“No.” He shakes his head. “No, baby, I think... no, I’m almost positive your... Uhh.”
“Just say it, Emmett.” The suspense is killing me.
“Lexi, baby, you're in heat.”
Immediately, my heart starts to pound uncontrollably in my chest, my lungs unable to get the air they need as I start to hyperventilate.
“Shh. Lexi, breathe. Baby, breathe. It’s going to be okay.”
“No,” I croak. “No, it’s not. I can’t do this, Emmett. I’m so scared.”
“You can do this.” His thumbs brush against my cheekbones. “Because you are so fucking brave and strong. The strongest woman I know. You're a badass. You got this.”
“No, I don’t.” I shake my head, tears spilling down my cheeks. “I don’t know what to do. I don’t like this feeling, Emmett. Make it go away.”
“I can’t, baby. I–” He licks his lips.
“I don’t want to do this alone,” I sob harder, shaking my head frantically, eyes squeezed shut. “I can't do this. I can’t do this.”
I’m in a full-blown panic attack, with ringing in my ears that has my head spinning.
“No one is going to hurt you,” he urges. “I’d kill anyone who even tried to get near you,” he growls. “I’ll be here the whole time watching over you. I’ll get you anything you need, okay?”
“I need you.” I look at him desperately. “I need you, Emmett. I need you.”
“You have me. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Okay.” I nod. “Okay. Okay.”
“Shhh.” He pulls me into his arms, wrapping me in a tight hug. The pressure and secureness of his hold on me has my body melting into his.
My blood boils with need, body igniting. Slick spills free as I rub my cheek against Emmett’s chest. “Need you.”
He picks me up bridal style and starts to carry me away.
The overwhelming feelings consume me, and I find myself drifting off to sleep.
The next time I open my eyes, we’re back at the cabin in Emmett’s nest.
“Need you,” I moan, reaching for Emmett as he takes off my shoes.
His eyes snap over to mine. He looks scared. My heart sinks.
“What’s wrong?”Is he crying?
“Nothing, baby,” he smiles, wiping at his face. “I’m fine.”
“Come here.” I reach for him again. He comes over to me, and I touch his face. “Don’t cry. It makes me sad when you're sad.”
“I’m not sad. I’m a little scared.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t like seeing you in pain. And I wish more than anything I could take it away from you.” He blinks, licking his lips. “I can help.” He gets up and goes over to his closet. “I have a stash of new toys. You can have them. Anything you need.” He brings a box over to the nest and starts to show me. “Dildos, vibrators, and if there’s something I don’t have, I can go into town to get it.”
“No,” I whine, my body growing hotter. I claw at my clothes, needing to get them off, needing to be naked. “No toys. I need you.”
“W-what?”
