Chapter Eleven
Killian was bone tired by the time the Creed Security team extracted him from the black site. However, when he heard what happened at the office, he demanded to be sent back to New York City. He would have swum across the ocean if that was faster, but thankfully Sebastian had anticipated his reaction and had his private jet on standby.
Despite the luxurious cabin of the plane, Killian couldn’t sleep a wink. His inner wolf was anxious and pacing back and forth. It needed Luna—to know she was okay. Hell, he just needed her. His blood ran cold each time he thought of what could have happened to them all in his absence. His mind also raced trying to figure out who would hurt Luna. He vowed that he would find out and stop those sonsabitches.
Sleep continued to escape him, though he did drift off for a few minutes here and there. As soon as the plane landed in New York, he raced back to the city.
“She’s in the guest room,” Meredith said as he entered the loft. His sister was in front of the TV, watching some reality show about housewives.
“Thanks,” he called. “And put a damn security system in your apartment!”
“I am the security system,” Meredith retorted.
He stalked down the hallway to Luna’s bedroom, flinging the door open. She was curled up in bed, a book in her lap. She startled, but when she saw him in the doorway, she tossed the book aside and hopped off the bed, running to him.
“Killian,” she whispered as he swept her up into his arms. Her skin was blotchy and eyes red from crying.
“Sweetheart,” he said, the knot in his chest finally loosening. The wolf calmed down too as soon as Luna’s cinnamon scent hit his nose. His hand went to her stomach possessively while his other hand dug into her hair and pulled her head back so he could kiss her. She tasted sweet and her lips made his head swim. The thought that he could have lost her made anger creep back into his veins.
“Goddammit,” he cursed, and he tightened his grip. “I’m going to kill them. I’m going to find whoever’s doing this to you and I’m going to kill them all.”
“Killian, please,” she said. “Don’t do anything rash.”
“Rash?” he roared. “I’m not going to stand here and do nothing. They can’t hurt what’s mine and get away with it.”
“Getting yourself killed won’t do any good. Just calm down and we’ll go to the police.”
“The cops? Are you kidding me?” he asked, raising his voice. “The NYPD won’t be able to do anything about this. We have to take matters into our own hands.”
“Are you a vigilante now?”
“This is about protecting you, sweetheart,” he countered. “Now, grab your things. We’re gonna head to my place. I’ll have a security system in place by tonight.”
“Killian—”
“And you’re gonna stay there until we find out who’s out to get you.”
“Killian—”
“You’re going to quit your job at the gallery.”
“Killian, listen to me!” she yelled, pushing her palms hard against his chest.
“What?” he asked. “Are you going to say no? Someone’s out to get you! God knows what they’re planning.”
“That doesn’t mean you get to control my life.” She stomped back to the bed and plopped herself down.
Killian curled his hands into fists. Why was she so stubborn? He calmed himself and thought back to Meredith’s words. Maybe it was time he and Luna had an adult conversation. It was something he’d been dreading and trying to avoid. He didn’t want to talk. Because he thought that maybe if he moved her into his place and distracted her with sex, she’d want to stay. Any scenario where Luna could not be his was just unthinkable at this point.
“Luna—”
“Ask me what I need, Killian.”
“What?”
She turned her head to face him, her gaze dead serious. “I said, ask me what I need.”
He sighed. “What do you need, Luna?” And don’t tell me to leave you alone, he pleaded silently.
“I need normalcy,” she said in a defeated tone. “I want to feel normal. No shifters, no kidnappers, no magical babies. I just need things to be normal. Even just for a second.”
Normal. He felt the tension leave his body. He could work with normal. “All right. Be ready by seven.”
“Huh?” Her brows furrowed as she looked up at him.
“I’m taking you out,” he stated. “On a date. Like a normal couple.” Before she could protest, he left the room.
***
Luna was worried because she didn’t have any clothes or makeup for their date, but of course, she didn’t have to worry. Meredith and Jade arrived soon after Killian left, carrying bags and clothes.
“I have lots of maternity clothes you can borrow,” Jade said as she took out sweaters, leggings, dresses, and various articles of clothing from one of the paper bags. She set those aside then took out a white box. “You’re about a month behind me which means you can have this.” She opened it, taking out a black, lacy negligee.
“Jade, you slut!” Meredith said gleefully.
“It’s brand new,” Jade said, handing it to Luna. “La Perla’s maternity line. Hasn’t even been released yet.”
