Charley walked barefoot down the long corridor to Rafe’s office. She smiled to herself. The room held fond memories for her. They’d been married in there and, afterwards, they’d made love on the desk. Since then, they’d had several similar interludes just as passionate in that room and others. Just not lately.

She opened the door quietly and noticed her husband’s form immediately. His back was to her and he was sitting in the big recliner near the fireplace. It was early fall, too warm for a fire yet, but it was still pretty to look at.

“Rafe?” she called, but when she walked to face him she realized, he was asleep.

He looked so tired. She felt guilty for all her earlier complaints. Whatever her husband was, he worked hard to ensure the health and safety of his entire Pack. He had so much responsibility and she’d been thinking only of herself.

She rubbed her belly and sighed. Well, maybe she could join him? She’d learned early in their relationship that Rafe was very strong, even for a Werewolf. She knew she wouldn’t hurt him by climbing onto his lap and, so she did.

His familiar scent filled her nostrils. Christmas trees and fresh cut grass. He always smelled earthy and clean to her. She loved it. Fact was she missed the way his scent would remain all over her after they made love. She missed him.

She curled closer to him smoothing her hands over the hard muscles of his chest. His arms came up around her instinctively. He groaned and flexed his hips and Charley felt the long, hard length of him against her backside. She moaned and leaned back.

“Carlotta,” his whisper was sweet and low. Charley trembled as his hands found her thighs and parted them.

She felt his tongue trace her earlobe and neck as he adjusted them so that she sat facing the same direction as him. He lifted her nightgown and robe, her bare bottom was flush against him. He kissed, licked and nibbled while he freed himself from the confines of his pants.

Charley gasped as he entered her with a single perfect thrust. He held her by her hip with one hand and her throat with the other, gently moving them both until it was almost too much for her to take.

“Oh God, Carlotta!” He groaned as he pumped one last final time and Charley could hardly reply caught in the magic of her own completion.

He exhaled roughly against the back of her head then he seemed to realize what he’d done. His hands came around to her swollen belly and he cursed roughly under his breath. He pushed her to a standing position and he jumped up.

“What? How?”

Charley smiled and moved to go to him, but he held her at arm’s length.

“Carlotta, we just, but the baby, and I thought it was a dream, are you hurt? How do you feel?”

“Rafe, calm down, I am fine. Well, I was, until I found out you had no idea you were actually having sex with me, I know I repulse you now, and-” tears pricked her eyes and she pulled her robe tight around her huge belly.

“No, that’s not true, I love you, Carlotta! You’re beautiful, baby.”

“Oh please, you think you have to say that to me, but you won’t touch me, and you won’t sleep with me and I know you think I’m ugly now,” she was crying in earnest, but she couldn’t help it.

Months of getting the cold shoulder from him had hurt her inside. He dropped to his knees in front of her. His hands on her belly and then holding her hands when she tried to pull away.

“Listen to me, please, I am sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I’ve just been worried-”

“You’ve been worried? I’m the one who’s pregnant, you jerk! And you made me sleep alone for months!”

“But I placed a Guard outside your door!”

“Oh yeah, so when I want to be held or need my feet rubbed, I should ask Seff or Kurt or Dib?”

“You do that, and I’ll break their necks!” he answered through tight lips and Charley’s heart thumped in his chest. He was jealous! Good.

“Oh, now you’re jealous! Great! Just, ugh, move out of my way Rafe or I swear!”

“I’m sorry. Please, don’t get upset. It’s not good for the baby. Come on, if you want to sleep with me I’ll come to bed, but until we see the doctor again, no more sex, okay?”

“Fine,” Charley was quiet as she followed him out into the hallway.

The momentary bliss she’d felt in his arms vanished the second she’d realized he hadn’t meant to touch her. She knew he loved her, but she was afraid for their future. How long would he keep her at bay?