“About that,” he began, and my heart clenched.
“Did something happen?” I began, already getting panicked. If Axel or Shane or anyone did anything to Skylar, they would pay.
“No, no, it’s fine,” Skylar said quickly, putting his hand on mine to soothe me. “Slow down, Big Alpha.”
I huffed a half-laugh. “Fine. I’m slowed. Now tell me.”
“I ran into Shane again the other day. Nothing happened, before you start making stuff up in your head.”
“I’m not making stuff up,” I mumbled, shooing away mental images of me punching his face in.
“I know you are. Anyway, it was when Kaden and I were closing the other night. I didn't mention it because it wasn’t a big deal. Apparently, Shane is friends with Axel, and he sent him to find out how the baby was doing.”
“But there is no baby,” I said.
Skylar shrugged. “Yeah, but I guess he didn’t know that. Axel got cold feet about the arrangement and sent Shane to snoop out the info. How I was coming along, and all that.”
“Weird. And creepy,” I muttered. “Too much of a coward to do it himself, even though he apparently cares so much?”
“That’s what I thought, too,” he agreed. “But I told Shane I didn’t get pregnant with Axel’s baby, and that was it. There was no big confrontation or anything. And just so you don’t freak out, Kaden was with me the whole time with his finger ready to dial the cops.”
I wrapped my arms tighter around Skylar. “Good. If I couldn’t be there, that’s the next best thing.” I sighed into his ear. “Maybe I should buy an extra baby monitor and make you carry it around with you.”
Skylar snorted. “That’s really funny. It’d be in the dumpster before I left the apartment complex.”
I grinned. “I know. And I love that about you.”
The word slipped out of my mouth so easily, so naturally, just like it had the first time. Skylar’s cheeks flushed. He pressed his lips to mine, capturing me in a kiss that was slow and romantic--even though we were sitting on the edge of the tub right next to the toilet.
“I love you, Raf,” he murmured. He licked my lower lip, sending a shiver down my spine. Instantly my cock twitched, eager for more. Thankfully, the next words out of Skylar’s mouth were, “I’m thinking maybe we should have some celebratory sex.”
I let out a shuddering sigh. “Oh, I amsoglad we’re on the same page.”
17
Skylar
As we reached the one-third mark of my pregnancy, I began to grow antsy about the housing situation. I was over at Rafael’s apartment more often than not in my spare time, and I felt bad about leaving Kaden alone so often. I did stop by at least a couple times a week to help out with chores and even made dinner for him a couple times while he was away out of guilt.
Even though Rafael hadn’t officially invited me to move in with him, it was inevitable with the baby and all. With every week that passed, the clock was ticking closer towards the baby being born, and me leaving Kaden all alone.
But I wouldn’t let that happen. I promised I’d help him find a new roommate, and I meant it.
“Not at Raf’s tonight?” Kaden asked as he entered the apartment and found me lounging on the couch with both cats on my chest.
I found Kaden’s new use of Rafael’s nickname endearing. It meant that not only did he accept him, but liked him enough to call him that.
“Nope,” I said, smiling. “Tonight I’m all yours.”
Kaden grinned and sat next to me, stroking Demon under the chin as she begged for attention.
“So, does Kaden know you come with a cat?” he asked as Demon’s tail rubbed all over his face.
“I hope so,” I said. “I’d never leave my precious Demon behind. Would I, baby?”
Demon was too busy sucking up to Kaden, who had only just gotten home and was therefore more interesting to her.
“Fine, slut,” I mumbled.
