“You don’t think it’s too soon?”
“Maybe. But you’re already going to be a dad to our pups. So one more won’t hurt, right?”
Crush made a low, strangled sound. He turned Killian around so they were facing each other, Naddie squirming between them. Crush’s gaze was intense. And he leaned in, cupping Killian’sface to press a lingering kiss to his lips. “You don’t know how much your offer means to me,” the alpha breathed.
Killian swallowed hard. “I... I think I know.”
“Really?” Crush kissed him again. “Naddie is so important to you. Are you sure?”
Killian nodded. Actually, he was starting to be sure about a lot of things. Just that he wanted to keep them close to his heart for now, before his mouth blurted them all out.
“I’ll do my best to be a dad worthy of her,” Crush whispered. Then he bent down and pressed a kiss to Naddie’s head, before dropping to his knees, catching Killian’s hips and kissing his belly too.
Killian’s heart swelled. Maybe some things were still happening a little fast, but with each day that passed, he knew with more certainty what his answer would be.
27
COURTSHIP
They movedinto Crush’s Cartfalls home a month and a half into Killian’s pregnancy.
“This is amazing,” Killian said, digging into the soft dirt in Crush’s backyard.
Crush crouched next to him. “What is?”
“This garden soil! It’s so rich and full of nutrients. I think my carrots will grow so big here.”
Crush snorted. “Isn’t my carrot big enough for you, sweetheart?”
“Your—” Killian choked. “Oh gods! You didn’t just call your cock a carrot!”
“It’s big and juicy. You love having it in your mouth. And it buries itself pretty deep.” The alpha smirked.
“That is so bad,” Killian moaned. He smelled something in the air, though. Something sweet like— “Wait. Did you bring me carrots?”
Only then did he notice that Crush had both hands tucked behind his back.
“I stopped by the farmer’s market on the way back.” Crush brought both his hands forward. In one fist was a bundle of freshly-plucked carrots, with their leaves still whole and beautiful. In his other hand was a bundle of red roses.
Killian grinned. “I’m not going to eat the roses; I’m not Walren.”
Crush laughed. “I heard that he did quite a number on Raptor’s backyard.”
“He wreaked havoc everywhere we went,” Killian said. “No neighbors’ flowers were safe from him.”
He took the roses—with their thorns removed!—and buried his face in the soft petals, sniffing deeply. Then he let Naddie sniff at a large rose; she was in her rabbit shift right now, with her long floppy ears and twitching nose. Naddie immediately began to chew on a petal.
“I made sure they’re safe for eating,” Crush said. “But you already knew that.”
This was one of several gifts that Crush had brought Killian over the past weeks. Crush had dug up his backyard so it would be easier for Killian to plant his carrot seeds; he had even done research on the carrot varieties, and given Killian a bundle of different seeds.
“I love these. Did you buy some dill for yourself?” Killian asked.
Crush blinked. “Huh. I forgot to.”
Killian frowned. “Well, get me dill seeds, and I’ll grow some for you.”
“You’re the best, sweetheart.” Crush beamed, wrapping his arms around Killian. This brought Crush’s face too close to the carrots’ feathery leaves; they tickled his nose, and he sneezed.
