"You don'tdecree...oh, nevermind." He raised a brow at me and poked my nose. "And you're flat out wrong, by the way. It's already scientifically proven. The chance of multiple embryos is mostly determined by genetics."
I huffed in amusement. "Fine, smarty pants."
"But.... maybe we could test your hypothesis. Just for an extra set of data. Nothing wrong with more data."
I smirked. "So you were trying to rev me up again."
"For science."
"Whatever you say."
Frederick rolled over to face me. Our chests brushed together as he looked into my eyes.
"Jake," he murmured. "Can I tell you something?"
"Anything, my mate."
He smiled whenever I called him that. It was cute that he liked it.
"I... I think I love you," he murmured.
My heart soared. "Ya think?"
"No, you're right. That's not the correct phrasing." Frederick shook his head. "I love you. IknowI love you."
A dam broke inside me. Every mushy, romantic feeling rushed out of me. I wrapped my arms around Frederick, holding him as close as I could.
"I love you, too. Though I reckon you knew that already."
I felt Frederick smile against my chest. "Still nice to hear it."
His lips brushed against mine, our tongues finding each other in a sensual, gentle kiss. When we came up for air, his cheeks were flushed pink and the smile on his face looked permanently etched into his features.
The chemistry between us awakened my alpha instincts and revived my soul. I couldn’t imagine spending a single day without Frederick. The idea of losing him, of him returning to the city and leaving me—it was too crushing to bear.
"Frederick," I said.
He pushed himself up on one elbow, concerned at the tone in my voice. “What’s up?”
“I ain't trying to persuade you—well, shit, I guess I am. What I mean is, I don't wanna sound needy or clingy, but... I'd love it if you stayed here with me on the ranch."
Frederick lifted himself to a full sitting position. “Stayed? You mean, like... lived with you?”
"Yes." I put up a hand. “Only if you’d like that. I’m not going to pressure you either way.”
I said that, but my heart was pounding like a hammer. What was I gonna do if he said no? I couldn't live without my fated mate now that I'd had a taste of him.
And if he was pregnant...
But Frederick never kept me waiting long. A bright smile broke out on his face like the sun's rays. He caressed my face before bringing our lips together again. Every time we kissed, that spark inside me only grew stronger.
"Jake. I literally just said I loved you. And I let you impregnate me." He laughed like I was being ridiculous. "Why would you ever think I'd say no?"
I was elated. I felt like jumping three feet in the air and clicking my cowboy boots together. Instead I hugged Frederick hard.
I was laughing now too. "Shit, I dunno. Just got nervous for a second."
Frederick fake-gasped. "You? Nervous? We're already rubbing off on each other."
