Arran monitors my expressions as he circles my swollen clit, his fingers rubbing at that sensitive spot inside me that has my breaths coming quicker and quicker.
In less time than I thought possible, my orgasm hovers surprisingly close to the surface, and I mentally give myself a high five for my accurate prediction that Arran would know exactly what to do if I gave him the opportunity to make me come.
Hand stilling, Arran whips his head toward the front door. “No. Not now,” he grouches.
“What?” I ask, also staring at the closed door, my arms locking a little tighter around Arran.
The answer arrives in three soft knocks.
“Maybe if we ignore them they’ll go away?” I ask, hyperaware of the unmoving fingers inside me.
“Arran? Audrey? You guys home?”
My formerly close orgasm drifts away on phantom wings as I recognize Nori’s voice.
Arran gives me a look filled half with apology, half with frustration at the interruption. “Would you mind waiting in the parlor while I see what this is about? Eleanor has never come here by herself so I’m afraid something could be wrong.”
I pat Arran on the chest in understanding and give him a wink. “To be continued, stud.”
Reluctantly, Arran pulls his fingers from me and wipes them on the inside of his kilt before helping me stand. He scrapes a fang over his bottom lip as his eyes scan every visible inch of me while I right my pants.
“Oh, lass. We are far from done,” Arran says with so much promise loaded in the statement it makes my empty pussy pulse in reply.
Before I lose all sense of myself and beg him to ignore my friend outside and bend me over the couch right now, Arran is striding toward the door.
I am definitely not watching his very well-defined butt as I follow him.
“I’m sorry for interrupting you so late,” Nori says as she chews at her thumb.
“What’s the matter?” Arran asks, assessing the night behind her like there’s some kind of threat lurking out of sight.
Lowering her hand, Nori says, “It’s Tilly.”
Ice fills my veins and my vision narrows to pinpricks as I step out from behind Arran.
“Is she—? The babies—?” I can’t even get the full questions out.
“She’s okay,” Nori reassures quickly, taking my hand in hers. “She’s gone into labor a little early, but Tilly said it’s to be expected with twins. Shinsu has taken her and Bodin to the big hospital in Cape Easton. Tilly wanted me to come tell you and said not to worry and that her body was made for this and soon you’ll have your little nieces or nephews to fawn over.”
My body sags with relief while Arran’s comforting hand wraps around my waist. While I knew Tilly was pregnant and that the babies would get here eventually, I put the part abouthowthe babies will make their way into the world out of my mind.Honestly, it was too terrifying to think about them squeezing through a small—
Nope. I can’t have my mind going there right now. Tilly is strong, one of the strongest people I know. And she’s a nurse practitioner so she knows what to expect.
Plus, Bodin is with her and I have no doubt that there’s anyone in this world more suitable to care for Tilly than him. Bodin would destroy anyone, including himself, before he’d allow any harm to come to Tilly.
Even though I logically know this, it’s still not helping my stress levels. I don’t think I’ll relax until I can see my cousin again with my own eyes.
“Should I go to Tilly? Maybe I can help with something?” I ask, looking between Nori and Arran.
With a small shake of her head and squeeze to my fingers, Nori gives me an understanding smile. “Though the thought is nice, it’s not safe for you to go back to Cape Easton. Not yet.”
“Eleanor is right. It’s best to remain in Starry Hill where I can protect you,” Arran says gently, his thumb brushing a soothing arc on the skin above my waistband.
“Fuck. What am I supposed to do until then?”
“Doc Calla is at the clinic and waiting by the phone for any updates,” Nori explains, trying very valiantly—and failing spectacularly—not to look at the fingers splayed against my hip. “She’ll send Katie with news as soon as they know anything.”
It seems like everyone is very rational—even relaxed—about this, but that’s my person, one of my favorite people in the world, going through a life-altering event.
