I woke up with Juan on top of me, and I couldn’t have been happier.

He was still asleep and I could feel his steady breathing against my chest. Careful not to wake him, I gently stroked his back, running my fingertips over the bumps of his spine. He felt so strong, like he was carved out of wood. His muscles were tight and taut. I could feel the power within him, that same power that had driven me out of my mind last night.

Unbelievable…

Being a virgin before Juan, I’d had no real idea what to expect. The sex talk I had with Travis wasn’t really the world’s greatest thing and definitely hadn’t prepared me for the reality of what making love to a mate would be like. I’d never had any close friends to share experiences with, so I was completely unprepared for what had happened.

Just being able to give him a proper blowjob had been an enormous thrill for me, but taking him inside me like that…that was something else.

He’d rocked my world and came not once, but twice. There was absolutely no way I wouldn’t be pregnant after a night like that, and I absolutely couldn’t wait.

I felt like I’d thrown myself headfirst into the deep end and wasn’t scared in the least. Nervous slightly, sure, but not afraid. I wanted to carry his child, give him a family—give myself a family that I’d never had. I never knew my parents, and I wouldn’t allow that to happen to my child.

I buried my nose in the crux of Juan’s neck and inhaled deeply. Lime and ginger…a scent I would never get tired of. Juan was a torch in the blackness that had been my life, a savior when I needed it most. He’d rescued me before Corey had been able to touch me. I couldn’t even imagine how I’d feel if that jerk had managed to have his way with me, make him my first…

The thought of it made me want to vomit. But I was safe from him now, bound and bred to my fated-mate, safe and secure in a beautiful home.

Juan stirred in my arms and slowly raised his head. He blinked and a smile came over him as his eyes focused on me.

“Mmm, what a nice way to wake up in the morning,” he groaned, kissing me ever so gently. It was more of a peck than anything else, but was incredibly intimate at the same time. It let me know how much I belonged to him.

“I can’t believe I slept with you on top of me,” I joked. “But I was just so happy.”

“I passed out immediately after I came,” he laughed, sliding off to my side. He raised himself up on one arm, giving me a view of his beautiful biceps and sculpted chest muscles.

“God, you’re like a male model,” I told him.

“Stop it.”

“You are!” I protested. “I mean, look at this!”

I reached out and squeezed his arm. It was like trying to squish a piece of iron.

“What can I say?” he said with a shrug and a cocky grin that made me melt inside.

“How much do you even bench?”

“Who knows,” he laughed. “I don’t spend my time in the gym. I work!”

A voice called out from the hallway. I recognized it as Jamie’s. “You two up in there? Day’s a wastin’!”

Juan groaned and rolled his eyes at me. “We’re up!”

“Got more stuff for your folks,” she called back. “You gonna lie in bed all day or you wanna bring it down? Or should I get someone else to do it for ya?”

“I got it, Jamie,” he called back. “Just gimme a few minutes.”

I heard Jamie’s footsteps as she walked back to the living room. Juan stretched over his head and swung himself out of bed. He extended his hand and I took it.

“Come on. Let’s take a shower.”