The fabric was silky soft and the lace trimming around it was gorgeous. The front was split open so that it could be worn even late into pregnancy. There was also a matching pair of panties inside the box. “I can’t possibly wear this. This must have cost a fortune."
“It’s yours,” the other woman said. “Sebastian would have just ripped it apart.”
“Yeah and now Killian can tear it to shreds,” Meredith added.
Luna blushed. Of course, she knew that there was a possibility that they would end up in bed. And frankly, she didn’t have the emotional strength to fight whatever direction she and Killian were headed.
After trying on a couple of outfits, the girls finished dressing her up. They settled on a cute violet sweater that enhanced her eyes and black leggings with dark brown boots. She wore the lingerie of course, after much coaxing from the two Lycan women. Meredith helped with her makeup, applying just enough to enhance her features.
Killian showed up at seven on the dot looking handsome in a pair of dark jeans, a sweater, and a thick leather jacket. He also brought a bouquet of orchids, her favorites (she didn’t even want to think how much it cost to get them in winter), which Meredith had put in a vase for her.
“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t,” Meredith yelled at them as they were leaving. “And that’s not a lot.”
Killian rolled his eyes as he closed the door behind him.
“Where are we going?” she asked as he helped her into his Jeep.
“Dinner,” he said. “And maybe a late movie, if you’re not tired? There’s a French film festival on the Upper East Side.”
“Sounds lovely,” she replied.
He took her to a cozy little Spanish restaurant. It was upscale, but not too fancy, and they ate small plates of food, though Killian ordered two of everything on the menu. Luna surprised herself at how much she could eat. A rush of pink stained her cheeks when she saw the number of empty plates their poor waiter had to clear, but Killian gave her a reassuring smile and pat on the hand.
All in all, the date was normal. Discovering the existence of Lycans gave Luna some relief—at least the part where her baby was safe and there was nothing wrong with her—but it had sent her life into a tizzy. Werewolf shifters, warlocks, witches—it was all too much, not to mention the cherry on top of someone trying to kidnap her. She longed for the boring, routine life she had, which is why she just wanted to do something normal.
Killian finished paying for their meal then turned to her. “Ready for that movie?” he asked with a smile.
Her heart somersaulted in her chest. “No.”
He frowned. “No?”
“No, I don’t want to see a movie,” she said in a quiet voice. She mustered up all her courage. “I want to go to your place.”
Killian’s frown turned to surprise then a flash of lust crossed his face, sending her hormones into overdrive. He practically dragged her out, not bothering to wait for his change, and soon they were in his Jeep. They pulled into his building and she suppressed a laugh realizing he didn’t live that far away from her.
As he pulled into his parking spot, Luna had a sudden feeling of fear. It had been months since she’d been with him and he’d yet to see her naked. Would he want to make love to her now?
“What’s wrong?” he asked as he helped her out.
“I’m…” What could she say? She suddenly felt shy. “I’m huge,” she said, trying to turn away from him. “And I’m only going to get bigger.”
“You’re beautiful,” he countered, turning her head back to him and running his fingers down her cheek. “Always have been. Always will be.” He leaned down again to kiss her, pressing his lips to hers. “I want you.” To make his point, he grabbed her hand and brought it between his legs, making her palm press over the large bulge there. “I’ve had this hard-on since I picked up you. Hell, I’ve had it since I saw you again.”
She sighed against his mouth. God, she wanted him too. “We probably need to be careful with the baby, right?”
“I know there might be some positions that we can’t do,” he said. “But I’ve done some research. We can try a few things.”
Killian doing pregnancy sex research? That made her smile. “All right then, show me.”
He tugged her towards the elevators which were thankfully empty, wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her to his side, but didn’t do anything more. She guessed there were cameras overhead.
He led her to his apartment, opened the door and let her go in first. The main living room was spacious, if a little bare, and the large windows had a magnificent view of Manhattan.
“I—Killian!” She giggled when he swept her off her feet. “I’m heavy.”
“You weigh nothing at all,” he said, walking her into his bedroom. He lay her down on the bed gently then unzipped her boots and tossed them away. He crawled over her, lying down next to her as she smoothed her hair away from her face.
“I’m sorry,” he said, lowering his eyes. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there to protect you.”
“You’re here now,” she said. “That’s all that matters.”
He leaned down and his mouth covered hers hungrily. The kiss sent spirals of hunger and lust through Luna’s body, making her dizzy.
