secret, Rhys. But I’m not upset because you’ve always been an amazing friend to me, Rhys, and you even brought me here. You trusted me enough. And you gave me Gabe.” I tried not to blush.
“Well, you’re gonna make me an uncle.” Rhys beamed. “Let’s call it even stevens.”
“Even stevens,” I repeated.
Rhys got a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Although I guess we won’t be sharing everything. I definitely do not need to hear about you and my brother doing the wild thing.”