“Killian,” she moaned as she felt a hand slip under her leggings.
“Luna, I need you,” he said. His fingers traced over the silky panties and his pupils blew open. “What are you wearing under here?” he rasped, his voice thick with desire.
“Why don’t you find out?”
Killian made quick work of her leggings, pulling them down and off her legs. He straddled her between his legs then grabbed the bottom of her sweater and brought it up over her head. His gaze raked over her, devouring the sight of her body in the lacy black lingerie.
“Do you like it?” she asked shyly.
“I love it,” he growled. He slipped his jacket off, then his sweater, leaving his muscled chest naked. Her eyes followed his hands as he unzipped his jeans, shucking them off quickly. His cock was already hard, the tip bobbing against his flat stomach and she suppressed a moan, but the flaring of his nostrils indicated he could smell her arousal. His hands cupped her breasts through the lace, caressing them gently. Pulling the cups of the bra top down, he leaned down and popped a nipple into his mouth.
“Killian,” She dug her fingers into his hair, raking her nails gently into his scalp. She remembered how much he loved that and he responded by sucking on her nipple harder. “Oh, yes…don’t stop!”
His hand moved lower, exploring her thighs and teasing her skin, sending desire straight to her core. When his fingers pulled her panties aside and traced her wet slit, she moaned and bucked against him. He slipped a finger inside her with ease and her pussy tightened around him.
“Oh, yes,” she moaned, moving her hips along with the slow thrusts of his fingers.
“You’re fucking soaked, sweetheart,” he murmured against her breast. “Do you need to cum?”
“Yes,” she nodded. “Please make me cum, Killian.”
He slipped another finger inside her and twisted his palm so the heel ground against her clit. Her hips lifted up from the bed, the pleasure zinging throughout her body. She opened her mouth to scream, but Killian covered it with his, his tongue exploring her mouth. Her body tensed, sending her over the edge. His mouth continued to devour hers, sucking on her tongue as her body relaxed.
“Beautiful,” he said.
“I want you now. Please, Killian.”
“You don’t have to beg, sweetheart,” he replied, pushing her gently to her side and slipping the panties off her. “You never have to beg me.” He slid his body against her, his warm skin pressing against her back and slipped an arm under her. She parted her thighs as the tip of his cock nudged at her entrance from behind. “Just tell me if you’re uncomfortable or in pain and we’ll stop, okay?”
She nodded.
Slowly, he pushed inside her, and Luna held her breath. God, it felt so good, after all these months. She grabbed onto his forearm and pushed herself back to take him all in.
“Fuck, Luna,” he rasped against the soft skin of her neck. “You feel so good. Everything okay, baby?”
“Yes,” she groaned. “Please don’t stop.”
He moved slowly, tentatively at first. Luna whimpered with need when his hand moved between her thighs and found her clit. He pinched gently, sending a convulsion through her body as she bucked back against him, meeting his every thrust. It was incredible, just like she’d remembered and even better. She rocked back against his cock and this time, he was the one who let out a groan.
“So good, baby,” he whispered in her ear. “Your pussy is so hot and tight. Fuck, I want to cum in you.” His fingers ground against her clit and he sank deeper into her. It was what sent her careening over the edge, and she pulsed around him. The orgasm hit her so hard and fast her ears buzzed. He let out a grunt and she felt his cock pulse, emptying his seed inside her. Killian clutched her tightly as he bucked into her, coaxing one more shiver of pleasure from her before he relaxed.
He kissed her neck, licking at the skin, as if he didn’t mind the soft sheen of sweat covering her. When his cock softened and slipped out of her, she felt the cold air on her back as he left.
“Killian?” she turned around and saw the light in the bathroom. He came out moments later, a cloth in his hands.
“Let me clean you up, sweetheart.”
She sighed when he parted her thighs and the wet, warm cloth made contact with her skin. It was soothing and when he finished, he lay down, curling himself around her. With one arm wrapped around her middle and a large hand over her belly, his breathing evened out and he fell fast asleep.
As she lay in his arms, her mind was racing. Killian wanted her and their child for sure. But what about afterward? When the novelty of being together wore off and their child was born? Things would change and real life would take over. Then there was the fact she hadn’t heard him mention the one thing her heart was aching to hear. And she wanted to hear those words because she was pretty sure that she was in love with him. She always had been, since that first date.
She pressed her face into the crook of his neck and breathed in his scent. Even if she couldn’t have Killian’s heart, then maybe she would at least have this.